Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-16-2009

[Wrigley Rat]

"I actually felt a little rusty coming out of the All-Star break, but I made my pitches when I needed to other than that second inning when some pitches got away from me," Jeremy Papelbon said. "The key was that I never gave them the opportunity to have a big inning."

 

Papelbon's efforts have drawn the admiration of Smokies manager Ryan Sandberg, the former Chicago Cubs All-Star second baseman.

 

"Jeremy has done a good job coming out of the bullpen and giving us a spot start this year," Sandberg said. "Hitters don't pick up the ball on him right away, so he can get away with that. The biggest thing he has going is his ability to keep the hitters off-balance and the toughness to pick up the baseball the first time through the lineup."

http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/2009-07-17/story/jeremy_papelbon_helps_shut_down_the_suns

Interesting comments by Ryne Sandberg.