January 16, 200620 yr Barring any more offseason moves, what are the chances that Josh Johnson will earn a rotation spot? -- Brad S., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. Even with some more moves, the chances are very high that Johnson will win a rotation spot. In the eyes of some scouts, the big right-hander from Oklahoma is regarded as the organization's top starting prospect. They feel he is a legitimate future ace or No. 2 starter. Those assessments were based on the crop of pitchers the Marlins had in their system before all the offseason trades. In his lone big-league start, Johnson pitched very well against the Braves. What he lacks -- as do so many others on the staff -- is experience. He surely will get his chance in Spring Training.
January 16, 200620 yr What Johnson has going for him more than any of the other candidates to make the starting rotation is his innings pitched. With 150+ innings under his belt last season he and Fulchino are the only two guys who it can be said have the arm strength to really compete for the starting rotation and be capable of throwing a full season.
January 16, 200620 yr What Johnson has going for him more than any of the other candidates to make the starting rotation is his innings pitched. With 150+ innings under his belt last season he and Fulchino are the only two guys who it can be said have the arm strength to really compete for the starting rotation and be capable of throwing a full season. Well Nolasco threw 161 and Fulchino is a non-factor and hopefully is never spoken again concerning Marlins pitchers. And I think you are missing the point of pitching a full season. Who cares with this team. We are going to have a number of SP. If we are looking at 162 starts: Willis 32 Vargas 30 Moehler 20 Mitre 20 Petit 20 Olsen 15 Johnson 15 Nolasco 10 Or however you want to break it down. The start numbers don't matter, it's just all the names in the mix and those 8 guys all should be able to handle 130 IP workloads at worst. Break them in like Ervin Santana, or Vargas last year. Let Moehler and Mitre get their shots from day 1 in the rotation, and then start phasing them out for all the rookies in July. It'll be better for everyone and maximizes everyones chances for success by not being completely overexposed. I don't want to hang Petit or Olsen out there the whole year like KC had to do with Grienke. That doesn't help anybody.
January 16, 200620 yr We will be shuffling the rotation all year long, it doesn't matter of arm strength. Of the guys who will get the starting bod all year, I can only name three right now, Scott Olsen ( if he isn't dealt), Dontrelle Willis, and Jason Vargas.
January 17, 200620 yr Johnson has as good a chance as any of the young starting pitchers on the roster. I think it will be an open competition for every starting job between 2-5. I'm not a huge fan of Moehler or Mitre, and wouldn't hand either of them a job. Maybe if the kids beat out Moehler and Mitre( I know he's a kd too).....that could help out the awful bullpen we currently have.
January 17, 200620 yr Lou, I think you missed my point. Simply I was referring to arm strength. And you're absolutely right about me forgetting Nolasco. Not as an excuse but I was thinking of pitchers who were in the Marlins system last season, I should have included him.
January 17, 200620 yr Isn't there any love for Logan Kensing? :lol I read where he is headed for the pen, but could end up making a few starts as well to rest some of the other arms.
January 17, 200620 yr Lou, I think you missed my point. Simply I was referring to arm strength. And you're absolutely right about me forgetting Nolasco. Not as an excuse but I was thinking of pitchers who were in the Marlins system last season, I should have included him. I don't think I missed the point. I think it's irrelevant, which is how I responded to your comment. In your initial post you say Johnson has the best shot of getting a rotation spot based solely on the fact that his arm pitched more innings then others, which would allow him to pitch an entire season worth of starts. I believe innings pitched does not matter because no Marlin pitchers besides Willis and Vargas will get a full season's worth of starts. They are going to try out all the advanced SP prospects, and are going to have a patchwork 3-4-5 that involves Moehler, Mitre, Petit, Olsen, Nolasco, and maybe Anibal, Pinto, Mildren, or someone else who really tears up double AA next year. For me, best case scenario is that Petit, Olsen, and Johnson take over the 3-4-5 permanently around the allstar break, each pitch 140-160 innings overall, and show progression like Vargas in 05 to really get us excited for 07. If some of these guys can establish themselves, talk about serious trade bait with our SP prospects. Especially if Bowyer, Resop, and Tank figure it out and we don't have to convert bunches of them into RP.
January 17, 200620 yr Josh Johnson will definately be on the starting rotation to start next season, barring any misfortune.
January 17, 200620 yr Lou, I'm not arguing that we won't see a flock of pitchers starting for the Fish in 2006. In fact I believe I was the first to point that out here months ago. I'm simply suggesting that the guys who had the most innings under their belt last season probably have the strongest likelihood of being part of the rotation, given they perform well in spring training. From my perspective, we're splitting hairs here.
January 17, 200620 yr Lou, I'm not arguing that we won't see a flock of pitchers starting for the Fish in 2006. In fact I believe I was the first to point that out here months ago. I'm simply suggesting that the guys who had the most innings under their belt last season probably have the strongest likelihood of being part of the rotation, given they perform well in spring training. From my perspective, we're splitting hairs here. It just sounded from the initial post you expect to see Johnson or Fulchino in the rotation for the entire year just because they have innings on their arms. But if all you meant was that they you expect them to START with Johnson in the rotation, and then start the shuffling of SP a dozen or so starts down the road, sure. I think we are on the same page. I would argue Moehler and Mitre start as the 3-4 because they have MLB experience, and then Petit beats out Olsen, Johnson, and Nolasco in camp because he is the most polished of the bunch (regardless of overall perceived upside). But we shall see. I just can't wait for spring training.
January 17, 200620 yr Moehler and Mitre absolutely scare me. I think Moehler can be a decent long reliever, but he can't be counted on to make alot of starts. Mitre has been just horrid since his career has started.....I know a lot of people like him because he pitched the game of his life against the Marlins....but he stinks! Just having experience doesn't matter.....if the results have been bad. I just say let the kids battle it out for the #2-#5 spots. If Moehler and Mitre beat them out then so be it, but I hope it doesn't happen. Maybe Mitre could be a good reliever, alot of failed starters excel in the pen and the Marlins need a TON of help out there. I still think they should add some more cheap veteran relievers to the roster. The thought of a bullpen of Bump, Kensing, McGrew, Resop, Messenger, Borowski and Bowyer gets me sick to my stomach.
January 17, 200620 yr Johnson is the only rookie that I'm certain will start. Olsen I'm fairly sure about, but you never know. It'll be: Willis Vargas Olsen Johnson Moehler/Mitre IMO Moehler and Mitre absolutely scare me. I think Moehler can be a decent long reliever, but he can't be counted on to make alot of starts. Mitre has been just horrid since his career has started.....I know a lot of people like him because he pitched the game of his life against the Marlins....but he stinks! Just having experience doesn't matter.....if the results have been bad. I just say let the kids battle it out for the #2-#5 spots. If Moehler and Mitre beat them out then so be it, but I hope it doesn't happen. Maybe Mitre could be a good reliever, alot of failed starters excel in the pen and the Marlins need a TON of help out there. I still think they should add some more cheap veteran relievers to the roster. The thought of a bullpen of Bump, Kensing, McGrew, Resop, Messenger, Borowski and Bowyer gets me sick to my stomach. Borowski is a solid vet, and Lightenberg will probably be in the pen too. Bump is a reliable reliever. Resop is raw and Messenger just needs time, but they'll be studs. Bowyer will be our closer in '07. McGrew? Kensing? No. Moehler or Mitre will be the 7th in the pen, and I don't know who will get the last spot....Maybe Petit even.
January 17, 200620 yr Bump.....reliable? You must be watching someone else pitch. He's no Chad Cordero, but in relation to other relievers out there, he's decent.
January 18, 200620 yr why no on Kensing? Is it weird that I cringe everytime I see someone wearing a hat with dirty blonde locks hanging out of the back?
January 18, 200620 yr Nate Bump stinks......always has.....always will. Decent compared to who? Don't be a follower. Be a leader.
January 18, 200620 yr 4.68 career ERA, 1.534 career WHIP.......in one of the best pitchers parks in baseball. You do the math. Anyway you cut it.......it stinks!
January 18, 200620 yr 4.68 career ERA, 1.534 career WHIP.......in one of the best pitchers parks in baseball. You do the math. Anyway you cut it.......it stinks! 4.68 ERA? Wow, that's better than I thought!!!!
January 18, 200620 yr 4.68 career ERA, 1.534 career WHIP.......in one of the best pitchers parks in baseball. You do the math. Anyway you cut it.......it stinks! You know what you get with the guy, he will give up a lot of hits, but with a decent defence behind him he will also get a lot of ground balls, hence double plays and with the upgraded defence up the middle we shall likely have and better range at third you have to like a ground ball pitcher. (I know it isn't ideal for a ground ball pitcher out of the bullpen, but who would you like to give the ball to with a couple of men on base with a double play getting you out of the inning?) If he cuts down the walks this year he will be an important part of the 'pen.
January 18, 200620 yr So you believe the Marlins will be a good defensive team? With a catcher in LF, Cabrera in place of Lowell (Gold Glover last year), and Reese and Ramirez over Castillo and Gonzalez? What are you smokin?
January 18, 200620 yr 4.68 career ERA, 1.534 career WHIP.......in one of the best pitchers parks in baseball. You do the math. Anyway you cut it.......it stinks! You know what you get with the guy, he will give up a lot of hits, but with a decent defence behind him he will also get a lot of ground balls, hence double plays and with the upgraded defence up the middle we shall likely have and better range at third you have to like a ground ball pitcher. (I know it isn't ideal for a ground ball pitcher out of the bullpen, but who would you like to give the ball to with a couple of men on base with a double play getting you out of the inning?) If he cuts down the walks this year he will be an important part of the 'pen. How is the defense upgrading in the infield? You had three dominant presences with Lowell, Gonzalez and Castillo who played with each other for years. I like Cabrera, Hanley, and Pokey, but you have got to be kidding that you think this team's infield defense will be an upgrade and pitchers like Bump will thrive off of it. FWIW, Cabrera had a lower zone rating then Lowell at 3B last year. I don't think you can arbitrarily say he will cover more ground. Mike was a fantastic fielding 3B. If Bump makes the squad, he should never pitch besides extreme mop up. They need to give the innings to Bowyer, Resop, Messenger, Kensing, Tankersly, and other guys who can help this team for a few years.
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