From: eaz@po.CWRU.Edu (Eric A. Zahn)
Subject: Re: Who to watch for '93
Reply-To: eaz@po.CWRU.Edu (Eric A. Zahn)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 92 18:21:40 GMT


God, it seems like we had this discussion a year ago, with all the posts!

In a previous article, tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer) says:
>In article <1992Aug10.224306.28688@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> eaz@po.CWRU.Edu (Eric A. Zahn) writes:
>>In a previous article, tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer) says:
>
>Now how can I pan the Indians' "young" pitching while praising
>Militello?  Well, I could start by mentioning that I've seen both
>pitch.  As for the rest?
>
>Otto is 27.  His AAA career (comprising 64 starts) involves 393 IP and
>401 hits.  His 266 K's aren't bad, which is why I consider him one of
>the better prospects the Indians have.  He can probably run a 1:2 K:IP
>ratio in the majors.  His control, however, is awful.  A pitcher who
>is that eminently hittable can't afford to walk more than 1 batter per
>4 or 5 innings.  And Otto in AAA had 168 walks!
>
He did have a lot of promise in the A's system (notwithstanding the walks)
 but he left it somewhere
in Tacoma. A guaranteed non-protected pitcher, and maybe worth a gamble
for Florida and Colorado.


>Nichols, also 27, is similarly toast.  I don't have minor league stats
>on him, but he has yet to post a major league season with fewer hits
>than innings.  His control is improving, but far from impressive.
>Also a 1:2 K:IP type guy.
>
He has had plenty of chances with the Tribe dating back to 89, and has
done nothign to prove that he is better than mediocre. Again, he won't
be protected, and the Indians will proobably start him in the rotation next
year as the 4th starter.

>Scudder is a Gardiner/Morton level talent.  Worth trading Rob Murphy
>for.  But a lousy return on Greg Swindell.  At 24 he is the only one
>of the Indians' "young" pitchers who is actually still young.  And he
>might even learn to keep his hits down below his innings pitched.  Of
>course, with the Indians nothing is entirely good.  His control is
>miserable.  Another 1:2 K:IP type guy.
>
People here have been comparing him to Nagy of last year (Nagy was 10-15
with an ERA in the low 4.00's). Again, as you said, he is relatively young,
and he could surprise. Or maybe not. You read him quite well.
He will be the #2/#3 starter next year, and probably will be protected.

>Cook is 29.  Another 1:2 K:IP type guy.  Average control, and the
>possibility of keeping his hit totals down to a reasonable level.  (At
>least lower than his innings pitched.)  He'd be a decent prospect,
>if he were 23.
>
This one is a tough call. He was banished to the bullpen in early May, 
performed decently, and then was put back in the rotation in July.
He has not lost a game yet since returning. He has given quality starts
every time (Monday was his worst by far- 6 IP and 5 ER).
He has found a new pitch- the split-finger- and it has worked so far in
this second chance for Cook>
I say, if he keeps it up, the Tribe will have no choice but to protect
him and put him in the rotation next year. If he struggles down the 
stretch, no protection, no guaranteed job next year. He is also out
of options- a release also could be apparent if he struggles. But he 
hasn't yet. Wait and see.

>Mesa is 26.  Throws a decent fastball, but it is straight.  He is
>*very* hittable, and has below average control.  (104 BB in 200 major
>league IP coming into this year.)  If he can ever get his K totals
>higher than his BB totals, I might be impressed.  But I doubt it.
>
Exactly right. the coaches have been working on his delivery, and it worked
the first couple of outing, but his wildness has been painfully evident 
in his last two outings. Probable protection for the Tribe.

>Now Militello hasn't had any major league experience.  So I can't wow
>you with that.  But I'll start by mentioning that he is only 22.  He
>is two years younger than the youngest of the Indians "young"
>pitchers, and 5 years younger than their average age.
>
>I suppose the next point I should mention is strikeouts.  He has
>struck out more than 1 per inning at every level in the minors.  His
>125 K in 114.1 innings will likely translate to between 2:3 and 3:4
>K:IP in the majors.  Maybe a little more, as he learns to pitch.
>
>Remember how the Indians pitchers all had around 1 hit per inning in
>both the majors and the minors?  Militello has 84 H in 114 IP in
>Columbus.  Translates to something like 100-105 H/114 IP in the
>majors.  A decent ratio.
>

I have to admit, pretty decent stats.

>And don't forget the walks.  Several of the Indians pitchers were in
>the habit of walking a batter every other inning.  Militello has
>allowed only 37 walks this year.  That number may actually *drop* in
>the big leagues.
>
>If you can't tell the difference between Militello and
>Otto/Cook/Mesa/Nichols, you aren't looking very hard.  Militello is a
>better pitcher at a far younger age.  And while he is far from being a
                                       ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^
guaranteed success, and will probably have a rough spell or two before
^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^  ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^

This was my point. He hasn't proved anything yet in the majors, so again,
wait and see. But I would protect him, and he is a  definite
canididate to start in 1994 for the Yanks. But already penciling him in
for next year to have a 3.00-3.50 ERA? Come on. That is stretching
it a bit.
>
>Cheers,
>-Valentine
>
E.

-- 
*******  Eric Zahn (eaz@po.cwru.edu) -- Systems Engineer-in-training ********
Go Tribe! 37-32 in their last 69 games!  Mesa vs. Boston on Wed.
The AL East Pennant Race for 4th: Det -  Bos 1/2  Cle 2  NYY 2
As Henny Youngman would say..." Take Eric Metcalf... please!"
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