LA Times: Angels' Sean Newcomb using spring training as a time to learn

[Docwaukee]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-newcomb-20150301-story.html

 

 

"Newcomb said veteran pitchers have been open and helpful, especially C.J. Wilson, a fellow left-hander."

 

 

 

AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

[Lou]

He's due!!!

to throw a strike

[Blarg]

CJ knows more about pitching than anyone on the Angels staff including coaching.

 

He just can't seem to apply it.

[Jay]

C.J. knows what's really important

Car dealerships and hair products

[ELEVEN]

C.J. knows what's really important

Car dealerships and hair products

And not doing drugs.

[Second Base]

Say what you will about CJ, but there's something to be said for a veteran that'll go out of his way to help the new kids. He doesn't have to do that, but he does.

Just because CJ is terrible right now doesn't mean that runs off on Newcomb.

[Troll Daddy]

Say what you will about CJ, but there's something to be said for a veteran that'll go out of his way to help the new kids. He doesn't have to do that, but he does.

Just because CJ is terrible right now doesn't mean that runs off on Newcomb.

CJ had a off season ... we get it. You continually talk down on the guy. We know you want him gone ...

[Second Base]

I want bad pitchers gone because we have pitching depth.  If CJ Wilson is the same pitcher he was 2-3 years ago, then I want him.  Otherwise, I'd very much prefer Heaney, Tropeano, Santiago or Rasmus. 

[Ohtaniland]

He's learned nothing unless he spends time in the bunting cage.

[Troll Daddy]

I want bad pitchers gone because we have pitching depth. If CJ Wilson is the same pitcher he was 2-3 years ago, then I want him. Otherwise, I'd very much prefer Heaney, Tropeano, Santiago or Rasmus.

What if our pitching depth is bad? Then what?

[Hollyw00d]

Then you'll finally be right for once and we'll never hear the end of it

[Second Base]

What if our pitching depth is bad? Then what?

The pitching depth is good, so playing such a hypothetical game is pointless. If CJ flounders, having LHP Heaney (25th prospect in MLB), RHP Tropeano (ERA champ in PCL), LHP Santiago (3.55 ERA) and RHP Rasmus (2.51 ERA as a starter) is probably more immediate depth than any team in baseball has right now.

Plain and simple, CJ Wilson has no place in this rotation UNLESS he pitches as good as he did before last season.

[Docwaukee]

if by some crazy aberration all of our pitching depth suck balls then there is not much to say.  It would be an epic failure of the front office' ability to evaluate talent and if they were to fail that tremendously, then it would leave the entire org without any confidence in the current regime and their ability to build a team.  

 

what is likely the worst case is that one guy is at least serviceable and everyone else filters in and out of the fifth spot all year.  

 

The floor for this rotation is that Richards is a mediocre top tier guy, Weaver and Shoe function as 3/4 guys and the rest function as 4/5ish

 

The ceiling is that Richards is a true ace, Shoe repeats his 2014, Weaver functions as a 3, Wilson bounces back and functions as a 3, and you have a good problem trying to decide who to keep as your #5 as they all start to come into their own.  

 

Assuming it's somewhere in between, and you are looking at a pretty solid rotation.  Middle of the pack to bottom of the upper third.  

[ELEVEN]

We would need that ceiling scenario to win 98 again.

[wopphil]

if by some crazy aberration all of our pitching depth suck balls then there is not much to say. It would be an epic failure of the front office' ability to evaluate talent and if they were to fail that tremendously, then it would leave the entire org without any confidence in the current regime and their ability to build a team.

what is likely the worst case is that one guy is at least serviceable and everyone else filters in and out of the fifth spot all year.

The floor for this rotation is that Richards is a mediocre top tier guy, Weaver and Shoe function as 3/4 guys and the rest function as 4/5ish

The ceiling is that Richards is a true ace, Shoe repeats his 2014, Weaver functions as a 3, Wilson bounces back and functions as a 3, and you have a good problem trying to decide who to keep as your #5 as they all start to come into their own.

Assuming it's somewhere in between, and you are looking at a pretty solid rotation. Middle of the pack to bottom of the upper third.

Good post Doc. It is hard to envision a scenario where the starting rotation isn't at least average. If the bullpen can do better than average (it should), and the offense can do better than average (it should), we should be at least an 87+ win team, making us competitive until the end. Edited March 2, 2015 by wopphil

[Inside Pitch]

Good post Doc. It is hard to envision a scenario where the starting rotation isn't at least average. If the bullpen can do better than average (it should), and the offense can do better than average (it should), we should be at least an 87+ win team, making us competitive until the end.

 

IF there is any reason for concern it may be how the defense ends up impacting the pitching..  Howie's glove was taken for granted by Angels fans IMO, he may not have been Alomar but he was rock steady and he and Aybar turned DPs about as well as anyone in the AL.   Matt Joyce is not a good defensive OFer, there are concerns behind the plate and David Freese leaves a lot to be desired.   

 

The flip side is I firmly believe that some of the defensive issues may be lessened by the team's continued usage of shifts and defensive alignments.

[ELEVEN]

IF there is any reason for concern it may be how the defense ends up impacting the pitching.. Howie's glove was taken for granted by Angels fans IMO, he may not have been Alomar but he was rock steady and he and Aybar turned DPs about as well as anyone in the AL. Matt Joyce is not a good defensive OFer, there are concerns behind the plate and David Freese leaves a lot to be desired.

The flip side is I firmly believe that some of the defensive issues may be lessened by the team's continued usage of shifts and defensive alignments.

Agree about the defensive concerns. Not having someone to spell Freese late is gonna hurt our pen. Pitch framing is going to suffer as well. Interesting to see Green listed with the OF on the roster.

As far as the shift. I was saving this question for Dipoto at fanfest, but if anyone can answer it it is you.

How much do you think they take into account the pitcher's own preferences when a shift is put on?

For example, Weaver seems to be visibly frustrated out there when the shift is on. Some guys have always pitched to a location in certain situations, and it seems counterproductive to mess with their process if it is a guy who has had success pitching out of jams...

I'll take your answer off the air...

[Glen]

Then you'll finally be right for once and we'll never hear the end of it

 

[Inside Pitch]

How much do you think they take into account the pitcher's own preferences when a shift is put on?

For example, Weaver seems to be visibly frustrated out there when the shift is on. Some guys have always pitched to a location in certain situations, and it seems counterproductive to mess with their process if it is a guy who has had success pitching out of jams...

I'll take your answer off the air...

 

I've always wondered that myself.  I've spoken to a few people within the game that say there is real resistance among players, particularly pitchers.  My guess is they have to really try to stress the tendencies and get the player to believe the information they are being given.   And yeah, Weaver is one of those guys that seems a tad bent at times when the shift is on.