Friday, May 25, 2012
NJ.com: Yankees’ bullpen benefits from a pair of sidearm relievers
It translated into a comfortable niche Eppley has created for himself as a frustrating matchup for right-handed hitters. In the minor leagues this year, he elicited a ground ball against 82 percent of the batters he faced.
Here’s a brief look at how Cory Eppley became a side-arming reliever instead of a failed starter. With all the injuries the Yankees have had in the bullpen he’s survived a lot longer than I’d expected him to. At first I though, wow, 82% of the batters he’s faced in the minors hit ground balls against him? Then I realized he’s faced a grand total of 31 batters in the minors this year.
He does have a 66.7% GB rate in MLB this year as well though, which is a good thing in DNYS. He’s not really someone I want to see in high leverage situations, but he can probably continue to help the team in the correct spots, which plays into what I think is Joe Girardi’s biggest strength (using his middle relievers well).
Comments
If I’d said before the season started that Mo would miss almost the entire year and Robertson would have an extended stay on the DL but the bullpen would still be a strength you all would have laughed at me. More than usual.
For those complaining about Cashman and Girardi (including me), we have to acknowledge the overall excellent pen and pen management in the last few years—even including disasters like Pedro “Jose” Feliciano.
Cashman no.
Girardi yes. He will take any collection of failed MiLB starters and get decent production out of them.
Cashman will still throw millions at and even trade prospects for LOOGYs and other bullpen arms. I know Soriano wasn’t him, but Soriano has worked out a lot better that a lot of Cashmans moves, and that’s sad.
Girardi didn’t acquire Eppley, Robertson, Wade, Logan, Rapada, Phelps, etc. Cashman did. Nitpick if you will (and I will too) but look at the overall results.
It seems we’ve acquired Maine. Not sure whether he can be effective again, but he can be the Designated Crossword Dude if he can make it to the Majors.
[4] Another genius move by Cashman!
[3] - Fine but they come at the cost of some really horrible mistakes. Still, you could argue they could be part of the result of a pitching heavy focus by Cashman. Although, that pitching heavy focus hasn’t yielded the results you’d expect so it’s hard to call that a strength even if the side result it bullpen depth.
Just came across my ticket stub for the Giambi grand slam v Twins. What a game.
That year I went to(at least) a game on May 3, Mets game on the 7th to see Bonds play, then the game on the 17th. Living in NY was great.
Mark Montgomery future sixth inning guy, 21yo k rate over 14 and a WHIP of .8 for High A Tampa
Cody, not Cory.
Y’all might be interested in my latest LA Times Sports Legends Revealed. It is about how the National League created the first professional soccer league in the United States as a way to keep baseball stadiums occupied after the baseball season ended. The teams in the league were even named after the baseball teams!
Check it out here.
Nice work Brian. Is “Justine” code for “person I made up”?
Do you actually live in LA? If so it’s time you had me over for dinner. I eat a lot.
[12] More like code for “person I beat up”.
Nice work Brian. Is “Justine” code for “person I made up”?
Ha! No, I actually get a decent amount of e-mails from female readers.
Do you actually live in LA? If so it’s time you had me over for dinner. I eat a lot.
Nope, I’m in NYC.
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