Explain to me the Kevin Hart love.

[badnews]

I didn't really think too much about Hart before I saw a number of posts saying they'd rather see Sean Gallagher traded instead of Kevin Hart.

 

Hart's career minor league numbers are somewhat unimpressive. His numbers this year were better but they still don't dazzle. Everything Baseball America has written about him I've seen has been nothing but bland mediocrity. He had 11 good innings this year, prompting an early frenzy that is reminiscent of people gushing over Rocky Cherry's spring training.

 

So why is Hart untouchable? Why should I be confident in him as rotation insurance, and so forth?

[abuck1220]

who said hart is untouchable and who gushed over rocky cherry?

 

gushing cherry!

[CUBZ99]

I didn't really think too much about Hart before I saw a number of posts saying they'd rather see Sean Gallagher traded instead of Kevin Hart.

 

Hart's career minor league numbers are somewhat unimpressive. His numbers this year were better but they still don't dazzle. Everything Baseball America has written about him I've seen has been nothing but bland mediocrity. He had 11 good innings this year, prompting an early frenzy that is reminiscent of people gushing over Rocky Cherry's spring training.

 

So why is Hart untouchable? Why should I be confident in him as rotation insurance, and so forth?

 

He is not untouchable, and you should not be confident in him as rotation insurance.

 

Hart had a nice run at the end of the year and opened some eyes, but he still has alot to prove. I think most people that had not seen him were not expecting him to be throwing low-mid 90's heat and a nice cut fast ball.

[Roast]

Because he came out of the minor leagues and started shutting people down right away? He only gave up 1 earned run in 11 innings while recording 13 K's with an ERA+ of 569.

 

Granted that just screams small sample size, but to come right up to the majors and show such ability is very impressive (although he did give up two runs in one inning in the NLDS).

[Guest]

I didn't really think too much about Hart before I saw a number of posts saying they'd rather see Sean Gallagher traded instead of Kevin Hart.

 

Hart's career minor league numbers are somewhat unimpressive. His numbers this year were better but they still don't dazzle. Everything Baseball America has written about him I've seen has been nothing but bland mediocrity. He had 11 good innings this year, prompting an early frenzy that is reminiscent of people gushing over Rocky Cherry's spring training.

 

So why is Hart untouchable? Why should I be confident in him as rotation insurance, and so forth?

 

He added his cut fastball this season and really got a hang of that pitch around midseason which was when his minor league numbers took off.

 

I really don't care about his 11 good innings at the bigs because it doesn't mean he'll be effective next season in the bigs nor does it preclude someone like Sean Gallagher from being effective after struggling this season. But if the right trade came along, I'd more than be willing to trade Marshall and plug Gallagher or Hart in as the 5.

[Mephistopheles]

Hart isn't good.

[Brian]

We got him for Freddy Bynum.

 

This is our chance at an epic ripoff, let us try and enjoy it.

[Skyballer]

Hart isn't good.

Care to elaborate?

[CubFanPhilly]

I see people including Hart in a pool of 5 or 6 competing for 5th starter if Marshall and/or Gallagher are dealt.

 

Who's calling him untouchable?

[CUBZ99]

Hart isn't good.

Care to elaborate?

 

No, if he had anything of substance to add he would have elaborated.

[badnews]

Because he came out of the minor leagues and started shutting people down right away? He only gave up 1 earned run in 11 innings while recording 13 K's with an ERA+ of 569.

 

I can't believe we're quoting ERA+ and such about 11 innings. An 11 inning sample size for a guy first coming up doesn't mean anything. The number of bad relievers who've had better 11 inning runs than that is staggering.

 

A general question - why is his repetoire starter-worthy?

[Cubfanintheknow]

A lot of posters--myself included--would like to see Hart get a legitimate shot at a slot in the rotation because of how well he performed. No guarantees--just a good chance to prove his call-up time was no fluke.

 

And I'd rather give this kid a chance than the alternative, which, as you know, would be another year of someone like Steve Trachsel who gets chance after chance to prove he still sucks.