Posted February 2, 200520 yr What do you guys think, does dontrelle have the potential to be a superstar like he showed bursts of in his rookie season, or is he going to be forever just a decent, adequate, rotation filler.
February 2, 200520 yr It depends on how good his fastball becomes. Lefties gain velocity on their fastballs until age 24-25. If he can get his fastball up to 95-96 MPH with good control, I think he'll be a number 1 starter... an ace. I don't remember where I read this, but I hear he was hoping to gain 3-4 mph on his fastball. If he did, then he's up to 94-96 mph. Let's hope that is the case. We have to remember that Dontrelle is very very young. He's four years away from the beginning of his prime years. His worst season is better than most of AJ's years... If I recall correctly, AJ had an ERA above 4 every year before 2002.
February 2, 200520 yr until he learns another pitch, he wont be able to vault himself into that next level, imo
February 2, 200520 yr He needs a bit more finesse but he'll be one of the top pitchers in the league for years
February 2, 200520 yr Dontrelle needs another pitch and needs to work on control. Once he has that sorted out, he'll be a nasty dude.
February 2, 200520 yr He needs consitency. They days he is good he is good. You know the first inning or two what kind of outing he will have. If he can't find the zone the first inning he generally won't all day. But if he is hot from the first pitch he usually does well.
February 2, 200520 yr He needs an offspeed pitch to go with his fastball/slider ability. His biggest problem is that when he has games when he can't get his slider over for a strike, hitters just sit dead-red. An effective changeup or curve would make him formidable.
February 2, 200520 yr when dontrelle learns to pitch...the sky is the limit.  growing pains that almost every great pitcher has gone through at some point.  adding an effective 3rd and 4th pitch will really make him sizzling.
February 3, 200520 yr A change-up, which I read he used in the minors, would be deadly compliment to his deceptive delivery. Batters have a hard enough time trying to read his release point. Just imagine if they didn't know the speed of the ball.
February 3, 200520 yr D-Train's fastball needs to go up a few mphs....and he needs to add a pitch which he can control well...
February 3, 200520 yr An above average changeup and slider along with added velocity (94-96 MPH) and good control and we're looking at a potential Cy Young winner. Hopefully he's worked to get his fastball up to the mid 90's this offseason and on his changeup.
February 3, 200520 yr Dontrelle loses his control after too few innings. With more and more games played he will improve, and when that happens, we better hope he's on our team.
February 3, 200520 yr I don't remember where I read this, but I hear he was hoping to gain 3-4 mph on his fastball. If he did, then he's up to 94-96 mph. Let's hope that is the case. I've never heard of a pitcher gaining 3-4 mph on his fastball, let alone in one off-season, has this ever happened?
February 3, 200520 yr He doesnt really have that much movement on his pitches, alothugh its sometimes hard to see movement from leftys the way the TV Camera is angled
February 3, 200520 yr I don't remember where I read this, but I hear he was hoping to gain 3-4 mph on his fastball. If he did, then he's up to 94-96 mph. Let's hope that is the case. I've never heard of a pitcher gaining 3-4 mph on his fastball, let alone in one off-season, has this ever happened? 675790[/snapback]  Yes, it happens all the time with young pitchers. Lefties gain velocity on their fastballs until age 24-25. In fact, Dontrelle went from an average prospect to an outstanding prospect when he raised his fastball from 88-89 mph to 91-93 mph.
February 3, 200520 yr Dontrelle better be a Marlin for a long time. He was amazing in 03...he is young so he can get shaken quickly but that should change with more experience
February 3, 200520 yr I hate all this D-Train talk about him is he good?, or would he be better as a reliever or closer later in his career. some of you think that the guy is a veteran and that he has played 6 years and is 28 years old. the guy is only 21 or 22 and has a career record of 24-17 with a 3.70 era i dont know to many pitchers that have started their careers like that and at that age. Relax!!! the guy is going to be awsome, he is young and has had better years then our two golden boys AJ and Josh, yet no one says anything about them all they can say about them hopefully they stay healthy. Point is im tired of people talking about Willis, He is a good pitcher with a lot of potential and wait till Leiter gets a hold of him, he will be even better. D-Train Kix ASS!!!!!!
February 3, 200520 yr he needs to improve more. i dont see a star year out of him yet. by the way, love the sig
February 3, 200520 yr willis was a great assest in 2003 when we won the championship. lets hope when we win the championship this year he wiol also be a great assest.
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