Cahill: making the adjustment(s)

by bodyiq on Jun 20, 2009 10:00 AM EDT

Trevor Cahill during the last month:

2.65 ERA

1.12 WHIP

He hasn't given up more than 3 earned runs during his last six starts.

It looks as if he is getting better as the season rolls along. One thing I don't know is his ground ball % on balls in play. Has that improved? It would also be nice if he could raise his K/9 rate a bit but I'm thinking that will come in time.

He's certainly one to watch as we approach the second half of the season...

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I drafted Brett Anderson

I knew the one I didn’t draft would be the one who dominates this year.

by kershaw_equals_stud on Jun 20, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

I still like Anderson as the better player for the future

I just think Cahill was more ready for now.

by thejd44 on Jun 21, 2009 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Cahill

With Cahill, I think the adjustments that have been made are in regard to command and locating pitches. I advocated at one point he needed to work these things out in AA this year, but so far it looks like he is learning on the job.

I watched his previous game against the Dodgers, and at one point in the first inning, he almost completely lost it, throwing 14 straight balls and walking 3 batters in the process. However, he managed to pull through and get out of the inning.

I think eventually as his command improves, so will he K numbers. The movement he gets on his pitches is sick. The pitch he struck out Juan PIerre with in the first inning started out looking like it was going to hit the batter but then cut back over the inside corner.

by DJSlam on Jun 20, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

Honestly

It just looks like he’s been a bit luckier.

Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.

by marcello on Jun 20, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

He’s drastically improved his K/BB since earlier in the seaosn. He’s still walking too many, but he no longer is having the 5BB 1K outings. Since May 7th, his K/BB is 29/14; in his first 5 starts it was 8/18. He could still use some minor league seasoning, but he is improving.

by Jeff Reese on Jun 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah, he’s definitely improved from his first few starts, but he would have had to. I was just looking at his monthly splits (an admittedly poor way to look at most things) and June has actually been worse than May.

Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.

by marcello on Jun 20, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

he needs to cut down on the walks big time. I like his potential though. Any young pitcher who can hold his head above water has a lot of promise in the future.

by loop on Jun 20, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

cahill has added a 2 seamer

the last few weeks. Also idont know if he’s throwing more 4 seam fastballs or not, but his velocity is also a bit better at times topping out at 94 mph. he still hasnt thrown his supposedly potential plus curveball much. he’s 21 and basically still learning at the mlb level. About the walks he has so much movement and at times an inconsistent arm slot, that it leads to stretches of bad control. Something he needs to keep in check, but its not his downfall.

anyways, gammons has this nugget of info on mazzaro:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn…e=gammons_peter

Two scouts watching Oakland’s Vin Mazzaro on Thursday agreed that they think he is “a young Chris Carpenter.” One added, “I love Rick Porcello, but Mazzaro is the best young pitcher in the American League.”

by Asfan4ever723 on Jun 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

re: mazzaro

Um, if there is any scout who thinks Mazzaro is better than Felix Hernandez, who were born in the same year, they need to be fired yesterday.

I also don’t think he’s better than Porcello but I guess that one has at least has a chance to be debatable.

And depending on what you consider “young” theres still Danks, Soria, Lester, Kazmir (I know sucked this year but still), Verlander, Greinke, Slowey, Garza, Joba, Price, Edwin.

by bigboy1234 on Jun 20, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

re: mazzaro

Mazzaro better the Mazzaro? where did you get that from?

by JoeyO on Jun 20, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

One added, "Mazzaro is the best young pitcher in the American League."

by bigboy1234 on Jun 20, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

young = rookie pitchers?

since why would they mention porcello in comparison
plus that would be foolish for a scout to compare a rookie to other “young” pitchers who already have a couple yrs of experience on him

by Asfan4ever723 on Jun 20, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

cahill

has added a 2 seamer?? pretty sure that sinker he has been throwing that’s compared to webb’s has been a 2 seamer the whole time. I saw something before the season started on mlb network and they said he has an unconventional grip for his 2 seamer where his thumb is on the side of the ball not under it.

by smoooooth on Jun 22, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Cahill will get more Ks

when he trusts his curve. Right now hes not throwing it much at all.

"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com

by Syphon on Jun 20, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Interestingly

That was one of the knocks against Cahill as a prospect . . .he has the potential for an excellent curve, but didn’t (wouldn’t?) throw it for strikes even against minor league competition. Against young players he could bait them into chasing it.

For the moment, considering the strains that are on his arm already as a very young pitcher in the major leagues, I’m perfectly content to see its use minimized as long as it remains a point of development.

by mrkupe on Jun 20, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

re: mazzaro

Mazzaro better than Hernandez? where did you get that from?

by JoeyO on Jun 20, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

GB%

April: 50%
May: 50%
June: 55%

Mets-Prospectus Blog...Mets-Prospectus Top 20 Prospects...

by Pelferized on Jun 21, 2009 4:01 AM EDT reply actions

so it is better

Let’s see if this turns into a trend….

2009; John Lester becomes an ace?

by bodyiq on Jun 21, 2009 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Tonight

Beasted against the Giants: 7 INN, 1 ER, 4 H, 4 K, 1 BB

by fuzzy14eva on Jun 23, 2009 12:54 AM EDT reply actions

Command

Any watch this game?
Ok, so it was against the Giants…but did he look solid and command his pitches well?
The 1BB sure makes it look that way….

2009; John Lester becomes an ace?

by bodyiq on Jun 23, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

Wasn't great, but I think he's improving

His fastball sure does move, though. Flipping between that game and the College World Series was like night and day. Texas was running out guys throwing mid-90s gas, but straight as an arrow and with no real command… obviously, it cost them at some point.

Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving

by PaulThomas on Jun 23, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions