I didn't get to see much of yesterday's game and I'm not going to blame him for the loss (you can't win if you don't score runs) but I was wondering if the team is doing him a disservice by throwing him into the fire too soon. Do you let him keep getting beat up or do you let him work on his game in the minors until he's really ready. I don't think he is really ready.

Bring Volstad up, send Miller down.

It's clear he needs to go back down to AA or AAA for awhile.

he didn't pitch well yesterday , but I think showed just enough to get another start . You dont want to keep sending a guy to get his head bashed in night after night but the objective is for Miller to learn to pitch at mlb level and the only way he will learn is by taking the ball every 5th day

Didn't see the game, but it's at least promising that they sent him back out after giving up 5 runs and he was able to give them 3 more scoreless innings.... baby steps & all that.

 

 

I know he is a top prospect and but he is still a rookie after all. They can't all come in and blow everyone away. Some are going to struggle for a while. I'll defer to Wiley and Beinfest & Co as to whether his problems can be worked through up here or if it's a matter of needing more innings in the minors.

 

Vandenhurk I was more inclined to send back down because he didn't look like he'd made any progress from last season (when he was already probably moved up too fast). Miller I'm okay with giving some time. As long as it's not crushing the kid's confidence or anything.

I say give him a couple more starts. Last night he was throwing alright.

 

His line might not indicate that, but it seemed like the Astros hits came against good pitches by Miller. He did walk 4, but he struck out 6. I think that's worthy of another start or two. If he struggles in those next few starts, by all means, send him down. The worst thing that can happen is having his confidence ruined.

I know he is a top prospect and but he is still a rookie after all.

 

Technically he lost his rookie eligibility last year after he pitched 64 innings with the Tigers, but eh,close enough :thumbup

if you watched the game, you'd see his velocity was up from his last start, that he made a few hitters look foolish on some strikeout pitches, and that he was able to get through the last few innings without major damage. That being said, the most concerning thing was (other than the 5 runs) Miller's penchant for the "mistake" pitch. A few pitches that had no business being on the meat of the plate were hammered by the stros, and Miller made quite a few of those during the first three innings.

if you watched the game, you'd see his velocity was up from his last start, that he made a few hitters look foolish on some strikeout pitches, and that he was able to get through the last few innings without major damage. That being said, the most concerning thing was (other than the 5 runs) Miller's penchant for the "mistake" pitch. A few pitches that had no business being on the meat of the plate were hammered by the stros, and Miller made quite a few of those during the first three innings.

 

Totally agree. He made Hunter Pence look stupid a couple times. I think they should give at least a couple of more starts before considering on moving him down

he still with team

Bring Volstad up, send Miller down.

 

ditto

 

let Miller get some confidence in the minors and let Volstad get his chance

Bring Volstad up, send Miller down.

 

ditto

 

let Miller get some confidence in the minors and let Volstad get his chance

 

I couldn't disagree more with the idea of bring up Volstad . We can't constantly bring up guys who have not gotten the proper experience in the minors and expect them to contribute at the big league level . pitching is an art that is learned and you want to have experienced as many situtations in the minors that you will encounter in professional ranks before being called up. That notion includes mental and physical preparation we dont need another guy who hasn't built up the arm strength to pitch 200 innings or hasn't mentally toughend himself up to deal with the failures he will no doubt encounter at the big league level. Let Volstad pitch the whole year in the minors and in september if warranted give him a call up.

If we bring up Volstad, the same hard luck that has fallen on VandenHurk and Miller will affect him, too. Miller did just enough to warrant at least another start, and I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised by his next outing.

Bring Volstad up, send Miller down.

 

ditto

 

let Miller get some confidence in the minors and let Volstad get his chance

 

I couldn't disagree more with the idea of bring up Volstad . We can't constantly bring up guys who have not gotten the proper experience in the minors and expect them to contribute at the big league level . pitching is an art that is learned and you want to have experienced as many situtations in the minors that you will encounter in professional ranks before being called up. That notion includes mental and physical preparation we dont need another guy who hasn't built up the arm strength to pitch 200 innings or hasn't mentally toughend himself up to deal with the failures he will no doubt encounter at the big league level. Let Volstad pitch the whole year in the minors and in september if warranted give him a call up.

 

ordinarily, I'd agree with you, but Volstad may be the team's best option right now. I don't think anyone would expect him to throw 200 innings this year, he would be a temporary replacement until JJ or Anibal Sanchez is ready in August. Plus, all the reasons you cited is also why Miller should be in the minors. Ideally, all these young guys should be in the minors but the team can't afford that luxury now.

I am somewhat on board with sending Miller down, not as punishment for his last start, which wasn't as bad, but more for his own sake. He needs a chance to collect himself, and get back to throwing strikes and see if he can get to blowing away AA and/or AAA hitters.

 

That said, I'd rather not rush Volstad either. I know he's doing well, but I'll again throw out a suggestion that I know I will hear it for making, but sign BK. Odds are in most cases that BK goes 5 or 6 innings and gives up no more than 4 runs, which means it's simply a question of whether or not our offense shows up and comes together that night.

 

I know people here say how bad BK is, but look at it this way - any of the young guys who aren't ready can potentially do just as bad. However, the more we do that with the young guys, the more we will end up screwing up their head and their confidence. Whereas if BK gives us subpar outings, there's no long term damage to the future rotation. And remember again, even with our hot start, lets remember that our rotation is in a rebuilding stage, and we shouldn't expect so much at this point in the season. We will live & die by our offense (mostly) for the time being.

I watched the archive of last night's game after I got home. Miller made 1 truly bad pitch, and Berkman crushed it. Otherwise, it appeared that his velocity was good and he was hitting the targets that Rabelo presented him. We may be rushing Miller, but we'd also be rushing Volstad.

leave him in the rotation and watch him improve. i didn't get the memo that this team was competing to win the world series this year and couldn't tolerate the growing pains of its young aces. 2008: building the future.

Bring Volstad up, send Miller down.

 

ditto

 

let Miller get some confidence in the minors and let Volstad get his chance

 

Volstad isn't ready, yet. Neither is Gaby. Or...(fill in the blank)... Patience, people. I hear it's a virtue.

 

Andrew settled down and pitched a pretty good game. And for what it's worth, so did Hopper on Sunday.

leave him in the rotation and watch him improve. i didn't get the memo that this team was competing to win the world series this year and couldn't tolerate the growing pains of its young aces. 2008: building the future.

 

Then don't charge MLB prices for games. :mis2 I believe you should be trying, and I doubt Freddi & his staff, have told the guys, you are not gonna win, just try your best. He wants to win, and expects to win games.

I say move Miller to the bullpen for a bit, then when he gets his act together put him back in the rotation.

i think we should trade him and a bunch of other prospects for the tigers third basemen and one of the tigers starting pitchers...................... :banghead

i think we should trade him and a bunch of other prospects for the tigers third basemen and one of the tigers starting pitchers...................... :banghead

 

Just as long as its not Dontrelle Willis

Let Miller pitch ...He is getting his confidence . I assure you he is about to hit stride

I agree with giving the kid time, demoting someone does an awful lot to someones confidence.

i think we should trade him and a bunch of other prospects for the tigers third basemen and one of the tigers starting pitchers...................... :banghead

 

Just as long as its not Dontrelle Willis

 

 

touche