2006 Diamond Jaxx Q & A With Ron Potesta

[jaxxradio]

I don't think he will be ready next year. He has alot of work to do at the plate and in the field before he becomes a big leaguer.

 

Having said that, I think Eric has a ton of potential. I think he can be a solid second baseman defensively. I don't think he'll ever win a gold glove, but he can be a good defensive player. As far as his hitting goes, Eric could be a .280/.285 type hitter with 10-15 homers a year. not spectacular numbers but enough to have a solid major league career.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ron, what are your thoughts on JR Mathes? He's really come on strong the past month or month and a half. What's he doing good and what does he need to work on? What are his pitches?

[jaxxradio]

Mathes throws a sinking fastball, curve and change. He's one of those guys that eats up innings and quietly puts up solid numbers. He doesn't have a plus pitch per-say, but he has good location. When he is on, the opposing team will hit alot of groundballs.

 

The biggest thing I think he needs to work on is limiting the number of hits he gives up per outing. He's giving up an average of over a hit per inning. That has to change for Mathes to reach his potential.

[cuubs4life]

hey Ron,

 

Can you give us a good scouting report on sean Gallagher. I hhave heard mixed things about his velocity and what not. Does he throw comfortably in the mid 90's? Is it true he hit 101 earlier in the year?

 

Also, How are his mechanics and what is his windup like? I know not many people at NSBB have seen him pitch, so if you could provide video of some sort that would help out as well.

 

thanks!

[craig]

Ron, how does Campusano look?

 

And how does Fox look defensively?

[Athletics36]

I can probably answer part of that question but in Sean's last start in St. Lucie, yes he did hit 101. He actually hit 100 a few times and had the fans going but suspect this was a "fast gun". I usually talk to Sean after every outing and can say that "Yes" he is throwing mid-90's but he is mixing it up with change of speeds to keep the hitters off balance.

[UK1679666180]

I can probably answer part of that question but in Sean's last start in St. Lucie, yes he did hit 101. He actually hit 100 a few times and had the fans going but suspect this was a "fast gun". I usually talk to Sean after every outing and can say that "Yes" he is throwing mid-90's but he is mixing it up with change of speeds to keep the hitters off balance.

 

As far as radar guns...

 

Although I wasn't there, radar guns are better used in multiple groups rather than just one gun. I've seen groups of 5 radar guns (all stalkers) where the velocity ranges from 82 to 88. It all depends on how well they are calibrated. Stalker guns are notorious for giving readings of 111-115 MPH when in need of a tune-up.

[cuubs4life]

I can probably answer part of that question but in Sean's last start in St. Lucie, yes he did hit 101. He actually hit 100 a few times and had the fans going but suspect this was a "fast gun". I usually talk to Sean after every outing and can say that "Yes" he is throwing mid-90's but he is mixing it up with change of speeds to keep the hitters off balance.

 

what does his windup look like?

[Athletics36]

As for wind-up, wife and I just returned recently from West-Tenn. Took numerous photos of Sean warming-up before start and will try to download. His delivery is usually 3/4, throws 4 seamer, 2 seamer, 12/6 curve, slider and change. He does have different grip pressures for each pitch which creates more or less movement. Forgot he is also working on a cutter. hope this helps.

As for gun speeds never really put much into this as many folks do, yes its nice to be able to "bring it" when needed. As I have told sean many times its the movement you need on each pitch to keep the hitters off balance. I have heard Ron say many a night "its great to throw it high 90's but if its straight down the middle you won't last long".

[UK1679666180]

As for gun speeds never really put much into this as many folks do, yes its nice to be able to "bring it" when needed. As I have told sean many times its the movement you need on each pitch to keep the hitters off balance. I have heard Ron say many a night "its great to throw it high 90's but if its straight down the middle you won't last long".

 

Agreed, the ability to put it on the black with life is more important than the velocity. Of course, where a pitcher sits with his velocity is more important than where he topped out a couple of time.

[jaxxradio]

Gallagher has topped out at 96 in his Double-A stint. His velocity isn't nearly as important as his ability to throw strikes. Up until has last start, he had been very inconsistent. Part of the reason why was because he looked like he didn't trust his stuff. In his last start, he looked like a seasoned veteran and his curveball (Uncle Charlie) looked more like Lord Charles.

 

Campusano is someone that could be an effective reliever. He has a ton of movement on his pitches. I'm looking forward to seeing him throughout the second half of the season.

 

Fox needs work defensively. He has four passed balls in his ten plus games behind the plate. Offensively even though the numbers aren't there, he is a legit player. I am quite positive that Jake will become a solid catcher.

[texascub]

Ron, how is Dopirak after the break and after some time from his return? I notice he's starting to make more contact lately, is he still unable to place much weight on that ankle or is he getting back to normal?

[jaxxradio]

Brian has been making alot more contact as of late. The only thing missing right now is the power, something that will come when his foot gets stronger.

[Laura]

Hi, Ron! Why hasn't Miguel Negron been playing for the past couple of days? You probably saw that I posted about the Lookouts' announcers thinking that something was up when he was pulled from Monday's game.

[jaxxradio]

He got sick during the game on Monday night and was taken out. He was used as a pinch-hitter in last night's game and was used as a pinch-hitter today because there was a left-hander pitching. Miguel should be in the lineup tomorrow night.

[Laura]

Thanks! I checked in on the boxscores, but both times it must have been while the game was still in progress and he hadn't appeared yet.

[jaxxradio]

Unfortunately, you kids have to see boxscores or rely on the other teams broadcasters. Hopefully the radio station and their ISP will get the problem solved at some point this week.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Was Juan Mateo really added to the 40-man roster and double promoted to the big leagues? :shock:

 

What pitches does he throw and how hard does he throw? I seem to remember FB and slider?

[jaxxradio]

He was always on the Cubs 40-man roster ever since the Cubs bought him back from the Cardinals late in spring training.

 

Mateo throws hard. He's got a fastball in the low-mid 90's, a good slider and a decent change. Of the starting pitchers on the Diamond Jaxx, he was by far the best and most consistent starter. He is very deserving of the promotion and will be put in the bullpen.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Thanks, Ron.

[NCCubFan]

He was always on the Cubs 40-man roster ever since the Cubs bought him back from the Cardinals late in spring training.

The 40-man roster as shown on cubs.com is currently at 39 (with it being updated to remove Maddux and Walker and add Izturis). Mateo is not shown on the 40-man roster. That doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong, though; I think it's been known to be inaccurate at times in the past.

 

EDIT: The wording of the transaction on cubs.com suggests that he was not previously on the 40-man. It says that the Cubs purchased his contract from West Tenn. If a player is already on the 40-man, I believe the Cubs would have already owned his contract and not had to purchase it; therefore he would have been recalled.

[jaxxradio]

I was under the impression that Mateo was put on the forty man roster after the Cardinals gave him back to the Cubs. I could have been wrong.. it isn't the first time and sure as heck won't be the last time.. lol

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hey Ron,

 

In BA's best tools rankings, Scott Moore was ranked the best defensive third baseman in the SL. What do you think of that? I always had an impression that his defense had a long ways to go.

 

Also, Mateo's fastball was rated the best in the SL. Would you agree?

Edited August 2, 2006 by CaliforniaRaisin

[NCCubFan]

Do you know who the scheduled starters are for the series starting this weekend at Carolina? I'm planning to go to the booming metropolis of Zebulon for at least one of the games (maybe more; a lot depends on the weather); knowing who's starting when would help me decide what game(s) to go to (I'm mainly interested in seeing Gallagher start).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

According to my notes, Sean should be starting on Friday. Then, Shaver on Saturday, Mateo's replacement on Sunday, Baez on Monday and then back to JR Mathes on Tuesday.

 

Ron, do you know who'll replace Mateo in the DJaxx rotation?