CSF Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Link Loaiza trying to restore velocity By Scot Gregor Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted Monday, May 10, 2004 TORONTO - Even though he's 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA, Esteban Loaiza doesn't look anything like the dominant starting pitcher who went 21-9 (2.90 ERA) and finished second in Cy Young Award voting last season. Loaiza's fastball has lost some zip, and that's allowed opposing hitters to sit on his best pitch, the cutter. Over his last 3 starts, Loaiza has allowed 17 runs (13 earned) on 26 hits in 19¿ innings. Last year, the right-hander yielded only 196 hits in 226º innings. Insisting he's completely healthy, Loaiza said he's going to begin working even harder at building arm strength. While he regularly reached 94 mph with his fastball in 2003, Loaiza is now clocking in at 87-88 mph. "I need to concentrate on getting stronger and putting more on the ball,'' Loaiza said. "I need to come over the top more. I'm going to start working on my velocity and go from there.'' Arms race: The White Sox have been getting by with four-man rotation since ineffective Dan Wright (0-4, 8.15 ERA) was demoted to Class AAA Charlotte on May 1. The Sox are going to need to a fifth starter for Saturday's game against the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field. They are expected to announce the new addition today or Tuesday. "I've looked at it, everybody has looked at it individually. We've just got to put our heads together and decide what we're going to do,'' pitching coach Don Cooper said. "There's always options.'' Felix Diaz remains the top option to replace Wright. In 6 starts with Class AAA Charlotte, Diaz is 5-0 with a 1.86 ERA. If the White Sox take a pass on Diaz, left-hander Arnie Munoz remains an intriguing option. The converted reliever pitched 7 shutout innings for Class AA Birmingham in a 5-0 win Saturday over Mobile. In 6 starts with Birmingham, Munoz is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA. Munoz probably throws the best curveball in the entire Sox system. If he got himself straightened out at Charlotte, Wright might have been called back up and given another chance to start. Considering he allowed 9 runs on 9 hits in 2 innings during his first start in the minors, that's not likely to happen. "Hopefully, the guy we call up will get the job done,'' Guillen said. "I don't expect him to come up and win 20 games. I wish, but just be a consistent pitcher and give me what he's supposed to give me. Whoever comes here I hope solves the problem.'' Day of rest: Juan Uribe, the best hitter in the White Sox' sporadic offense this season, was held out of the lineup Sunday after making 17 straight starts. Despite striking out while pinch hitting for Willie Harris in the eighth inning, Uribe ranks among league leaders with a .368 batting average. "Uribe has been playing a lot, so it's time to give him a day,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He will be in the lineup more than people think. I'll try to keep his hot streak going and not cool it down. I don't want to sit him for three or four days.'' Decision day: The Sox are expected to determine the future of left-handed relief pitcher Kelly Wunsch today. Wunsch has been on the disabled list since April 1 with an inflamed muscle in his throwing shoulder In 9 relief appearances with Class AAA Charlotte, Wunsch has a 4.26 ERA. Since there's no apparent job available in the White Sox' bullpen, Wunsch has emerged as a trade candidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Sounds like he knows he has to put more behind his fast ball but seems confident he can do it. Maybe he's been so concerned with hitting his spots and not overthrowing recently he's just lost the feel for the pitch temporarily. That said, with a couple complette games under his belt already I'd assume his arm strength would be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 I don't know why he's concerned, I thought it was the difference in velocity between pitches I expected him to settle into the 15-18 win range and Buerhle moving up a few wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandoFan Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Why are people only talking about this now, 30 games into the season? Esteban hasn't had a 93-94mph heater since the dominant start in NY last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Why are people only talking about this now, 30 games into the season? Esteban hasn't had a 93-94mph heater since the dominant start in NY last year. I have heard you say it Brando - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 The question needs to be asked concenring why he wasn't ready out of ST. That said please note that it is Loaiza himself that is saying he needs to build arm strength and not some rumor out there of him being hurt, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSox30 Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Why are people only talking about this now, 30 games into the season? Esteban hasn't had a 93-94mph heater since the dominant start in NY last year. My first agreement with brando! We need loaiza to get back to the 93-94. We're already trying to find a 5th pitcher, zesty has to get his wins to at leaset 15 if we want a chance. hopefully that arm strength will improve and he'll get back to last years form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 True, but another thing that's been killing Loaiza lately is he's become super dependent on only his cutter. Yes, it's his best pitch, but hitters are looking for it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewashed in '05 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 He just needs to mix up his pitches more, like someone said already, he is relying too much on his cutter. Not only does he need to mix his pitches up more but he doesn't have that pin point control now as he did last year. As said by him, he needs to regain his arm strength, I think since he knows what could be the problem, he could just be overthrowing trying to match his speeds from last year. Those are quite a few things he needs to tweek but I know he can do it, it's kinda hard to have a 2.90 era with 21 wins last season (add 2-3 he should've won because of those 1-0 losses) and be a fluke. I am concerned with Loaiza but I have confidence in him as for Buehrle... I am disappointed and hope he can get his crap together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Munoz sounds intriguing. Give him a shot? Poor D. Wright. Maybe it's time we ship him to another organization. I always liked him, but he seems snakebit with our Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Right now I think its got to be Diaz. Munoz has only made a handful of starts in his career and I don't think it would be wise rushing him up. While I think Munoz could potentially handle it and he has a bright future, Diaz is a much safer guy to have up and has the stuff to suceed in the majors. He's also shown very good control and seems to really be learning to pitch. I like Munoz later in the year if he keeps pitching the way he does. I wouldnt' mind seeing the Sox bring him up like they did Buehrle and are now doing with Cotts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Munoz sounds intriguing. Give him a shot? Poor D. Wright. Maybe it's time we ship him to another organization. I always liked him, but he seems snakebit with our Sox. Or at least move Wright to the pen. He was clobbered in his first start with the Knights. I am a big Wright fan and everything I've ever heard about him say he's a great guy who works hard so I hope he can put it together, but he seems destine for the bullpen. Its too bad, he has solid stuff, just such an erractic delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 The pen sounds good. Put him in there pronto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 They might as well see if he has the capacity to serve as a closer. At this point, what have they got to lose. Of course, I'm talking about trying him as a closer in Charlotte, not Chicago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastime Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Loazia would still be throwing 93-94, but now that MLB is testing for steroids, he had to get off the juice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Why are people only talking about this now, 30 games into the season? Esteban hasn't had a 93-94mph heater since the dominant start in NY last year. Wow, I agree too... It's amazing how the skeptics come out of the woodwork with their "breaking news" after the Sox lose 3 in a row. (It's it sweeps week or something?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandoFan Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Poor D. Wright. Maybe it's time we ship him to another organization. I always liked him, but he seems snakebit with our Sox. Huh, "poor Danny"? This c*cks*cker was one of the Four Whoresmen of Doom (Wright, White, Koch and Konerko) who singlehandedly destroyed a very special, history-loaded 2003 season. He then rewarded Sox confidence with 4 more losses in April of this year -- you'll remember those should Sox miss the postseason by a game or two. Too bad you're not allowed to hurl rotten fruit and assorted pieces of garage sale furniture from the bleachers at the Cell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSox30 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 I can't express my joy and happiness with Wright being shelled. He has cost the Sox 4 games this year and never even gave us a laughing chance at those games. I hope he never pitches another game for the White Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.