It seems like Santiago is on a short leash

[rageous]

Scioscia seems much quicker to pull Santiago in early innings in his first two starts.

I have a feeling that he won't be given that many more starts if he doesn't improve.

What's the team's next option if Santiago does not get better?

[Stradling]

Shoemaker, with Santiago pitching the 7th. It actually seems like a pretty good idea.

[Fontana Halo]

Santiago has wicked stuff he just gets very eratic at times and it seems like when he does he's beyond the point of no return.

 

He kind of reminds me of a left handed Ramon Ortiz.

[nando714]

What's the team's next option if Santiago does not get better?

Barry Enright

Matt Palmer

[stormngt]

I am very concerned with Santiago against Oakland.  They are very patient.  Maybe we should consider Shoemaker at #5.  However, lets give Santiago a few more starts to see if he can right the ship.

[Chuck]

Santiago has a long leash as far as being our starter, but if he starts to waver with his command you'll see him get pulled quicker. We all saw that unravel against the M's after looking electric the first three innings last week. Then he settled down for two innings, unraveled in the 6th again. 

 

He's going to have to repeat his delivery to be an effective starter. 

 

If that doesn't happen, he can be a tremendous BOOST to our bullpen. 

 

If that happens I can see the job going to Shoemaker (who I really like) or Jose Alvarez. 

[rageous]

I really think that Santiago can be more valuable as a bullpen guy rather than a mediocre starter.

He can be the bridge between the starter and joe smith, and frieri that is badly needed right now.

I was also seeing that Santiago's fastball is getting hit at 346/.485/.577 and he is throwing his fastball 74% of the time.

That seems like a terrible combo for a starter.

[Angel Oracle]

I really think that Santiago can be more valuable as a bullpen guy rather than a mediocre starter.

He can be the bridge between the starter and joe smith, and frieri that is badly needed right now.

I was also seeing that Santiago's fastball is getting hit at 346/.485/.577 and he is throwing his fastball 74% of the time.

That seems like a terrible combo for a starter.

That does seem odd, given that he throws 4-5 different pitches.

[OregonLAA]

It's been two starts and people want some AAA guys over him? Give him until the end of May I say. At least. He was cruising during the Mariners game until the strike out passed ball. I'd much rather have him start then come out of the bullpen

[Angels]

Santiago is a big flyball pitcher with serious control issues. Not exactly a recipe for success as a SP. If he can somehow limit the walks, he can be solid. But I doubt that will happen. He has always had control issues, even in the minor leagues. And pitchers with control issues for this long rarely ever improve that... at least not by a huge amount.

[TobiasFunke]

Barry Enright

Matt Palmer

Matt Palmer, wow that's a name I haven't thought of in a while

[jsnpritchett]

Matt Palmer, wow that's a name I haven't thought of in a while

 

...and you were better off because of that.

[Erstad Grit]

Santiago has a long leash as far as being our starter, but if he starts to waver with his command you'll see him get pulled quicker. We all saw that unravel against the M's after looking electric the first three innings last week. Then he settled down for two innings, unraveled in the 6th again. 

 

He's going to have to repeat his delivery to be an effective starter. 

 

If that doesn't happen, he can be a tremendous BOOST to our bullpen. 

 

If that happens I can see the job going to Shoemaker (who I really like) or Jose Alvarez. 

 

Also he only unraveled after the strike 3 end of the inning pitch was mishandled by CI. He seemed to mentally fall apart after that. 

[mulwin444]

I think they need to give Santiago every opportunity to succeed.  Even with a lack of LHP BP depth, a start is always more valuable then a reliever.  For F sake, they gave Blanton a legit opportunity to lose 20 games last season and its not like there is a blue chip prospect knocking on the door.  Shoemakes is fine for long relief but Santiago's stuff is the best out of Shoemaker, Enright, or any other fringe/AAAA guy they are considering as an alternative.  Growing pains are going to happen with Skaggs and Santiago...it happened with Lackey  (4.60 ERA 1.40 WHIP 2003 - 2004) , Weaver (ERA over 4.00, WHIP over 1.30, couldn't pitch past 6 innings most games) , Santana (ERA over 5.00, couldn't win on the road, WHIP around 1.40 2005 - 2007)...he needs to be given the chance that Hanson, Blanton, Varga, and the rest of the crew were given last season.

[Hollyw00d]

I would like to see him improve more mentally than how the ball comes out of his hand

[Chuck]

Also he only unraveled after the strike 3 end of the inning pitch was mishandled by CI. He seemed to mentally fall apart after that. 

 

This is true.

 

I turned to the buddy I was with that night at Safeco and said "it's shit like what just happened (the passed ball ruled a wild pitch) that can unravel the best of them". 

 

Unfortunately for Hector, it did. 

 

Hector was throwing 94-96 MPH that night with good secondary pitches. After that passed ball he just simply lost it. He has to improve the mental part of the game if he's going to be a good to great SP. 

[mulwin444]

 

Hector was throwing 94-96 MPH that night with good secondary pitches.

 This is why I want him to get the chance to work on his mental toughness.  Relievers usually have one plus pitch and maybe one other pitch that is decent with the rest being hittable.  He's got the bullets, just needs to work on his aim.

[krAbs]

I think they need to give Santiago every opportunity to succeed.  Even with a lack of LHP BP depth, a start is always more valuable then a reliever.  For F sake, they gave Blanton a legit opportunity to lose 20 games last season and its not like there is a blue chip prospect knocking on the door.  Shoemakes is fine for long relief but Santiago's stuff is the best out of Shoemaker, Enright, or any other fringe/AAAA guy they are considering as an alternative.  Growing pains are going to happen with Skaggs and Santiago...it happened with Lackey  (4.60 ERA 1.40 WHIP 2003 - 2004) , Weaver (ERA over 4.00, WHIP over 1.30, couldn't pitch past 6 innings most games) , Santana (ERA over 5.00, couldn't win on the road, WHIP around 1.40 2005 - 2007)...he needs to be given the chance that Hanson, Blanton, Varga, and the rest of the crew were given last season.

this. we all knew that we have a rotation with a lot of pretty talented, young guys. the upside is HUGE (as skaggs and richards are showing), but you have to expect to occasional blow up. its not fun- especially when you are a playoff contender, but that's the boat we are in. its just that ideally we'd have a bullpen capable of going long innings and being pretty solid...(though, our extra inning games haven't looked half bad)

[rageous]

Let's see how Santiago works with Conger tonight.

Maybe the new catcher can help him get going tonight.

[Brent Maguire]

Last year's numbers were probably the best you could expect from Hector. Reality is he's more of a 4/5 guy who will get lots of K's but doesn't pitch deep into outings. 

 

I'd still rather have him as a starter since I feel like they wouldn't be valuing him as well as a reliever. Although Shoemaker isn't a bad option as a starter. 

[Ohtaniland]

I think Santiago will get some good run support vs Chavez and I'm expecting to see a very focused Hector Santiago tonight.  AngelsWin!   

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

I think Santiago will get some good run support vs Chavez and I'm expecting to see a very focused Hector Santiago tonight.  AngelsWin!

I hope so. Chavez' numbers look very good (of course the sample size is very small).

[Glen]

Santiago's leash, while short, probably saves lives.  And Scioscia's use of him, while idiotic and incomprehensible to you, saves games.

 

 

 

 

I love having Santiago on the team.

[Guest]

He's not on any leash. This team doesn't have any starters, so he's all we have...unless you want to dip in the Maronde pool of mediocrity. 

[Taylor]

Matt Palmer, wow that's a name I haven't thought of in a while

Same. It took me a second to realize who it was. He went 11-2 with a 3.93 ERA in 2009.