Sullivan: Prior Confident He'll Be on Opening Day Roster

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link.

 

We have about a week left to go," he said. "I'm ready to rock 'n' roll and get out of this place and move on."

 

n Prior's mind, it's not only likely he will be ready by Opening Day, it's inevitable.

 

"There was never any doubt," he said.

 

"They weren't taking that many good swings off me," he said. "And they didn't really hit too many balls hard. It was a good outing. … There are still some things I need to fine-tune, but I think I'm ready to go."

[Drew Doughty]

I like hearing him confident...now translate it to more success on the mound with fewer walks...and more strikeouts...and blackjack, and hookers!

[A New Era]

Piniella in the same article on cubs.com

 

"He threw the ball better -- that's the important thing," Piniella said. "It's a really, really nice step forward for him. I think the idea of not rushing him and giving him time, it's the right tonic."

 

If anything. This makes Prior's next catus league start, VERY interesting. If he wants the job. It's his to take. If he can have a stellar outing maybe he could bump miller. But it's in his hands now. .

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I like hearing him confident...now translate it to more success on the mound with fewer walks...and more strikeouts...and blackjack, and hookers!

 

"You know what, forget the walks and the strikeouts!"

[Sarcastic]

Even if Prior does continue to show significant progress, which I think is likely, will Prior have put in his reps in time for the start of the season? The most pitches he has thrown in one start is 59 (today), and he has probably no more than one appearance left in ST. How is he going to go from less than 60 pitches to 100 pitches in time for the regular season? I guess Lou could put him on a lower pitch count, but it seems like Prior will need at least an extra start or two before he builds up to the requisite number of pitches for a major league start.

[Mephistopheles]

well if hes not hitting 90 on the Cubs gun (the one Muskat quotes) then i dont particularily think he should be on the roster. Thats my opinion.

[Sammy Sofa]

well if hes not hitting 90 on the Cubs gun (the one Muskat quotes) then i dont particularily think he should be on the roster. Thats my opinion.

 

He's hitting at least 90. I'm sorry, the info in that article, official or not, is wrong.

[Sarcastic]

well if hes not hitting 90 on the Cubs gun (the one Muskat quotes) then i dont particularily think he should be on the roster. Thats my opinion.

 

He's hitting at least 90. I'm sorry, the info in that article, official or not, is wrong.

 

Isn't it probable that the info just comes from two different guns? Prior's stuff certainly seemed more effective today, but that doesn't prove the faster gun was right. I think we'll get a better idea of where his velocity at his next start.

[Sammy Sofa]

well if hes not hitting 90 on the Cubs gun (the one Muskat quotes) then i dont particularily think he should be on the roster. Thats my opinion.

 

He's hitting at least 90. I'm sorry, the info in that article, official or not, is wrong.

 

Isn't it probable that the info just comes from two different guns? Prior's stuff certainly seemed more effective today, but that doesn't prove the faster gun was right. I think we'll get a better idea of where his velocity at his next start.

 

I'm saying the high of 93 is right, but topping out at 89 is even more unlikely. I'd assume he at least hit 91.

[Omar]

Even if Prior does continue to show significant progress, which I think is likely, will Prior have put in his reps in time for the start of the season? The most pitches he has thrown in one start is 59 (today), and he has probably no more than one appearance left in ST. How is he going to go from less than 60 pitches to 100 pitches in time for the regular season? I guess Lou could put him on a lower pitch count, but it seems like Prior will need at least an extra start or two before he builds up to the requisite number of pitches for a major league start.

 

With 9 games left.... His next start should be on the 28th Vs. Colorado (4 day rest)... Then maybe a minor league start on opening day... (another 4 day rest)... and his first Major League start fits right on April 7th Vs. Milwaukee... 4 day rest, once again, because of the offday.. but also just in time for the 5th starter's spot...

[biittner77]

They could piggy back Prior with one of the other starters to get him some more work. I wouldn't mind seeing a plan where Miller throws 5 then Prior comes in for 3 a couple times through the Rotation then see what happens. Of course that depends on Prior not only feeling good but being effective.

 

Such an arrangement almost necessitates trading a relief pitcher and assumes Wood starting the season on the DL.

[RynoRules]

I love Mark's drive and confidence, but based on Lou's commentary to this point, he appears to be the King of Fantasyland.

[98navigator]

I love Mark's drive and confidence, but based on Lou's commentary to this point, he appears to be the King of Fantasyland.

 

Not necessarily... Lou, like most everyone else, wasn't expecting a dramatic improvement in Prior's pitching. Now, Lou will have to play this thing by ear--starting with how Mark feels today. Today's report will help Lou make pitching decisions for next week. Lou needs to get the relievers two inning stints and in back to back games. Obviously, the priority will be to get innings for the pitchers with a legitimate shot to make the team (which may mean Guzman and Cherry no longer get priority innnings).

 

If Prior is healthy, and still has a chance to make the team out of ST, he will most likely relieve Rich Hill in his next start.

 

ESPN.com

 

"We'll see where we go from here. But obviously it was an improvement and I'm happy to see it," Piniella said after the game, adding that Prior was able to get his breaking pitch over and also looked more comfortable on the mound.

 

Piniella said he didn't know if Prior would pitch again this spring.

 

"Let's see how he feels over the next couple of days and then we can determine what we do. I'm going to sit down and talk to the pitching coach," he said.

[fiver]

I love Mark's drive and confidence, but based on Lou's commentary to this point, he appears to be the King of Fantasyland.

 

http://www.multinet.no/~jonarne/Hjemmesia/Favorittartister/michael_jackson/michael_jackson_15.gif ????

[TheDude]

"Let's see how he feels over the next couple of days and then we can determine what we do. I'm going to sit down and talk to the pitching coach," he said.

 

The manager talks to the pitching coach? I guess it's been so long since we've seen that in Chicago that I've forgotten.

[goonys evil twin]

Even if Prior does continue to show significant progress, which I think is likely, will Prior have put in his reps in time for the start of the season? The most pitches he has thrown in one start is 59 (today), and he has probably no more than one appearance left in ST. How is he going to go from less than 60 pitches to 100 pitches in time for the regular season? I guess Lou could put him on a lower pitch count, but it seems like Prior will need at least an extra start or two before he builds up to the requisite number of pitches for a major league start.

 

This is what I wrote yesterday in the game thread:

Best case scenario is he takes another big step forward next Tuesday. Then I think he stays behind and pitches to the minor leaguers on April 1. It's possible that by then he's stretched out to 90 pitches and throwing 90-93 with ease. Then, I think you start him on 4 days rest April 6 in MIL. But that's not likely. So then I think you have him start Iowa's 2nd game, April 6 in Round Rock, then April 11 in Alabama. If all goes well, then maybe he can start April 16 vs SD.

 

It's possible he could be ready to start the first time through the rotation, after two more outings, the first bringing him to about 75 pitches and the 2nd near 90. I think the only realistic way to do that is to leave him in Arizona when the club goes to Vegas, and give him a start against minor leaguers April 1. But even that is very aggressive.

[Evers2Tinker2Chance]

well if hes not hitting 90 on the Cubs gun (the one Muskat quotes) then i dont particularily think he should be on the roster. Thats my opinion.

 

Why, its not impossible to be an effective pitcher if you dont throw 90. as long as he has movement and location and continues to improve Id rather have him than Wade Miller.

 

If Miller dosnt want to be in the pen ship him out and Guzman is next in line if anyone falters/gets injured

[cjbucks]

"Let's see how he feels over the next couple of days and then we can determine what we do. I'm going to sit down and talk to the pitching coach," he said.

 

The manager talks to the pitching coach? I guess it's been so long since we've seen that in Chicago that I've forgotten.

 

I think the last manager talked to the pitching coach - however I do not believe he ever listened to the pitching coach :wink:

[10man]

"Let's see how he feels over the next couple of days and then we can determine what we do. I'm going to sit down and talk to the pitching coach," he said.

 

The manager talks to the pitching coach? I guess it's been so long since we've seen that in Chicago that I've forgotten.

 

I think the last manager talked to the pitching coach - however I do not believe he ever listened to the pitching coach :wink:

Oh he listened alright, but no matter what the pitching coach said, all he ever heard was, "He's ok. Leave him in there for another inning."

[CubinNY]

I really can't read Sullivan any longer. It's a shame that the flagship newspaper of the Cubs has such a worthless reporter.

 

It's one soap opera filled piece after another.