Is this guy ready for the bigs?

cesser · 07-21-2004, 05:43 PM

Hey all

We're just about to start our 9th season in my online league. We just had an expansion draft and I'm looking to fill some holes left by that. I have the league's #1 rated prospect, SP Kendry Loya, in AAA that I think may be ready to hold his own in the big leagues. I could easily slip him into the #4 spot in my big league rotation this year and his presence would give me a lot of flexibility in the bullpen as I could use 2 other above-average SP's that I have with low endurance out of the 'pen.

So, I'm just curious, is this guy ready for a shot or not? He was 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA in AAA last year, although he had a career-high 1.50 WHIP (due mostly to his low Control rating). Looks like he'll strike out a ton of batters though and keep the ball in the park, so I would hope that these two would compensate for his less than stellar control at this point. He should definitely improve in the walks area as he gets more experience.

Thanks for any input!

643gdp · 07-21-2004, 05:50 PM

Yes, absolutely. Get him started in the bigs ASAP.

gmo · 07-21-2004, 06:01 PM

His increase in BB and decrease in K/9 over the previous half-season in AAA could be cause for concern. But he looks pretty solid despite being just 23yo, and I've seen pitchers actually improve on such numbers in their rookie season over what they did in AAA the year before. If he can help you, as it sounds like he could as your #4, give him a shot.

Note, I'm just going on stats since I'm into playing with ratings off right now.

Cooker · 07-21-2004, 06:48 PM

I'd say he's ready now. His control should improve over time (given his "8" talent rating). But even if it doesn't, he's a stud, with a "5" in holding runners, 56% groundball percentage (I always like to see this above 50%, assuming I have a good SS and 2B), and his stuff and movement are already very good with the prospect of improving.

I also agree that at only 23 he'll likely continue to improve in the big leagues.

If you call him up, post again and let us know how he does.

sebastian0622 · 07-21-2004, 06:56 PM

hell yeah, don't pass go, bring that kid up!

andjbock · 07-21-2004, 06:58 PM

Based on those ratings I would probably have had him up in the majors last year.

Ben E Lou · 07-21-2004, 09:32 PM

No-brainer. Bring him up. Yesterday.

Falcon52 · 07-21-2004, 11:06 PM

were his ratings that high last season? because if they were, i'd say you left him in the minors one year too many.

he'd probably already do a good job in the majors (damn, that sounded like a OOTP scouting report)

AsTrOFaN · 07-21-2004, 11:43 PM

If you are in playoff contention I would bring him up, otherwise I would wait until his control got up to 50 or so.

cesser · 07-21-2004, 11:59 PM

His ratings last year at this time were 61 Stuff, 30 Control, and 54 Movement, good ratings, but not great at the time. By giving him another AAA year, he increased his Stuff 12 points, his Control 5 points, and his Movement a whopping 16 points.

I think I made the right decision

As for being in playoff contention, my team has made the postseason 7 of the nine years the league has run, so I fully expect to compete again. Our season is about to start, but I'd say the playoffs are definitely a possibility.

Based on the overwhelming responses here, I'll be putting him in the rotation this year. Thanks for the help. I'll give an update on his progress later on.

sguthrie · 07-22-2004, 12:50 PM

I'd say he's ready, but the cool thing about 6 is that you can bring him up and if he bombs you can just send him back down an no real harm done. It always bugged me in 5 that brining a guy up would start his "arbitration clock" ticking and even if you sent him back down a whole year was counted.

07-21-2004, 11:06 PM	#8
Falcon52 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 615	were his ratings that high last season? because if they were, i'd say you left him in the minors one year too many. he'd probably already do a good job in the majors (damn, that sounded like a OOTP scouting report) __________________ "D-FENCE! D-FENCE!"

07-21-2004, 05:43 PM	#1
cesser Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hayward CA Posts: 152	Is this guy ready for the bigs? Hey all We're just about to start our 9th season in my online league. We just had an expansion draft and I'm looking to fill some holes left by that. I have the league's #1 rated prospect, SP Kendry Loya, in AAA that I think may be ready to hold his own in the big leagues. I could easily slip him into the #4 spot in my big league rotation this year and his presence would give me a lot of flexibility in the bullpen as I could use 2 other above-average SP's that I have with low endurance out of the 'pen. So, I'm just curious, is this guy ready for a shot or not? He was 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA in AAA last year, although he had a career-high 1.50 WHIP (due mostly to his low Control rating). Looks like he'll strike out a ton of batters though and keep the ball in the park, so I would hope that these two would compensate for his less than stellar control at this point. He should definitely improve in the walks area as he gets more experience. Thanks for any input!

07-21-2004, 05:50 PM	#2
643gdp Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dyersburg, TN Posts: 44	Yes, absolutely. Get him started in the bigs ASAP.

07-21-2004, 06:01 PM	#3
gmo Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 3,390	His increase in BB and decrease in K/9 over the previous half-season in AAA could be cause for concern. But he looks pretty solid despite being just 23yo, and I've seen pitchers actually improve on such numbers in their rookie season over what they did in AAA the year before. If he can help you, as it sounds like he could as your #4, give him a shot. Note, I'm just going on stats since I'm into playing with ratings off right now.

07-21-2004, 06:48 PM	#4
Cooker All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 592	I'd say he's ready now. His control should improve over time (given his "8" talent rating). But even if it doesn't, he's a stud, with a "5" in holding runners, 56% groundball percentage (I always like to see this above 50%, assuming I have a good SS and 2B), and his stuff and movement are already very good with the prospect of improving. I also agree that at only 23 he'll likely continue to improve in the big leagues. If you call him up, post again and let us know how he does.

07-21-2004, 06:56 PM	#5
sebastian0622 Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,465	hell yeah, don't pass go, bring that kid up!

07-21-2004, 06:58 PM	#6
andjbock Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Bats: Right Throws: Left Posts: 3,637	Based on those ratings I would probably have had him up in the majors last year.

07-21-2004, 09:32 PM	#7
Ben E Lou Front Office Football Central Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Souf Cackilacky Posts: 1,762	No-brainer. Bring him up. Yesterday.

07-21-2004, 11:43 PM	#9
AsTrOFaN Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 334	If you are in playoff contention I would bring him up, otherwise I would wait until his control got up to 50 or so.

07-21-2004, 11:59 PM	#10
cesser Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hayward CA Posts: 152	His ratings last year at this time were 61 Stuff, 30 Control, and 54 Movement, good ratings, but not great at the time. By giving him another AAA year, he increased his Stuff 12 points, his Control 5 points, and his Movement a whopping 16 points. I think I made the right decision As for being in playoff contention, my team has made the postseason 7 of the nine years the league has run, so I fully expect to compete again. Our season is about to start, but I'd say the playoffs are definitely a possibility. Based on the overwhelming responses here, I'll be putting him in the rotation this year. Thanks for the help. I'll give an update on his progress later on.

07-22-2004, 12:50 PM	#11
sguthrie Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 74	I'd say he's ready, but the cool thing about 6 is that you can bring him up and if he bombs you can just send him back down an no real harm done. It always bugged me in 5 that brining a guy up would start his "arbitration clock" ticking and even if you sent him back down a whole year was counted.