1
As for #2: Beavan does NOT have a 97 mph fastball. He HAD one, as a teen, with mechanics so horrific the Rangers immediately changed them and lopped 6 mph off his heat in the process. Lemme see if I can track down video of his high school motion.
Beavan could have been a closer with a timebomb on his arm, and the Rangers instead turned him into a #5 starter. They were hoping he'd get more velocity back as he aged - and he's gotten a little. He's been more 89-92 for us - he was throwing 87-90ish a couple years ago.
If he loses those mph he's a meatball, so here's praying for this version of Blake to stick around, I guess. But that 96 is not coming back.
~G