wcw2323

He actually has a pretty decent move to first base for a righty. He did a good job holding the runner on base Wednesday night allowing Stewart to throw a guy out trying to steal. Wakefield started out of the pen when he came to Boston...he actually was a closer for them for a while! If Charlie can keep his walks down, he'll be a real asset out of the pen next year...unless they move him into a starting role! QUOTE(wcw2323 @ Sep 29, 2006 -> 08:14 AM) I don't understand the skepticism regarding Charlie. He has proven that he's a winner at AA and AAA the past two years. He has led the organization in wins during that period....so what if he throws a knuckler! He has been terrific since his recent call up and deserves strong consideration for a spot on the team next year. If you just look at the stats, most people would have him slated for a rotation spot next year. He deserves a lot of credit to rebound after his May appearance where he was obviously very nervous. All he has done is pick himself up and continue to win at the AAA level, leading the league in wins. Upon his return he has been tremendous out of the BP...again unfamiliar territory since he was a starter all year. I wonder what people would be saying about him if he had BP numbers like BMac or Logan......

I don't understand the skepticism regarding Charlie. He has proven that he's a winner at AA and AAA the past two years. He has led the organization in wins during that period....so what if he throws a knuckler! He has been terrific since his recent call up and deserves strong consideration for a spot on the team next year. If you just look at the stats, most people would have him slated for a rotation spot next year. He deserves a lot of credit to rebound after his May appearance where he was obviously very nervous. All he has done is pick himself up and continue to win at the AAA level, leading the league in wins. Upon his return he has been tremendous out of the BP...again unfamiliar territory since he was a starter all year. I wonder what people would be saying about him if he had BP numbers like BMac or Logan...... QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Sep 27, 2006 -> 11:45 PM) The 15th batter will now reach base thanks to the above post.

Cooper mentioned that Charlie may start as a replacement for Buerhle on Friday in Minnesota. Cooper also said that they may move up the current rotation and use Charlie out of the pen. As Cooper stated, they want to see him as much as possible over the next week. Pitching from the bullpen would provide the coaching staff and braintrust additional data for next year. I personally would like to see him start as he has all year in Charlotte. What's impressive is that he's only given up one earned run since his Sept call up, especially while being used out of the pen! I agree with Ozzie that Charlie's future is as a starter, but it may make sense for him to assume BMac's role in 2007 and act as a safety net in case BMac or another starter falters or is injured. QUOTE(wcw2323 @ Sep 23, 2006 -> 10:36 PM) I think Charlie is making a strong case to be the replacement for BMac as the long reliefer and spot starter for next year. He is showing some versatility having been a starter all year and now pitching out of the bullpen on successive days. This guy is a proven winner (28-11 over last two years) and he is showing that he can be successful against ML hitters. He was very impressive today.

I think Charlie is making a strong case to be the replacement for BMac as the long reliefer and spot starter for next year. He is showing some versatility having been a starter all year and now pitching out of the bullpen on successive days. This guy is a proven winner (28-11 over last two years) and he is showing that he can be successful against ML hitters. He was very impressive today. QUOTE(BearSox @ Sep 23, 2006 -> 09:09 PM) I man love him more.

Congratulations to Charlie for his first ML win today! He retired 10 straight batters and had 5K's and 0 BB's. This is the type of performance he is capable of providing. I think Charlie certainly enhanced his chances of making the club next year. The same role that McCarthy had this year...to transition from AAA to the show and provide insurance as a back up starter in case anybody goes down with an injury. Great job today Charlie! Very impressive! QUOTE(TLAK @ Sep 9, 2006 -> 03:15 PM) He looked a little over amped. Its one thing to stay under control infront of 12,000 in KC or Charlotte, but it's got to take a lot of nerve to throw 75 mph to famous guys like Casey Blake and Aaron Boone in front of 40,000 people. Throw the knuckler too hard and it don't knuckle. This guy just needs innings.

You guys are ready to dump this kid after 9 innings pitched at the ML level? Remember, Haeger has the most wins in the WhiteSox organization and minor league baseball over the last two years. If you add in his stint in winter ball, he has a record of 32-14. Don't be so hasty on such a young prospect after such a short time......I like his stuff...nasty! He will be a #4 or #5 pitcher in a ML rotation very soon. Look at Wakefield's career. Every year he starts out as the #4 starter and usually, (not this year due to an injury), ends up as a #2 or #3 due to injuries, etc. with the guys positioned ahead of him. The White Sox would be crazy to trade him! QUOTE(beautox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 06:08 AM) Word, personally I love watching Knuckleballers, they're a dying breed. I just love how the ball dances.

I think Haeger is gaining valuable experience this last month of the season. He should have been out of the inning if Uribe hadn't made a throwing error. He showed some moxie by battling back and almost getting out of the inning without giving up a run. He looked sharp in the 7th with two K's before he was lifted for Cotts to pitch against the lefty (not sure I understand that move...righty, lefty when there's a knuckleballer on the mound!) He is showing that he can get ML hitters out! QUOTE(shawnhillegas @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:25 AM) he struck out 12 AAA hitters last night. hes ready for the big show. Forgot to mention that Haeger's a starting pitcher and is not accostomed to coming out of the bullpen. He will need make the required adjustments to be successful. I would love to see him start a few games before the end of the year where he can prepare with his normal pregame routine to see how he performs in a familiar role. QUOTE(beautox @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 03:37 PM) to wakefield, i love when people are class acts.

Depending on what may happen in the winter with the starting staff, Haeger may have an opportunity to step into a starting role (#5) next year. Again, he has the most wins of any minor leaguer the last two seasons, so he definitely deserves to be there. He will chew up innings, averaged 175 each of past two years and with winter ball last year topped out at nearly 225 innings! He will be great to have in the back of the rotation. His call up will be beneficial to help him adjust the the next level prior to next season. At 22, he's a tremendous talent and could be another Wakefield. QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 3, 2006 -> 02:11 AM) We have nasty arms. I don't care what people say about this season's numbers, Jon Garland, Mark Buehrle, and Jose Contreras makes up a damn good top-3 rotation, and I've been sold on Brandon McCarthy since I sat down and watched that game against Boston at this time last year. That kid is absolutely freaking nasty, and if he has that changeup working, it's one of the 3-4 best pitches in baseball, up with Santana's changeup, Rivera's cutter, and so on. We have nasty arms, they just need to remember it. Both Garland and Buehrle have gone through dead-arm periods this year, which hopefully won't be repeated next year. Jose...I'm not sure yet what he's going through right now. But if those guys are healthy and ready, that's as good of a top-4 as any other team in baseball. The one problem with that idea is that knuckleballers sometimes need more work just to stay in a groove. We've talked a bunch this season about how BMac's change is a touch-pitch, he needs to throw it a lot to keep the touch on it, a knuckleball is even more so. If he gets only 2-3 innings every 5 days, those 2-3 innings may really suck. My big hope is that Haeger comes up right now and absolutely dominates for 10-15 innings in relief or maybe in a spot start, solely because that will prove to anyone who asks that he can get big league hitters out with that knuckleball. That's the big question anyone is going to have when they think of trading for him...can he get big league hitters out. A couple shutout innings is a good start. He keeps that up, and suddenly he goes from a risky piece to a fairly proven piece in a trade. I wouldn't be mad if he was with the squad next season, but I'd worry about him in the McCarthy role this year, for the same reason BMac has struggled. If we could get something valuable and young for both Javy and Freddy, then I'd live with Haeger in the 5th spot, but that means we get a real good deal for both starters. Otherwise, I'd either try to deal Haeger for the best thing I can get, or start him in AAA again next year and try to keep him as a starter.

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Sep 2, 2006 -> 12:43 PM) I think we might benefit from bringing J.C. Martin back to catch. If Charlie continues to shine he might fit in well as a long relief man. A knuckler for a starter sure wouldn't bother me though. Charlie's numbers have been nothing but impressive for the last two years. His record is 28-11 during stops at B'ham and Charlotte. He led the IL in wins with 14 this year and was fourth in ERA, just over 3.00. He also started the AAA All-Star game! He has proven himself to be successful at every level, so why not in the show? Charlie suffered from first time jitters during his brief stint earlier this year, but who wouldn't?. I think he would be great as a long reliefer, spot starter next year. Move B-Mac into the rotation and let Charlie take his spot as the long reliefer, mop up guy for the first year. Then move him into the rotation in '08. What a great asset to have in the bullpen. He can chew up innings and recover very quickly. It gives him a chance to get his feet wet.

QUOTE(thedoctor @ May 8, 2006 -> 07:54 PM) good luck charlie. get better count. Still waiting for the 50 guys who were naysayers and basic lemmings today to stand up and apologize for the BS they were slinging. I chose to not divulge my source as requested...period, end of story. :finger

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ May 8, 2006 -> 06:37 PM) wcw, if you're still here, sorry for going off on you. You were right. I am Spartacus........yes, Tuesday would have been Haeger's next start!

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ May 8, 2006 -> 04:36 PM) Wasn't a relative of Chuck's a poster here? The credence to the story is this. Can the Angels hit a knuckleball? Haegar can not come out of the pen. Therefore I can see him get a first look. Thanks Jenks Heat....finally a response with some intelligence

Hi Guys...yes it is confidential....stay tuned and try to show some patience, and most importantly some class! Start crafting your apologies and have them ready!

Geez, how about some moral support for the kid....Many of you have already dissed him, such a shame!

I heard a rumor that Charlie Haeger has been summoned from Charlotte and will pitch in Chicago Wednesday night against the Angels. Can anybody confirm this?

QUOTE(TheHawkaroo @ May 8, 2006 -> 12:29 PM) What does this matter. A knuckler will have walks and passed balls whether he starts or relieves. A walk in the 1st inning is just as bad as a walk in the 7th. The object of a pitcher is to make outs, if he can't make outs then he shouldn't be starting or relieving. I think a knuckler in the pen is a good idea. As the long reliever/6th starter who could eat up a lot of innings. If a starter gets hurt or has a bad outing throw in the knuckler. Charlie Heager just got the call up from the White Sox and will be starting Wednesday night against the Angels...Good Luck Charlie, you deserve it!!!!

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 1, 2006 -> 05:41 PM) If someone went down and we needed one start, I could almost see us giving Haeger that start as opposed to McCarthy (especially if its later in the year and McCarthy had just pitched). Haeger probably won't ever be a mainstay in our rotation, however, he provides very nice depth of the club and could very well be a player other teams target at the trade deadline (even though a Knuckleballer rarely is considered a top prospect, however, the way Haeger is throwing he needs to be considered just that in our system). Sorry, but he's leading the IL league in Innings Pitched and ERA and he's 3-0. He could very easily be 6-0! CHarlotte has won every time he started a game. Don't discount him because he wasn't a high draft pick or a bonus baby. If you compare his numbers from last year, 14-5 plus winter ball 4-3 and 3-0 thus far at Charlotte, his overall record is 21-8. Who in the White Sox organization has put up better numbers? He should be considered a top prospect based on his performance, period.

Charlie Haeger (2-0) continues to dazzle at Charlotte! Haeger again showed his poise and confidence by shutting down Ottowa tonight. 7 innings pitched, 1 run, 0 earned runs. This kid should be 4-0 or 5 -0, Charlotte has won every time he has started (5 times). He has given up 5 runs, 2 earned in 35 innings. He leads the IL in innings pitched, and ERA! Not bad for a 22 year old! This kid has performed at every level and could be in Chicago by mid-season as a long reliefer. The best thing that could happen is to be traded and he could step into a rotation as a #4 or 5 starter. What does everyone else think?

QUOTE(YASNY @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 06:30 AM) Hoyt Wilhelm. Eddie Fisher. And didn't Jack Lamabe throw one evry now and then? I don't know why that popped into my head, and I may be totally wrong about that. A recent article had Lance Broadway and Charles Haeger listed as the two pitchers who are most ready for the big leagues. Haeger was 14-5 last year at Wnston-Salem and Birmingham. Do you think the Sox will give a knuckleballer a shot in the rotation? BA said Haeger has "back of the rotation" major league potential. He chews up innings and keeps his team in the game, just like Wakefield does for the Red Sox. If he can produce .500 numbers as a #4 or #5 starter it would be a huge bonus.