Why isn't Scioscia trying to stretch out Rasmus in this next few weeks

[Angel Oracle]

Try next time to have him go out there with the mindset to throw 60 pitches, and see how far he gets into the game and how effective he is when coming out. 

He's thrown 43, 49, and 50 pitches in 3 of his past 4 appearances.   I wouldn't think that 60 pitches would be too far fetched, if the weather is normal. 

[ettin]

The reason they aren't stretching out Rasmus is they had lots of very effective relievers to go behind him because of the expanded rosters.

They were more interested in him pitching 3 scoreless innings than giving up 2 runs in 5 innings because they felt they had enough relievers that they could get 2 scoreless out of them.

Also, this isn't like when Garrett Richards went from the bullpen to the rotation last July and cranked it up about 10-15 pitches each time.

Rasmus has not been a starter for 3 years.

They also didn't want him compromising his effectiveness if he tries to "pace himself" to get deeper in the game.

Maybe he wouldn't be as good for those 3-4 if he went in feeling like he had to last 5-6.

Of course, that was all before Shoemaker got hurt. Now it would be nice if he could go 5-6 but it's too late. Not enough time for that.

It also has to do with the fact that relievers generally do better in shorter innings because they don't go through the order as much where batters can get more comfortable with seeing pitches. If he went 5-6 innings the hitters would be able to size him up a little better in the box and potentially do more damage scoring.

[Angel Oracle]

That is true of the average reliever that throws just two different pitches.

But Rasmus throws 4 different pitches, and has had solid command of all of them since going into the rotation.

 

I don't know what led to his move to the pen 3 years ago in the Braves system, but he is potentially a starting pitcher with having 4 different pitches and touching mid 90s.    Best of all, just 15 BBs in 49 innings 

 

It couldn't hurt to try to convert him in the off-season.    We need all the starters we can find, with GRich probably out to start the season, Skaggs missing the season, Nibs might as well not even be here, and little to no close to ready depth on the farm. 

Edited September 17, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[DMVol]

....It couldn't hurt to try to convert him in the off-season.    We need all the starters we can find, with GRich probably out to start the season, Skaggs missing the season, Nibs might as well not even be here, and little to no close to ready depth on the farm. 

I agree...we've got plenty of relievers, with more maybe on the way---Bedrock and maybe the Diaz kid in particular....if Arte is serious about the luxury tax, not sure where we'll be looking for starters in the offseason.....I guess maybe they just really like Rasmus as a reliever, he has been effective...even so, it certainly isn't a blow to the pen, which appears to be stocked, to try him as a starter...if he bombs, back to the pen....

Edited September 17, 2014 by DMVol

[ettin]

I believe I recently read somewhere that Dipoto plans to look at him as a potential starter next year.... let me go see if I can find it right fast.

[tomsred]

Better to pull Rasmus at 45 pitches, than to stretch him to 60+.  The game situation last night was pretty meaningless in retrospect,  considering the Grilli and Salas performances.  If you want to push him to 5-6 innings that might be in a more important playoff game.  If he gets injured at this point, and Shoemaker is down for awhile it's a steep decline to the next available starter (LeBlanc, Roth, Wolf?).  I wouldn't let Weaver, Wilson, or Santiago throw more than 80-90 pitches in any regular season game from this point forward.

 

Yes, I know home field advantage could be important against the Orioles (if we get there), but pitching health is a much more important issue at this point.  When you get to the playoffs you do everything you can to win that game you are playing, absolutely no looking ahead, a much different situation than now. 

[T.G.]

Thanks, Jeff!  I think that most of the time when Angels fans see something they don't like - they want to understand why a move is made or not made and getting answers like this helps a ton. 

 

How cool is it that we can a viable response from one of the beat writers on this site?

[YESWECAN]

Troll Daddy-we are passionate fans and even more passionate critics.

You are right on saying we need to trust our coaches on the winningest team in MLB.

[Hollyw00d]

Who did we trade for Rasmus anyway

[Hollyw00d]

Yes, it is that complicated otherwise pitchers would be easily replaceable. But you are welcome to prove everyone wrong by doing a backyard video of your command of a fastball, slider, curve and offspeed pitch.

His fastball looks a lot like his slider, which is similar to his curve, which is his off speed pitch.

Done!

[Lou]

I believe I recently read somewhere that Dipoto plans to look at him as a potential starter next year.... let me go see if I can find it right fast.

 

 

someone needs to go check on ettin. He still isn't back and I'm getting worried about him

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Who did we trade for Rasmus anyway

Scott Downs

Edited September 17, 2014 by AngelsAndRamsFan

[ten ocho recon scout]

I think you have to trust the pitching coach on this one. I have a strange feeling they know what they're doing.

We need to hire these guys to fix cj. Bunch of guys in short sleeve shirts and ties who can figure out complex msth eithout an iphone 6