Capuano's velocity back up to 86-87 MPH

[yoshii8]

I just read a blog post at jsonline, and it said that Capuano is almost back up to his old velocity and expects to compete for a big league job in spring training. This could be big news for the Brewers, I'd also be very happy for Capuano.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/81070542.html

[Invader3K]

My guess is that his days as a starter may be over. He could be a viable long reliever type yet, though.

[monty57]

Invader, is that based on something or just a guess? I don't know anything about players who've had two TJ surgeries, but all I've heard is that he was coming back to start. If he is able to come back and compete for a starting spot it's huge news for the Brewers. Having him or Parra at AAA to be called up when an injury occurs would be a wonderful change from last season. This could be the poor person's equivalent of the "Bedard-type signing" many have been pining for... or it could reduce the risk of our doing a separate "Bedard-type signing."

[dadofandrew]

He'll be a SP. Guys with multiple surgeries do not warm up 2-3 times a game.

[davego]

Good point, Al.

[DHonks]

Ideally, Cappy would be brought back as a true 5th starter. That is, budget him for 20-25 starts and keep the other 4 on a regular rotation.

[craigharmann]

I wouldn't mind that rotation.....Yo, Wolf, Bush, Parra, Cappy.

[mattsr0625]

My guess is that his days as a starter may be over. He could be a viable long reliever type yet, though.

really? when he was a starter with the brewers he was topping out around 89-90. he will be a starter again. i cant see him pitching 2 or 3 days in a row even at 1 inning per night.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

If Cappy even sees Milwaukee this year, I'll be surprised. Hopefully he gets off to a good start in Nashville.

[sheetswannabe]

If Cappy could make it back, wow. But honestly, I wont be holding my breath, 2 TJs later we cant expect too much. All the power to him, I hope he proves me wrong.

[pitchleague]

maybe we'll "Tom Glavine" him and pull his chain until June or so before releasing him.

 

 

Sorry, that was probably pent up Packer emotion speaking there.

[JohnBriggs12]

My guess is that his days as a starter may be over. He could be a viable long reliever type yet, though.

really? when he was a starter with the brewers he was topping out around 89-90. he will be a starter again. i cant see him pitching 2 or 3 days in a row even at 1 inning per night.

 

I don't remember him topping out at 89-90 in 07. I thought he was more like 86-87. It's going to take more than an 86 or 88 mph fastball for him to become an effective major league starter. He's got to prove he can command a breaking pitch consistently against good hitters because he can't get by just on his fastball whether its 86 or 90 and his changeup which is a pretty good strikeout pitch for him. If he can command something with movement, then he's got a chance. But the Brewers can't afford to have him test it against major league lineups so he's going to have to do it in the minors first.

[razzzorsharp]

Finally, the true ace is back.

[BrewCrewForever]

I wish him well, hope he can contribute to the team in some way. Maybe start in Nashville and be depth if nothing else in case of an injury.

[tigerbrew]

I wouldn't mind that rotation.....Yo, Wolf, Bush, Parra, Cappy.

It would be very interesting to watch what results having 3 lefties in the rotation will yield. And if Narveson step ups like last season, there could be 4 lefties in the rotation sometime in 2010.

 

Hopefully Cappy's command is back along with his velocity. I'm keen to watch how he performs in ST before deciding where he goes.

[Invader3K]

My prediction that he would not be a starter was just a guess. I don't have anything to back it up. I just find it somewhat hard to believe that after his very lengthy recovery, he'll be able to take the ball every fifth day and go 5-6 innings consistently. Hopefully I'm wrong, as the Brewers could certainly use him as an option for the rotation, at least.

[afeter]

beat me to it razzor

[brewers4eric]

Hopefully Capuano has enough velocity on his fastball to set up his off speed pitches. We could definitely use the depth at AAA, and anything that he would be able to contribute at the major league level would be a definite bonus.

 

The mention of the number of lefties has given me flashbacks to the days when Scott Karl, Bill Pulsipher, Jim Abbott, and Brad Woodall filled out our rotation.

[RobDeer 45]

This is great news! I agree, if he could come in as an avg 5th it would be a huge bonus. If he starts in AAA and fills in down the road, it would be huge.

 

It would be great to see him effective in the bigs again!

[LaprilOne]

It would be a pleasure to see that oh so slick pickup move again!

[DHonks]

Also, keep in mind that Cappy never overpowered hitters. He worked to righties with a very noticeable pattern of Fastball in, changeup away, fastball in, changeup away. Most of his out he rarely needed his slider to righties, as they never seemed to notice his routine. I have more faith in him coming back since he is a finesse guy and won't have to reinvent himself

[TheCrew07]

I read that blog post a couple of days ago, I'm not sure where he's going to get 6-7 mph from... he was pitching 80-81 in Helena last season. He's a great guy, but something was up if he magically gets back into the 87-88 range. Maybe he just wasn't letting go if that's truly the case, however I've grown skeptical of self proclaimed radar readings until I hear it confirmed from an independent source.

 

As far as multiple surgeries making him a starter, I disagree. He hasn't had shoulder surgery, and even guys with multiple injuries like Kerry Wood who "took forever to warm up" have made the transition to the bullpen.

 

I like Cappy as person but if he positively impacts Milwaukee's starting pitching I'll be shocked given what he was doing last season. There is always a chance, but the odds are firmly stacked against him even making it back to MLB. It would be one heck of a feel good story though if he regained his velocity and made it back.

[Invader3K]

Agree, Crew07. The odds are way stacked against him. Of course I'll be pulling for him, just like I pull for any player to hopefully help the Brewers out. I just am not that optimistic.

 

I heard last season talk that Capuano was almost overly cautious in his rehab. Does anyone have further commentary on that?

[monty57]

I agree that it's a tough hill for him to climb, and he's probably a long shot, but don't most TJ recipients take a full year to get their velocity back? And don't most regain all, if not more than all of their previous velocity?

 

Of course, this may all be very skewed by this being his second procedure.

[pingman]

maybe we'll "Tom Glavine" him and pull his chain until June or so before releasing him.

Glavine is a whiny little piss-ant

 

1) maybe the Braves were trying to trade him? never know....

2) he didn't hesitate to leave the ATL for the Mets via free agency for a marginal increase over the Braves offer ....and his logic was "New York is a better place to raise my family" ....are you kidding me!

3)as the leader of the players union, Glavine was never shy to play the "it's a business" card ....well Tommy, you wanted it & you got it!

 

....definitely my least favorite Brave, although the "chicks dig the long ball" commercials he did with Maddox were cool