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Surkamp called up, Scott Downs DFA'd


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QUOTE (Charlie Haeger's Knuckles @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 09:44 AM)
Ok so what players on the Charlotte roster have passports that allow them to "work" in Canadia?

 

Does soxtalk have an insider with the department of labor or The department of consular affairs?

 

We need to get ahold of the assistant to the traveling secretary.

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And this is one of the things I hate about the advanced stats:

 

"Nevertheless, ERA estimators are somewhat more favorably disposed to Downs’s work on the year, as he owns a 3.69 FIP, 4.07 xFIP, and 3.96 SIERA. While his 58.5% strand rate is one mark that looks prime for regression, that is also perhaps a reflection of the fact that he has been less than successful in his LOOGY role. On the other hand, Downs has held opposing left-handed hitters to a .225/.309/.367 mark; his real issue has been with righties, who own a .296/.415/.364 triple-slash against him."

 

Anyone who has followed the games this year know he has been terrible. Multiple times he has been called in to face 1-2 batters and has done so without even recording an out. That 6+ ERA is deceptively *low* not high, thanks mainly to the fact that guys like Putnam and Petricka, being used similar spots in the game, have bailed his ass out. Funny though, last night's performance against Davis was a good one IMO where pitch selection got him, and that's not on him. He threw what Flowers wanted and Flowers wanted the wrong thing. But still, overall the guy has been very bad and if whatever measure you are looking at says otherwise then either the measure is garbage or you have to say there's not enough data yet for the measurement to prove effective.

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^That said, Downs will pass through release waivers unclaimed, declare FA, and someone else will give him a shot. Given the nature of this game, and knowing his career, it wouldn't be too surprising to see him come up with someone mid-July as a lefty specialist and end the year with decent numbers. That's just how it is. But no way could the Sox keep sending this guy out there, especially with the vesting option.

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QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 08:57 AM)
And this is one of the things I hate about the advanced stats:

 

"Nevertheless, ERA estimators are somewhat more favorably disposed to Downs’s work on the year, as he owns a 3.69 FIP, 4.07 xFIP, and 3.96 SIERA. While his 58.5% strand rate is one mark that looks prime for regression, that is also perhaps a reflection of the fact that he has been less than successful in his LOOGY role. On the other hand, Downs has held opposing left-handed hitters to a .225/.309/.367 mark; his real issue has been with righties, who own a .296/.415/.364 triple-slash against him."

 

Anyone who has followed the games this year know he has been terrible. Multiple times he has been called in to face 1-2 batters and has done so without even recording an out. That 6+ ERA is deceptively *low* not high, thanks mainly to the fact that guys like Putnam and Petricka, being used similar spots in the game, have bailed his ass out. Funny though, last night's performance against Davis was a good one IMO where pitch selection got him, and that's not on him. He threw what Flowers wanted and Flowers wanted the wrong thing. But still, overall the guy has been very bad and if whatever measure you are looking at says otherwise then either the measure is garbage or you have to say there's not enough data yet for the measurement to prove effective.

 

That's not the fault of the advanced stats, it's the fault of the author. Those numbers are NOT good for a reliever, and especially not for a platoon specialist.

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WHITE SOX DESIGNATE SCOTT DOWNS FOR ASSIGNMENT; RECALL ERIC SURKAMP FROM CLASS AAA CHARLOTTE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 26, 2014

 

TORONTO – Prior to tonight’s game at Toronto, the Chicago White Sox designated left-handed pitcher Scott Downs for assignment and recalled left-hander Eric Surkamp from Class AAA Charlotte.

 

Surkamp, 26, has gone 3-4 with a 4.54 ERA (37 ER/73.1 IP) and 84 strikeouts in 14 games (11 starts) with Charlotte this season, his first in the White Sox organization after being claimed off waivers from San Francisco on December 23, 2013.

 

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Surkamp leads the International League in strikeouts and has averaged 11.6 per 9.0 IP over his last four starts (31 SO/24.0 IP), including a season-high 12 on May 30 at Toledo.

 

He was named International League Pitcher of the Week for June 16-22 after going 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) and 15 strikeouts in two starts.

 

Surkamp is 2-3 with a 7.36 ERA (24 ER/29.1 IP) in seven starts over two major-league seasons with the Giants (2011, ’13).

 

Downs, 38, went 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA (16 ER/23.2 IP), 15 walks and 22 strikeouts in 38 games this season, his first with the Sox after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with a club option for 2015 on January 2, 2014.

 

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QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 09:42 AM)
His career ERA is 7.36. He cannot be used in high leverage situations.

 

He's also leading the entire international league in strikeouts while only giving up 2 BB/9. Why would we damn him forever based on 7 ML appearances over the past 3 years? Is it not possible something changed after a formerly touted prospect joined a new organization that has a history of being above-average in reclamation projects?

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QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 11:04 AM)
He's also leading the entire international league in strikeouts while only giving up 2 BB/9. Why would we damn him forever based on 7 ML appearances over the past 3 years? Is it not possible something changed after a formerly touted prospect joined a new organization that has a history of being above-average in reclamation projects?

No s***, its not like the Sox haven't tried other options or have much left to choose from. Surkamp will have to do, at least for now.

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I think this is seeing how Carroll does for one or two more starts while also seeing how Surkamp looks against MLB hitters, and if Carroll fails with Surkamp succeeding, I could see another depth chart move made and then someone like Veal brought up.

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QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 10:42 AM)
His career ERA is 7.36. He cannot be used in high leverage situations.

 

 

Does this really matter? Use him in high leverage situations. Use Axelrod. Anything that lands another Top 5 pick is fine with me.

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QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 11:14 AM)
I think this is seeing how Carroll does for one or two more starts while also seeing how Surkamp looks against MLB hitters, and if Carroll fails with Surkamp succeeding, I could see another depth chart move made and then someone like Veal brought up.

 

I could see this too. If Carroll doesn't do to well, I think it's back to bullpen for him with Rienzo going down and a lefty coming up.

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QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 03:25 AM)
I feel like you've never played or watched baseball before. Nothing personal, but I just get general disconnect. You excuse total awfulness with bizarre stats. Downs peripherals might have been decent, but the dude was awful. He was getting rocked. When you're a vet, there's no excuse; produce or gtfo.

I've never played it, you're right.

 

With regards Downs, I only said that he's not quite been as bad as his 6+ ERA would indicate. That's no surprise when he had an ERA in the low 2s last year. It's very difficult to truly deserve a 2 ERA and a 6 ERA in consecutive years. Having said that, I also said his walk rate made it hard to cry over it, it was obviously way too high for a LOOGY.

 

With regards me "excusing total awfulness with bizarre stats", I assume you're referring to me repeatedly pointing out that De Aza was hitting nowhere near as badly as his basic stats would indicate. I think the bizarre stats won out there.

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QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 11:04 AM)
He's also leading the entire international league in strikeouts while only giving up 2 BB/9. Why would we damn him forever based on 7 ML appearances over the past 3 years? Is it not possible something changed after a formerly touted prospect joined a new organization that has a history of being above-average in reclamation projects?

I'm screwing around. Robin gets ripped for using guys in his bullpen in "high leverage" situations. Like there are only 1 or 2 guys who should be allowed to pitch in those situations. Good luck with that in the real world.

 

Chances are Surkhamp sucks, but he is probably at least as good as Downs at this point.

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QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 11:57 AM)
I'm screwing around. Robin gets ripped for using guys in his bullpen in "high leverage" situations. Like there are only 1 or 2 guys who should be allowed to pitch in those situations. Good luck with that in the real world.

 

Chances are Surkhamp sucks, but he is probably at least as good as Downs at this point.

 

Ahh. Use green :D

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QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 08:07 AM)
We have 2-3 players that are legit all stars during a rebuild. Thats pretty amazing. The one thing that really hurt the process is Garcia's injury, though I think he will be back before the season is over.

Whatcha hearing on this front? If he's really fully healed by Sept., let's get a bit of a look.

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It irritates the hell out of me that we call up our best minor league starter to make his first career relief appearances as a lefty specialist. It's like we were just hoping to sabotage him. If Carroll has a bad outing tonight, Surkamp needs to go several innings and get the next turn in the rotation

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