McCarthy making big impact on Sox

[bjm676]

Just thought I'd share on what a great showing BMac has made this spring:

 

 

TUCSON- The Spring Training dream continued for right-hander Brandon McCarthy on Tuesday afternoon at Tucson Electric Park.

 

But reality has become almost as rewarding as even the richest of fantasies for the 21-year-old minor leaguer.

 

McCarthy made his third Cactus League start, this one coming against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and he clearly "wilted" under the pressure of pitching as part of a nationally televised game by ESPN. The Colorado native actually allowed a baserunner.

 

Make that seven baserunners, to be exact, including his first free pass to the 35th batter he faced in Arizona. McCarthy was touched up for six singles over five innings, after allowing one hit against the first 17 batters he faced, but did not allow an earned run. The Angels' only two tallies came home when first baseman Jamie Burke dropped shortstop Juan Uribe's throw on what would have been the final out of McCarthy's afternoon.

 

Over 10 1/3 innings, McCarthy has allowed seven hits and struck out five. His ERA is the same 0.00 as it was when he threw his first pitch against Arizona. So, once again, the White Sox find themselves with a dilemma in the starting rotation.

 

There aren't enough spots to fit in McCarthy.

 

"He's the best pitcher in camp right now. There's no doubt about it," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who seems more amazed by McCarthy with each trip to the mound. "I wish I had this kid last year. I would have had one less headache.

 

"It's fun to watch this kid pitch. It's amazing that he's a baby and he does what he does. You won't see too many kids pitch at the big league level the way he does now."

 

McCarthy felt more comfortable spotting his fastball on Tuesday, even against Vladimir Guerrero -- last year's American League Most Valuable Player -- Steve Finley, Chone Figgins and Orlando Cabrera. He wasn't quite as happy with his changeup, a pitch that is a work in progress, but there has to be some area left where this phenom still needs to work.

 

For the first time this spring, McCarthy also had the chance to pitch out of trouble. He finished off the fifth inning, with the White Sox leading by a 4-2 margin, by inducing Jeff DaVanon's fly ball to center and stranding runners on first and second.

 

If McCarthy had put forth this effort during Spring Training of 2004, he certainly would have broke camp as the team's fifth starter. Unfortunately at that point, McCarthy had pitched no higher than Great Falls in the Advanced Rookie Pioneer League.

 

The only job that could be open in 2005 is as a long reliever. But the White Sox want McCarthy to remain a starter. McCarthy should have three more Cactus League starts remaining, against Anaheim on Sunday, Milwaukee and Arizona, before he begins the regular season with Class AA Birmingham.

 

His goal coming into Spring Training was to leave an impression on the White Sox, let the team know that he's ready if they need him. Along the way, McCarthy also proved to himself what he really knew all along -- he belongs at the big league level, even if he doesn't start there.

 

"I'll look at it by no means as a demotion to be down there because those hitters obviously have done great things, too, and they're tough to face," said McCarthy, who also did an in-game interview with ESPN on Tuesday. "But it gives you that positive edge that when you're down there, you know you can face guys at the big league level.

 

"So, when that callup does come, you feel more than ready for it. Everything has been positive so far, so it's kind of keeping that positive mind frame and allowing that to take me into the season."

 

McCarthy might be shining brightest, but the White Sox appear to have a galaxy of young pitching stars in their minor league system. Right-handers Sean Tracey and Kris Honel don't have McCarthy's results, but they certainly have proven their value as part of big league camp. Digging a little deeper, there are lefties such as Gio Gonzalez and Ray Liotta standing a little further away from contributing but equally as talented.

 

General manager Ken Williams previously has been maligned for trading away too much of the system in order to add important veteran presences during the past couple of stretch drives. But the minor league cupboard is far from bare.

 

When asked recently about McCarthy, Williams declined to comment, at first. He joked that he didn't want to give McCarthy too big of a head, with all the praise already swirling around him. But it was tough for the White Sox general manager to contain himself very long.

 

"I'm proud of him," Williams said of McCarthy. "What I will talk about is not on field, but how he made it up in his mind in the offseason and showed up with a look in his eyes that, even though I have five pretty good starters, there was no backing down. He's going out to put pressure on us to make a decision to put him in the mix.

 

"I respect the hell out of the man for that. I love that attitude. Sean (Tracey) is the same way. Kris Honel is the same way. They worked out together in the offseason. They put it in their mind that they weren't just coming here to be part of the team. They were going to make their presence felt, and I love it."

 

Guillen deserves a large portion of the credit for this trio's confidence. He has kept McCarthy on schedule as a regular starter and even gave Tracey a Cactus League start, while bumping already established veterans such as Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and Jon Garland to "B" games to get their work. It's part of Guillen's on-going education program with his young players.

 

When he took over the White Sox managerial post in 2004, Guillen entered with unparalleled charisma, an unlimited amount of enthusiasm and very little knowledge of what he had in the minor league system. When it came time to call up a fourth, or even seventh, replacement at the fifth starter's slot, Guillen had to rely on scouting reports.

 

If that situation arises again in 2005, Guillen knows what he has and he knows the pitcher or position player to call. It's a safe bet that McCarthy will be high up on that list, if not at the very top.

Edited March 16, 2005 by robinventura23

[WilliamTell]

I love reading stuff like that.

[SoxFanForever]

The only job that could be open in 2005 is as a long reliever. But the White Sox want McCarthy to remain a starter. McCarthy should have three more Cactus League starts remaining, against Anaheim on Sunday, Milwaukee and Arizona, before he begins the regular season with Class AA Birmingham.

Only part I disagree with. I think he will be starting out at Charlotte.

[Jabroni]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...ort=MLB&id=8538

Latest News  Mar. 15, 2005 - 9:53 pm et

 

Brandon McCarthy surrendered just a couple of unearned runs in five innings today in a win over the Angels.

Even throwing 89-91 mph as he did today, McCarthy has the ability to be a solid major league starter. Fantasy leaguers shouldn't get overly excited, especially since he'll be pitching in a hitter's park once he arrives later this season, but he's a very good prospect.