Zach Duke Delivers Against Jays

by Charlie on Mar 7, 2008 8:12 PM EST in News Comment 4 comments

Well, this is the best news I've heard so far this Spring.

[Pitching coach Jeff] Andrews' message to Duke has been consistent all spring ...

More oomph.

More zip.

More purpose to the pitches.

Yesterday, in the Pirates' 8-7 upending of the Toronto Blue Jays at McKechnie Field, it is safe to say Duke made a large leap in that direction: In three scoreless innings, he allowed one hit -- a Rod Barajas double -- walked none, struck out two and, most impressive, threw 27 of 36 pitches for strikes.

That included seven consecutive strikes out of the chute and, by the time he was done, a back-door curveball that froze Vernon Wells for strike three and a fastball he blew by Sal Fasano's bat for another.

Of course, this could mean nothing, and it would be folly to worry too much about any one Spring start. Still, my best guess about what Duke will do this year just went from "He'll put up an ERA of 11, blow out his arm, and won't be seen again until his comeback with the Newark Bears in 2011" to "Well, that might not happen." It's March; I'm glad to have some hope.

Sorry for the sporadic posting recently; I'm working on a preview for the Hardball Times (which should be up next week). I'll finish previewing the other teams in the N.L. Central once that's done.

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It's Not Just the Bucs...

Some comments on spring pitching from deep in the heart of the evil empire - that is, Yankee land.

The Mets reportedly had all of their pitching staff open spring training by throwing at rubber bands stretched at knee-height across home plate. Batters apparently hit worse against pitches in the bottom third of the zone and the Mets coaches wanted their pitchers to focus on getting a more downward plane. Sound familiar?
Oliver P pitched two innings (six runs, 3 earned, some K's) today f/the Mets. He either pitched well or got creamed. One shot went 430' to dead center and sounded like it would still be going.
The Mets are hurting f/position players - lots of injuries. WFAN and the Indians broadcasters today both said they're interested in getting the Xman back - and hopefully, the Bucs will extort a better trade because of this.

by Trogluddite on Mar 7, 2008 10:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Perez

That game was on ESPN. He looked good in the first, alright in the second, then seemed to tire real quick and did not pitch very well in the third.

Also, I am not sure the Mets would be willing to part with much more of their farm system this offseason--the Pirates asking price for Nady right now would probably be a little bit more than the Mets would hope. I am willing to bet they would rather just try to fill the corner outfield vacancy from within, rely on good pitching, and hope Alou comes back strong.

by The New Guy on Mar 8, 2008 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Duke

the duke outing is encouraging. i really think he's going to surprise people this year.

by em3 on Mar 8, 2008 12:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

On Trading Nady...

or Mentowitz or just about anyone but Bay. I realize that we won't get tons of prospects for most of the people we can deal right now. I see it like doubling down - we have to come out of a trade w/2x prospects of a total value greater than whomever we traded. Then we use them as part of another trade, where we again get someone slightly better than those we've traded away. It doesn't make any sense to trade players to make Indy better - we have to have a longer view of making the best of the trades we can make to build f/09 and 2010 and 2011.

While SI says that the Nady deal is smoke and no fire, the local papers/news again noted that the Mets need a right-handed hitting corner outfielder and 1st baseman.

by Trogluddite on Mar 8, 2008 8:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs