February 4, 201313 yr A look at some of the highly talented, but so far failed, arms that the Sox picked up recently: Reckling, Moskos, Brackman, others. And the Coop Will Fix 'Em phenomenon.
February 4, 201313 yr The nice thing is that if any of them do succeed, it is a bonus. If they all fail, we weren't counting on them anyway.
February 5, 201313 yr QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 4, 2013 -> 02:56 PM) A look at some of the highly talented, but so far failed, arms that the Sox picked up recently: Reckling, Moskos, Brackman, others. And the Coop Will Fix 'Em phenomenon. I do not know anything about anyone of these guys. Does anyone have an opinion on which of these guys have the best shot at realizing their potential?
February 5, 201313 yr QUOTE (balfanman @ Feb 5, 2013 -> 07:09 AM) I do not know anything about anyone of these guys. Does anyone have an opinion on which of these guys have the best shot at realizing their potential? Likely Reckling. Moskos went from pure power to essentially a junk pitcher, and those types just don't have a lot of success. Brackman has a ton of potential but also has a bit of Andy Sisco syndrome. Reckling's problems seem largely correctable and he could turn into a back of the rotation starter in time. The odds really of any of them doing much is still incredibly small.
February 5, 201313 yr Oh, and honestly, the guy I am most excited about listed in the article is Zach Stewart.
February 5, 201313 yr QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 5, 2013 -> 10:05 AM) Likely Reckling. Moskos went from pure power to essentially a junk pitcher, and those types just don't have a lot of success. Brackman has a ton of potential but also has a bit of Andy Sisco syndrome. Reckling's problems seem largely correctable and he could turn into a back of the rotation starter in time. The odds really of any of them doing much is still incredibly small. One thing I'd keep in mind is how "Coops fixem" technique works. Generally, he seems like he has guys dial back on the fastball as a tradeoff for improved control, or at least dial back on the wildness/tendency to overthrow the fastball. That's what I think of when I think of Floyd, that's what I think of with Thornton, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland, Humber, etc. He also has had people do things like "Get rid of the cut fastball if that's causing you problems (Humber)". The guy who strikes me as a candidate to succeed doing those type of things is Brackman. He sounds like a guy who struggles with command but still has the fastball...so he has some room to dial it down into the low to mid 90's in exchange for some control.
February 5, 201313 yr QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 5, 2013 -> 09:06 AM) Oh, and honestly, the guy I am most excited about listed in the article is Zach Stewart. Thanks for the info. I have a feeling that Cooper really likes something about Stewart that prompted his reaquisition. Boston at least saw a little potential in him as well to have him included in the Youkilis trade last season. We shall see if the Sox can get his potential realized.
February 5, 201313 yr QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 5, 2013 -> 09:09 AM) One thing I'd keep in mind is how "Coops fixem" technique works. Generally, he seems like he has guys dial back on the fastball as a tradeoff for improved control, or at least dial back on the wildness/tendency to overthrow the fastball. That's what I think of when I think of Floyd, that's what I think of with Thornton, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland, Humber, etc. He also has had people do things like "Get rid of the cut fastball if that's causing you problems (Humber)". The guy who strikes me as a candidate to succeed doing those type of things is Brackman. He sounds like a guy who struggles with command but still has the fastball...so he has some room to dial it down into the low to mid 90's in exchange for some control. Cooper's biggest fix was Thornton and it had nothing to do with dialing back on his fastball. In fact, when it is down 1 or 2 MPH, people complain. In fact, I think people thinking dialing back on the fastball as something Cooper stresses is as much a fallacy as the Greg Walker lift and pull. He really stresses a consistant delivery. Edited February 5, 201313 yr by Dick Allen
February 5, 201313 yr QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 5, 2013 -> 11:02 AM) Cooper's biggest fix was Thornton and it had nothing to do with dialing back on his fastball. In fact, when it is down 1 or 2 MPH, people complain. In fact, I think people thinking dialing back on the fastball as something Cooper stresses is as much a fallacy as the Greg Walker lift and pull. He really stresses a consistant delivery. I added an extra clause there about trying to overthrow being one of the issues with Thornton. He wasn't really gaining anything velocity-wise by doing so, but Cooper got him into that incredibly smooth motion where it doesn't seem at all like he's trying to throw that hard.
February 5, 201313 yr Seems like Cooper is all about fundamentals. Hear a lot about "staying tall" on the bump (EJax, Thornton, Floyd, Contreras...). I think when he sees someone who's making a fundamental error he gets excited. Of course, not all of his advice is well received (Peavy). I like Troncoso out of this bunch only because he looked so dominant at times with the Dodgers.
February 6, 201313 yr America's Favorite New Game Show...Willlllll Coop Fix 'Em! Daniel Cabrera, thanks for playing our game John Van Benschoten, we have some lovely parting gifts for you
February 6, 201313 yr QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Feb 6, 2013 -> 09:38 AM) America's Favorite New Game Show...Willlllll Coop Fix 'Em! Daniel Cabrera, thanks for playing our game John Van Benschoten, we have some lovely parting gifts for you Jose Contreras, grand prize winner
February 6, 201313 yr Contreras' being fixed had the biggest impact, but it might be argued that Loaiza and Thornton were actually the more impressive reclamation projects since El Titan was legendary as far as past success
February 6, 201313 yr Author QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Feb 5, 2013 -> 02:21 PM) I'm pretty sure Brackman is right-handed. The article states him as a lefty. You are correct, and I fixed the article the other day. Sorry about that.
February 7, 201313 yr Brackman regressed from AAA to High A last summer -- and still finished with 65 hits and 42 walks in 63 innings. He's got a better chance of making the NBA.
February 7, 201313 yr QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Feb 6, 2013 -> 11:07 PM) Brackman regressed from AAA to High A last summer -- and still finished with 65 hits and 42 walks in 63 innings. He's got a better chance of making the NBA. Odds are all of them will end up as the same busts they were before this year. The thing is if we can pull one Phil Humber out of the bunch, it is a huge win for the organization.
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