He has 5 saves in the month of June and has given up 1 run in 9 innings. How has Rondon been able to have an effective season after 2 poor seasons in Chicago? Is it sustainable or is he better suited as a set up man to whomever the Astros trade for to replace Giles and Harris?
Hector Rondon is very much a feel pitcher. He has had dominant stretches in the past for the Cubs where they felt he was a future elite closer.
He's better suited as a set up guy but he's been very good this year. Pretty much looks like he did before he started to excessively **** the bed 2 years ago and force the Cubs to go get Chapman.
Keuchel, McHugh, Harris, Morton, Verlander, Cole, Rondon Pattern noticed. Coaching and Evaluation/Analytics skills are noticed. Giles is a work in progress, and perfect in Save Opps.
It means his success is very much tied into his command. Sometimes the ball doesn’t feel right leaving his hand and it causes him to struggle. It is the term he used to describe himself when he struggled for the Cubs several years ago.
I would think all pitchers are "feel" pitchers. I get what you're saying... but that honestly is just a nicer way of saying he's either on or off.... or inconsistent... or spotty... .or streaky.
Here's not giving up HRs, after giving them up like crazy the last couple of years. That is the real question mark.
Basically, but I would add that he is harder to work with for an organization because his issues are not as easy to rectify. Let's hope that he keeps it up.
Maybe, but his best seasons as a professional were those where he didn't give up very many homers and his % isn't really that far off what it was several seasons ago. He gives up homers when he doesn't have command of his stuff. I also haven't noticed him rely on the fastball as much, which is what the Astros have preached for their pitchers, but it also tells me he is pretty confident in his slider right now.
True, good point. He is also sitting at a 338 BABiP so that should normalize some towards his career avg of 285. Right now HR is looking like another great Luhnow scrap heap signing.
