Morning Prowl: Guillen's Switch-Hitting, Porcello Watch, the Double Play Monster, and Crosby's Blister
Carlos Guillen has given up on switch-hitting for the year, according to Jason Beck. Batting right-handed is still uncomfortable for him, and Guillen is worried that if he pushes it, he could hurt that right shoulder again.
Sounds good here. No sense in taking a risk, since Guillen has been one of the Tigers' more dependable middle-of-the-order bats and is playing a decent left field.
ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick looks at nine young starting pitchers whose workload will have to be closely monitored as they pitch more innings than they ever have before in a season. Of course, the Tigers' Rick Porcello is high on Crasnick's list (second, to be exact).
Ditching his curveball in favor of a slider appears to have made a huge difference in Porcello's game, and pitching coach Rick Knapp thinks Kid Rick is pitching better now than he was earlier in the season.
(via The Spot Starters, who lists the pitch counts from each of Porcello's starts this year)
Both The Detroit Tigers Weblog and Fire Jim Leyland take a look at Jeremy Bonderman's last two outings through Pitch F/X and are encouraged by the results. His velocity is improved, his release point is consistent, and he's pounding right-handed hitters inside.
Mack Avenue Tigers warns us not to compare 2009 to 2006. The two Tigers teams are quite different. However, Kurt wrote this column before the Tigers finished losing three straight in Kansas City. Coincidence or... jinx?
Eye of the Tigers tries to put together an all-time starting nine for the Detroit Tigers, picking from the best seasons at each position in team history. Definitely a fun exercise when you need a break from the pennant race grind.
Tigers Tracks favors moving Zach Miner during the offseason. I assume John felt that way before yesterday, but watching Miner give up three runs in one inning surely strengthened those beliefs.
Sci-fi and horror movies are really popular these days. Roar of the Tigers may have just created one starring the 2009 Detroit Tigers and the monster that's plagued them. Be warned: the image is terrifying!
Jim Leyland would like to see Dontrelle Willis pitch in the Florida Instructional League and winter ball this offseason. If I recall correctly, Willis opted not to play winter ball last year, in favor of working out on his own.
Casey Crosby's blister problems on his left index finger popped up again during the West Michigan Whitecaps' opening playoff loss to the Great Lakes Loons on Wednesday. Crosby left after 2.1 innings when the finger began to bother him and affect his velocity.
(via Take 75 North)
According to MLive.com, FOX Sports Detroit's "Tigers Live" pregame show will talk to three of the team's draft picks tonight. Jacob Turner, Andrew Oliver, and Daniel Fields will be interviewed. The show, as you probably know, begins at 6:30 p.m. EST.
MLB Network is naming its production studios after Ernie Harwell, Vin Scully, and Mel Allen. Harwell called the honor "fantastic."
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Good for the MLB Network.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Sep 11, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Talk on XM radio this morning indicated the dissapointment with Jarod Washburn
They even said if the Tigers have any chance of winning in the playoffs, their #3 starter has to be better than he has been so far.
Tammy
by VegasTigers on Sep 11, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
nobody said Jarrod has to be our #3...
He’s the most likely candidate but he doesn’t have to be.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Sep 11, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would think
if they had to start the playoffs today, JV, EJax, Porcello would be top three, and Robertson might just be #4
by BigJP on Sep 11, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
your probably right.
especially after another loss by wash. Porcello has definitely earned the #3 anyways.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Sep 11, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Loved your article Kurt on the ’06 stuff
Tammy
by VegasTigers on Sep 11, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
thanks
I was feeling like timing came up to bite me in the butt!
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 11, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regarding Miner
We should definitely shop him if we can get something decent and cheap back.
Of course, I’m the guy who says we should look to deal Guillen/Inge, so I don’t know if my opinion on transactions is worth anything in these parts. :)
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Sep 11, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I argued last season for trading Magglio
to anyone who would take him. Specifically because of the contract getting ready to balloon and his still having some value.
Guillen seems like he’d be impossible to trade without eating most of the salary.
I really don’t see how Miner is back with the team next year.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 11, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm praying for post-season heroics
Maybe that’ll boost his value.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Sep 11, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agreed with the idea of moving Magglio earlier.
It made sense but he’s still here so hopefully he can be consistent.
As for Miner: we may be stuck with him unless some team with no pitching decides to gamble.
by 13194013 on Sep 11, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's not under contract next year
no reason to be stuck with him if the Tigers don’t want to be. He should be entering his first year of arbitration.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 11, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2010 rotation
Verlander, Jackson, Porcello, Robertson, Bonderman
Tammy
by VegasTigers on Sep 11, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I pray you're right
That could be devastating if Bondo can come back, Porcello continues to develop and Robertson really was that hampered by injury.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Sep 11, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We still should sign Nate Robertson's growth to a minor league deal.
It could grow into a serviceable reliever.
by 13194013 on Sep 11, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that'd be a rockin' rotation...
provided robertson doesn’t go back to his old ways.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Sep 11, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're right, Ian
I have not been a fan of Miner’s for quite a while. I do feel, like many others (including Miner himself), that he is best used as a starter. He just cannot get that role on this team. Miner is/can be a serviceable starting pitcher for some club, so I’m sure they can get something for him. I think he has shown that he is not a reliever, let him start somewhere else.
by BigJP on Sep 11, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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