Nick Masset

[Flash Tizzle]

First time many people here, including myself, have watched him pitch. How do you believe he looked? He's practically a spitting image of Joe Blanton in every conceivable way -- from build to 'stuff.'

 

I suppose this season's results will go a long way to determining which path he'll take from 2008 onwards. You can't waste someone with three decent pitches (curveball, changeup, fastball) in the bullpen.

 

Judging from this article, Masset appears to embrace the role of a long reliever. I get the impression several coaches have approached him about the position. Thus, pushing Haeger out of the equation.

 

And if anyone missed him pitch earlier, CSN is replaying the game at 2am. He'll probably appear around 3:30, or so.

[shipps]

After hearing Steve Stone talk about how he thinks Masset is a guy we can put in the rotation and be successful I have changed my opinion.I think we should send him to AAA to groom him into a starting role even though he would help out our pen now.But the payoff will be greater if we can stretch this guy out ,and he has the body type to be an innings eater.

[Jordan4life_2007]

How was the velocity? I read that he can get it up there as high as 98.

[maggsmaggs]

How was the velocity? I read that he can get it up there as high as 98.

From the parts of the game I saw, he looked mostly to be in the low 90's, but so has Jenks and we all know how hard he throws in the regular season, so I would expect him to be in the high 90's in a couple of weeks. But from all the scouting reports I have seen, he reaches the high 90's with ease.

[Jordan4life_2007]

From the parts of the game I saw, he looked mostly to be in the low 90's, but so has Jenks and we all know how hard he throws in the regular season, so I would expect him to be in the high 90's in a couple of weeks. But from all the scouting reports I have seen, he reaches the high 90's with ease.

 

Thanks.

[shipps]

Could we compare him to a young Bartolo Colon?

[3E8]

But from all the scouting reports I have seen, he reaches the high 90's with ease.

Do you have any links? This is not what I read. I'm to believe the switch to the bullpen is his saving grace because short outings are what allows him to sustain a velocity that peaks at 95-96.

[Gene Honda Civic]

Not overly impressive, but I wouldn't say he was underwhelming either. He didn't WOW me, but he looked like a decent pitcher from the brief bit I've seen of him. Curveball looked alright, but you can't tell until you see major league hitters react to it. -- For instance, McCarthy's generally looked excellent, but you didn't find too many batters that would swing and miss at it. More often than not they were able to fight it off.

 

Meanwhile, the two outings I've seen from Boone Logan and Adam Russell have been eye opening. Boone can play, it's just a question of whether he has matured enough to be ready to succeed at the big league level.

 

Russell has some impressive velocity to go with his large frame, but his overhand fastball features little movement. That's not too much of a problem when you're throwing 95-98 though. His drop down FB had tons of life to it and sat at about 92-93, and he had at least three different breaking balls from two different arm angles. The offspeed stuff needs work (he needs to know when and where he can throw it, and be able to make those pitches with some consistency) and you'd like to see him get some movement on the FB, but you can see that he'll AT THE VERY LEAST make a major league bullpen in the next couple of years.

[South Side Fireworks Man]

Judging from this article, Masset appears to embrace the role of a long reliever. I get the impression several coaches have approached him about the position. Thus, pushing Haeger out of the equation.

 

I see both Masset and Haeger making the 25 man roster.

 

BP: Jenks, Thornton, MacDougal, Masset, Logan, Haeger.

 

Sisco and Floyd go down as starters in AAA, Aardsma to AAA in the bullpen.

[bjm676]

I see both Masset and Haeger making the 25 man roster.

 

BP: Jenks, Thornton, MacDougal, Masset, Logan, Haeger.

 

Sisco and Floyd go down as starters in AAA, Aardsma to AAA in the bullpen.

 

 

I've liked what I've seen with Masset. Nice to have that option of bullpen of starter with him. But I think he'll fit nicely in the bullpen for us this year.

 

Sisco, on the other hand, I have feeling will getting on all of our nerves a lot this year. He's the '06 version of Neal Cotts and Damaso Marte all rolled into one.

 

I see both Masset and Haeger making the 25 man roster.

 

BP: Jenks, Thornton, MacDougal, Masset, Logan, Haeger.

 

Sisco and Floyd go down as starters in AAA, Aardsma to AAA in the bullpen.

 

 

I've liked what I've seen with Masset. Nice to have that option of bullpen of starter with him. But I think he'll fit nicely in the bullpen for us this year.

 

Sisco, on the other hand, I have feeling will getting on all of our nerves a lot this year. He's the '06 version of Neal Cotts and Damaso Marte all rolled into one. I hope I'm wrong.

[winninguglyin83]

never been excited about Sisco.

 

If you've watched him pitch against the Sox for the Royals, why would you think he could come in and throw strikes or get important outs?

 

He's a project.

 

I like Thornton and Logan as our two lefties, with Jenks, Mac, Masset and Haeger from the right side.

 

Plus, if we're going with two left starters, there's less need for three lefty relievers, in my opinion.

 

The opposing lineups will include fewer lefties on the days Buehrle and Danks start.

[Flash Tizzle]

I see both Masset and Haeger making the 25 man roster.

 

BP: Jenks, Thornton, MacDougal, Masset, Logan, Haeger.

 

Sisco and Floyd go down as starters in AAA, Aardsma to AAA in the bullpen.

I wouldn't have a problem with such a bullpen, but I question whether Sisco will be sent down and Logan remains. Subtle signs are mentioned every passing day about Sisco. Another one from yesterday, for example, has featured in a White Sox commercial saying the word, "passion." It may not mean anything, but that doesn't sound like a good marketing strategy to have your future minor league starter promoting the ballclub.

Edited March 18, 2007 by Flash Tizzle

[Flash Tizzle]

Might be reading a little too much into it. On the the radio ads they have running, they mention Aardsma, and I really doubt he has much chance at the bullpen right now.

Well, damn, if Aardsma is mentioned in anything promoting the ballclub that destroys my theory.

[witesoxfan]

Well, damn, if Aardsma is mentioned in anything promoting the ballclub that destroys my theory.

 

Aardsma is definitely involved in everything. I think I've seen him in every picture that has come out of White Sox camp this spring.

 

I just hope Sisco is in AAA starting. If not, someone has screwed up.

[Flash Tizzle]

I just hope Sisco is in AAA starting. If not, someone has screwed up.

Talk about a series of questionable roster moves -- if Anderson and Sisco are in AAA and Floyd is in the bullpen or starting rotation, I'll seriously have to question our organization.

[witesoxfan]

Talk about a series of questionable roster moves -- if Anderson and Sisco are in AAA and Floyd is in the bullpen or starting rotation, I'll seriously have to question our organization.

 

Sisco is fine in AAA. He probably still isn't ready to pitch in the majors, and Boone appears ready to take over as the 2nd lefty/Thornton role this year. Floyd apparently looks like s***, but at the very most, he'll be asked to be a 5. If he can just put up an ERA in the mid 5's, the Sox will be fine. Or if he starts in Charlotte and Danks is in the majors, that's fine as well - hopefully Floyd can figure out how to pitch.

 

Anderson, on the other hand, is the player that will piss me off depending upon where he starts the year. There's no excuse for him not to be in the majors other than Ozzie's disgusting infatuation with "speed," if that's how you want to describe Podsednik. The best thing KW could do is to trade Podsednik, period.

[Flash Tizzle]

Sisco is fine in AAA. He probably still isn't ready to pitch in the majors, and Boone appears ready to take over as the 2nd lefty/Thornton role this year. Floyd apparently looks like s***, but at the very most, he'll be asked to be a 5. If he can just put up an ERA in the mid 5's, the Sox will be fine. Or if he starts in Charlotte and Danks is in the majors, that's fine as well - hopefully Floyd can figure out how to pitch.

Crap, I meant Sisco in the major league bullpen would be questionable.

 

Far as Floyd, I don't believe an ERA in the mid 5's will suffice considering the other pitchers in the rotation. Aside from Garland, Contreras/Vazquez/Buehrle can't be predicted. If they're collectively pitching on par with 2005 (and Vazquez 2003), then yes -- 5.50 could hold. In this current year of a strong American League central, it may not be enough. His destination should be Charlotte.

Edited March 18, 2007 by Flash Tizzle

[witesoxfan]

Crap, I meant Sisco in the major league bullpen would be questionable.

 

Far as Floyd, I don't believe an ERA in the mid 5's will suffice considering the other pitchers in the rotation. Aside from Garland, Contreras/Vazquez/Buehrle can't be predicted. If they're collectively pitching on par with 2005 (and Vazquez 2003), then yes -- 5.50 could hold. In this current year of a strong American League central, it may not be enough. His destination should be Charlotte.

 

I don't think they would need to have quite those years for that ERA to hold up. What would need to happen is the avoidance of Garland and Buehrle's 6+ ERA period of time. I think Cheat had the actual numbers up, but Garland from Opening Day to July 1st, and Buehrle from July 1st till the end of the year put up an ERA of about 6.50; that, not the 5.50 ERA from the 5th starter, is what's completely unacceptable in my mind. If those two don't completely s*** their pants, the Sox are in the playoffs last year, and they could be this year as well.

 

Also, Contreras needs to stay healthy and Vazquez needs to not have two months with an ERA of 7+. The 5 starter just needs to eat innings really, and I think that's why KW was "rooting" if you will for Floyd. From what it seems to me right now, Floyd seems to be more of an innings eater type that has potential to be a solid pitcher, whereas Danks right now is a guy that might be able to put up a 4.50 ERA (or perhaps even a bit better), but he'll have several outings where he doesn't get to 6 innings pitched and then a few where he doesn't make it 4 just because he's that wild, and that would just fry the pen.

 

Regardless, I don't think KW can have Floyd start the year in the majors with Danks at Charlotte based upon their springs; there is just no justification, because I'm not sure Floyd could even put up that 5.50 ERA right now. Maybe over the course of the year, but the Sox need to get out to a very hot start and hopefully put some distance between themselves and the rest of the division.

[BearSox]

I personally like him as a bullpen guy. From what I have heard, he can easily throw over 95, and has a good curve, which seems even better with how hard he throws. I think he will be a future closer.

[southsider2k5]

Talk about a series of questionable roster moves -- if Anderson and Sisco are in AAA and Floyd is in the bullpen or starting rotation, I'll seriously have to question our organization.

 

No way!

[ScottyDo]

Might be reading a little too much into it. On the the radio ads they have running, they mention Aardsma, and I really doubt he has much chance at the bullpen right now.

They're just talking him up to Cubs fans so we can trade him back

[CanOfCorn]

Sorry, I don't do impressions.