Time to take some risks with rotation?

[monty57]

I agree on the cost savings to a point, but pitchers are different than hitters. Since studies have shown how pitchers are more likely to get injured if they don't stick to a fairly regimented innings pitched schedule, you don't see very many pitchers being rushed through systems and taking on big innings workloads if they haven't worked up to them. Young hitters may wear down and become less productive over a long MLB schedule, but pitchers are at risk of career-threatening injuries (at least according to studies).

 

When teams pay a signing bonus of up to a few million dollars, they don't want to see that investment blow up on them. I'd guess that's weighed right along with service time. If there was a guarantee that players would not get hurt, you'd probably see more 20-year-old pitchers in the majors.

[endaround]

September call ups don't count as an option year, though, right?

Not sure what you are asking here. If th player was already on the 40 man before Sept 1 one option was already used (assuming he wasn't just sent down before Sept 1). If he's added to the 40 man after Sept 1 no option would be used but if he isn't on the 25 mean the next season that would cost an option.

[FVBrewerFan]

To be clear, I wasn't talking abut September call-ups. I want these guys to be invited to Spring Training, and given every opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation. And I don't mean Odorizzi or anyone else his age. I'm talking about the college pitchers, or guys have been in the system for 2-3 years. Heckathorn, Rivas, Peralta...etc. Those are the guys I'm talking about.

 

Innings don't have to be an issue. If one of those guys can stick as the #5 pitcher, he willl get plenty of days off. They can even stick him in the bullpen for a while if the innings are adding up.

[logan82]

Innings don't have to be an issue. If one of those guys can stick as the #5 pitcher, he willl get plenty of days off.

 

We hear that a lot but it never happens. Managers and our pitching coach in particular like to give the guys an extra day off instead of skipping guys in the rotation.

[monty57]

To be clear, I wasn't talking abut September call-ups. I want these guys to be invited to Spring Training, and given every opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation.

 

I kind of thought that was where you were going, FV, and I agree that at least Rivas and Rogers should be in the running for the rotation next year. The only certainties are Yo and Wolf, and Parra is a probable. If we get someone for Prince, we should need one spot filled. With our current makeup, I'd guess the last spot will either be Rivas, Rogers or a free agent signing. With Melvin's recent track record on FA signings, I'm leaning towards letting Rivas/Rogers take the spot. I would like to see them make an effort at signing Javier Vazquez for a 1-2 year deal, but that may be a pipe dream. Houston should have a lot of money, and Wade will probably give him an 8-year deal.

 

A lot can change, but since I believe Rogers will be out of options, I'd like to see him get the first shot unless it really doesn't look like he can cut it as a starter. He has much more value as a starter than he would as a reliever, so let him start out as the #5, with Rivas, Jeffress, Heckathorn, etc waiting in the wings in AAA. We will have injuries and poor performance that will give these guys plenty of opportunity, so it will be nice to have some talent at AAA waiting to step in.

[thebruce44]

I just don't see any reason to rush any of the guys from the minors right now. It would be one thing if the team was contending and needed the help. But at this point I think I'd rather go with what we have, let the young guys develop at a normal pace, and reset in the off-season. Calling up a Rivas or someone in September is fine, but rushing someone like Odorizzi just seems irresponsible at this point.

 

I know "back in the old days", guys came up and played a lot sooner. But that was before MLB was loaded with foreign born players. It was also when many guys were washed up by the time they were in their late 20's. I think there's a reason things are done how they are now.

Guys are still washed up by their late 20's. The difference is most of those washed up guys are still pitching in the big leagues (Zambrano, Kazmir etc) because they have contracts.. Back in the day, they were gone having been replaced by the next 20 or 21 year old.

 

In the old days you didn't hear about all the kids blowing out their arms like you do today since players are scouted and watched from a younger age. Hitters, weightlifting, creatine, and scouting reports have developed to the point where 20 year olds outside of King Felix are not ready to pitch at the highest level. Development programs are in place for a reason.