Brave-O-Matic Midseason Grades (Part 3)
Bullpen
Chris Reitsma -- Got off to a fantastic start, which put him in position to assume closer duties after repeated Dank Lob flameouts. He's been less consistent since then -- seems like he either doesn't allow a baserunner, or can't get an out. He's come up a little short of his advance billing when the Braves acquired him from the Reds, but his stuff is undeniable. You keep thinking he'll get it figured out, and he may yet. Grade: B
Adam Bernero -- I'd say he's a reclamation project but, looking at his career, I'm not sure exactly what there is to be reclaimed. He showed up throwing strikes and pitching multiple innings, and began to nose his way into a higher-profile role. His ERA was 2.42 on May 25, but since then he's given up multiple runs in 7 of his last 15 appearances. He's getting hammered consistently -- no end in sight. Grade: D-
Dank Lob -- Only Kenny Rogers strikes more fear in the hearts of dugout water coolers. Brought in to be the closer despite the hue and cry of statheads, he immediately set about confirming all our worst fears, and then compounded them by showing himself to be a head case. Rocker and Wohlers were head cases, too, but at least they established some record of success with the team. The lack of consistent competetion means that three or four good outings in a row by Lob will likely thrust him back into high-leverage situations, where we'll see once and for all whether he can hack it with a decent team. Grade: F
Kevin Gryboski -- By two seasons the senior member of the bullpen. Gryboski has long been Cox's designated groundball reliever, but he's proven most adept at allowing inherited runners to score while keeping his own ERA nice and tidy. Winds of change recently, though, as he was used to start an inning in seven consecutive appearances. It's a better role for him, in my opinion. He's not a strikeout pitcher, nor does he have great control, so bringing him in with runners on base only exposes his weaknesses. Grade: B
John Foster -- Back with his original team, and our only lefty in the pen (until we pick up Stanton, it says here). Not a whole lot to say other than he's been fine in the LOOGY role -- only two bad outings in 25. Grade: A-
Blaine Boyer -- Promoted three weeks ago despite not pitching particularly well in AA, he's now working on a string of 10 consecutive scoreless appearances since his debut. He'll probably be farmed out once we get some folks off the DL, but he can feel good that he's established a little bit of success. Grade: A
Jim Brower -- For a team going nowhere, the Giants sure gave up on him quickly after a good 2004. Great low-risk pickup by the Braves -- he's been okay so far. Grade: Inc.
Others
Jorge Vasquez has pitched mostly in losses so far, and will be the first to return to Richmond unless Colon flames out or Bernero gets released...Matt Childers and Frank Brooks popped in to say hello...Tom Martin made Dank Lob look like Goose Gossage.
Chris Reitsma -- Got off to a fantastic start, which put him in position to assume closer duties after repeated Dank Lob flameouts. He's been less consistent since then -- seems like he either doesn't allow a baserunner, or can't get an out. He's come up a little short of his advance billing when the Braves acquired him from the Reds, but his stuff is undeniable. You keep thinking he'll get it figured out, and he may yet. Grade: B
Adam Bernero -- I'd say he's a reclamation project but, looking at his career, I'm not sure exactly what there is to be reclaimed. He showed up throwing strikes and pitching multiple innings, and began to nose his way into a higher-profile role. His ERA was 2.42 on May 25, but since then he's given up multiple runs in 7 of his last 15 appearances. He's getting hammered consistently -- no end in sight. Grade: D-
Dank Lob -- Only Kenny Rogers strikes more fear in the hearts of dugout water coolers. Brought in to be the closer despite the hue and cry of statheads, he immediately set about confirming all our worst fears, and then compounded them by showing himself to be a head case. Rocker and Wohlers were head cases, too, but at least they established some record of success with the team. The lack of consistent competetion means that three or four good outings in a row by Lob will likely thrust him back into high-leverage situations, where we'll see once and for all whether he can hack it with a decent team. Grade: F
Kevin Gryboski -- By two seasons the senior member of the bullpen. Gryboski has long been Cox's designated groundball reliever, but he's proven most adept at allowing inherited runners to score while keeping his own ERA nice and tidy. Winds of change recently, though, as he was used to start an inning in seven consecutive appearances. It's a better role for him, in my opinion. He's not a strikeout pitcher, nor does he have great control, so bringing him in with runners on base only exposes his weaknesses. Grade: B
John Foster -- Back with his original team, and our only lefty in the pen (until we pick up Stanton, it says here). Not a whole lot to say other than he's been fine in the LOOGY role -- only two bad outings in 25. Grade: A-
Blaine Boyer -- Promoted three weeks ago despite not pitching particularly well in AA, he's now working on a string of 10 consecutive scoreless appearances since his debut. He'll probably be farmed out once we get some folks off the DL, but he can feel good that he's established a little bit of success. Grade: A
Jim Brower -- For a team going nowhere, the Giants sure gave up on him quickly after a good 2004. Great low-risk pickup by the Braves -- he's been okay so far. Grade: Inc.
Others
Jorge Vasquez has pitched mostly in losses so far, and will be the first to return to Richmond unless Colon flames out or Bernero gets released...Matt Childers and Frank Brooks popped in to say hello...Tom Martin made Dank Lob look like Goose Gossage.
posted by Sam Bass | 10:29 AM
1 Comments:
Nice job.
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