Edwar Cabrera has really had a pretty good year. At AA Tulsa he went 8-4 for the Drillers with a 2.94 ERA and 82 strike-outs against 23 walks in 98 innings over 15 starts. Opponents managed only a .183 average against him and he had a WHIP of 0.90. At AAA Colorado Springs he went 3-0 for the Sky Sox with a 3.48 ERA and 29 strike-outs against 11 walks in 20 2/3 innings over 4 starts. Opponents hit .234 against him and his WHIP was 1.40. Then there was the June 27 start for the Rockies in Denver against the Nationals. Cabrera gave up 5 runs in 2 1/3 innings and issued 3 walks against one strikeout. Washington hit him up for a run in the first thanks partially to a throwing error on a pick-off attempt by catcher Wilin Rosario. Tyler Moore took him deep in the second with Mark DeRosa aboard, and Rosario did him another favor, botching a force play with a second wild throw, the runner scoring on an ensuing single. Then Ryan Zimmerman homered leading off the third, before Rosario had a chance to make any more plays. For those inquiring minds that need to know, that calcs out to a 19.29 ERA.
Cabrera gets another start tonight for Colorado, this one at 1100 feet in the Valley of the Sun at Chase Field in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-hander will face fellow lefty Joe Saunders (4-6, 3.58). The veteran Saunders took a no-hitter into the fifth against Cincinnati in his last start, but ended up surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits in six innings of an Arizona loss.
The Rockies made room on the roster for Cabrera by placing pinch-hitter Jason Giambi on the 15 day disabled list. The 41 year-old apparently hasn’t felt well in weeks, and medical tests revealed he has a “viral infection.”
The D’backs are on a 4-game roll and have pulled-even with a 48-48 record. They trail the Dodgers by 4 1/2 and the Giants by 6 in the National League West. The Rockies, meanwhile have lost 6 of their last 8 and are 3-7 since the All Star Break.
Weather inside Chase Field is expected to be nice. Cabrera will undoubtedly be thrilled to see Rosario, coming off a twisted ankle, behind the plate. Andrew Brown is in right and DJ LeMahieu continues at 3rd for Colorado. Willie Bloomquist moves to 3rd for Arizona with Stephen Drew back in at short. Game time is 7:40 pm MDT, with TV on Root Sports and radio 850 am KOA.
| COLORADO (36-59) CF Dexter Fowler 2B Marco Scutaro LF Carlos Gonzalez 1B Michael Cuddyer RF Andrew Brown C Wilin Rosario SS Josh Rutledge 3B DJ LeMahieu P Christian Friedrich |
ARIZONA (48-48) 3B Willie Bloomquist 2B Aaron Hill LF Jason Kubel 1B Paul Goldschmidt RF Justin Upton C Miguel Montero CF Chris Young SS Stephen Drew P Joe Saunders |
Love the title.
I don’t get the quick hook of Cabrera. How are these young pitchers ever going to develop if they are not allowed to extend themselves? I realize Cabrera had allowed quite a bit of traffic and his pitch count was high, but he’d only given up one run. I am so damn tired of JT’s micromanaging. He’s trying to manage this game like it’s the 7th game is the WS.
I totally understand your frustration but like you said, his pitch count was high. I think it was around 89. Considering what inning it was, I’m sure that compounded the situation. I’m also confident that JT was just doing what his boss has told him to do. Much like you and I.
I hate the hook, the cap, the 4 man rotation.
Mike,
Take a look at this article from Troy Renck on this subject. I think he’s right on:
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_21151547/swing-miss-at-learning-curve
Thanks for the link! Interesting read.
A few comments about Cabrera and the “piggy backs”:
1. Cabrera looked much more comfortable on the mound than in his first start with more control and generally better pitch command.
2. He was pulled (Cisco) by the MFL Tracy because he had thrown in excess of that magic 75 pitch count (more on this below).
3. Two starts is way too early to tell, however I think this rookie has a MLB future once he gets through the initial MLB learning curve. However that MLB learning curve can be really rocky (no pun intended) and likely will take a year or so to complete.
The “four man rotation and 75 pitch count” experiment seems to have legs for the remainder of the season, or as long as the “best in baseball GM” DanO is still collecting his pay check. Honestly there was a week or so there that the new rotation experiment actually seemed to be working.
The most interesting thing about this however is that the Rockies are so serious about this new rotation concept that we are starting to see signs of it being implemented through out the Rockies minor league system as well – often effectively.
(a) Checking the minor league box scores you will now seldom see the MiLB starting pitcher extended beyond the sixth inning, even if he is pitching well and the game score usually doesn’t have an effect as to whether the pitcher is left in the game or not.
(b) The whole concept of developing the “piggy back” pitchers in the system is also evident with non-starting pitchers learning the three inning “piggy back” reliever role. In many cases you are starting to see some minor league pitchers that were formerly starters or relievers (1-2 inning guys), now being transitioned into the three inning “piggy back” role.
Still not sure that this new rotation concept will work, however I have to give them some credit for actually trying something new (almost LaRussa like) that is not necessarily by the “baseball book” to get better results long term.
Final thought that just occurred to me though – if a minor league pitcher takes an average of say 400 MiLB innings to develop to get to the MLB level, then doesn’t the implementation of this system delay the arrival of a starting pitcher to get to that MLB doorstep? Kind of the exact opposite theory as having Wheeler bat lead off at Tulsa to accelerate his number of at bats and thus the development to get to the MLB level. Inquiring minds just want to know?
Orange,
Points well taken, but Cabrera has been in a 5-man rotation down in CS and in his last start threw about 98 pitches and he is not expected to make his next start with the Rox. So why put him on a pitch count.
One thing that’s very troubling is JT’s comments after the game when he was asked about the quick hook of Cabrera. His answer was- “it wasn’t going to get any better”. That’s instilling real confidence in your young players. What great leadership.
Also, let’s call the 4-man rotation for what it really is- it was a way for DOD to buy himself more time on the job. He’s been brilliant at doing this.
I can commiserate with Tracy on this one: watch what you say!
I’m quick to latch on to a positive spin, and Orange had me roped-in for a moment, by you are exactly right, Cisco, it’s another way for the BIB to buy time.
Orange, guessing shorter starts will be made up by more starts. But I have not sat down and done the math. Has anyone done that yet?
He was also pulled because he couldn’t throw the ball over the plate. I like the kid though and would like to see if he’ll calm down and find the strike zone. sinker baller works well in Coors right?
Rich,
Tracy Ringolsby did an interview with Mr. O’Dowd and he was quick to point out this is not an experiment. He went on to say “we are not just trying something”. This is the Rockies game plan and it is here to stay. I’m guessing the caveat to that would be what you mention :>)