April 9, 200322 yr Awesome stuff. Flawless mechanics and lower body strenght. Confidence with a capital 'C''. This kid is only going to get better. f***ing Cubs always get high picks. I wish Rauch could come up and dominate. Ditto for Diaz, though his frame worries me.
April 9, 200322 yr Yeah, he's for real. Wonder if the Sox have another Matt Karchner they could offer for Prior? Ginter, maybe? Glover? Porzio??
April 9, 200322 yr Author Yeah, he's for real. I think Freddy Garcia, Vincente Padilla or even Kip Wells are "for real". Prior effortlessly dominating in his first year is a bit better than that.
April 9, 200322 yr Yeah, he's for real. I think Freddy Garcia, Vincente Padilla or even Kip Wells are "for real". Prior effortlessly dominating in his first year is a bit better than that. Kipper's 7 walks in 4 inning last night were for real as well
April 9, 200322 yr Author Kipper's 7 walks in 4 inning last night were for real as well 1. So what? 2. His ERA for the game was still just over 2.00. I wish Garland was as "wild"/ 3. Prior will be the next great pitcher in baseball when Pedro breaks down. Unless Rauch gets healthy and starts putting it together that is
April 9, 200322 yr This is all smoke screen. He'll come back down to earth once he gets in his head that he does not have an offense to back him up, so his arm will tire out knowing that he has to be immaculate out there. He's playing over his head. And, btw, CUBS SUCK!!!
April 9, 200322 yr Author He'll come back down to earth once he gets in his head that he does not have an offense to back him up, so his arm will tire out knowing that he has to be immaculate out there. That's a good one, Heather..lol He's playing over his head. Have you seen him pitch? And, btw, CUBS SUCK!!! Yes, unless they don't ...but even then they suck so.
April 9, 200322 yr Author He just man-handled Jeff Leifer for a Sombrero (sp?) and a complete game shutout. He hit 96mph in the 9th inning in addition to laser-like control with a power-curve and a slider and unflappable psyche. They say he even threw a change-up. How about Charlotte Knights for Mark Prior and some baseballs?
April 9, 200322 yr lost in his performance is Vazquez outing. Prior has talent, but people get a little too giddy over him. I saw him pitch, he has some talent, no doubt and is composed on the mound. but don't make him out to be the next pedro like it's set in stone. it is disrespectfull to Pedro. Prior MAY be great, but he hasn't proven anything yet.
April 9, 200322 yr Vazquez looked better. 14 SO was amazing. Prior had "only" 12 , but to me his control is better. And he looks "smoother" up there. More relaxed, whatever it is, he seems at ease.
April 9, 200322 yr Author I saw him pitch, he has some talent, no doubt and is composed on the mound. but don't make him out to be the next pedro like it's set in stone. it is disrespectfull to Pedro. Prior MAY be great, but he hasn't proven anything yet. Listen I hate the Cubs more than you do and it pains me to say this...but you doth protest too much. It is not either "induct Prior into HOF right now" or "he is just one of the legions of unproven flash-in-the-pans". There is a golden middle somewhere in there and I reckon he is MUCH closer to the former than the latter. Vazequez had a performance of his CAREER which spans nearly 8 years in the pros (minors plus majors)...whereas Prior was drafted in 2002 for crying outloud...it's not disrespect to Pedro to say that once the former goes down, Prior will be the best pitcher in baseball. I hope he flops, I do...but it looks like he won't and no matter how much I hate the Cubbies I refuse to wish a freak injury on him. Vazquez looked better Yeah, 2 ER in 7+ innings is WAY better than a complete game shutout. It's ironic how Sox fans say K's are terribly overrated because out side of Colon none of our starters can stike people out...but then proclaim Vazquez was better because he struck out 2 more than Prior.
April 9, 200322 yr Kipper's 7 walks in 4 inning last night were for real as well 1. So what? 2. His ERA for the game was still just over 2.00. I wish Garland was as "wild"/ 3. Prior will be the next great pitcher in baseball when Pedro breaks down. Unless Rauch gets healthy and starts putting it together that is Rauch is nowhere near the level of Prior. Prior is in a slot by himself and the only two pitchers below him are Josh Beckett and Brett Myers (Phillies) when it comes to young phenoms. Everyone else is soley a top prospect or wherever they fit in. Brando I still believe that you rate prospects in general much higher then they really are. Most prospects fail, its that simple. Almost everyone in the minors has plenty of ability but it takes a special player with the perfect mix of mental smarts, ability, and of course luck and other characteristics to make them a major league player.
April 9, 200322 yr Prior looks unbelievable. As long as he stays healthy, I can't see him not being the next Pedro, Unit, whatever. However, staying healthy is not an easy thing for a pitcher to do. I hope he stays healthy--it will be more fun to watch when the Cubs pull a Maddux part II when his contract comes up.
April 9, 200322 yr Author Brando I still believe that you rate prospects in general much higher then they really are. Most prospects fail, its that simple And sky is blue. There is no "rating" going on, I am not a scout. I am simply offering my opinion and refuse to "play it safe" lest I be proven wrong in 3-4 years or make a fool out of myself. I could care less, really. More specifically, I am high on Prior, I was high on Rauch in 2001 and on Barcelo in 1999. Other than that, I haven't really singled out (saying Kip Wells and Juan Cruz are "real deals" ain't nothing because they already proved that in the Bigs, it's just stating the fact, something that doesn't require any insight whatsoever) a single player out of 1000s and 1000s of prospects that go through minor and major league teams every few years. That's 1 out a 1000, I don;t understand how you can call me a homer. Every publication out there has Top 100's of young players not even in the majors who they believe will "make an impact" each year. Compare me to them hype-puffing professional spinners, I am positively doom-sayer-y, lol But when I do see a player I really feel could be something special, I put my mouth where my, um...mouth is. Notihng wrong with that.
April 9, 200322 yr I had Vazquez and Prior starting on my Fantasy team today combined line: 16IP 9H 2ER 0BB 26K 1HR
April 9, 200322 yr who ever said I hate the cubs. I do the least amount of cub bashing than anyone. I could care less whether it is cubs or not, I'm just simply being realistic, don't make a guy the greatest, let him prove it. I hate when players come up and get start treatment. there have been a TON of guys who come up, look great, and in the end become nothing or simply good players. if Prior does great, great, he's a talented pitcher, but people are going crazy over a 5+ month span of baseball from him.
April 9, 200322 yr Author Let's put it this way: Mark Prior has more chance at winning Cy Young than LeBron James at getting MVP. Fair enough?
April 9, 200322 yr Author I'm just simply being realistic, Do you think he is the best young pitcher in baseball bar none? Do you think that he is already one of the best 1-st year pitchers of all time? Unless you answer "yes" to both questions, you are not a "realist" but a "skeptic"...Saying that "he might get hurt" is cheating (or intellectually lazy some would argue) of sorts because anyone can get hurt, including Pedro himself. Especially Pedro. don't make a guy the greatest, let him prove it. How can I "make" him the greatest? What would it take for you too see the light? A couple of Cy Youngs? 20/20 is easy; predicting is not. I hate when players come up and get star treatment. Going on the limb and saying he might be a once-a-decade player when it's all said and done is "preferential treatment"? I already said I hate the Cubs with a passion of 10,000 intoxicated Lou Piniellas so it's not like I am in love with this guy. if Prior does great, great, he's a talented pitcher, but people are going crazy over a 5+ month span of baseball from him. No one is going crazy. Even the Cubs have him as a #3 even though he already better than either Wood or Clement (and Buerhle, but that's a different story). He's done nothing but dominate ever since he was drafted and, besides, 5 months is not 5 days.
April 9, 200322 yr I saw him pitch, he has some talent, no doubt and is composed on the mound. but don't make him out to be the next pedro like it's set in stone. it is disrespectfull to Pedro. Prior MAY be great, but he hasn't proven anything yet. Listen I hate the Cubs more than you do and it pains me to say this...but you doth protest too much. It is not either "induct Prior into HOF right now" or "he is just one of the legions of unproven flash-in-the-pans". There is a golden middle somewhere in there and I reckon he is MUCH closer to the former than the latter. Vazequez had a performance of his CAREER which spans nearly 8 years in the pros (minors plus majors)...whereas Prior was drafted in 2002 for crying outloud...it's not disrespect to Pedro to say that once the former goes down, Prior will be the best pitcher in baseball. I hope he flops, I do...but it looks like he won't and no matter how much I hate the Cubbies I refuse to wish a freak injury on him. Vazquez looked better Yeah, 2 ER in 7+ innings is WAY better than a complete game shutout. It's ironic how Sox fans say K's are terribly overrated because out side of Colon none of our starters can stike people out...but then proclaim Vazquez was better because he struck out 2 more than Prior. Prior can be great and all, but are you defending the sCrUBS!
April 10, 200322 yr Author After seeing Prior today and Garland tonight I can't even begin to describe all the things the former is better at. At least in 2001, Garland could get it up 94-95 mph. Now he throws in mid to high 80's almost from stand-up position, no leg power whatsoever. He's 6'6 for crying out loud, where is the leverage, the arm span, the velocity? He can take his sinker and shove it up is arse as it's worthless without control, good secondary pitches and a fastball hitters are afraid off. If I have to see another hanging curve...
April 10, 200322 yr Kipper's 7 walks in 4 inning last night were for real as well 1. So what? 2. His ERA for the game was still just over 2.00. I wish Garland was as "wild"/ 3. Prior will be the next great pitcher in baseball when Pedro breaks down. Unless Rauch gets healthy and starts putting it together that is i think jake peavy will be right there with prior....but will either be better than barry zito???
April 10, 200322 yr Kipper's 7 walks in 4 inning last night were for real as well 1. So what? 2. His ERA for the game was still just over 2.00. I wish Garland was as "wild"/ 3. Prior will be the next great pitcher in baseball when Pedro breaks down. Unless Rauch gets healthy and starts putting it together that is Rauch is nowhere near the level of Prior. Prior is in a slot by himself and the only two pitchers below him are Josh Beckett and Brett Myers (Phillies) when it comes to young phenoms. Everyone else is soley a top prospect or wherever they fit in. Brando I still believe that you rate prospects in general much higher then they really are. Most prospects fail, its that simple. Almost everyone in the minors has plenty of ability but it takes a special player with the perfect mix of mental smarts, ability, and of course luck and other characteristics to make them a major league player. Chisoxfn, you took the words right out of my mouth. Jon Rauch at his best is two levels below Mark Prior and that may be generous. Baggs, Peavy is good, but I don't see him reaching the level of Prior or likely Beckett.
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