Question for John about King Felix

by D O on Apr 13, 2005 2:48 PM EDT

John I was just curious:
Obviously Felix Hernandez' youth separates him from a lot of the pitching prospects we've seen in recent years, but from a talent standpoint, how would you say he compares to guys like Mark Prior or Josh Beckett as prospects?

I know that age is a factor because because Felix is still growing and improving, but since Prior didn't turn pro until he was 20 please use proximity to the big leagues as the point of reference. That is, please compare them as prospects when they were each about as close to the show as Hernandez is now.

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felix

Felix is close to where Beckett was at the same stage. Very comparable.

by John Sickels on Apr 13, 2005 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Felix's ETA?

With Bobby Madritsch being shutdown with arm trouble, does this bump up Felix's callup to Seattle?

by sdbaseballfan on Apr 13, 2005 9:12 PM EDT reply actions

maybe

Possibly, yes, if he gets off to a good start in the minors.

by John Sickels on Apr 13, 2005 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Felix

I just got back from watching Hernandez throw against the Rivercats...

mid-90s fastball up through ~85 pitches, very nice 79-81 offspeed stuff. Looked o have good command of all of his pitches, and then semed to just lose his control about pitch 77/78, when he walked DJ and cust on 9 pitches. He may have tweaked something though, because the pitching coach and trainer came out after he walked DJ.

He did give up a few hard hits, and DJ just missed an HR off of him to deep center. After seeing him in person, I could see him being able to pitch in the majors later this year. Certainly not blowing people away, but he could probably be the 5th man for most teams...and at his age that is simply amazing.

by chri5 on Apr 14, 2005 1:39 AM EDT reply actions