Kershaw....Dodgers can't be serious

by npurcell on Mar 6, 2008 10:36 PM EST

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080306&content_id=2409927&vkey=spt2 008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

he Dodgers don't want to rush Clayton Kershaw. But their fifth-starter job is up for grabs and left-handers with 97-mph fastballs don't grow on trees.

"I wouldn't be surprised," said Russell Martin, who caught Kershaw's inning against Washington on Tuesday night.

"For the first time in a big league game -- wow. He's got just a heavy, heavy fastball and an easy delivery. He's very deceptive. His curveball, it just drops off the table. I think it's the best curveball I've ever caught, to be honest.

Don't do it LA......

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There Was Talk...

As early as late last year about Kershaw breaking camp with the Dodgers.

by Brett Keith on Mar 6, 2008 11:02 PM EST reply actions

starting 2008 in the majors

will not hurt kershaw's development, in theory.

joe torre controlling his innings, might, but that's a bridge that would have to be crossed at some point anyway.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH REPORTS (Astros: better than you thought)

variables don't; constants aren't

by overlord on Mar 6, 2008 11:04 PM EST reply actions

are you kidding me?

I respect your opinion on pitchers. But in this case I think you are freakin' nuts! :)

Pitching in the majors:
1)Focus on pitches that are dependable (Fastball/curve)

2)Deal with the pressure and expectations without the benefit of a hot streak

3)Work as the 5th man meaning an irregular spot in the rotation

4)Deal with hitters that won't swing at junk out of the zone, that can foul off his fastball, kill mistakes in the zone, and need to learn to get ahead with something other than solely his fastball.

Pitching in the minors:
1)Adjust mechanics to have a more repeatable motion for better control

2)Work on other breaking pitches in spite of ability to dominate with fastball/curve mix

3)Learn to locate the curve for called strikes
(it's easier to get swinging strikes in the minors because of less patience AND it's easier to get ahead in the count with fastballs so they can use breaking pitches on 2 strike counts)

4)Work on command within the zone

by pedrophile on Mar 7, 2008 12:20 AM EST up reply actions

i'm of the opinion

that if he can be successful in the majors right now, there's no reason to hold him back. yes, he might be able to better focus on his command and his other secondary pitches in the minors, but if he can hold his head above water right now, and the dodgers do need him in order to keep up with the rockies, padres, and d-backs, i think they have to do what's best for the team in the short term, and go with the better pitcher.

i'm also of the opinion, that if he struggles, there's no harm in sending him back to AA, where he can work on his deficiencies, knowing that he needs to improve them in order to be successful.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH REPORTS (Astros: better than you thought)

variables don't; constants aren't

by overlord on Mar 7, 2008 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

oh, let's think back...

...who was it who had Kershaw ranked ahead of such studs like bruce and buccholz and longoria and joba.... oh wait. that was me

by daveh33 on Mar 6, 2008 11:07 PM EST reply actions

Uhm...

what does having a shot at the 5th starter job prove? Nothing. Those prospects are still better prospects than Kershaw.

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Mar 6, 2008 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

still better than Kershaw...

...not according to Russell Martin. and if the amount of former catchers who have become managers because they know players/the game better than other people is any indication, then i like my chances.

by daveh33 on Mar 6, 2008 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

I'm a Dodger fan

but what does Russell Martin's comments have to do with anything? I think he has a slightly biased opinion.

I agree with the earlier comment that the difference between any of the top 10 prospects is so slight that it's not really worth debating. I think we can say that they are all great prospects without worrying about their exact placement.

by count sutton on Mar 6, 2008 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Bias?

Maybe just a little.
Difference between Joba/Buchhol and Kershaw... let's see, how about a stunning stretch in the majors (albeit as an RP) and a no-hitter v. some impressive showings in minor league camp.

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Mar 7, 2008 12:38 AM EST up reply actions

One More Difference

Kershaw is also 3 1/2 years younger than Buchholz and 2 1/2 years younger than Chamberlain.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell05 on Mar 7, 2008 2:38 AM EST up reply actions

Any 1 MiL game

or 24.1 ML relief innings aren't sufficient enough data to judge talent level.

In IMO too, Kershaw > Joba.

by elrey34 on Mar 7, 2008 3:38 AM EST up reply actions

In talent, that is.

Joba is definitely the better, more polished pitcher right now.

by elrey34 on Mar 7, 2008 3:39 AM EST up reply actions

it was strongly implied

ask him :-)

by daveh33 on Mar 6, 2008 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Are you serious?

Martin hasn't ever caught Joba or Buccholz, to my knowledge, so saying "Kershaw has the best curveball I've ever caught" is not anywhere close to saying "Kershaw has a better curveball than Joba Chamberlain and Clay Buccholz."

Also, basing your defense of Kershaw being a superior prospect on a few pithy quotes from Russell Martin in a spring training fluff piece is completely moronic.

That is all.

by ajohnst1 on Mar 7, 2008 6:33 AM EST up reply actions

hey

We should ask John Buck what he though of Hochevar this spring. Oh yea, he said he was awesome.

That settles it. Hochevar is the #1 prospect now. Can't argue it...Buck said it.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Mar 7, 2008 8:24 AM EST up reply actions

moronic?

what is moronic is the insulting and assuming. He was joking so chill out ;)

by pedrophile on Mar 7, 2008 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

thank you pedro

i assumed the tone of my first post was enough of a clue... i mean, who does that?

by daveh33 on Mar 7, 2008 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

Was he?

I don't know...it seemed in his first post that he was gloating for putting Kershaw ahead of Chamberlain/Buccholz/et al, so I don't get the joke there.

And the next post was stupid enough that it might have been in tongue in cheek, but there's absolutely no clue that it was intended to be so.

by ajohnst1 on Mar 9, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

in the first post he was gloating. But this is just a site about baseball, if you can't joke, trash talk, and gloat about your good choices (and laugh about your bad ones) what is the actual point of doing this?

as far as the second? It's so obvious it's a joke.

btw - BJ Upton for MVP :)

by pedrophile on Mar 9, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Is He Ready?

I don't think anyone questions that Kershaw has dominant stuff, but along with the 10+ K/9 last year and striking out the side in the one inning he's pitched this spring comes the 6.2 BB/9 in AA last year and the 3 hits and HBP this spring.

I'm not going to say it won't happen, but it would seem that young Mr. Kershaw would benefit greatly from a chance to polish his game some more in the minors.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 7, 2008 12:35 AM EST reply actions

I'm with you

I'm with you on Clayton Kershaw, Dr. I love the guy and wish he were a Giant -- but I think you are right on the money that he would benefit from more seasoning.

After a little seasoning, Katie bar the door!

by sharksrog on Mar 7, 2008 3:24 AM EST up reply actions

Dodgers can't be serious

They aren't. The writer (Gurnick) seems to want to promote it though.

"Honeycutt said there are no specific plans for Kershaw to pitch in another Major League exhibition game, as the current pitchers in camp need their innings, but he hoped to see Kershaw in one or two games before the club leaves Florida for Arizona on March 17."

by Yoda @ Minor League Ball on Mar 7, 2008 6:56 AM EST reply actions

One inning of spring training

does not make a serious case that the Dodgers are checking him out for a rotation spot.
1 inn 3 hits 1 ERA 3Ks. Congrats Clayton, you've made the club.

by Yoda @ Minor League Ball on Mar 7, 2008 7:32 AM EST up reply actions

Fantasy Invite

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread.

Are you looking to join any more dynasty leagues? If you're interested pls e-mail me at classicgraphs@sbcglobal.net

I run 3 leagues w/ 14 teams. I may have an opening in each one.

If anyone else is interested feel free to e-mail me as well.

As for Kershaw I think it's too soon to be bringing him up but what do I know. I traded Kersh & McGee last yr for Bilz which helped win me the title but it's gonna break my heart to see him completely dominate sooner rather than later it seems.

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Mar 7, 2008 11:53 AM EST reply actions