Looking it over, he was pretty consistent at giving up 1.5 HR/9 from 1999-2006, mostly as a starter, while overall decent in 01-03 then pure mush in 04-05.  Then he goes to STL and at age 34 and since his HR/9 is 0.9, 1.14 and 0.3.  Obviously, that is in relief, but does that make a huge difference for a guy like Franklin who doesn't rely on stuff?

.........

I agree with Matty that you always have to be aware of the NL/AL delta, but wouldn't necessarily factor it much, in Ryan Franklin's case. 

Ryan Franklin can pitch in the AL.  Once he finished like #9 in the league in ERA over here.  The question is more, "Can he go through a lineup more than once?"

...........

Scouts talk constantly about this or that guy -- Campillo and Franklin being two specific examples -- being bullpen guys.  You'll hear Mariners scouts, especially, always wanting to move Joe Shlabotnik to relief.  They do this (usually) precisely because they fear what would happen with overexposure.

Probably the very first question that a real good tools scouts ask about a pitcher is, does he have what it takes to make it through a lineup the 2nd and 3rd times.  

Seriously, they go sit in the stands and watch, say, Jason Vargas in AAA and that's what they're assessing.  How does this stuff look to a guy who's already seen 5 of his pitches earlier that night.

............

Dennis Eckersley always thought that was critical for him.  "If it's me against you one time, I like my chances."   A pitcher who gets to face you once, pulls out all the stops, holds no tricks back. 

It's comparable to a 20-second fight between a Shotokan black belt and your local drunk in a bar.  Here comes his best, right off the bat -- hard front kick to the groin, drunk drops his hands, there's the elbow to the head... strike three, grab some bench.  The Shotokan guy stakes everything on one great combo.  If that doesn't work, and the drunk takes him to the ground, he may be in serious trouble.

In the UFC, that won't work.  You don't get to just use one or two techniques and then go home for the night.  It's a war of attrition, both sides waiting for their chances.  Mistake avoidance is the name of the game.

............

My guess is, Ryan Franklin is simply benefitting from the fact that it's hard to "stalk" him over the course of only 4 pitches.  If so, that's one more brass stud in Tony LaRussa's pennant-hunting rifle.

As compared to other kitchen-sink 5-pitch guys, Ryan Franklin has a notch more stuff than they do.  He throws 91-93, forcing the hitters to stay a little more "flicky" at the plate, and his overhand curve is pretty legit.

............

Objectively speaking, maybe it would be possible for Campillo and Petit to throw 4 pitches to a hitter in one AB, have each pitch be at a different velocity, and see if those guys could dink-and-doink their ways to closeouts.   

Maybe one of these days, that's exactly what closers will be:  Japanese-style pitchers who come in and, for one inning, never repeat a pitch type to a hitter.  :- )

It feels very uncomfortable to have Evan Longoria at the plate, game on the line, and then have the pitcher lob the ball up there real slow.  Do you think Wakamatsu would ever let an 86-mph'er pitch the 8th or 9th?

Cheers,

Dr D