Cryomaniac's switch pitcher watch thread

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by RchW

Here is an excerpt from the Blue Jays reporter Mike Wilner.

"In such cases, Venditte has to declare to the home plate umpire which hand he’s going to use before the hitter steps in the box. Not knowing anything about Contreras, Venditte decided to throw right-handed, so Contreras hit left, and struck out anyway."

That's still hilarious, that there has to be one rule for one specific player. Don't believe that has ever happened in modern sports.

I wonder: Anyone know if Venditte is a stronger right-handed pitcher than he is as a lefty? It seems as though he favors his right hand, when facing a switch hitter.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Vinny P.

"In such cases, Venditte has to declare to the home plate umpire which hand he’s going to use before the hitter steps in the box. Not knowing anything about Contreras, Venditte decided to throw right-handed, so Contreras hit left, and struck out anyway."

That's still hilarious, that there has to be one rule for one specific player. Don't believe that has ever happened in modern sports.

I wonder: Anyone know if Venditte is a stronger right-handed pitcher than he is as a lefty? It seems as though he favors his right hand, when facing a switch hitter.

Yes he's a natural RHP so slightly better from that side. If he had a scouting report that showed a weakness, he would make a switch hitter bat right.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by RchW

Yes he's a natural RHP so slightly better from that side. If he had a scouting report that showed a weakness, he would make a switch hitter bat right.

That depends. It depends on how "natural" a switch-hitter is as a right-handed hitter. Venditte knows his own abilities and limitations. It could actually be a strength of his, if he was smart enough to make certain switch hitters bat right.

[Cryomaniac]

He's a natural right hander yes, but he seems to do better against lefties (by all accounts his Slider left-handed is his best overall pitch). If you didn't know he switch pitched and looked at his splits you'd think they were the wrong way round lol.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Vinny P.

That depends. It depends on how "natural" a switch-hitter is as a right-handed hitter. Venditte knows his own abilities and limitations. It could actually be a strength of his, if he was smart enough to make certain switch hitters bat right.

Pat Venditte said it not me.

When he doesn't know he prefers right.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by Cryomaniac

He's a natural right hander yes, but he seems to do better against lefties (by all accounts his Slider left-handed is his best overall pitch). If you didn't know he switch pitched and looked at his splits you'd think they were the wrong way round lol.

Yerah, I heard the same. He has a pretty wicked left-handed slider.

[Cryomaniac]

Venditte pitched 2/3 of an inning in the Yankees spring training game last night, allowed a hit and a walk. Box score here: New York Yankees vs. New York Mets - - April 3, 2012

[Cryomaniac]

It would seem that Venditte will start the season in AAA, although I haven't seen a complete roster for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre yet. Ryan Pope is in Trenton though, and seems to have been swapped with Venditte.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by Cryomaniac

It would seem that Venditte will start the season in AAA, although I haven't seen a complete roster for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre yet. Ryan Pope is in Trenton though, and seems to have been swapped with Venditte.

I wanted to catch him IRL playing for Scranton too, which is why I was hoping he would start in AAA this year. Unfortunately, Scranton is playing most of their home games around NY state this year. Go figure....

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Vinny P.

I wanted to catch him IRL playing for Scranton too, which is why I was hoping he would start in AAA this year. Unfortunately, Scranton is playing most of their home games around NY state this year. Go figure....

I think they play quite a few in Rochester. Maybe I'll go down for one or three.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by RchW

I think they play quite a few in Rochester. Maybe I'll go down for one or three.

Yeah, I think that;s mainly where they are playing. It's like a 3 or 4 hour drive from where I live, as opposed to 1.5 form Scranton.

[Cryomaniac]

Originally Posted by Vinny P.

I wanted to catch him IRL playing for Scranton too, which is why I was hoping he would start in AAA this year. Unfortunately, Scranton is playing most of their home games around NY state this year. Go figure....

Seems typical

[Cryomaniac]

Not a great start in AAA from Venditte, but he's started slowly the last couple of years.

1 game, 0-1, 2.0 IP, 4 hits allowed, 4 ER allowed, 1 HR, 2 BB, 1 K.

[Cryomaniac]

And a better second outing, 3.0 IP, 1 H 4 Ks, 1 BB.

Totals: 2 games, 0-1, 5.0 IP, 5 HA, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

[Cryomaniac]

1.0 IP and a K last night.

Totals:

3 games, 0-1, 6.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 5 Hits allowed (1HR), 3BB, 6 K

[Cryomaniac]

2 more scoreless innings last night, 1 BB, 1 K, throwing exclusively lefty because of a bit of soreness in his right arm apparently (according to the SWB Yankees radio twitter).

Totals: 4 games, 0-1, 8.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 4 hits allowed (1 HR), 4 BB, 7 K.

[gosensgo101]

Originally Posted by Cryomaniac

2 more scoreless innings last night, 1 BB, 1 K, throwing exclusively lefty because of a bit of soreness in his right arm apparently (according to the SWB Yankees radio twitter).

Totals: 4 games, 0-1, 8.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 4 hits allowed (1 HR), 4 BB, 7 K.

You might have discovered the best about a switch pitcher...an arm injury doesn't completely shut him down.

[rjl518]

im gonna keep a close eye on this kid. let me know when the yanks bring him up to the majors...cuz this kid i think deserves a shot!

[Cryomaniac]

Venditte got the win last night, with a scoreless inning, allowing 1 hit and an intentional walk.

Totals: 5 games, 1-1, 9.0 IP, 4.00 ERA, 8 hits allowed (1 HR), 5 BB (1 IBB), 7 K

[Cryomaniac]

An interview with Venditte from the other day:

BBD Interview with Pat Venditte - Major League Baseball - Zimbio