Just maybe, you can gnash fewer teeth now

by sidnancy on Feb 16, 2011 9:59 AM EST

After reading the excellent post by riverfront, I glanced to the right sidebar and noticed this headline from Fanhouse: "Aroldis Chapman Has Future in Reds' Rotation, but Bullpen Awaits in 2011" So I clicked the link and sure enough, there was Bryan Price talking about the plan for our favorite Commie.

A good point is made in the article, but I think it needs expanded on: Randy Johnson was just an OK pitcher until he quit walking people; it wasn't until '93 (as a 29 year old) that he became RANDY JOHNSON, and if you look only one thing changed: he went from walking 5.7 per 9 IP in his career to that point to never again walking more than 3.8 and averaging 2.7 for the rest of his career.

Price also doesn't hide that Chapman fills what they see as a "need" in the short-term, but if he can learn to control his pitches better by working in the bullpen for a year, he'll turn into the dominant force we all assume he will be that much sooner. And the Reds, it seems, are still committed to making him a starter.

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That makes me a feel about a bajillion times better.

As long as they give him a shot at starting, I’m happy.

"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."

by crolfer on Feb 16, 2011 11:16 AM EST reply actions

not to mention the health of my teeth.

"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville

by bbjones on Feb 17, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Comrade Andoidis will pitch out of the pen very nicely this season.

He is so young and is still developing so why rush him?
The Reds have
Cueto
Volquez (maybe)
Wood
Arroyo
Leake
Bailey

So they have the luxury to do this.

Dr. Serizawa: "If my device can serve a good purpose, i would announce it to everyone in the world! But in its current form, it's just a weapon of horrible destruction. Please understand, Ogata!"
Hideto Ogata: "I understand. But if we don't use your device against Godzilla, what are we going to do?"

by Madville on Feb 16, 2011 11:44 AM EST reply actions

I wonder if working in the bullpen can help his control

as he will have more repetition. Rather than throwing 90-120 pitches at full speed every 5 days, he will throw 10-25 pitches 3 or 4 times a week.

If the organization sees a flaw in his delivery he can work on it the next day throwing full speed.

"If you have selfish ignorant citizens you're gonna get selfish ignorant leaders."-George Carlin

by justin007000 on Feb 16, 2011 5:14 PM EST reply actions

best news of the offseason

and likely the best news of spring training

by pack_fan on Feb 17, 2011 3:21 AM EST reply actions

Randy Johnson

I think what happened to Randy was that his father passed away and he emotionally grew into his talent. The walks are more likely a result than the cause of him becoming the beast he became.

But yeah, walks are bad.

by Brian B on Feb 18, 2011 12:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions