Bobby Jenks - hiding in the trees

[knightni]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines

 

There's an angle to tall pitching staff

 

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

 

February 18, 2007, 9:23 PM CST

 

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Bobby Jenks used to stand out among the White Sox's pitchers because of his width as much as his 6-foot-3-inch frame.

 

But a 25-pound weight loss, as well as the acquisition of several tall pitchers, makes the Sox closer look more like a tree stump.

 

"Looking at this staff, there's no one under 6-3," Jenks said Sunday. "So if any fights break out, I think we'll be all right."

 

The Sox have nine pitchers in spring training standing 6-4 or taller, led by 6-10 left-hander Andrew Sisco. But perhaps the most eye-catching newcomer is 6-8, 250-pound Adam Russell, who can throw hard from all angles.

 

Russell, 23, has a chance to make Triple-A Charlotte's rotation, but his future may be in the bullpen.

 

"We don't focus on the size so much," general manager Ken Williams said. "That's just a byproduct of who we targeted and who we identified as part of the whole acquisition process. It's just a coincidence that they're of that ilk and makes for better angles to the plate."

 

Williams praised Jenks for his off-season conditioning.

 

"He's not going to be on the cover of any fitness magazines, but he's in good shape for him," Williams said. "That's all we can hope for."

 

Jenks said he performed exercises this winter that were designed to prevent the hip problems that nagged him late last season.

 

"He was so big, it was a shame," manager Ozzie Guillen said.

 

Early impressions

 

After two workouts, Williams and Guillen have been pleased with several developments.

 

One aspect is that the young pitchers and veterans have reported in shape, unlike last year, when several left-handed relief candidates eliminated themselves partly because of poor conditioning.

 

"Everyone seems to be focused and ready to go," Williams said. "It's kind of reminiscent of [1998]. We had the [Jim] Parque, [Mike] Sirotka crew on the mound, and the excitement we had with some of the young guys."

 

Guillen also was impressed with the velocity of 5-11 left-hander Gio Gonzalez, 21, who has an outside chance to win the fifth spot in the rotation.

 

Slip sliding

 

The most amusing aspect of Sunday's workout was pitchers' sliding practice, in which pitchers practiced sliding on a tarp while wearing socks.

 

"Keep your shoes on," one of the coaches told ace Jose Contreras, who was held out of those drills after sliding awkwardly last spring.

 

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[Kalapse]

Yeah but what's Bobby hitting on the gun right now, if he's throwing like he was for a good portion of last season, he might just be one of the softer tossers in the pen this year.

[southsideirish71]

Yeah but what's Bobby hitting on the gun right now, if he's throwing like he was for a good portion of last season, he might just be one of the softer tossers in the pen this year.

 

 

I think the weight kept his velocity down a bit last year. If he can keep from 2nds in the buffett line he should be fine. Bobby is just the type of guy that needs to throw a lot in ST so he can stretch out his arm. So hopefully he does a lot of side work to augment his in game work.

[Dick Allen]

I think the weight kept his velocity down a bit last year. If he can keep from 2nds in the buffett line he should be fine. Bobby is just the type of guy that needs to throw a lot in ST so he can stretch out his arm. So hopefully he does a lot of side work to augment his in game work.

The hip condition he acquired, the White Sox feel was because of all the extra weight. Considering they marked him at 299 last spring there's really no telling how much over 300 he was. Hopefully the hip problem goes away with the pounds he shed and he can get his velocity back up and build his endurance. I read where his ERA after the ASB was 5.72. If that's someone who can't throw 95-100, that's DFA territory.

[RockRaines]

Its interesting that this isnt the first note where Gio is being praised by ozzie and memebers of the staff. I know Ozzie said that he didnt know Gio's fastball was that good.

[witesoxfan]

The hip condition he acquired, the White Sox feel was because of all the extra weight. Considering they marked him at 299 last spring there's really no telling how much over 300 he was. Hopefully the hip problem goes away with the pounds he shed and he can get his velocity back up and build his endurance. I read where his ERA after the ASB was 5.72. If that's someone who can't throw 95-100, that's DFA territory.

 

you read right. A 1.80 WHIP as well, which is beyond Billy Koch bad. The only thing he did well was strike people out (9.8 K/9), and that's even a little below his own high standards.

 

It'd be great if he is indeed in shape and throwing like he was in 2005, because if he is, he'll be solid as hell this year. Hopefully Ozzie won't have to ride the piss out of him with all the talent in the pen.

[DBAHO]

Ruseell in the bullpen makes sense for him long - term.

 

He could be put there starting this season, considering the depth of starters we'll have in AA and AAA.