It could just be small sample noise, but for whatever reason, Edgin got a lot more groundballs against righties than lefties, perhaps as a result of going to his 2-seamer more against them.
Vs LHB: 36.8 GB% Vs RHB: 57.4 GB%
And despite not having a great changeup, he still managed to strike out more than a batter per inning and walk under 3 per 9 against righties. Of course, this is against A and high-A level hitters, and I'm not saying that success will translate to Major League success. But I'm also not saying he absolutely needs a great changeup, either. A good fastball (velocity and movement) and a crisp slider might be enough. There are loads of successful 2-pitch relievers and it's usually a reason why they are relievers in the first place.
Before the word about Byrdak even came out, Wally Backman sounded pretty excited about Edgin on Saturday and told us he thought Edgin was ready for Triple-A.
Now we know Wally tends to talk without really running things by the whole player development staff first, but if Edgin is ticketed for AAA regardless, obviously they're fast tracking him. Doubtful he's skipping a full level to go to AAA to work on his changeup or something.
It could just be small sample noise, but for whatever reason, Edgin got a lot more groundballs against righties than lefties, perhaps as a result of going to his 2-seamer more against them.
Vs LHB: 36.8 GB% Vs RHB: 57.4 GB%
And despite not having a great changeup, he still managed to strike out more than a batter per inning and walk under 3 per 9 against righties. Of course, this is against A and high-A level hitters, and I'm not saying that success will translate to Major League success. But I'm also not saying he absolutely needs a great changeup, either. A good fastball (velocity and movement) and a crisp slider might be enough. There are loads of successful 2-pitch relievers and it's usually a reason why they are relievers in general.
Right.
And any control adjustments he needs to make, he'll need to make whether he spends a month or 2 at AAA or AA or whatever or he doesn't. And again, in short relief, not nearly as big of a deal.
I'd still rather see Edgin spend a good chunk of the year in the high minors before he comes up. It's not that he couldn't be a good LOOGY now, but wouldn't you want to give him the chance to develop into more than a specialist against lefties? I'd rather give him some low pressure innings in the high minors where he gets to work on getting decent righty hitters out. The Mets ain't going anywhere this season; there's no reason to rush.
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:57 pm Posts: 58819 Location: New York, NY
Quote:
Edgin said he felt like he had a solid season last year in Class A, but he realizes there are deficiencies in his game that he got away with in the South Atlantic and Florida State leagues, which he now must address.
For instance, not only does he need to improve command of his changeup, he needs to avoid tipping the pitch. Ideally, the motion during the changeup is the same as with the fastball, so the batter cannot detect early what pitch is en route to the plate. Edgin tends to slow his delivery and put out his elbow when he throws a changeup.
“Little things that hitters will pick up on, but not necessarily in Single-A,” Edgin said. “I need to improve my changeup. Yes, I have it. Yes, I can throw it for a strike. But can I put it where I want it to go every time? Not every time. I mean, as a pitcher you’re always finding little things to work on. But right now I’d say the one thing would have to be a changeup.”
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:57 pm Posts: 58819 Location: New York, NY
MarkJohnson>You wrote:
Braves looking to one-up the Josh Edgin jump with an Andrelton Simmons jump, perhaps.
Apparently being considered to break camp and completely blow-up Pastronicky's starting gig chance. .759 OPS in the Carolina League last year.
Different scenario there though. Simmons is known for his elite level glove. If they are fine with just having a great glove there then he will likely provide that. Edgin on the other hand needs to be able to get MLB hitters out. Fielding 100% translates, pitching doesn't. Edgin himself admits he needs work and that more advanced hitters will jump on his changeup and that he tips pitches. Don't get over excited at tiny sample sizes. Hitters aren't going up there with any scouting report on some no-name 25 year old A-baller. They will if he's in the real MLB pen.
_________________ Twit-@Wexlerrules http://stlucietoflushing.com/ W.L.W- We Love Wheeler NYFS Top 30 list... starting 10/1 Staunch anti-BADP (Batting average dependent players) Pronounced "Dar-No"
I like Simmons but I'd be frightened to jump him like that. Law called the idea insane too. Pastornicky is a fine SS for now; I think he and Tejada will be quite similar.
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:57 pm Posts: 58819 Location: New York, NY
nmigliore wrote:
I like Simmons but I'd be frightened to jump him like that. Law called the idea insane too. Pastornicky is a fine SS for now; I think he and Tejada will be quite similar.
I think it's a terrible idea too. I'm just saying IF you are ok with mostly ONLY getting great defense at the position then Simmons is going to give you that. You can likely pencil in one aspect of his game to be a plus.
_________________ Twit-@Wexlerrules http://stlucietoflushing.com/ W.L.W- We Love Wheeler NYFS Top 30 list... starting 10/1 Staunch anti-BADP (Batting average dependent players) Pronounced "Dar-No"
Don't get over excited at tiny sample sizes. Hitters aren't going up there with any scouting report on some no-name 25 year old A-baller. They will if he's in the real MLB pen.
Has nothing to do with tiny sample sizes or spring training results. He, in essence, "blew the save" today in the big spot.
Has to do with the idea that he's 25 and has 2 major league pitches right now. And that I'm not sure you're going to have a better read on his ability in this role after some AAA time than you will now. For talk about tiny samples: 20 innings of success in AAA or 20 innings of failure at AAA tell you more than you know now? Probably not.
Again, I'm conceding its probably the right move to send him down, but then I ask, and don't have the answer: what do you learn from it, other than its the "right" thing to do? Take it for a given that he's not going down to start or anything weird like that. He'll be pitching in 1 inning stints somewhere, likely heavily relying on his 2 pitch mix.
I think Edgin might well be a decent MLB reliever now (with his short-arming, his FB probably plays faster than even the 94 he showed today), but again, what is the rush? Given the other options, TC would no doubt love to have him, but they've got to look big picture here.
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