Zach Duke again

by calig23 on Jul 7, 2005 9:24 PM EDT Comment 9 comments

After an exceptional major league debut, Zach Duke has had another fine start. He's tossed seven shutout innings against the Phillies, allowing six hits and one walk, while striking out eight batters. Among those strikeouts were two by Bobby Abreu. Not too shabby. Currently, he is in line to pick up his first major league win, backed by a two run homer in the 4th by catcher Humberto Cota.

I know his K rates in the minors were a little low, but so far, he's been K'ing a lot of batters. I suppose it could just be that batters are unused to facing him, so it will be interesting to see how he does in his next few starts and when he faces a team for a second time. Also, I wonder where Milwaukee and Philly rank in terms of strikeouts- it could just be that he's been lucky enough to face some strikeout prone teams.

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Answering my own question

Milwaukee has the second most strikeouts, and Philadelphia is 12th.

So, both are above (or is that below?) average at striking out.

by calig23 on Jul 7, 2005 9:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One other thing...

There is one item I forgot to mention. Of the six hits Duke allowed, five went for extra bases. That is something of concern, I think, although Philly certainly has some decent hitters in their lineup.

by calig23 on Jul 7, 2005 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked when...

Duke was laboring through his last inning and Jason Michaels (who had a double, triple) was up. The count was 3-1 and Michaels was sitting on a fastball. Duke threw him an 84-mph off-speed pitch and Michaels practically had finished his swing before the ball crossed home plate.

by Candymanfan on Jul 7, 2005 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually

I'm encouraged by the fact that he gave up 5 extra base hits and 0 runs. He'd get hit, but then he'd tighten up and get out of it.

I heard Duke say that in the minors, he played more to get outs and not try to k, but in his first two starts, he'd fall behind batters and then he'd go for the k. Whatever the reason, his stuff is electric.

93 mph fastball, great curve, great change...and did I hear him say he throws a sinker now too? Wow.

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 8, 2005 3:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sinker?

He has a sinking fastball. Isn't it fun talking about a Pirates player doing well??!

by Candymanfan on Jul 8, 2005 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey now, hes on my fantasy team

so don't go jinxing it. successfull pirate players are a finicky thing. you have to be careful what you say about them or you might cause them to look down, see their uniform, and produce like their recent predecessors....and there is no need for that.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

by bobbsktball on Jul 8, 2005 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I thought

I was just a little surprised when he referred to it as "my sinker" but I should have figured it out.

And yes, it's fantastic to watch a Pirates prospect do well. The Burnett comparisons are absurd...Burnett gave up twice as many hits and k'd one third as many guys.

This is fun to watch.

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 8, 2005 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Change up

Duke has started throwing a change-up now. He's been getting a number of strikeouts with it and keeping hitters off balance. (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05189/534898.stm) He wasn't throwing it in the minors, thus the lower K totals. I think maybe once the scouting report catches up to his adjustments you'll see fewer K's, but should still post great era/win and decent whip numbers.

by Fishin Chips on Jul 8, 2005 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

a well thrown

change-up IS a great K pitch. See Pedro Martinez. He's throwing harder than projected as the guns are getting him to a top end of 94. If he can throw a quality change off that fastball--watch out.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 8, 2005 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs