Smoltz went back to starting in part because he felt there was more strain as a closer. I guess if a guy just absolutely can't physically make it without a reduced inning regimen, it has to happen... But VV already had his TJS and is showing the ability to throw extended starts (indicating a full recovery). Again, much more valuable if he can make it as a starter. Should only be converted due to ineffectiveness.
Just a point: 99% of relief pitchers are failed starters. You will see guys get to start games in the minors just so teams can stretch out their arms and refine pitches yet control a regular workload. You always let youngsters start first and then move them to the pen later depending on their skillset. Billy Wagner was never going to be a starting pitcher, they said about as much when they drafted him.
D.J. Fisher just homered again in Lancaster. He's got 15 with the JetHawks and 21 for the entire season.
They will on Sept 1st. Hope it's not too late, this guy could stay hot and be the difference between making the playoffs or not.
His BAbip is sitting at .362 on the year and .433 in AAA. Love what this guy is doing, but those numbers are well past unsustainable. He had a .314 BAbip in 2014 and .335 in 2013. Seems like he could live a little above .300, but you have to wonder where he actually will fall.
Admittedly I haven't seen him play very much, but if he has a high exit velocity on batted balls, then I could see an above average BABIP for him. Not sure if it's that or more of a luck thing.
Astros should sign Joba Chamberlain to a minor league deal. With patience he might still have some good stuff to be a set up man
Lost in Tyler White's rise to prominence this year is the fact that Matt Duffy looks like a really, really intriguing late-bloomer. He's 26 years old, so he's never held much "prospect" status, but it's completely reasonable to think he'll have an MLB career for a couple years.
Based on name recognition? The last time he was very good was his rookie year in 2007. Since then he's had a few solid seasons (2010, 2011, 2014) but nothing that would be an upgrade over Harris-Perez-Neshek-Gregerson-etc. Plus, he just opted out of a minor league deal so what makes you think he would sign another?
White has hit over 320 in 2 of his three seasons. He doesn't strike out much and he walks. His career OBP is well above 400. He hits the ball very hard, just lacks lift. He has a BABIP well above 300 for his career. Yes his BABIP is over 400, but that is what happens when you hit over 370 and have an OBP of nearly 500. For reference Goldschmidt has a career BABIP of nearly +70 because he hits lots of hard line drives. White can crush minor league pitching, he has proven it like many others have. The question is whether it translates.... but I am not overly worried about BABIP because if he hits 320 or 370; the point is he has proven he can master hitting in the minors.
He doesn't play defense. His only possible MLB positions are possibly first or DH. He is a professional hitter.
