Felix Hernandez

[AlwaysaCub]

He's the youngest pitcher to start on opening day since Dwight Gooden. He reported to camp in shape and looking much better on the mound and he's past the sophomore slump. Most importantly, his slider is Ridculous.

 

Based on the way he's pitched, he'll be entering Dwight Goode dominance this year. Maybe being away from the east coast will keep off the pressure to overpitch him and ruin that right arm like a certain triple-A righthander.

[illiniguy]

He's the youngest pitcher to start on opening day since Dwight Gooden. He reported to camp in shape and looking much better on the mound and he's past the sophomore slump. Most importantly, his slider is Ridculous.

 

Based on the way he's pitched, he'll be entering Dwight Goode dominance this year. Maybe being away from the east coast will keep off the pressure to overpitch him and ruin that right arm like a certain triple-A righthander.

They are letting him throw the slider then? I know in the past they wouldn't to protect his arm, even though it was his best pitch.

[sunnydoo]

He was filthy on ESPN tonight. Took a no hitter into the eighth and had the BoSux hitters mesmerized.

 

98 mph fastball + devastating slider (around 92 i think) + bending curve ball (mid 80s) + 89 mph change up = total annihilation

 

Looks like the 2 problems he has are youthful exuberance and maybe a lefty thing....but the kid has a tremendous upside for only being 21.

 

His ERA was hefty last season, but it looks like he had a terrible start and a terrible finish. Interested to see this year.

[tkenm356]

I haven't seen enough of him televised yet to find out, but he seems like he could have the same intensity as Big Z, except he's got 3 times the talent.

 

I'm glad I drafted him :)

 

King Felix has finally arrived. I do believe he's the only pitcher to pitch two quality starts this year and not give up a single run, am I right?

 

What I wouldn't give to see him in a Cubs uni

[WolverineX40]

I haven't seen enough of him televised yet to find out, but he seems like he could have the same intensity as Big Z, except he's got 3 times the talent.

 

I never understood why so many people underestimate Big Z. I understand the man love for Felix Hernandez, I really do, but IMO he does not have the "3 times the talent" over Z. The ONLY thing that keeps Z from being a TRUE ELITE pitcher is his control, and once that part of his pitching "clicks" on, he would join Johan Santana, as the only pitchers you would "give up the farm" to acquire.

 

Yes I am showing abit of homerism towards Z, but Z has as good of stuff as Felix Hernandez or any pitcher in baseball, without playing in a BIG pitcher's park. But I do wish he had better control.

[synergy]

The difference is Zambrano is a mental midget. If the going gets tough he collapses under the pressure. He lets his emotions get the better of him alot.

[Balsa]

The difference is Zambrano is a mental midget. If the going gets tough he collapses under the pressure. He lets his emotions get the better of him alot.

Thanks armchair psychologist! Tell us more!

[Guest]

Yes I am showing abit of homerism towards Z, but Z has as good of stuff as Felix Hernandez or any pitcher in baseball, without playing in a BIG pitcher's park. But I do wish he had better control.

Felix has much more velocity on his fastball than Z, though Z might have a bit more movement. But Z doesn't have the sink and tail on his fastball that he had when he was an extreme gb pitcher a few years back. We'll call it a push, though Felix has shown better command of the pitch so far this year than Z has ever had with his.

 

Felix has a superior slider to Z. Wicked movement and it comes in a 91-93 mph. The speed makes hitters read fastball all the way.

 

Felix has a great curve he can throw for strikes. Z has no curve.

 

Neither change is fantastic, but I'd give an edge to Felix's.

[YearofDaCubs]

Z's good and all but there's no doubting Felix has the better stuff. So far he's pitching very well and looked amazing last night. If he can harness his stuff he could be a top 3 pitcher in this league.

[AlwaysaCub]

Z's good and all but there's no doubting Felix has the better stuff. So far he's pitching very well and looked amazing last night. If he can harness his stuff he could be a top 3 pitcher in this league.

 

Top 3 pitcher in the league? Top three pitcher in this decade. He's faced something like 60 batters so far, and maybe 4 have hit the ball to the outfield. He's beyond ridiculous.

[rawaction]

Felix is the most talented pitcher I've seen since Gooden. I watched last night to see Dice K, but I knew all along that Felix would outshine him. He had the patented sophomore slump last year and was overweight. I tried to pick him up in all my fantasy leagues because I saw this coming.

 

He has a ways to go before he's as good as Zambrano or Santana, but he has better stuff than both. I don't think I've ever seen anyone throw a 12-6 curve and a 90 mph slider. His slider is faster than about 75% of the fastballs in the MLB.

[BDWeav71]

Felix is the most talented pitcher I've seen since Gooden. I watched last night to see Dice K, but I knew all along that Felix would outshine him. He had the patented sophomore slump last year and was overweight. I tried to pick him up in all my fantasy leagues because I saw this coming.

 

He has a ways to go before he's as good as Zambrano or Santana, but he has better stuff than both. I don't think I've ever seen anyone throw a 12-6 curve and a 90 mph slider. His slider is faster than about 75% of the fastballs in the MLB.

 

 

Hes something else, and the command in which he throws all three pitches is one of the most impressive things about him to me.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

This guy was throwing a big curveball that guys usually throw in the high 70's in the mid 80's.

 

His slider was better than most guys fastballs, and it broke like a curveball.

 

It was absolutely unfair last night. He had absolutely everything working.

[Exile on Waveland]

It looks like King Felix has arrived. Wow, does he have great stuff. I'm glad I drafted him.

[E.J.]

Yes I am showing abit of homerism towards Z, but Z has as good of stuff as Felix Hernandez or any pitcher in baseball, without playing in a BIG pitcher's park. But I do wish he had better control.

Felix has much more velocity on his fastball than Z, though Z might have a bit more movement. But Z doesn't have the sink and tail on his fastball that he had when he was an extreme gb pitcher a few years back. We'll call it a push, though Felix has shown better command of the pitch so far this year than Z has ever had with his.

 

Felix has a superior slider to Z. Wicked movement and it comes in a 91-93 mph. The speed makes hitters read fastball all the way.

 

Felix has a great curve he can throw for strikes. Z has no curve.

 

Neither change is fantastic, but I'd give an edge to Felix's.

 

I've been wondering about this. Why has Z changed so much from just a few years ago. A couple years ago he never gave up homeruns. He's already given up 4 this year. He seems to be trying to strike people out instead of getting the ground ball. I'd rather have the extreme groundball Z.

[tkenm356]

I haven't seen enough of him televised yet to find out, but he seems like he could have the same intensity as Big Z, except he's got 3 times the talent.

 

I never understood why so many people underestimate Big Z. I understand the man love for Felix Hernandez, I really do, but IMO he does not have the "3 times the talent" over Z. The ONLY thing that keeps Z from being a TRUE ELITE pitcher is his control, and once that part of his pitching "clicks" on, he would join Johan Santana, as the only pitchers you would "give up the farm" to acquire.

 

Yes I am showing abit of homerism towards Z, but Z has as good of stuff as Felix Hernandez or any pitcher in baseball, without playing in a BIG pitcher's park. But I do wish he had better control.

 

I don't underestimate Big Z. Big Z is incredible when he's on, one of the best. But to say Felix Hernandez doesn't have more talent than Z is a bit ridiculous, IMO. I think Hernandez, if he can remain how he is and keep his cool and keep his stuff in order, he could be better than Johan Santana, if not equal. And I don't think any other pitcher in the league, other than Hernandez, could stake that claim if you ask me. Hernandez just needs to prove it, and after the last two starts he's well on his way.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Yes I am showing abit of homerism towards Z, but Z has as good of stuff as Felix Hernandez or any pitcher in baseball, without playing in a BIG pitcher's park. But I do wish he had better control.

Felix has much more velocity on his fastball than Z, though Z might have a bit more movement. But Z doesn't have the sink and tail on his fastball that he had when he was an extreme gb pitcher a few years back. We'll call it a push, though Felix has shown better command of the pitch so far this year than Z has ever had with his.

 

Felix has a superior slider to Z. Wicked movement and it comes in a 91-93 mph. The speed makes hitters read fastball all the way.

 

Felix has a great curve he can throw for strikes. Z has no curve.

 

Neither change is fantastic, but I'd give an edge to Felix's.

 

I've been wondering about this. Why has Z changed so much from just a few years ago. A couple years ago he never gave up homeruns. He's already given up 4 this year. He seems to be trying to strike people out instead of getting the ground ball. I'd rather have the extreme groundball Z.

 

Thats one of my main Z concerns. He's trying to throw the crap out of the ball every pitch, every game, and he wants/NEEDS the K to keep him happy.

 

With his control is terrible, and not anything you want from a guy who will be called an ace and paid like an ace. His groundball tendencies are still there, but he's nowhere the dominant groundball pitcher he was before.

 

I'll keep saying it, I think Z is as risky as it gets over the next 5 years.

[Brian]

Felix has a great curve he can throw for strikes. Z has no curve.

 

No love for Z's sloooooooooow curve?

[KyHen]

See, this is what I love about Extra Innings. Sure I get to see most of the Cards games, but more importantly, I get to tape games of Felix, Daisuke, etc....

[WolverineX40]

 

I'll keep saying it, I think Z is as risky as it gets over the next 5 years.

 

No more risker then say AJ Burnett, Jason Jennings, or even Dontrelle Willis. I think Z is overthrowing, because he is trying to prove his worth for his new contract. IMO.