Cammy in his early years was one of the best I've ever seen at going to his right. Reflexes and arm were all-world. I remember when we got Castilla, he really impressed me with his hands and positioning. Wasn't the most athletic guy anymore but he knew how to play 3rd. Like you said, his most impressive play was charging a dribbler down the line, barehand it, throw a strike - across his body - to 1st.
Rodon will be at the top. Appel will be 4th, unless he is packaged in a trade for a positional player.
Its sad to hear the negative reviews of Appel. I havent kept up much with his development consistently but from whay I hear, its seems like we missed on our number 1 pick o-o Having the #1 pick is golden, you have to hit on that pick. Does anyone think he will be worth the pick going forward?
I don't think they would pick him at 1.1 if they could do it over. That said, he's a looong ways away from being a bust. He's just off to an extremely rocky start.
Appel in EST is purely a physical deal. Apparently, after the surgery/recovery and lack of a real spring training, he was just not bodily ready to pitch; it was also mentioned that he was unaccustomed to the tandem system, pitching every 4 days. Has nothing to do with his arm or pitchability or such.
So Keuchel is the black, football Jeremy Lin? Nice to see that there's some chance his success can be sustained and not just good luck.
Yes, you could think that way. Based on what, I dunno, but you could. It's too early to get worried (unless it's a conspiracy? ****!).
Yes, and? Talking about Appel? We don't know what he's throwing right now. They say he's about ready to rejoin a team, we'll see, but it's crazy to freak out or second-guess anything at this point.
No, but what's the point? We don't know anything. He might have the Bolivian Rotator Cuff AIDS for all we know.
It stands to reason that a fan would want a polished collegiate stud who was drafted at 1.1 to come in and immediately lay waste to his minor league competition. Something far from that has happened, while draftees who could have easily been taken in his stead are doing just that. Things haven't gone smoothly, there's a pretty hefty amount of importance that he is carrying, and peoples be concerned. Not really unreasonable.
First full year of pro ball. No, it hasn't started swimmingly, but the guy hasn't had 1 single spring training under his belt. We don't even know enough to know what we don't know about him yet. Don't you have to just sit back and watch for a bit? "Fan" expectations vs. "baseball" expectations are often 2 vastly different things.
As are expectations for a 4 year college pitcher who was touted as the consensus #1 pick two years in a row. In the end, more #1 pick pitchers go on to pedestrian/non all-star careers vs. succeeding... so the concern is valid. I did like how he looked against that Mexican team, though...
Actually, I'm quite sure "baseball" expectations for pitchers taken 1.1 are much higher than what Appel's showing right now. It may be that he'll revert to form once his injury gets better. But don't act like 4yr college pitchers aren't suppose to do well immediately when they're drafted near the top. Generally they perform very well and move through the system fast.. at least the ones that pans out do.
It is pretty early to write off Appel, and if he really was injured due to starting the year too quick, we should tap the brakes... it is May of his first full professional season. Also... how bout that Keuchel?? Nice to have a starter that you can look forward to seeing! I generally watch Quick Pitch in the mornings, and I am hoping he gets some buzz leading into his next start.
I agree that there should be some concern just as there should be for other players who move up a level and have problems.
My current view is that Keuchel's floor is BoR with his ceiling being either a No.1 or No.2 starter. This is a drastic change in my view of Keuchel from a month ago. Is it too early to give him that ceiling. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-most-improved-pitchers-thus-far-by-projected-war-2/ 1. Dallas Keuchel, LHP, Houston (Profile) Projection (PRE): 68 IP, 6.0 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 4.23 FIP, 0.4 WAR Projection (ROS): 104 IP, 6.5 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 3.93 FIP, 1.1 WAR Based on that projection, Keuchel would finish with an ERA around 3.56...a solid No. 2. Personally, I think Keuchel will have a FIP (and by extension ERA) below 3.93 for the rest of the season.
