Wednesday Rockpile: Corpas in Trouble, Hawpe Back Friday
by Jeff Aberle on Apr 29, 2009 7:54 AM MDT
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The Colorado Rockies' 4-3 loss last night to the Padres dropped them to 0-7 in games decided by two runs or less (0-5 in one run games). As a result, it appears that the loser of that game, Manny Corpas, has his tenuous closer position in doubt. In all, the Rockies bullpen has blown three of six save opportunities this year, posting an unsightly ERA of 5.40. Corpas' thoughts:
"I have to do something quick. I don't like this. It makes me mad. I am serious," Corpas said. "I don't want this to happen again."
Rockies fans hope so too, Manny. And so does my fantasy team for that matter.
Tracy Ringolsby goes so far as to suggest that Corpas be sent down to the minors for a bit to work on his mechanics. This is an intriguing (and perhaps necessary) suggestion, as according to my chart Corpas has two options remaining. This might be a move to be made when Buchholz comes off the DL in a month, or Manny might force the Rockies' hand sooner if his poor performances continue.
Brad Hawpe Update
Rockies fans (even those in the Free Matt Murton Fan Club) did get some positive news yesterday as Brad Hawpe's scary injury on Monday was deemed to be only a neck contusion, not a concussion. Had he suffered a concussion he almost certainly would have gone on the DL. The injury was especially scary for Matt Daley, who was present when Mike Coolbaugh was killed by a line drive in 2007. Hawpe expects to be back in the lineup on Friday against San Francisco. In Hawpe's words:
"After that happened (against L.A.), I decided I was going to slide feet first. And now this happened. So I don't know what I'm going to do," Hawpe said.
Brad has been the most consistent (the good kind of consistent) hitter of the Rockies' regulars, so this is great news for all except perhaps enthusiasts of outfield defense and those who have seen Seth Smith's power surge.
Fowler Files
In the aftermath of the five steal game on Monday by Dexter Fowler, Dave Cameron at Fangraphs examined Chris Young's fatal flaw. Long story short: Young is horrible at holding runners on (maybe even worse than Hideo Nomo). Those stealing on Young are doing so since 2007 at a 97% rate!
In a blog post by Renck, Hurdle basically anoints Dex as his everyday CF. Fowler has been very impressive this April to say the least. We'll see if he can maintain this extraordinary level of production over a long season. As Renck states:
Fowler provides a speed dynamic offensively and range defensively that no other player on the roster can match. The team’s best lineup is when he leads off.
Also mentioned in the notes is that Jason Hammel will remain the fifth starter for the near future--but also that Jason Hirsh is coming on strong in AAA.
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My Thoughts
As much of the blame for the loss last night should be on Hurdle as Manny. Using him Monday night in a non-save situation for the second night in a row and using him last night after pitching the previous two nights were both inexcusable moves, and it seems like both Ringolsby and Renck fail to mention that.
Tulo is all messed up. See Redhawk’s post in the game wrap (I like you, but we don’t always see eye to eye on everything – but you were dead on with this, IMO). Bases loaded with 1 out, GIDP is the WORST possible outcome. If you are going to bench him to get things figured out, bench him – don’t bring him in later in the game.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
Many goats
Sure, Manny gave up the hit to lead off the 9th, but it really should have been a double. Spilly’s (non) kick save gave the Pads the leadoff runner on 3rd with no outs, almost assuredly a run if you are not the Rockies.
Atkins GIDP rally killer, then weak ground ball in the 9th with the tying run on at 2nd.
Tulo GIDP with the bases loaded.
Torrealba making Barmes look like a selective hitter.
This is not the road to the division title.
Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 29, 2009 8:33 AM MDT up reply actions
Yes there were many goats
but Corpas with an 89mph heater won’t get the job done. My thought was, there are a 100 guys in AAA that have this kinda stuff or better. No way he should be the Closer. Who should?……Grilli, there I said it…it’s out there
What I don't like about that
is that Grilli is one of the guys who can go longer than 1 inning. By putting him in the closer’s role, you take that ability out of his hands. Unless the goal is a lot of 2 inning saves, which I wouldn’t put past Hurdle.
Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 29, 2009 9:23 AM MDT up reply actions
Personally
I thought the game was lost when Tulo came to bat in the 8th with runner on 3rd and 1 out. Should have been a suicide squeeze play. Tulo isn’t going to hit there, and if he could manage to put the ball in play there was a chance of a DP. With Hurdle’s love of the Bunt…I’m a little surprised it wasn’t put on there.
You don't squeeze with the bases loaded.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Hurdle knows you don't squeeze with the bases loaded.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
You do if your offense can't score runs
but it’s not like they score 22 the previous two days
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 29, 2009 9:04 AM MDT up reply actions
You don't win friends with salad
Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 29, 2009 9:17 AM MDT up reply actions
I think it's time to start dangling
all our AAA starters in front of every team thinking about signing Pedro Martinez, for AA or AAA bullpen arms. Maybe get something for Reynolds or even Fogg’s veteranyness. Hirsh…still has potential in my book though he will be out of options next year.
Bullpen:
Rusch: Our lefty and long reliever. Seems serviceable, if unspectacular
Daley: Really haven’t see enough of him to get any idea
Belisle: A thrower. Good FB, no 2ndary pitches, any one in A ball could do what he does
Embree: Makes Tom Martin look dominate. He needs to go now
Street: Pressing, erratic delivery. Arm problems just around the corner as they have been in his past. Can’t be counted on
Corpas: 90mph heater. AAA level or worse stuff. Mechanical? or a little more than that? In 07 McCarver accused him of doctoring the ball, I’ll buy a jar of vasaline and give him Gaylord Perry’s number if that will help.
Grilli: best we have going out there. Only pitcher that brings confidence.
DL: Speier: Meh, all the way around and inconsistent.
Bucholtz: Bucky! We miss you get well soon! The office isn’t running with out you! Ever thought about closing?
Embree over Beimel? Sigh
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 29, 2009 9:28 AM MDT up reply actions
Embree
I think if we’re expected Embree to be a LOOGY we’re bound to be disappointed – he’s just not that guy that we can bring in and he can just baffle lefty hitters. He’s basically no different than any other middle reliever and if anything he might end up with a reverse platoon split (last night’s single by Headley was the first hit he’d given up to a righty this season).
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Does it seem like
entire pitching staff with the exception of Ubaldo has lost velocity since 2007? I’m thinking of Corpas, Morales, Reynolds, Hirsh, Cook, Francis.
Some of it has to do w/ philosophy IMO
we are worried about quick outs more than strikeouts, which has led to pitching to contact. More sink and less out pitches. I don’t mind it for some starters, but BP pitchers need to have the ability to strike a guy out, too much risk w/ weak contact getting a run in. It just doesn’t seem like we have that Bell/Broxton type in our system anywhere. Possibly Weathers, and maybe Lindsay if he can get it together, but we are hurting in that department.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
That 'Bell/Broxton type' was supposed to be Weathers
And could still be provided his rehab from TJ goes smoothly. We just have to wait another year for him.
I haven’t seen a big dip in velocity from Cook – and Francis was pitching with a bum shoulder last year, when he came back late in the year he had his old velocity back. Corpas never really lit up the radar gun.
I’d rather see low 90s strikes than wildness in the mid 90s, so velocity in general doesn’t concern me, but it sure would be nice if we had a couple guys with power fastballs in the bullpen. We need strikeouts back there and right now they aren’t coming, but if you get too obsessed with the big heat and the strikeout, you end up with Kyle Farnsworth.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Thats true
and there are other issues w/ power fastballs, usually command, but I think we could use at least 1 guy in our pen capable of a strikeout in a big situation, like runner at 3B nobody out. I did like that about Fuentes when he was right, but I had issues w/ him too, so there is no perfect ball player.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
RE:
Street will be our best reliever this season. I would bet on this. I don’t think it helps his cause that every fan at Coors Field already hates the guy because he was part of the Holliday trade, but he’s maintained good command and the movement on his stuff has stayed consistent. The results are getting better for him already.
In three of Grilli’s last four outings he has given up a game-winning hit, walked in a crucial insurance run, and thrown a wild pitch that led to another inherited run scoring that also proved to be an important insurance tally. I don’t know why he’s getting a free pass from you. I don’t have any more confidence in him than I do any of the other guys.
Belisle is fungible – he’s the sixth man in the pen and you just hope he doesn’t cost you any ballgames in that role. Daley’s intriguing – I like his command and he’s got a good little breaking ball. Rusch is what he is. Embree shouldn’t be used as a LOOGY – as long as we keep him away from Ethier, anyway.
Those who read my blog or read the game wrap last night know how I feel about Corpas. A demotion wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for him to try and find out if there’s a mental aspect to his struggles.
I promise this bullpen won’t post a 5.40 ERA all year long. I can not be more certain of anything than I am of that.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Grilli
is getting a pass, only because I feel there are worse issues in the pen right now. I hope you are correct on the pen getting better. I just don’t see much talent out there.
This isn't the 05 pen
Scott Dohmann and Allan Simpson and Chin-Hui Tsao aren’t coming through that door, thank God. We’re not relying on rookies to fill big roles and watching their failures snowball as their confidence erodes. I’m not saying we’ve got the Nasty Boys back there, but we’ve got veteran guys who have had good success in the past and know what it takes to get it done. I don’t know how much better it will get – I don’t expect it to magically become the best bullpen in baseball overnight or anything – but I trust it to not get worse because of that factor.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
by Franchise26 on Apr 29, 2009 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions
Corpas
Keep in mind it was the third day in a row that Corpas had pitched, and the fourth time in five days. I don’t think Manny is in as much trouble as everyone else seems to think. The solution to Manny’s woes is as simple as some rest. (However, whether or not he can get that rest is questionable at best given the frequency with which Hurdle has been using him out of the pen recently.)
by Purp McGirt on Apr 29, 2009 10:54 AM MDT up reply actions
Missed
in all of the angst (mine included) about the game being blown – was the fact that Jorge had another quality outing. I hope they are able to capitalize off of it sometime. He’s doing quite well.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
No worries about Corpas anymore
I dropped him from my fantasy team for the second time this season already. Got him in the last round and then he lost the closer’s job coming out of ST, so I dropped him. Get’s the closer role back, I picked him up, he blows up, so I dropped him again. He’ll be fine. I only wish it was this simple in reality.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 29, 2009 11:43 AM MDT reply actions
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