R. Hill Turning the Corner ?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Lets not get too excited here. It was one session against rookie leaguers vs. the disaster that has been Rich Hills 2008. I'd like to believe that Rich Hill back, but he's going to need some starts in Iowa first.

[abuck1220]

Lets not get too excited here. It was one session against rookie leaguers vs. the disaster that has been Rich Hills 2008. I'd like to believe that Rich Hill back, but he's going to need some starts in Iowa first.

 

really? does that mean he's not starting today in st. louis like i was hoping he would?

[imb]

game-time decision imo

[Balsa]

Great news. Hopefully Rich is back again in August, baffling hitters. :thumbsup:

[chuckywang]

I have a question, can Riggins continue to stay/work with Hill if he moves up to Iowa and even to Chicago?

His role is minor league pitching coordinator, so he can travel throughout the system; he's not tied down to one team (much the same as Dave Keller with hitting). So he certainly could work with Hill at Iowa. He probably could in Chicago as well, but I don't know how common it is for minor league staff to work with players on the major league roster.

 

They brought in Keller to work with Pie in Chicago. So of course it's an option.

[anabiono]

I have a question, can Riggins continue to stay/work with Hill if he moves up to Iowa and even to Chicago?

His role is minor league pitching coordinator, so he can travel throughout the system; he's not tied down to one team (much the same as Dave Keller with hitting). So he certainly could work with Hill at Iowa. He probably could in Chicago as well, but I don't know how common it is for minor league staff to work with players on the major league roster.

 

They brought in Keller to work with Pie in Chicago. So of course it's an option.

 

if it means getting hill back to the norm or better...i think you do whatever it takes...

[rawaction]

Even if he turns it around, how long does he have to show it before he comes back up? I'd imagine 3-4 starts in Arizona. Then probably a few more in Iowa. At best, you are looking at September for Hill. And even then he's behind Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Gallagher, and possibly whoever the Cubs trade for in the line to get ML starts.

 

Might want to pick up a math book. 4 starts in arizona and 3 more in iowa is 7 total. On a normal 5 day roation thats a wopping 35 days. That is early to mid August and thats your worst case scenario (if he has turned the corner). Best case is a week or two after all-star break. Pitch a game or two in Arizona then get the break to reevaluate and look over his starts then a couple starts in Iowa. If all went well he would be back a week or two after all-star break. However I'm going to count it as a fluke session and not count on him at all. That way if he does turnaround its a huge bonus rather than the alternative of getting my hopes up and then being disappointed.

 

You think worst case scenario....I think that's best case. He's been in the minors for 2 months now. He's not gonna prove he's perfectly fine in 3 starts as was suggested earlier.

 

And you might not want to be an ass. 7 starts on a 5-man rotation is 35 days, add in 5 more in that scenario that it would take for him to pitch in the majors, that's 40. Add in probable off days and you're looking at a month and a half, which takes you to mid-to-late August. Add in the Cubs could have 7 capable starters by then, and why waste 1 or 2 starts in the final week(s) in August when Hill can be a Sept. call up.

[anabiono]

Even if he turns it around, how long does he have to show it before he comes back up? I'd imagine 3-4 starts in Arizona. Then probably a few more in Iowa. At best, you are looking at September for Hill. And even then he's behind Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Gallagher, and possibly whoever the Cubs trade for in the line to get ML starts.

 

Might want to pick up a math book. 4 starts in arizona and 3 more in iowa is 7 total. On a normal 5 day roation thats a wopping 35 days. That is early to mid August and thats your worst case scenario (if he has turned the corner). Best case is a week or two after all-star break. Pitch a game or two in Arizona then get the break to reevaluate and look over his starts then a couple starts in Iowa. If all went well he would be back a week or two after all-star break. However I'm going to count it as a fluke session and not count on him at all. That way if he does turnaround its a huge bonus rather than the alternative of getting my hopes up and then being disappointed.

 

You think worst case scenario....I think that's best case. He's been in the minors for 2 months now. He's not gonna prove he's perfectly fine in 3 starts as was suggested earlier.

 

And you might not want to be an ass. 7 starts on a 5-man rotation is 35 days, add in 5 more in that scenario that it would take for him to pitch in the majors, that's 40. Add in probable off days and you're looking at a month and a half, which takes you to mid-to-late August. Add in the Cubs could have 7 capable starters by then, and why waste 1 or 2 starts in the final week(s) in August when Hill can be a Sept. call up.

 

yeah, but if he is a september call up...he won't be able to be on the playoff roster right?

[SouthSideRyan]

Even if he turns it around, how long does he have to show it before he comes back up? I'd imagine 3-4 starts in Arizona. Then probably a few more in Iowa. At best, you are looking at September for Hill. And even then he's behind Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Gallagher, and possibly whoever the Cubs trade for in the line to get ML starts.

 

Might want to pick up a math book. 4 starts in arizona and 3 more in iowa is 7 total. On a normal 5 day roation thats a wopping 35 days. That is early to mid August and thats your worst case scenario (if he has turned the corner). Best case is a week or two after all-star break. Pitch a game or two in Arizona then get the break to reevaluate and look over his starts then a couple starts in Iowa. If all went well he would be back a week or two after all-star break. However I'm going to count it as a fluke session and not count on him at all. That way if he does turnaround its a huge bonus rather than the alternative of getting my hopes up and then being disappointed.

 

You think worst case scenario....I think that's best case. He's been in the minors for 2 months now. He's not gonna prove he's perfectly fine in 3 starts as was suggested earlier.

 

And you might not want to be an ass. 7 starts on a 5-man rotation is 35 days, add in 5 more in that scenario that it would take for him to pitch in the majors, that's 40. Add in probable off days and you're looking at a month and a half, which takes you to mid-to-late August. Add in the Cubs could have 7 capable starters by then, and why waste 1 or 2 starts in the final week(s) in August when Hill can be a Sept. call up.

 

yeah, but if he is a september call up...he won't be able to be on the playoff roster right?

 

Essentially anyone in the organization by August 31st winds up eligible for the postseason roster due to manuevering with the DL. For example, Geo wasn't called up til September last year, but made the postseason roster by replacing the DLed Blanco(or Pagan, or whoever) Same thing with Kevin Hart over the DLd Prior(or again whoever)

[Little Slide Rooter]

I have a question, can Riggins continue to stay/work with Hill if he moves up to Iowa and even to Chicago?

His role is minor league pitching coordinator, so he can travel throughout the system; he's not tied down to one team (much the same as Dave Keller with hitting). So he certainly could work with Hill at Iowa. He probably could in Chicago as well, but I don't know how common it is for minor league staff to work with players on the major league roster.

 

They brought in Keller to work with Pie in Chicago. So of course it's an option.

 

if it means getting hill back to the norm or better...i think you do whatever it takes...

 

Kidnap Dave Duncan or Don Cooper.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Great news. Hopefully Rich is back again in August, baffling hitters. :thumbsup:

 

Well, that's definitely preferable to him being in DSM & baffling me as to WTH has happened to him...

[Guest]

4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K/1 BB so far today in Mesa!!!!

[Handlebar McSkullet]

4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K/1 BB so far today in Mesa!!!!

All from that little glitch in his windup... baseball is nutty

[Old Style]

4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K/1 BB so far today in Mesa!!!!

Excellent! How long before he gets sent to Iowa to see if he can keep this up against better hitters?

[abuck1220]

my goodness, larry rothschild is terrible. unreal.

[SouthSideRyan]

4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K/1 BB so far today in Mesa!!!!

Excellent! How long before he gets sent to Iowa to see if he can keep this up against better hitters?

 

Slow down. 1 more start at Mesa at the very least, and I'd prefer 2. From there probably 3 starts in AAA(I'd do AA, but it's not a big deal) then majors if he keeps it up.

 

It's a big step, but there's still a lot ahead of him.

[abuck1220]

it doesn't really matter where he makes his next start...it should be wherever is most convenient weather/schedule wise. neither rookie league hitters nor AAA hitters can hit hill...it's just a matter of throwing strikes...it doesn't matter whether it's an 18 y/o or a 26 y/o standing in the box.

[Butterscup1679666578]

4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K/1 BB so far today in Mesa!!!!

Excellent! How long before he gets sent to Iowa to see if he can keep this up against better hitters?

 

Slow down. 1 more start at Mesa at the very least, and I'd prefer 2. From there probably 3 starts in AAA(I'd do AA, but it's not a big deal) then majors if he keeps it up.

 

It's a big step, but there's still a lot ahead of him.

 

Yeah I'd say 1 more at Mesa and then send him to AA or AAA to work on his stamina and get him stretched out. I'd say late August is a safe bet for his return, assuming everything goes well.

[Guest]

it doesn't really matter where he makes his next start...it should be wherever is most convenient weather/schedule wise. neither rookie league hitters nor AAA hitters can hit hill...it's just a matter of throwing strikes...it doesn't matter whether it's an 18 y/o or a 26 y/o standing in the box.

 

Well, the AZL has no attendance, it's a more controlled environment. I don't know if crowds would affect him but if he's had mental issues with pitching, it might be better to throw in front of 5 people as opposed to 5,000.

[Jon]

it doesn't really matter where he makes his next start...it should be wherever is most convenient weather/schedule wise. neither rookie league hitters nor AAA hitters can hit hill...it's just a matter of throwing strikes...it doesn't matter whether it's an 18 y/o or a 26 y/o standing in the box.

 

Well, the AZL has no attendance, it's a more controlled environment. I don't know if crowds would affect him but if he's had mental issues with pitching, it might be better to throw in front of 5 people as opposed to 5,000.

It's also 98 degrees. I think he should have one or two more outings down there, though, but perhaps not view them as traditional starts. He just needs to focus on repeating that delivery and not on arm strength. Even though he doesn't have much stamina at this point, a few innings in each appearance might be nice. After that, it just depends on which team is at home and has the best forecast.

[17 Seconds]

This is great and stuff, but I'm kind of worried that Hendry might use the "getting Hill back will be like trading for a good starter" thing on us and not get another starter.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

This is great and stuff, but I'm kind of worried that Hendry might use the "getting Hill back will be like trading for a good starter" thing on us and not get another starter.

 

Why worry? That's exactly what will happen.

 

That said, I hope Hill gets it together. ... and Jim gets Rich Harden

[javy knows my name]

This is great and stuff, but I'm kind of worried that Hendry might use the "getting Hill back will be like trading for a good starter" thing on us and not get another starter.

This was a legitimate concern until the Brewers snagged C.C, IMO

[bukie]

There's a few if's here, but IF Hill can return to a semblance of last year's production in the second half, and Lilly is really not as bad as he was early in the year (i.e. a 4.00 ERA pitcher instead of a 6.00 ERA pitcher), a rotation of

 

Zambrano

Dempster (who I expect will fall off at least a bit in the second half, might want to give him a few off-days to keep him fresh)

Lilly

Hill

Marshall/Gallagher

 

would be plenty fine, really. The only catch is finding a way to get Marquis out of the rotation unless he really has figured something out in his delivery, of which I remain skeptical unless he can do better than a 60% QS rate.

 

Worrying about the Brewers is pointless, even with a CC acquisition. If these Brewers really have turned a corner and aren't just playing a bit over their heads right now, that still makes 3 really good teams in the NL, and they aren't all in the Central.

 

The Cubs need to simply focus on continuing to play .600 ball over the course of the year. 98 wins will make the playoffs one way or another. If the Brewers somehow stay on fire and win 100+, then they will simply earn the division title. What everyone else does really doesn't matter at that point.

[brinoch]

Go Rich!

 

And, yes, Bukie is absolutely correct. Just win games and get into the playoffs. It doesn't matter whether you get in by winning the division, the wildcard, or even a playoff to be the wildcard or division champs. Once you're in, anything can happen.