Posted by redsoxstats on April 24, 2008
6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
Here is the Pitch f/x data from Justin Masterson’s great major league debut this afternoon. He basically threw 4 pitches, a slider, a few change-ups, a regular sinker, and then some variation that resulted in an insane sinker.
The “regular” sinker is in the green circle (circle change movement), while the super sinker is the cluster with even more run in on right handed batters with negative vertical break.
Masterson mixed speeds well and generally worked in the lower half of the strike zone. Mike Napoli hit a home run to RCF on a slider that was aided by a gusting wind (still a bomb). Masterson will return to the minors, but there is a good chance that he is a key member of the bullpen at some point this summer. The Red Sox will give him every opportunity to continue to start in the future.
Posted in Pitch f/x, starters | Tagged: baseball, justin masterson, red sox | No Comments »
Posted by redsoxstats on April 24, 2008
The Red Sox have had good luck with avoiding major injuries to young pitchers in the big leagues or on the cusp like Jonathan Papelbon, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, and Michael Bowden.
Unfortunately, the next wave of highly anticipated pitching talent has not been as fortunate.
Last season, 2006 high school draft pick Caleb Clay had Tommy John surgery on his pitching arm. Reports are his is recovering well and should be back in action next year.
Earlier this season, 2007 high school draft pick Austin Bailey tore his labrum. This is a devastating shoulder injury that is probably the hardest injury to recover from.
And today there are whispers on Sox Prospects that 2007 first round pick Nick Hagadone could be having Tommy John surgery soon. The flame throwing lefty out of the University of Washington is the best pitching prospect the Red Sox have at the lower levels of the minor leagues. Again, this is still a rumor, but Hagadone did have to leave his last start and I trust the sources.
Hopefully these players all recover fully, and others take this opportunity to climb up the prospect rankings.
Posted in minor leagues | Tagged: austin bailey, baseball, caleb clay, nick hagadone, red sox | No Comments »
