Rethinking Frieri

[fan_since79]

He looks like a first-class closer out there. Perhaps some hope for 2014?

 

 

[kevinb]

Said the same thing last year. We are great great keep same team next year. We will finish 3rd again wahoo.

[Guest]

he's a classic example of inconsistency.

[AngelsLakersFan]

He needs an out pitch. No reason to expect him to develop one though. He is still a valuable reliever. A very poor man's Mariano Rivera!

[mancini79]

When he has his fastball working, he's great. But when it's not, he's horrible. His inconsistency will continue until he learns a 2nd pitch to mix it up.

[kevinb]

He's average at best. Mariano Rivera should not have his name anywhere near Frieri in any context what so ever

[FireThemAll]

He's a middle reliever, not a closer. I think he can be a good piece in the bullpen, but not the anchor that we hoped he could be.

[Tank]

He has some value, but I don't really want him as a closer after this season. His inconsistency is a big problem. Not sure what his role can or should be but they should find another closer for next year,

[SoWhat]

Mariano Jr

[Stradling]

Thread title translated, Frieri has had a few good outings in a row.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

he's a classic example of inconsistency.

 

That is the maddening thing. You see a performance like today, when hitters were waving at air, and then there are other times when it's as if he's pitching in the Home Run Derby.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

When he has his fastball working, he's great. But when it's not, he's horrible. His inconsistency will continue until he learns a 2nd pitch to mix it up.

 

Word out of spring training was that he had, but if that was so I have yet to see it.

[tdawg87]

Frieri would be good if he didn't ever have to face Texas.

[Angel Oracle]

10 2/3 scoreless innings, now if only a 2nd pitch could be developed for those times where the fastball is flattening.

[gotbeer]

The talent is there.  We just need to harness it a bit better.  When he's good, he's real good.  When he's bad, Yosemite looks like a campfire.

[Glen]

Not even rethinking him, just appreciating what he did today.  Came in with the bases juiced and one out, didn't give up a run.  Struck out a dude after a 12-pitch duel to start it off.  Struck out a bunch more and shut them down cold in the 9th.  That's ****ing awesome, and I bet everybody here (myself included) thought he'd give up at least two runs in the 8th.  

[Troll Daddy]

Not even rethinking him, just appreciating what he did today. Came in with the bases juiced and one out, didn't give up a run. Struck out a dude after a 12-pitch duel to start it off. Struck out a bunch more and shut them down cold in the 9th. That's ****ing awesome, and I bet everybody here (myself included) thought he'd give up at least two runs in the 8th.

He came thisclose to having the bases cleared in the 8th inning twice but made the pitches when he needed too.

I like him more as a set up guy (Scott shields).

Edited September 2, 2013 by Troll Daddy

[Docwaukee]

He threw several secondary pitches today, and a few looked good.

Milwaukee hasn't seen him much and most teams struggle that have limited exposure.

You need the flexibility to take him out when he doesn't have it, and you can't really do that when he's the last guy out.

That's why closing is harder than being a middle reliever. You've got no one behind you until after you've completely blown it.

[xboom28x]

Frieri is not much different than Walden. Walden wasn't a good closer, but he's proven to be a better middle reliever/set up guy.

[Angel Oracle]

8th inning would seem to be Frieri's best role long term. Dominant when on, but not consistent enough to close.

[markb]

"Streaky" isn't a strong enough word to describe Frieri.  

 

May 30th - July 20th, Frieri dons his cape:   19.2 IP, 1.83 ERA, 33/5 K/BB.  And 3 of the 4 ER he gave up over that time period was a single blowup game.  The remainder was complete and utter dominance.

 

July 23rd - Aug 6th, someone finds his weakness and stuffs kryptonite in his pants:  4.2 IP, 23.14 ERA, .556 BAA

 

Aug 10th - Sept 1st, Metropolis is saved:  10.2 IP, ERA 0.00, 15/2 K/BB

 

It's inexplicable.  There's no middle ground with him -- he flips a switch between being Mariano Rivera for a stretch of 2-3 weeks to Joe Blanton pitching with his left hand for another week or two.  

Edited September 3, 2013 by markb

[Docwaukee]

"Streaky" isn't a strong enough word to describe Frieri.  

 

May 30th - July 20th, Frieri dons his cape:   19.2 IP, 1.83 ERA, 33/5 K/BB.  And 3 of the 4 ER he gave up over that time period was a single blowup game.  The remainder was complete and utter dominance.

 

July 23rd - Aug 6th, someone finds his weakness and stuffs kryptonite in his pants:  4.2 IP, 23.14 ERA, .556 BAA

 

Aug 10th - Sept 1st, Metropolis is saved:  10.2 IP, ERA 0.00, 15/2 K/BB

 

It's inexplicable.  There's no middle ground with him -- he flips a switch between being Mariano Rivera for a stretch of 2-3 weeks to Joe Blanton pitching with his left hand for another week or two.

that's because he's not a closer. I would imagine that most good middle relievers numbers would look similar if they were left out there to try and get the last out with no one to replace them. Yet they usually have backup. Whe he hits one of his patented rough patches, you just take him out of the game if he doesn't have it. As the closer, rain or shine he gets left out there till he wins the game or blows the save.

It's why, in my opinion, that one of the most important pieces this off season is a closer. Or at least a reliever that is fairly consistent on a daily basis.

It's frankly why I think advanced metrics don't do the closers role justice. They get assigned the same as other relievers. Other key outs may be more important or 'higher leverage' than the three that come in the ninth, but no one takes being unprotected into account.

That said, those additional 'important' outs also require another very good player. It's why I think that in addition to needing a closer, we need at least one additional guy. One that can contribute in those scenarios. Its why halos pens used to be so damn good. Percy/Krod and Shields. We had those two guys for a very long time.