{"id":7955,"date":"2010-09-10T04:22:06","date_gmt":"2010-09-10T11:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.seamheads.com\/?p=7955"},"modified":"2010-09-12T01:11:34","modified_gmt":"2010-09-12T08:11:34","slug":"power-arms-of-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2010\/09\/10\/power-arms-of-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Power Arms of the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

The original habitat for this post can be found <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Remember last year, when we wrote a piece on BAseball Reality Tour<\/em> called Power Arms of the Future<\/a><\/em>? \u00c2\u00a0We wanted to celebrate how impressed we were with performances from young pitchers like Mat Latos, Tommy Hanson, and Neftali Feliz.<\/p>\n

As something we hope will be a sort of tradition over here, we decided to not mess with who’s a rookie, who’s not, in order to make the distinction very black and white. \u00c2\u00a0Here are the most exciting pitchers who made their Major League debut in 2010.<\/p>\n

For all the Strasburg and Chapman mania, last season’s crop<\/a> of newbies appear a bit more formidable. \u00c2\u00a0Audience, you have the power; you be the judge:<\/p>\n

Honorable mention:<\/strong> Jake Arrieta, Felix Doubront, Ivan Nova, Carlos Monasterios, and Michael Kirkman.<\/p>\n

25.) <\/strong>Jeremy Jeffress<\/strong><\/a>, Brewers<\/strong>
\n24.) <\/strong>Barry Enright<\/strong><\/a>, Diamondbacks<\/strong>
\n23.) <\/strong>Zach Braddock<\/strong><\/a>, Brewers<\/strong>
\n22.) <\/strong>Dillon Gee<\/strong><\/a>, Mets<\/strong>
\n21.) <\/strong>Fernando Salas<\/strong><\/a>, Cardinals<\/strong>
\n20.) <\/strong>Cory Luebke<\/strong><\/a>, Padres<\/strong>
\n19.) <\/strong>Jose Ceda<\/strong><\/a>, Marlins<\/strong>
\n18.) <\/strong>Kenley Jansen<\/strong><\/a>, Dodgers<\/strong>
\n17.) <\/strong>John Ely<\/strong><\/a>, Dodgers<\/strong>
\n16.) <\/strong>Brad Lincoln<\/strong><\/a>, Pirates<\/strong>
\n15.) <\/strong>Travis Wood<\/strong><\/a>, Reds<\/strong>
\n14.) <\/strong>Jordan Norberto<\/strong><\/a>, Diamondbacks<\/strong>
\n13.) <\/strong>Jonny Venters<\/strong><\/a>, Braves<\/strong>
\n12.) <\/strong>Yunesky Maya<\/strong><\/a>, Nationals<\/strong>
\n11.) <\/strong>Tyson Ross<\/strong><\/a>, A’s<\/strong><\/p>\n

10.) <\/strong>Sam Demel<\/strong><\/a>, Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/div>\n
Jordan Norberto is the current closer, and yet we have his teammate, Sam Demel, ranked ahead of him. \u00c2\u00a0Norberto has a live arm, but his control has been outrageous. \u00c2\u00a0Demel looks to have the pedigree and will be groomed to be the closer down the road.<\/div>\n

9.) <\/strong>Sergio Santos<\/strong><\/a>, White Sox<\/strong>
\nA converted power-hitting 6’4″ 240lb infielder, Sergio Santos has morphed into an exciting power pitcher for Ozzie Guillen’s bullpen. \u00c2\u00a0We love the movement he appears to get on his heavy, mid-nineties fastball.<\/p>\n

8.) <\/strong>Jenrry Mejia<\/strong><\/a>, Mets<\/strong>
\nSo much of this list is about promise and expectation. \u00c2\u00a0Last year, we seemed to have missed a few times, overrating Chris Tillman and Junichi Tazawa, while underrating Ricky Romero and Mat Latos a bit. \u00c2\u00a0Mejia feels to us like the highest ranked guy who’s career could still\u00c2\u00a0go either way. \u00c2\u00a0Does he have some lights-out seasons ahead of him? \u00c2\u00a0Are we looking at a back end starter? \u00c2\u00a0Or, could he even be a bust? \u00c2\u00a0For now, we’re bullish on Mejia.<\/p>\n

7.) <\/strong>Chris Sale<\/strong><\/a>, White Sox<\/strong>
\nAt this stage, it feels like we’re getting a crop of players that are more or less can’t-miss guys. \u00c2\u00a0Sale has been outstanding in his Major League career, allowing only 1 run while striking out 19 batters in 13 innings pitched.<\/p>\n

6.) <\/strong>Drew Storen<\/strong><\/a>, Nationals<\/strong>
\nThe Nationals closer of the future has been highly touted around these parts since he was drafted 10th overall in the 2009 draft. \u00c2\u00a0There is next to no doubt that he will save 30 games for the Nationals in a season very soon, probably as soon as next year.<\/p>\n

5.) <\/strong>Mike Leake<\/strong><\/a>, Reds<\/strong>
\nLeake is a poor man’s Greg Maddux, but considering Maddux is a Rolls Royce, Leake can have a very nice career as a Cadillac, or something like that.<\/p>\n

4.) <\/strong>Jeremy Hellickson<\/strong><\/a>, Rays<\/strong>
\nWe expected Hellickson to dominate the late innings for the Rays, a-la David Price in 2008. \u00c2\u00a0Boy were we wrong. \u00c2\u00a0After a perfect 3-0 record in his first 3 starts and a quality start no decision in his fourth, he has struggled in two relief appearances since returning from the minor leagues to transition to the bullpen.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Not only that, check out the quotes from his manager, Joe Maddon, in the following excerpt from\u00c2\u00a0this piece<\/a> by Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune.<\/p>\n

“Opposing hitters are batting .474 against Hellickson the reliever. They batted .172 off Hellickson the starter, who was 3-0 in four starts and posted a 2.05 ERA, allowing six runs in 26 1\/3 innings.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“This guy is a pitcher, he’s not a thrower. A lot of what he does is based on command and feel,” Maddon said. “When you pitch infrequently, that’s what we’re seeing right now.”<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

— snip —<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hellickson will not be asked to do what LHP David Price did in 2008, which was basically pitch the Rays to the World Series by earning a win in Game 2 and the save in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Red Sox.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

— snip —<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“Totally different,” Maddon said. “David could come out and throw 96, 97, 98 (mph). They’re going to chase a lot of that stuff, too. Jeremy, he’s a pitcher. He relies more on location than command. It’s two entirely different situations. Couldn’t be more different.”<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We still have Hellickson as high as 4th on this list because we think he’s going to be a near dominant starter for at least the next seven or eight years.<\/p>\n

3.) <\/strong>Mike Minor<\/strong><\/a>, Braves<\/strong>
\nMinor showed up a little late to the party this season, but he’s been missing bats, throws from the left side, has the pedigree, and is in an environment that fosters success. \u00c2\u00a0There’s not much to criticise with this young gun out of Vanderbilt. \u00c2\u00a0I guess the easiest thing devil’s advocate could say is, “He’s no David Price.”<\/p>\n

2.) <\/strong>Aroldis Chapman<\/strong><\/a>, Reds<\/strong>
\n1.) <\/strong>Stephen Strasburg<\/strong><\/a>, Nationals<\/strong>
\nThe list of superlatives for both Strasburg and Chapman is long and distinguished. \u00c2\u00a0Anyone who’s followed this space the past 15 months knows we are big fans of the two. \u00c2\u00a0It really is incredible for me, as a Cubs fan, to realize that the two most exciting young arms to debut this year – and maybe even in the past 20 years – are being managed by Jim Riggleman and Dusty Baker. \u00c2\u00a0Riggs often takes the blame for destroying Kerry’s young arm, while Baker was there for the meteoric rise and fall of Mark Prior.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Although Strasburg is having Tommy John surgery, I think that he is young and talented enough to come back strong and as effective as anyone else in the game. \u00c2\u00a0Let’s keep in mind, Kerry Wood was overused, and did not have good mechanics. \u00c2\u00a0Prior also had a few odd occurrences that lead to an injured shoulder. \u00c2\u00a0I feel this point is not mentioned enough, but shoulder injuries are much more devastating for a pitcher than elbow problems.<\/p>\n

It’ll probably be 2013 before Strasburg may be \u00c2\u00a0serious contender for a Cy Young award, but with a rotation including Strasburg, Maya, Zimmerman, and a bullpen lead by Drew Storen, the future is bright in our nation’s capital.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The original habitat for this post can be found here. Remember last year, when we wrote a piece on BAseball Reality Tour called Power Arms of the Future? \u00c2\u00a0We wanted to celebrate how impressed we were with performances from young pitchers like Mat Latos, Tommy Hanson, and Neftali Feliz. As something we hope will be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":761,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,9,4235],"tags":[10733,10728,8151,9495,10735,10732,10729,10737,10738,1954,10726,10734,3290,8074,10739,10731,10727,362,10736,10730],"class_list":["post-7955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features","category-general","category-top-stories","tag-barry-enright","tag-carlos-monasterios","tag-fernando-salas","tag-jake-arrieta","tag-jeremy-jeffress","tag-john-ely","tag-jose-ceda","tag-junichi","tag-kenley","tag-league-debut","tag-michael-kirkman","tag-mid-nineties","tag-ozzie-guillen","tag-power-pitcher","tag-reality-tour","tag-ricky-romero","tag-sam-demel","tag-strasburg","tag-tazawa","tag-travis-wood"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/761"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7955"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7955\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}