The latest of the minor league arms to make their MLB debut was Braves' prospect Sean Newcomb who went 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks in the first double-header game against the Mets. Before we get into the start itself, here's the low-down: BB/9 rates of 4.50+ every step of the way outside of four games in Single-A from 2014 (including 5.15 BB/9 this year in Triple-A!), and Fastball that ranges from 91 up to 95 or so with a sweeping Zito-esque Curveball that opens the door to plenty of strikeouts. You may have noticed that I didn't mention a third p itch and that's because he doesn't really have one. Yeah, he threw two Sliders and a Changeup, but that's not what I want to see in over six innings of work. I can understand the high walk rates after watching this outing as he really needs a third pitch to throw for strikes instead of just going Fastball/Curveball all day - This isn't Rich Hill (and even he is walking guys now!). I should note one of those walks was an IBB and Newcomb did a great job of command his heater in this outing. I just don't have faith that he can do this every day against a better lineup and one that knows he's going just FB/CB. Pair that with the uncertainty of his spot in the rotation and Newcomb just isn't my favorite of the "intriguing upside arms" that are filling up the waiver wire. No harm in taking a flier, just not my favorite.
Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:
Fun fact- Severino and McCullers’ lines that got them their first AGA and happened within several days of each other:
Luis: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8K, 89 pitches
Lance: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8K, 91 pitches
Ha!
To be honest, I had thought I had already given the AGA to Severino…that’s how deserving this was.
Finally going to accept dropping Gausman, I had hope but I’m done. Clevinger, Biagini or L.Weaver would be 3 of fav. Choices left to grab.
Biagini.
I was hoping for the Severino ace’s gonna ace, was not disappointed.
Small defense for CarMart:
8 of last 9 starts have been QS (7 in a row before Cincy game last week). Quick add about that cincy game: He faced the minimum over 6 innings in a shutout 1 hitter. Did he give up 4er? yes, but worth noting they were all in the 7th. That’s important to differentiate from getting 4er over the first 6 IMO. That was after taking the dodgers for 8IP with only 1 ER and getting out of Coors with a QS going 7.1 IP the week before that. Besides that, only real blemish was Mil on Apr 20 where he still managed 7k’s over 5 IP. Most of his ER’s are coming in the 7th innings and on, and we were waiting to see if he could hold up past ‘just the QS min’… then gets a complete shutout.
He is pitching deeper into games. WHIP is sub 1 over the last month. Looking at all other “Aces”, they have the same, if not arguably worse, blemishes on their season records also. If we were looking for that last cherry on top.. after a sub 3 ERA, sub 1 WHIP, and higher K/9 season so far… I don’t know what else to look for.
Shouldn’t be a problem for him to get one more worthy start then :D
I’m not saying you’re wrong here, I simply get the chance to trust my gut when I want to, and my gut says from it all that I’m pretty much there, just give me one more to make me happy about it.
True… and full disclosure, I am in a keeper league and have had Fulmer, McCullers and Martinez since their beginnings and so might be a tad biased like they’re my kids. :)
What’s up Nick, just got offered Donaldson, would be giving them McCullers. Normally a no brainier, but here’s the thing, it’s a points league. I’ve read somewhere that an elite pitcher, and Mc has been gold with the K’s, will get more points per week than an elite hitter, who has to depend on put outs, runs scored, RBIs, walks, etc. Should I still accept the trade? I have Villar at 3B and he’s been plenty serviceable, averaging over 6 PPG. Trade just doesn’t make sense from my angle, and I don’t wanna make his team better lol. Thanks! Always respect your analyses.
Nick is way more qualified than I, but I’d want Donaldson. I have both Donaldson and Villar in my 12 team H2H points league, and I just replaced Villar with Brandon Philips… Villar is horrible this year