May 23, 200619 yr If he keeps this up...yeah. You gotta love picking up a guy who can throw 96-97 from the left hand side, and having a pitching coach who can fix him. Confidence to throw strikes + a lefty + 97 mph = a lot of outs + 3 CO2.
May 23, 200619 yr Author Id like one more right hand guy...and Jeff Nelson is not what im looking for. Nelson should be a right specialist only
May 23, 200619 yr He still needs a secondary pitch. He has been better than I expected, which is encouraging. But a few dominant outings, then a few wild terrible ones, has been his style for his entire career. Until he cuts the wild ones out, and finds a secondary pitch so that the longball isn't a problem, I'm not putting him in many high-leverage situations. He is tantalizing though.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ May 23, 2006 -> 12:27 AM) He still needs a secondary pitch. He has been better than I expected, which is encouraging. But a few dominant outings, then a few wild terrible ones, has been his style for his entire career. Until he cuts the wild ones out, and finds a secondary pitch so that the longball isn't a problem, I'm not putting him in many high-leverage situations. He is tantalizing though. That slider of his is nasty when he throws it for strikes. If he can do that, along with keeping the walks under control (I believe he only has 3 actual walks), he'll be damn good.
May 23, 200619 yr I am actually beginning to trust him... A LITTLE!! Hopefully he keeps it up because we do need him. If Nelson comes in and gets the job done there will be a big sigh of relief. Now we just have to get Cotts and Politte on track. Cotts has actually disappointed me thus far.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ May 23, 2006 -> 12:36 AM) That slider of his is nasty when he throws it for strikes. If he can do that, along with keeping the walks under control (I believe he only has 3 actual walks), he'll be damn good. His slider is flat and only effective when a righty chases one thrown at his knees.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ May 23, 2006 -> 05:41 AM) His slider is flat and only effective when a righty chases one thrown at his knees. I agree. It's not really a 'biting' slider, and certainly not something I'd characterize as being nasty. The only place that pitch should be thrown is on the outside corner (to lefties or righties), and down and in to righties (and I'm talking in the dirt). He's got a helluva fastball though. Pretty straight, but you can be straight when your hitting 97-99 with ease.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ May 22, 2006 -> 10:27 PM) He still needs a secondary pitch. He has been better than I expected, which is encouraging. But a few dominant outings, then a few wild terrible ones, has been his style for his entire career. Until he cuts the wild ones out, and finds a secondary pitch so that the longball isn't a problem, I'm not putting him in many high-leverage situations. He is tantalizing though. The nice thing is Cooper has had a good history with guys improving there changeups when joining our organization. It seems to be a strenght of our coaching staff and a nice changeup to compliment Thorntons pedestrian (yet good enough when mixed with his fastball) slider would make him pretty much unhittable (if he can continue to improve his command). I love Thornton stuff and you can see he's just a hell of a lot more confident with the Sox. Ozzie has shown faith in Matt and Matt has responded. Part of it is the fact that Coop seems to be excellent at teaching the mental game of pitching and getting the pitchers to have confidence in there stuff. It seems like too many pitchers out think themselves and think they have to make the perfect pitch, when in reality if they throw strikes and change locations they not only don't have to make the perfect pitch (rather just consistently paint the zone while changing locations and speed) and not only will you be sucessful when you make those pitches, but because you are hard to lock in on, you will get away with the mistakes you make (and every pitcher, no matter how good they are, makes mistakes). The good ones are so good that a hitter often times can't get the mistake because he's so concerned with trying to protect all the plate.
May 23, 200619 yr As long as he can throw strikes, he is going to be an asset. This was a great move by KW. Thornton+Mackowiak > Marte+Borchard.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(RME JICO @ May 22, 2006 -> 10:59 PM) As long as he can throw strikes, he is going to be an asset. This was a great move by KW. Thornton+Mackowiak > Marte+Borchard. Considering Borch is already out of Seattle and the fact that we were able to get a young lefty that can throw 97 MPH...well I'll take my chances on that move any day of the week. If we could convert just a few of those type of guys, we'd be in business.
May 23, 200619 yr Considering Borch is already out of Seattle and the fact that we were able to get a young lefty that can throw 97 MPH...well I'll take my chances on that move any day of the week. If we could convert just a few of those type of guys, we'd be in business. What happened to Borch? Where did he end up? Sorry memory lapse.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(3RDBASE @ May 23, 2006 -> 01:04 AM) What happened to Borch? Where did he end up? Sorry memory lapse. He got claimed off waivers by the Cubs, he's pretty much just a bench warmer, in fact he wasn't even on the active list for the Sox series, which is why you didn't see him at all.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 22, 2006 -> 11:10 PM) He got claimed off waivers by the Cubs, he's pretty much just a bench warmer, in fact he wasn't even on the active list for the Sox series, which is why you didn't see him at all. Hell I didn't even know that. I didn't realize the Marlins cut him lose after the Mariners did.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 23, 2006 -> 01:12 AM) Hell I didn't even know that. I didn't realize the Marlins cut him lose after the Mariners did. You've been kalapse'd.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Rowand44 @ May 22, 2006 -> 11:14 PM) You've been kalapse'd. I zoned out most of this weekend with school so I just figured I missed something. Next thing you know he's going to tell me about how Caruso is on pace to break Hank Aaron's home run record.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 23, 2006 -> 12:53 AM) The nice thing is Cooper has had a good history with guys improving there changeups when joining our organization. It seems to be a strenght of our coaching staff and a nice changeup to compliment Thorntons pedestrian (yet good enough when mixed with his fastball) slider would make him pretty much unhittable (if he can continue to improve his command). His windup and motion are really smooth and easy and then he brings some 97 mph heat. If this guy can learn to throw a changeup with that same motion & delivery, game over. And if not, we still have the big dude to come in and throw gas from the right side
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 23, 2006 -> 12:12 AM) Hell I didn't even know that. I didn't realize the Marlins cut him lose after the Mariners did. hes a marlin, he played last night
May 23, 200619 yr Thorton has been pitching quite well, Kenny once again finds a guy off the scrap heap with some potential and Coop harnesses that potential.
May 23, 200619 yr QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 23, 2006 -> 09:00 AM) im going to go out on a limb here. I want Coop to get a chance to fix Kerry Wood. Where would he play?
May 23, 200619 yr Author QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 23, 2006 -> 10:47 AM) Where would he play? Can he play centerfield??
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