Any follow up you want to make is absolutely fine with me, Doc. Here's a small one of my own.
A couple of variations on the Bedard theme:
- Scott Kazmir (6'0, 92-95 MPH FB/slider/change pitcher, 19 WAR in 4 seasons, then broke, has a 90 mph FB now)
- John Danks (6'1, 91-94 MPH FB/curve-ish/change pitcher, 17 WAR in 4 seasons)
That's the class of pitcher I have Robles in. He doesn't have the control of Danks or Bedard yet (not that theirs is great, but their 3 BB/9 is far better than his 4.5). Kazmir is an example of what happens when you don't get it and have those sorts of mechanics, so he's the guy I'd comp Robles to now...and I'd still take those first 4 wild years in the pros anyway, thanks.
But nobody told Kazmir or Danks to get in the bullpen. They were high first-round picks from high school and were given the fast track with the expectation of success and had their failures ridden out.
Sometimes I think Robles is given a disservice by not being a free agent WE signed or a draftpick WE made. Or maybe it's just perception. If we had traded Washburn for some #6 starter and 20 year old Scott Kazmir he'd be the prize of our pitching system (unless we happened to have a Francisco Liriano in that system too, which we do in Pineda).
Age 20 season:
Kazmir: 7.0 hits, 0.3 HR, 3.7 BB and 9.3 K per 9 in A+ and AA (5.3 innings per start)
Robles 7.4 hits, 0.7 HR, 4.4 BB and 10.6 K in A and A+ (5.1 innings per start)
Just think of him as Scott Kazmir with a chance to be John Danks/Erik Bedard instead of as "potential bullpen guy." That's all I'm askin for. ;)
~G
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