POTD Blake Beavan - 2011 and 2012 role
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Q. Seven innings, one run. Why would he ever get knocked out? What does a bad Blake Beavan game look like?
A. Why did Fister ever get hit last year?
These guys don't get lots of strikeouts. Sometimes the grounders go through holes. And sometimes it's Adrian Gonzalez at the plate.
We're not saying that Beavan's a plus starter, but he can go out there and pitch a tough game. He'll be ahead in the count, 0-1 and 1-2, and the fastball will come in there located. So his defense, and the park, will prevent some runs.
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Q. There's no upside, you say? Why not?
A. Unless you are Bartolo Colon (explain that one to me!!) you are not going to get swings and misses with a predictable 92 fastball. Noooo wayyyyy.
Beavan's 84 changeup is quality, it dives a lot, is tough to square up .... but it does NOT get hitters fishing out in front.
Here, check out the dive on Beavan's changeup...
r high-K or high-GB guys coming in to put out fires: it feels like you're in control of the AB, like if you do your job you can "force" an out.
But David Pauley is a guy who relies on his defense, a guy with a starter's arsenal, and he's doing all right. Jamey Wright is also a guy with a starter's rhythm, a starter's game, and Eric Wedge simply decided he'd take outs any way he could get them.
Even after one game, I like Beavan better than Chris Ray or Aaron Laffey, and maybe better than Jamey Wright.
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Back in the 1990's, I used to be very fond of the Steve Karsay / Ramiro Mendoza type swing men ... give you the spot start when you needed it, give you three innings out of the pen when you needed it.
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In a dream scenario, Beavan adds 1-2 mph in the bullpen, and keeps his location... you know who threw 94 into a teacup? Shawn Kelley.
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:shrug: One more average-solid, reasonably effective major league pitcher who is being paid the minimum. What else is goin' on today? They got fireworks at Cheney?
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BABVA,
Dr D