Minor League Discussion & Boxes 8-11-05

[Chris]

2 outs, tying run on 3rd

[Chris]

Chiefs win a close one! The fans got a great game on Metallica night!

[reggiemiller rules]

Got a question for who ever saw the Peoria game. How did McCormick look I have heard nothing but good things about him.

[Outshined_One]

Got a question for who ever saw the Peoria game. How did McCormick look I have heard nothing but good things about him.

 

He seemed to be really hard to hit (only 3 H allowed in 5.2 IP), but he lacked the command of the strikezone needed to keep guys off the basepaths (5 BBs). Nevertheless, he didn't seem to be wild, which I remember being a knock on him coming into the draft. Promising enough start for some one who just got drafted, imo.

[reggiemiller rules]

Got a question for who ever saw the Peoria game. How did McCormick look I have heard nothing but good things about him.

 

He seemed to be really hard to hit (only 3 H allowed in 5.2 IP), but he lacked the command of the strikezone needed to keep guys off the basepaths (5 BBs). Nevertheless, he didn't seem to be wild, which I remember being a knock on him coming into the draft. Promising enough start for some one who just got drafted, imo.

 

Thanks outshined, this is pretty much what I have heard about him good stuff but control issues. Hopefully he can get that fixed. If he does do you think that he could be quality major league arm?

[Chris]

Just spoke with Serena and she had a GREAT night at the Peoria game!

 

You don't want to miss her report!

[Outshined_One]

Thanks outshined, this is pretty much what I have heard about him good stuff but control issues. Hopefully he can get that fixed. If he does do you think that he could be quality major league arm?

 

Everything I've read about the guy suggests that if he ever gets his control down, he could end up being the best arm out of this draft. Lemme dig up the original scouting report from BA...

 

McCormick showed a first-round arm in high school, when his fastball rarely dipped below 92 mph and reached as high as 98. But he slipped to the 11th round in 2002 because he was primarily a one-pitch pitcher and showed a lack of composure on and off the diamond. The reputation followed him throughout his first two years at Baylor, but he has made strides as a junior. McCormick has the most electric arm in Texas, still pitching at 92-95 mph and often touching 96-98. He peaked at 101 mph last summer in the Cape Cod League all-star game. McCormick got hit hard early this spring before he started keeping his fastball down in the strike zone. His curveball is much improved now that he trusts it and uses it more often, and while it can be inconsistent it also can be an out pitch. He has done a better job of throwing strikes and has made every start after missing one due to a suspension and six with shoulder stiffness in 2004. McCormick does not come without questions, however. Because his command can be sporadic, he doesn't always dominate. Scouts still worry about his makeup and his ability to handle pressure. His adviser, Scott Boras, is always an issue for teams, though he's considered one of the more signable players in Boras' stable. In spite of the concerns, McCormick should go off the board in the second half of the first round.

[Laura]

<--------------------------------------Hoping to have one of these before the night is over

 

NSBB Jersey haul =

 

pristine Matt Weber jersey

filthy Joe Simokaitis jersey

sweet Eric Patterson jersey (who else would I get)? :D

 

 

ETA: And my Chiefs records improves to 8-2. :w00t:

 

 

Quick quick thoughts:

 

McCormick was impressive albeit with control issues. Scoreboard gun had him working consistently 92-95. Slight stature, but he can bring it. Keeps a medium high leg kick from the stretch.

 

Paul and I were thinking that if the Chiefs had been able to score a few more runs early on, the OFers wouldn't have had to playing to defend against any XBH and the first hit Billek surrendered would have been catchable. Oh well. Nice job by Billek, of course. Paul said if he kept the no-no, we'd have to get his jersey.

[Laura]

P.S. And Eric says hi to everyone. :)

[Chris]

P.S. And Eric says hi to everyone. :)

 

Post of the day! That's so great!

[craig]

Just spoke with Serena and she had a GREAT night at the Peoria game! You don't want to miss her report!

 

Serena, sounds like a fun game.

 

Have you seen Billek before, and how did he look? How fast was he? Did he throw many breaking balls and changes, and how did they look? Odd to have an almost no-hitter with almost no K's; were they just htting everything at people, or was he somehow pitching to contact but getting a lot of weak contact?

 

Does he look like he'll be a control pitcher, and hopefully his stuff will be good enough? Or like a guy who might have pretty excellent stuff, and if his control can be solid he might be good?

 

Did he look like he was in pretty good shape, or does he look like he could easily get fat and be a David Wells/Ruben Quevedo type?

 

Thanks in advance. Would be cool if he has a good major-league arm with big-league stuff.

[Laura]

Craig: Sorry for the delay, I wasn't around this weekend and just saw that you had posted these questions.

 

I'll try to tackle these, but I'd also suggest that you also ask Nathan Baliva about Billek. He mentioned last night that he'd have email access in the booth for most of the Chiefs' current roadtrip, including tonight (his email address = nathanb@chiefsnet.com). He's also planning on taking some more questions here at NSBB.

 

Serena, sounds like a fun game.

Yes, it was!

 

Have you seen Billek before, and how did he look?

 

This was my first time seeing him. BeerHere2003 saw his previous start at Kane County (8/5) and posted some notes from that game (Premium/Regular).

 

Billek looked good ... other than the Rivera fielding error, he didn't allow a baserunner until the 6th. Tough to argue with the results.

 

How fast was he?

 

89 - 93 on the scoreboard gun; low 90s consistently. A couple of ticks lower than where McCormick was consistently throwing (for reference).

 

Did he throw many breaking balls and changes, and how did they look?

Mainly fastballs - curves and most were around the zone. When he missed, it wasn't by much. The curve had good break; not 12-6 but more lateral movement. I didn't recall seeing changeups, but he may have thrown some.

 

Odd to have an almost no-hitter with almost no K's; were they just htting everything at people, or was he somehow pitching to contact but getting a lot of weak contact?

If pitching to contact means being consistently around the plate, he was. He didn't walk anyone, either. He got several swinging strikes on his curve and he had 2 strikes on several hitters; no one seemed thrilled with the strike zone that night.

 

There were several well-hit balls to the OF that became long outs.

 

Does he look like he'll be a control pitcher, and hopefully his stuff will be good enough? Or like a guy who might have pretty excellent stuff, and if his control can be solid he might be good?

He had good control when I saw him. I read T2E's draft report on how he had lost some velocity, apparently due to a hip injury. If he gets it back and can locate his curve, he should do well at this level. I'd assume he'd need to throw another pitch consistently if he wants to continue starting at a higher level.

 

I haven't checked his game logs, so I don't know if 6 innings was his longest outing thus far. In his previous outing, he had to come out in the 5th inning after taking a line drive off his pitching hand.

 

Did he look like he was in pretty good shape, or does he look like he could easily get fat and be a David Wells/Ruben Quevedo type?

As you know, he's a big guy -- listed as 6'4" 235. He looked to be in good shape. I suppose there's always the possibility that he could plump out, but he hasn't yet.

 

Thanks in advance. Would be cool if he has a good major-league arm with big-league stuff.

Definitely!