James Shields

by killa3312 on Apr 22, 2007 4:50 PM EDT

Is really turning into a quality ML pitcher. His fastball isn't overpowering (88-93 MPH), but it isn't soft, either, and his changeup is really, really good. Today, though, he was showing off a potentially plus curveball, which could make him all the better.

8 IP, 2 H, 2 ERs, 12 Ks today. He's had trouble with the HR ball thus far this season, but he has shown ground ball tendencies in the past and batters are only hitting .208 against him. And, he always has a strong K rate. Unfortunately, the Rays bullpen blew it once again.

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welcome to last year

Rays fans have been touting him as a #3 and future #2 guy since last year, but he's been under the national radar still.

Just look at his K:BB and K/9 from last year for proof that he's legit.

The reason he could be a #2 now is the development of his curveball out of nowhere. This spring he started throwing it more and showed good feel and command of the pitch. We all know the changeup is one of the best in the league, so the curve adds an extra dimension on the mound.

If he's throwing the curve for strikes and then follows it with that change low in the zone, you can forget about any batter making solid contact off him.

As for the bullpen, don't remind me.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Apr 22, 2007 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

James Shields

Huge fantasy sleeper this year. I snagged him in two leagues in the 20-something rounds.

by limozeen on Apr 22, 2007 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

talk about sleeper

John S. doesn't even list him as a starter for the future D-Rays in the thread he jsut posted, which is just ridiculous.

by scooter on Apr 23, 2007 12:18 AM EDT reply actions

89-93

Man, it may have just been the gun in Arlington when he pitched there, since that's the only game of his I've actually gotten to watch this season, but he was throwing much harder than that on that day. He was like 93-95 with mostly 94's and 95's, seriously, on the Rangers broadcast. He was bringing it though, definitely not 89-93.

His line didn't look great that day, but I was very impressed, and he was obviously pretty spectacular tonight.

by Brett Perryman on Apr 23, 2007 1:17 AM EDT reply actions

tv guns

are often crazy high. I dont know anything about the Rangers TV stuff but the norm is them for them to be juiced, and sometimes absurdly so.

by nms on Apr 23, 2007 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't necessarily doubt that

However there is the scale of the rest of the pitchers I've seen there during this season to judge it against. And against that scale, he threw the ball pretty darn hard. Just fwiw.

by Brett Perryman on Apr 24, 2007 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions