McCarthy still adjusting

[SSH2005]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

McCarthy still adjusting

 

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

March 20, 2006

 

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Now that Brandon McCarthy will have a more prominent role in the White Sox's bullpen, he realizes he can't afford shaky outings like the one he experienced Monday.

 

McCarthy, 22, who will pitch in more late-inning roles with the acquisition of left-hander Matt Thornton, allowed three runs on three walks and two hits and had to be bailed out in the fifth inning against the Royals by unheralded Boone Logan.

 

McCarthy, a starter for most of his professional career, blamed his problems on poor mechanics but looked forward to his newest challenge.

 

"It lets me know it's going to put some pressure on me to make sure outings like this don't happen," McCarthy said. "You can't have this in the seventh or eighth inning and immediately walk three guys. That's where I need to find some consistency, learn to get ready and get in a game, and no matter what, throw strikes."

Edited March 21, 2006 by SSH2005

[retro1983hat]

I am a little nervous about BMac. I think someone like Buehrle can take the ball any inning and do just fine. Some pitchers are as fragile as a feather and when you mess with their psyche, everything goes to crap.

[striker]

That's the problem with the bullpen, one bad pitch can make your whole outing look bad when in fact you pitched good. You don't have another 5-6 innings that day to redeem yourself. Look at Vizcaino last year. He had that 1 outing that he gave up like 6 runs in 3 innings and it made his ERA balloon. Overall he had a great year, but that one outing made him look bad.

 

A bullpen pitcher has to have a totally different mindset.

[YASNY]

I think we all got a little spoiled when Mac looked like a stud against Boston and Texas.

 

Brandon is still VERY young, and this year more than ever is going to be huge learning experience for him. There are going to be some bumps in the road, but Brandon should be fine.

 

I just hope the 1st time he gives up 4 runs in an inning and a third, Soxtalk doesnt want his head....

 

With BMac stepping into a pennant race, facing and beating lineups like Boston and Texas, I think he showed he has what it takes.

 

I certainly, don't think he's 'fragile'.

[mmmmmbeeer]

The only thing that concerns me is Brandon's routine. I remember he was up in the booth last spring with Steves Phillips and Stone discussing his pitching style etc. One of the things that he kept repeating was how important his routine was to him. He depended on that 5 day break between starts to prepare himself mentally and, from the sounds of it, his routine was rather strict. Now, this season, he's being asked to drop that routine and completely change his mental approach to pitching. I've got to imagine that this is no easy task for anyone, especially for a 22 year old who claims his routine is a large part of his success.

 

I think Brandon will be fine if he doesn't get bombed too often early in the season. If he can make it through APR with his confidence in tact, he'll be effective in the relief role. If he gets killed he's going to hold quite a bit of resentment towards his new role. I hope that that doesn't happen, we need him.

[GoSox05]

I think once he adjusts he'll be fine.

[beck72]

I am a little nervous about BMac. I think someone like Buehrle can take the ball any inning and do just fine. Some pitchers are as fragile as a feather and when you mess with their psyche, everything goes to crap.

BMac's "psyche" is fine. It's his location that was off. He's no where near being "fragile".