This is what most (non-Sox) scouting reports had to say about him circa summer 2000:

 

Fastball: 94-96 four-seamer some movement

Sinker: 92-94 with a lot of movement, one of the best in the minors

Silder: above average, controlleable

Curve: way above average

Change: barely average

 

As you can see, this is a making of an All-Star pitcher and atl east very good #2. As with Xavier Vazquez, etc, minimum of 2 years is required to learn ML hitters and gain confidence. His smooth arm motion should ensure longevity and lanky 6'6-ness--effortless leverage, weird release angles and intimidation factor. Kevin

Brown-clone.

 

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Now this is what I have seen him do so far this season (Fox Sports gun):

 

Fastball: 90-91 four-seamer, straight and hittable

Sinker: 88-90, his best pitch, but not nearly as consistent as advertised

Slider: non-existent and uncontrollable

Curve: erratic and ineffective

Change: better than expected but doesn't work without the above pitches to

complement/set it up.

 

As you can see, he is now a finesse pitcher without control or mental make-up in addition to being a horrible fielder and a poor base-runner-holder. On bad days basically a one-pitch pitcher...Congrads to the Sox- they now have a passable #4-5 guy to bragg about.

 

Somebody kidnapped the real Jon-Jon, the one whom I personally saw reach 96mph in the 6th inning and generally dominate in Charlotte in 2000...and replaced him with a Sucky McOverrated that couldn't do s*** with two weak line-ups (Royals and Tribe), constantly falling behind hitters and laying the ball in there Parque-style...Something doesn't quite compute. Help!

It's two outings at the beginning of the season. Maybe he'll warm up as the weather does. Or maybe he'd fit better in long relief?

It's two outings at the beginning of the season. Maybe he'll warm up as the weather does. Or maybe he'd fit better in long relief?

That may be where he ends up if and when Danny Wright comes back. It's not something I ever thought about before. If Stewart keeps piching well, and Wright can come back healthy, Jon may be pressed to keep his spot in the rotation, if he doesn't get it straightened out.

Isn't he still a relatively young arm? Maybe some more bullpen seasoning would do him good.

Isn't he still a relatively young arm? Maybe some more bullpen seasoning would do him good.

That could be exactly what he needs. He'd learn that a rotation spot is not his based on potential alone. I could be way off base here, but maybe JG needs a slice of humble pie.

He's just been to inconsistent to suit me. At times his stuff looks like Brando Fan described in the beginning, but overall he's just not been dependable. If he could just be a solid 3 this year it would really help our chances for the post season. How is Wrights elbow coming along by the way?