Zach Duke, start number three...

by calig23 on Jul 17, 2005 1:24 PM EDT

Duke keeps on rolling. He tossed 8 shutout innings against the Cubs yesterday, scattering 6 singles, en route to picking up his second win of the year. He struck out only 4 batters this time, but got some key ones, including one against Derrek Lee with runners on and nobody out.

One other note, Craig Wilson got injured again; his hand was broken getting hit by a pitch. It appears that CF Chris Duffy will get called up to replace him. Duffy's not a huge prospect, but is somewhat interesting. He's hit well at AAA, and was up earlier, but didn't play much. I doubt he'll play much now, either, but who knows. Also, Wilson will likely be out awhile, so Duffy may not be a permanent replacement anyways. Going without a backup at 1B to Daryle Ward the last few months wasn't really a good idea, and that isn't likely to change. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as though Brad Eldred is really ready to get called up... so unless the Pirates start working out Mike Restovich at 1B or make a trade, they'll be in a tough spot. One other possibility would be to call up Graham Koonce, but he's a lefty like Ward, so there is no platoon option.

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Duke

One caveat, I suppose, was that the Cubs hit into 4 double plays yesterday, but then again Duke's going to do that to a lot of teams.

Reminds me a lot of a left-handed version of what Gavin Floyd was supposed to be. He's always working around the plate and changing speeds.

Duke seems very, very advanced in pitching skill for his age. He also doesn't seem to get worried when he gets into some trouble (2 on no out in one inning yesterday, strikes out Derrek Lee and induces ARam into a double play). I wonder if the Pirates will find a way to break him as they seem to do to anything decent that comes their way.

by mrkupe on Jul 17, 2005 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Break him?

The Pirates don't break anybody. Part of the problem with building through pitching, as the Pirates are doing, is that pitchers sustain more injuries than position players. It's just the nature of the game.

Duke is an extremely impressive player and continues to prove it. His poise is what gets talked about most, but he has electric stuff as well. His motion looks so effortless and you expect something soft, then you get a 93 mph fastball in on your hands. And that curve he throws is death.

Come from where you hide, So I may unchain my tempest, None will stop my tide, And you will tremble at my unrest.

by fyug on Jul 17, 2005 10:43 PM EDT reply actions