greasywheels121 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/ar...t=.jsp&c_id=cws Notes: El Duque gets 'B'etter results McCarthy making a big impression, will start Thursday By Scott Merkin / MLB.com TUCSON -- The sky is not falling. The end is not near. And all hope certainly has not been lost where Orlando 'El Duque' Hernandez's mound performance is concerned. Although Wednesday's effort was against a group of Arizona minor leaguers, during a 'B' game on a back field at Tucson Electric Park, Hernandez showed marked improvement from his first Cactus League start on March 4 against the Diamondbacks. Hernandez allowed six runs on six hits over three innings five days ago, but gave up just one run on four hits in four innings of work Wednesday. Hernandez also struck out five, without a walk, and allowed only one extra-base hit. He changed speeds effectively from 86 mph on the fastball to 55 mph on an offspeed pitch he threw in the second, causing the hitter to buckle twice before swinging and missing. "I felt better. I had better control," said Hernandez, after throwing 63 pitches. "I still think I need to work a little more on my mechanics." "Obviously he can pitch," added White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "He has a tremendous touch and feel, tremendous poise and a great ability to change speeds." The original plan for Hernandez was to have him throw three innings and then come back to start Sunday at Tucson Electric Park. But when he moved through those first three in only 47 pitches, Hernandez had the choice of pitching a fourth or throwing 15 more pitches in a bullpen session. Cooper seemed pleased by the fact that Hernandez chose to work in the live-game situation. He compared El Duque to closer Shingo Takatsu, in terms of his vast pitching knowledge and constant changing of speeds. Much like Takatsu, it's important for Hernandez to command his fastball and raise that particular offering a few notches on the radar gun to increase the variable look in pitches. "Last year, he was about 87, 88, 89 [mph] for a while and I heard he popped some better later than that," Cooper said. "So, I'm not going to put a number on it. I don't want to sit here and say I want him to get up to 87. "I just want to know we're climbing, he's feeling better physically and we're heading in the right direction. I know that is happening." According to Cooper, Hernandez had the normal stiffness and tightness in his arm that everyone gets during Spring Training after his first start. But with El Duque sitting at the reported age of 35 and just two years removed from rotator cuff surgery, Cooper is very cognizant of keeping Hernandez on the schedule he desires. Hernandez said that his arm felt fine, and he pitched with more confidence Wednesday. He simply believes more work will lead to continued solid results. "After (rotator cuff) surgery, it's different," Hernandez said. "After the season, I used to throw for two months. Now, I need more work on the mound. I need to throw, throw, throw, and work every day." "He's an interesting guy, a very interesting guy in a lot of ways," Cooper added. "Again, we all know what he can do. He's pitched in the season, he's pitched in the playoffs and he's pitched in the World Series." The right stuff: Brandon McCarthy's stellar first scoreless effort, covering 1 1/3 innings against Arizona, and his equally impressive side sessions were more than enough for manager Ozzie Guillen to tab him as a pitcher with the maturity and makeup along the lines of former Cy Young winner Jack McDowell. Now, Cooper can be added into the ever-growing McCarthy support group. "He's commanding the fastball right now better than anybody in our camp," said Cooper, who also mentioned that McCarthy has the best command of his fastball that he has seen since Alex Fernandez. "If there was one compliment I would want to pay someone, that would be it. "That's the biggest thing. The best pitch in baseball is a well-located fastball. He's doing it pretty dang good right now." McCarthy's challenge jumps up a notch Thursday when he takes on the Rangers in Surprise, Ariz. Not only does Texas feature one of the best lineups in the American League, from top to bottom, but the home teams in Spring Training usually feature more of the regular starters than the visitors. Thursday's results ultimately won't dictate success in McCarthy's mind. It's more about locating his pitches and making the opposition hit its way on base. "I've never been a huge stuff guy. My velocity's not going to be how I'm going to get guys," McCarthy said. "It's always kind of been, especially when I was growing up when I was smaller than everybody, I had to put it where I wanted to. "I hate walking people and it comes from that. I'd rather just teach myself to throw fastballs, throw any pitch where I want to, just to get it there and avoid walks. That way I can at least be aggressive with the hitters." If Hernandez was not signed to fill out the rotation during the offseason, McCarthy would be the leading candidate for the fifth starter's job. Here today: Jeremy Giambi, the younger brother of Jason Giambi, signed a minor league contract with the White Sox on Tuesday. Giambi, 30, is targeted for Triple-A Charlotte. He hit .197 over 127 at-bats for Boston in 2003 and is a .263 career hitter. Gone today: The first round of cuts was made Wednesday by the White Sox, with no surprises. Catcher Jonathan Aceves, outfielder Tony Alvarez, right-handed pitcher Enemencio Pacheco, first baseman Jorge Toca and right-hander Eduardo Villacis were all reassigned to minor league camp. The moves left the White Sox with 53 players in camp: 25 pitchers, six catchers, 12 infielders and 10 outfielders. Alvarez had played well, both offensively and defensively, in limited action, but he was not in the White Sox's outfield plans at the Major League level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabroni Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 (edited) Hernandez also struck out five, without a walk, and allowed only one extra-base hit. He changed speeds effectively from 86 mph on the fastball to 55 mph on an offspeed pitch he threw in the second, causing the hitter to buckle twice before swinging and missing. I wonder if that was El Duque's eephus pitch. According to Cooper, Hernandez had the normal stiffness and tightness in his arm that everyone gets during Spring Training after his first start. But with El Duque sitting at the reported age of 35 and just two years removed from rotator cuff surgery, Cooper is very cognizant of keeping Hernandez on the schedule he desires. HAHA, yeah right. :rolly We signed Jeremy Giambi? Ughhh, the guy did roids with his brother. Edited March 10, 2005 by Jabroni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 The Sox are on CSN tomorrow, first oppertunity for alot of us to watch Brandon McCarthy pitch live. Should be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Rather have Giambi than have to face him. I don't think we got him out one time when he was leading off for the A's. I'd be shocked if he made the team this year though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Yeah, that 55 mph offspeed pitch is El Duque's "Eephus" pitch. It's a ginormous monstrocity of a lob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabroni Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 (edited) Rather have Giambi than have to face him. I don't think we got him out one time when he was leading off for the A's. I'd be shocked if he made the team this year though. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Giambi can play 1B, LF, and RF but he is not a good fielder. He is best suited as a DH. But he is an OBP machine. Jeremy Giambi .263 career AVG .377 career OBP .430 career SLG .807 career OPS That's pretty damn good. Minus his total lack of speed, he would make a pretty good DH. Edited March 10, 2005 by Jabroni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Does he draw a lot of walks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabroni Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 (edited) Does he draw a lot of walks? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Bingo. That's why he's an OBP machine. Jeremy Giambi 251 career BB 356 career SO http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/scouting?statsId=6086 Scouting Report 2003 Season Jeremy Giambi came to Boston last winter via a trade with the Phillies. He saw time in the Red Sox' crowded DH mix in April and May but never really got going. He had season-ending shoulder surgery to repair a torn ligament in August, and it was revealed that he'd been trying to play through the injury all season. Hitting, Baserunning & Defense The reason Boston obtained Giambi in the first place is that he is an on-base machine. Even last year, when he wasn't hitting at all, he continued to draw walks. He's patient, but he also preserves long counts by swinging through a lot of pitches. Against righthanders, he has respectable power; against lefties, he has less power but still gets on base. He can play left field, right field and first base, but he lacks mobility at any position and is best suited to DH. Last year, he stole the first base of his major league career-on a busted hit-and-run. 2004 Outlook It looks like Giambi, who was released, will have to catch on somewhere as a reserve and try to play his way into a bigger role. It's hard to imagine this will be the year that he finally stays healthy from start to finish. Edited March 10, 2005 by Jabroni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Thats quite a few K's there huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 02:44 AM) Thats quite a few K's there huh? Meh -- Adam Dunn strikes out a lot, and I'd love to have him. Giambi's a nice pickup by Kenny. Unfortunately, everybody's favorite Perez will be blocking his entry to the big club... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 (edited) QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 10:51 PM) Meh -- Adam Dunn strikes out a lot, and I'd love to have him. Giambi's a nice pickup by Kenny. Unfortunately, everybody's favorite Perez will be blocking his entry to the big club... Whatever did Eddie Perez do to keep Giambi out of the MLB? BTW, Adam Dunn broke the record for most K's in a season...that TOO many. No thanks. Edited March 10, 2005 by SoxFan1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 02:02 AM) Yeah, that 55 mph offspeed pitch is El Duque's "Eephus" pitch. It's a ginormous monstrocity of a lob. I remember two or three years ago when he threw it to ARod at Yankee Stadium. Not sure if it landed yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 02:52 AM) Whatever did Eddie Perez do to keep Giambi out of the MLB? BTW, Adam Dunn broke the record for most K's in a season...that TOO many. No thanks. Why's a strikeout viewed as such a bad thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch and Judy Garland Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 "I know Adam Dunn, and Mr Giambi-you are no adam dunn" Give me a break, Jeremy Giambi sucks. Plus he's a bad clubhouse guy. When a moneyball team gets rid of you (these teams have brought in Milton Bradley, Jose Guillen) that tells you all of the character things you need to know. He was a joke as a leadoff hitter. Who wants a leadoff hitter that will go 160 games without a steal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 10:55 PM) Why's a strikeout viewed as such a bad thing? Because it is another at-bat wasted and another 200 outs for your team in a season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 10:55 PM) "I know Adam Dunn, and Mr Giambi-you are no adam dunn" Give me a break, Jeremy Giambi sucks. Plus he's a bad clubhouse guy. When a moneyball team gets rid of you (these teams have brought in Milton Bradley, Jose Guillen) that tells you all of the character things you need to know. He was a joke as a leadoff hitter. Who wants a leadoff hitter that will go 160 games without a steal? Leading-off isn't all about steals. It's about OBP, being a good guy to get rallies started, and being the spark plug for a team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 02:57 AM) Because it is another at-bat wasted and another 200 outs for your team in a season! So are groundouts and flyouts. Sometimes those will result in moving a runner over, but it will also sometimes result in two outs being recorded on the same play. And, I'm not suggest Giambi as a leadoff hitter, he's just a nice guy to have at the September call-ups, and a nice guy to have off the bench... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 11:01 PM) And, I'm not suggest Giambi as a leadoff hitter, he's just a nice guy to have at the September call-ups, and a nice guy to have off the bench... I agree with you there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabroni Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Meh -- Adam Dunn strikes out a lot, and I'd love to have him. Giambi's a nice pickup by Kenny. Unfortunately, everybody's favorite Perez will be blocking his entry to the big club... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I like Timo but I think even Tony Alvarez could have been a good 4th or 5th outfielder for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch and Judy Garland Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 It may not be all about steals but I don't think having a fat guy who can't run the bases lead off is good no matter how good his batting eye is. I reiterate that he is not known as a good person and that he also can't field or relaly hit all that much. He's worthless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabroni Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 It may not be all about steals but I don't think having a fat guy who can't run the bases lead off is good no matter how good his batting eye is. I reiterate that he is not known as a good person and that he also can't field or relaly hit all that much. He's worthless <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Frank Thomas has a high OBP and no speed. Does that mean he sucks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmookie Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 jeremy giambi was on roids before just like his brother. i dunno how much his numbers matter if that was the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(Jabroni @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 09:37 PM) Frank Thomas has a high OBP and no speed. Does that mean he sucks? Frank Thomas career OPS - .996 Jeremy Giambi career OPS - .807 In other words, Frank Thomas hits it hard more often then Jeremy Giambi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 QUOTE(Ishmookie @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 03:41 AM) jeremy giambi was on roids before just like his brother. i dunno how much his numbers matter if that was the case. Jeremy Giambi's worth comes from the fact that he's able to draw a walk at a damn good pace. He's not the guy to go to when you need contact, or a homerun. If Giambi was on 'roids, I doubt they helped him much. Like I said, the only reason he's still around is because he has a career .377 OBP (not saying that's a bad thing)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Also, what does the fact that he was on roids have anything to do with it? And I would also like someone to prove to me that he was doing roids...all I have heard was Jason was doing them...if someone can prove me wrong, I will gladly take a seat. Point blank, roids do not make you have a better eye...especially when your career OBP is about half of your career OPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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