Is this guy ready for the majors

rink23 · 10-22-2021, 08:38 PM

It’s May 17, 2036 and my St. Louis River Walkers are off to a 26-11 start and own a six-game lead in the South Division of the Midwest Baseball League’s Western League.
However, we’ve just lost the ace of our pitching staff, Jesse McNaboe, to Tommy John surgery which will have him out well into 2037.
I’ve got the MBL’s No. 2 rated prospect, 24-year-old Kevin Hrdlicka, down in AAA.
He’s pitched well down there for more than a season-plus, 14-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 2035 and 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA so far this season, so I guess there is no better time than now to see if he’s ready.
If he struggles, I still have time to make a trade for a top of the rotation starter before the All-Star break.
What do some of you others think?

fuzzy_patters · 10-22-2021, 10:52 PM

The control rating worries me, but the k/bb ratio at AAA is very impressive. I would like to see the third pitch develop more, but changeups are sometimes slow to develop. That pitch may never come anyway. Might as well see what he can do. If he doesn’t do well, he should at least be able to pitch in the bullpen.

lencombs · 10-23-2021, 01:17 AM

Would have to see what your other options are besides him for the starting rotation or bullpen as far as protecting the 6 game lead.

He is already above average stuff and movement, and slightly below on walks but not dreadful. You will just be starting his Major League Service counter towards free agency sooner than would be ideal if you able to still be grooming him in the minors.

Sweed · 10-23-2021, 12:01 PM

I see he already has 12 days of MLB service so the clock has started. That would be the only reason for me to not bring him up but, even then, in this situation I don't think I'd let it stop me. So, with that not being an issue, to me, it's a no brainer.

He may throw his way out of a game or two with walks but... He also may toss some shutouts and, who knows, some pretty special low hit games with some large K numbers. With that stamina those games would have to come on a night he was zoned in on the plate and not giving up walks. IMHO the change is plenty good enough when it only has to compliment that lights out fastball and ++curveball.

brotherblues · 10-27-2021, 10:47 AM

At this point you call him up and he's under control until age 30. How is that calling him up sooner than ideal?

Also he'll continue to develop while in the majors, and according to some here, development at that age is faster in the bigs.

LittleHurt81 · 10-28-2021, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherblues

At this point you call him up and he's under control until age 30. How is that calling him up sooner than ideal?

Also he'll continue to develop while in the majors, and according to some here, development at that age is faster in the bigs.

You wouldn't see too many starters IRL with that much upside at AAA for 1+ seasons. To Blue's point, it's time!

billyray1984 · 10-28-2021, 05:23 PM

Yes, but I'd limit pitch count/batter faced for a bit since his 3rd pitch isn't fully developped and he's almost a two pitch pitcher with mid-tier stamina.

I've always had more success limiting pitch count/batter faced on all my starters anyway.

Pdubya64 · 10-31-2021, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyray1984

Yes, but I'd limit pitch count/batter faced for a bit since his 3rd pitch isn't fully developped and he's almost a two pitch pitcher with mid-tier stamina.

I've always had more success limiting pitch count/batter faced on all my starters anyway.

This ^^^

Time to throw him out there as you need him pretty badly. Perhaps monitor the rotation and intervene if he is scheduled in a high-leverage game (i.e., against top league team).
Good luck!

10-22-2021, 08:38 PM	#1
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,495	Is this guy ready for the majors It’s May 17, 2036 and my St. Louis River Walkers are off to a 26-11 start and own a six-game lead in the South Division of the Midwest Baseball League’s Western League. However, we’ve just lost the ace of our pitching staff, Jesse McNaboe, to Tommy John surgery which will have him out well into 2037. I’ve got the MBL’s No. 2 rated prospect, 24-year-old Kevin Hrdlicka, down in AAA. He’s pitched well down there for more than a season-plus, 14-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 2035 and 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA so far this season, so I guess there is no better time than now to see if he’s ready. If he struggles, I still have time to make a trade for a top of the rotation starter before the All-Star break. What do some of you others think? Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 10-22-2021 at 08:39 PM.

10-23-2021, 01:17 AM	#3
lencombs All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Eureka, Ca Posts: 535	Would have to see what your other options are besides him for the starting rotation or bullpen as far as protecting the 6 game lead. He is already above average stuff and movement, and slightly below on walks but not dreadful. You will just be starting his Major League Service counter towards free agency sooner than would be ideal if you able to still be grooming him in the minors. __________________ "A passion for statistics is the earmark of a literate people." - Paul Fisher "Baseball isn't statistics. Baseball is (Joe) DiMaggio rounding second." - Jimmy Cannon

10-22-2021, 10:52 PM	#2
fuzzy_patters All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,806	The control rating worries me, but the k/bb ratio at AAA is very impressive. I would like to see the third pitch develop more, but changeups are sometimes slow to develop. That pitch may never come anyway. Might as well see what he can do. If he doesn’t do well, he should at least be able to pitch in the bullpen.

10-23-2021, 12:01 PM	#4
Sweed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,860	I see he already has 12 days of MLB service so the clock has started. That would be the only reason for me to not bring him up but, even then, in this situation I don't think I'd let it stop me. So, with that not being an issue, to me, it's a no brainer. He may throw his way out of a game or two with walks but... He also may toss some shutouts and, who knows, some pretty special low hit games with some large K numbers. With that stamina those games would have to come on a night he was zoned in on the plate and not giving up walks. IMHO the change is plenty good enough when it only has to compliment that lights out fastball and ++curveball.

10-27-2021, 10:47 AM	#5
brotherblues All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 658	At this point you call him up and he's under control until age 30. How is that calling him up sooner than ideal? Also he'll continue to develop while in the majors, and according to some here, development at that age is faster in the bigs.

10-28-2021, 05:23 PM	#7
billyray1984 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 216	Yes, but I'd limit pitch count/batter faced for a bit since his 3rd pitch isn't fully developped and he's almost a two pitch pitcher with mid-tier stamina. I've always had more success limiting pitch count/batter faced on all my starters anyway.