Broken Bat - Help: Three Underdeveloped Pitchers

Forum >> Help >> Three Underdeveloped Pitchers

Post ID	Date & Time	Game Date	Function

#47137	03/22/2017 8:23:03 pm
xLee227 Joined: 07/06/2015 Posts: 269 Inactive	I've got a bit of a dilemma on my hand with three underdeveloped pitchers, all 27 years olds who I claimed off waivers a couple seasons back. These first 2 guys (Morales/Espinosa) were severely under-developed when I claimed them, while the last one (Mills) has always developed at a more or less normal pace until last season. Morales- 15pt, 105SI. Has pitched a full-season in triple-A (his age 25 season) and 274IP in league/cup action. In League play, he has a 4.74ERA in 38 innings (1/7 in quality starts). Espinosa - 14pt, 87SI (just 13SI on defensive skills). Has pitched a full-season in triple-A (his age 26 season) but has barely played in the majors (70IP in league/cup). Mills - 13pt, 104SI. Won Rookie of the Year in his age 25 season, but seems to have stunted at 104SI, where he's stayed throughout his age 26 season and still hasn't popped in almost 2 seasons. Has 388IP in league/cup action but hasn't played much in league action this year. With cup play now over, I've thrown Morales and Espinosa into my league rotation and they've been costing me games to the point where I feel like I'm throwing 40% of all my games (2/5 of my rotation). Mills is my long man in the bullpen. What would you do with Morales, Espinosa, and Mills? Would you keep all, two, one, or none of them? Who would you start or shuffle to the bullpen? I've got some guys in my bullpen ready to step into a starting role, specifically Brewer and Le. In my minors right now, I've got a 25 year old prospect, Alvarado, ready for a bullpen spot, in addition to a righty specialist waiting for the call.

#47142	03/22/2017 8:56:19 pm
MukilteoMike Joined: 08/09/2014 Posts: 3294 Inactive	I'll start with the easy one in Mills. He's probably at or very near his top, so don't expect SI gains. He has an unusual build, 13-7-13-20, and I have no idea what that produces. I'd give him some time to show his stuff. I probably shouldn't give advice on Morales because I've had a long, horrible history with lefties that look good but suck. He looks like one of those to me. However, the few innings he's thrown this year have been a little better. If he can't keep his OBA at 280 or better and HR per 9 under 1.5, I don't see how he can be valuable to you. Espinosa has been horrible, but I think there's hope. He should have steady gains provided you get him innings. It's too early to give up on him.

#47145	03/23/2017 3:01:58 am
occham Joined: 11/07/2011 Posts: 258 Inactive	For good or bad, Mills looks done. He's on the bottom edge of his ranges but that happens. He looks reasonably effective but I don't think he's going to be putting on many more points. Espinosa is a bit pokey but has picked up 10 points since 26 and that looks close to his average development so you've probably got about another 10-15 points he'll tag on (leaving him around 100 SI) before he stops developing for age. Not bad given his low defensive abilities. The problem is he's just gonna need to eat innings to get there so you'll have to deal with his development angst against your league record. Morales has been rocketing up since he's been getting playing time but he's also just about aged out. You might get another 15 points. The latter two look ok but I think given your division II, they're all going to be 'projects'. Of the 3, Morales looks like the 'surest' bet. He's better than Espinosa now, will keep packing on a few more points, and is a leftie for what it's worth. If I was gonna take a chance on one, he'd be the guy I'd try but remember - I'm getting crushed this year in V so that that with a grain of salt Maybe keep em both and cut the worse of the two next spring training. Updated Thursday, March 23 2017 @ 3:32:15 am PDT

#47157	03/23/2017 8:27:55 am
amalric7 Joined: 01/20/2016 Posts: 2236 New York Lancers V.4	I think there are two issues here. 1. I wouldn't keep a player in the minors at age 26, I'd give him at most until halfway through the season then call him up - I just don't believe they have anything left to gain there at that age (and very little beyond 26). 2. These guys aren't getting enough IP, so I'm thinking your hooks are set too low. My SP have their hooks set at 9, whatever their stage of development. Look at Baird, and Knepper before him - I really believe you have to throw these guys to the wolves when they're ready, and let them take their lumps. Getting a guy lifted from the game after 3-5 innings isn't going to help his development enough, you need to go all-in. Its the same for hitters, mostly. LLIV is killing me thus far, but only now am I mixing in my vets to take some of the load of my young whiffers....erm, I mean, bats. I'd keep all three of your guys and just give them more IP. I'd keep Brewer in the pen and use him only in emergencies, he's almost done anyway.

#47181	03/23/2017 9:05:42 pm
xLee227 Joined: 07/06/2015 Posts: 269 Inactive	Thanks to everyone who posted with their advice!