Ian Stewart on Lincecum

by aCone419 on May 3, 2007 6:10 PM EDT Comment 43 comments

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=237

I thought I would continue to stoke the fires of Lincecum man-love here:

The 22-year-old third baseman calls Lincecum `the toughest pitcher I ever faced,' and goes further in this breakdown of what it's like to face him:

"Oh, man that was hard," Stewart said. "He's just a max-effort guy with a really different windup and you can't see the ball at all until it's right on top of you. It gets on you real quick.

"He kind of leans back over second base and then comes right over the top. Guys on our club who have been in the big leagues said he's the toughest guy they ever faced too, so that should tell you something.

"And though you only get a very short glance of the ball before it's on you, the stuff is just nasty on top of that. He was throwing everything for strikes. I mean he located everything and painted the corners with his fastball, worked on the inner half when he felt like it.

"His curveball was really good, a good hard-breaking spike curveball. He threw it for a first-pitch strike, a second-pitch strike, a third-pitch strike. You get the idea-he pretty much threw it whenever he wanted to and located it wherever he wanted to.

"I'm not really sure why he's down here, but for a guy who was drafted last year . . . that guy is filthy."

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Oh Oh Oh Oh...

Yes, right there. Yes.

by 3Com Park on May 3, 2007 6:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

don't like the max-effort comment though

makes me think he's more for the bullpen like Zumaya if he's a max effort pitcher.

by Bravesin07 on May 3, 2007 6:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

i'm going to pretend he's talking about his delivery

by god allah star on May 3, 2007 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think he is

by Metty5 on May 3, 2007 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wasn't sure

but hope so.

by god allah star on May 3, 2007 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You haven't made a maximum effort

You say being a maximum effort pitcher makes you think Tim Lincecum is better suited to the bullpen, but clearly you haven't made a maximum effort to learn about Tim.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean has said that Tim is comfortable throwing "135 to 140 pitches." A year ago Tim threw 146 pitches in his two-hit, 18-strikeout shutout over UCLA. Tim's 146th pitch was timed at 95 mph. The next day he comfortably threw long toss, foul pole to foul pole, as is his wont.

There are two amazing things about Tim Lincecum:

First, he has stuff that is right up there with Sandy Koufax, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson.

Second, his highly-efficient motion allows him to throw very hard and to throw an inordinate number of pitches without his ever having a sore arm or even feeling the need to ice his arm.

Tim's nickname with his new Giants teammates is "The Franchise," the nickname they gave him during spring training. His nickname with his college teammates was the "Freak of Nature."

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 2:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dude....this isn't boxing....

....and Tim Lincecum has no use for a promoter. Sorry.

In all seriousness, I've never heard someone on this site be such an unapologetic hype machine. It's done so unabashedly, it's almost charming.

by bleedjaxblue on May 4, 2007 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

Thanks. I merely write what I believe. In Tim's case, I've done a LOT of studying. And the more I learned, the more excited I became.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 6:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh..........wait........

you mean you're EXCITED about Lincecum?

I had no idea

you might want to fawn over Lincecum more in your writing to make that clearer to people, because you're coming across as downbeat on him in your posts

by bleedjaxblue on May 4, 2007 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've heard

you are an afellationado of Tim.

by pedrophile on May 4, 2007 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

Can you get me an interview with Tim? You are his brother, right?

Make sure no one kicks you in the jaw, you wouldn't want to hurt Tim.

by Metty5 on May 4, 2007 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim

...might well be a freak of nature, and I'm very excited about his callup. Nonetheless, it is extremely foolish to assume that just because Tim Lincecum has never had arm problems, has never had ice his arm, and has thrown 130-140 pitches per start, that this will always be the case.

Case in point: people were saying a lot of the same things about Colt Griffin coming out of high school. The same Colt Griffin who, two years ago, retired from baseball with career ending arm and shoulder problems.

Lincecum may well be a freak of nature. But I'd still treat him with kid gloves. At the end of the day, he has to be treated like any young pitcher, and that's carefully. Especially after all the high pitches counts in college, and his small frame.

by ajohnst1 on May 4, 2007 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

I too would be careful with Tim. No use slaying the goose who lays the golden eggs. But I would indeed gradually look at stretching him out.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franchise

Was Prior's old nickname too.

by Yakker on May 4, 2007 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who?

ian stewart? lincecum? i don't even know who these people are!

can we have more content on phil hughes please?

by jpahk on May 3, 2007 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who is Hughes? Or Hugh is Whose?

Phil Hughes will be a very good pitcher IMO. But Tim Lincecum will make people forget about him.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But.....Ian Stewart

Were you impressed?

by wildthang on May 3, 2007 6:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Possible Fantasy Trade

I'm thinking about trading some scrub Poo Hole for Tim Lincecum?

any thoughts on the deal?

I'll be the first A+ prospect...

by ufoboy90 on May 3, 2007 6:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Luis or Tim

If you're strong in your league, keep Albert. If you need help, trade him for Tim. You should be able to get a sweetener, since Tim is still unproven.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another possible trade idea?

Lincecum for Hafner... who would you rather have?

by jrbro on May 3, 2007 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Personally

Personally I would rather have Tim. His ceiling is cathedral.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love it...

...as a Giants fan, I welcome all the hype...and for once I think we have someone who can live up to it! Now, if only Sabean can avoid trading him away for a 6-month upgrade at 3B...

by Will Play Roto for Food on May 3, 2007 6:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

how about

cain? he has, hasn't he?

by robcast23 on May 3, 2007 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dont think Keith Law is on the bandwagon

Richard (Jersey Shore): Keith, Is Tim Lincecum a truly exceptional pitcher that is one of the best pitching prospects overall (in the majorsb & minors), or is he just the best prospect in the minoes?

SportsNation Keith Law: He's not the best prospect in the minors, but he's an outstanding prospect. He's going to miss a lot of bats, but I think big league hitters will lay off his curveball, especially if they get 2-3 looks at him in one game.

although i think keith law's prospect evaluation has been well documented here

by nyybaseball99 on May 3, 2007 6:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Legal Difficulties

I'm going to lay down the law, Keith. Tim Lincecum is not only the best prospect in the minors, he may well be the best under-25 pitching prospect around. I would compare only Felix Hernandez to Tim.

I love both their stuff. I love Felix's youth. I love Tim's motion, which I believe is likely to keep him healthy for a long, long time.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 2:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

I knew Lincecum was a Jew!

by Metty5 on May 3, 2007 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

thats tremendous

All hail Lincecum...the Expedition Sorcerer!

by realityconquest on May 3, 2007 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

that was funny. i just shot the milk AND the fruity pebbles out of my nose.

by TigerFanInCleveland on May 3, 2007 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus

never took steriods...

by asyouwish33 on May 4, 2007 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sacrilege?

The picture is a bit sacreligious, but for a human Tim is pretty darn good. A good kid too I think.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blasphemy!

...but loved it. On another post someone made reference to Lincecum starting on the 7th day - when he should be resting. I am SO looking forwards to watching Sunday night's telecast...Hamels vs. Lincecum - what more could we ask for?

"Now I know - and knowing is half the battle." -G.I. Joe

by Savoy Special on May 3, 2007 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I could see both Hamels and Lincecum...

both easily picking up no decisions. I don't think the Giants will have Lincecum go more than 6 innings due to their inability to develop/protect the young arms that have recently gone through their system (Foppert/Ainsworth, etc). He's obviously going to be on a pitch count to limit his innings and abuse. I think he'll be a lot like Liriano for the Twinkies last year, without the injury!

My prediction for him against Hamels:
6 IP 2 BB 3 Hits 8 K's 1 Run Allowed

Lincecum is the truth!

by JT12340 on May 4, 2007 4:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Reasonable

That's a pretty reasonable prediction, JT. Not that he'll pitch like that every time out by any means, but he should indeed post some lines like that.

by sharksrog on May 4, 2007 6:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're REALLY starting

to make me hope Lincecum gets shelled on Sunday - and I own him in my dynasty league. You really need to settle down.

I've been opTIMistic myself, but you are so far overboard your ability to have a rational conversation about this kid went out the window long ago. I don't think anyone is going to be able to take you seriously pretty soon - we're talking Bravesin07 territory here.

by slurve on May 4, 2007 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I used to think I was the insane one

...my ship sailed long ago...im certainly no match for braves or lincecum's mom...

by daveh33 on May 4, 2007 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

I'd be hopeful myself if I changed Lincecum's diapers.

by FI on May 4, 2007 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How is that overly opTIMistic?

slurve, I feel Lincecum has the potential to be a good player and can produce now. I've got season tickets to the Giants and will be on the 3rd base side 3 rows above their dugout on Sunday. I'll let you know exactly how he pitches...

Lincecum is the truth!

by JT12340 on May 6, 2007 3:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be there

I'll be there with two tickets in 117, row 24 and two in 315, row 1. Not too bad for Stub Hub on Thursday afternoon and then Friday morning. There just weren't many seats behind the plate, and I almost settled for the bleachers as close to center as possible. But when I stumbled across the seats mentioned above, I was very pleased.

Big difference between the majors and minors. In San Jose, at Stockton and at Fresno I was able to sit right behind the plate and in the first few rows, even on short notice. In San Francisco the opportunities were far more scarce.

One thing people will quickly notice when watching Tim pitch, whether at the park or on TV. He is an incredibly fast worker. I expect the Phils to back out on him a lot. One nine-inning game Tim pitched at Fresno was over in 1:52.

Today is Willie Mays' most exciting birthday yet!

by sharksrog on May 6, 2007 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs