Appel is a fucking headcase. I hated that pick then as much as I hate it now. Bryant was clearly the guy at 1-1 that year but I think there was some hesitation on the organization's part to skip a potential TOR arm two drafts in a row. He has good pure stuff but his fastball has 0 movement and was getting hit around pretty well at the MiLB level, not to mention constant control issues. I dont think hes got TOR ceiling anymore. Id probably call his ceiling around a Jason Marquis level. Dude you know should have stuff to dominate but never puts it together.
As far as Velasquez goes.. The dude has tremendous stuff, better than Appel IMO. If he can keep the walks down, he can be a very good pitcher. There is apparently some questions on his shoulder, which was the rumored reason why Derek Fisher got bumped out of the trade for Appel. The rest of the trade is filler, honestly.
My thought was why not run Appel out there as a late-inning guy and see if he sticks? He might get pigeonholed as a reliever (or just suck) but they were ready to punt on him anyway. Of course, Velazquez would be even better in that role. I'd be way more hesitant to put him there because of his upside as a starter, but he could be a wipeout guy in the late innings right now.
It's not like they bought low on a closer either, right? I guess it beats giving Darren O'Day a 4-year deal, but I don't see why they couldn't wait until midseason to make a deal like they did.
It wasnt necessarily a punt on him. He wasnt actually included in the original deal. It was a pretty big shock that he got dealt honestly. I dunno. We will see what the future holds for him and maybe a change of scenery will do him good. Truth of the matter is the Astros probably have 1-2 guys in the minors who are better than Appel/Velasquez (Musgrove @osick87) and they felt getting that big BP arm is worth the cost.My thought was why not run Appel out there as a late-inning guy and see if he sticks? He might get pigeonholed as a reliever (or just suck) but they were ready to punt on him anyway. Of course, Velazquez would be even better in that role. I'd be way more hesitant to put him there because of his upside as a starter, but he could be a wipeout guy in the late innings right now.
It's not like they bought low on a closer either, right? I guess it beats giving Darren O'Day a 4-year deal, but I don't see why they couldn't wait until midseason to make a deal like they did.
Break up the big franchises
Braves' lineup tonight had 5/9 hitting below the mendoza line on the season
There's got to be a better version of that.
That may be the dumbest thing I've read all day.
Fuck the Yankees.
Does he have a better arm than Inciarte? I've only been able to see about 3 games so far this year and that was before he was called up.Have yourself a road trip mallex smith. Might move enciarte to left field if he continues playing like this. 8-14 on the road trip
This article was posted because Justin Grimm was listed 4th.. lol. J/kHe made the Cardinals look bad last night. That curveball was dancing everywhere.
RIP James Shields
Anyone read The Only Rule is it Has to Work? Just got it in the mail today....
http://theonlyruleisithastowork.com
Anyone read The Only Rule is it Has to Work? Just got it in the mail today....
http://theonlyruleisithastowork.com