Comments on: The rise of David Robertson http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/ A New York Yankees Blog Mon, 28 May 2012 11:19:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Yanks could go 13 pitchers for next 10 games | River Avenue Blues http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-542729 Yanks could go 13 pitchers for next 10 games | River Avenue Blues Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:31:29 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-542729 [...] only two options for demotion in the pen are David Robertson and Phil Coke. Robertson’s been pitching awful well lately, and it’s doubtful he goes at this point. Coke has had his struggles, but he’s also [...] [...] only two options for demotion in the pen are David Robertson and Phil Coke. Robertson’s been pitching awful well lately, and it’s doubtful he goes at this point. Coke has had his struggles, but he’s also [...]

]]> By: I love you, bullpen | The Yankee Universe http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-533113 I love you, bullpen | The Yankee Universe Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:08:22 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-533113 [...] Over the last 30 days, the Yankee bullpen’s ERA of 3.83 is higher than the Red Sox’s 3.53. However, the Sox have been helped by a good defensive club (J.D. Drew, Pedroia, Youkilis, Kotchman, etc.), as their FIP of 4.36 is considerably higher than their ERA. The Yankees actually have a 3.50 FIP during that span, meaning that their defense could have done a bit more to help the team’s relievers (there’s not a huge disparity between the ERA and FIP, though). The Yankee bullpen also has a 9.62 K/9 while Boston’s K/9 is 8.04. Plus, our relievers are walking fewer batters—2.78 BB/9—when compared to the BoSox relief corps (4.08 BB/9). Much of this success can be attributed to Phil Hughes and the emerging David Robertson. [...] [...] Over the last 30 days, the Yankee bullpen’s ERA of 3.83 is higher than the Red Sox’s 3.53. However, the Sox have been helped by a good defensive club (J.D. Drew, Pedroia, Youkilis, Kotchman, etc.), as their FIP of 4.36 is considerably higher than their ERA. The Yankees actually have a 3.50 FIP during that span, meaning that their defense could have done a bit more to help the team’s relievers (there’s not a huge disparity between the ERA and FIP, though). The Yankee bullpen also has a 9.62 K/9 while Boston’s K/9 is 8.04. Plus, our relievers are walking fewer batters—2.78 BB/9—when compared to the BoSox relief corps (4.08 BB/9). Much of this success can be attributed to Phil Hughes and the emerging David Robertson. [...]

]]> By: Thank you, bullpen « iYankees http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-531574 Thank you, bullpen « iYankees Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:03:49 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-531574 [...] Over the last 30 days, the Yankee bullpen’s ERA of 3.83 is higher than the Red Sox’s 3.53. However, the Sox have been helped by a good defensive club (J.D. Drew, Pedroia, Youkilis, Kotchman, etc.), as their FIP of 4.36 is considerably higher than their ERA. The Yankees actually have a 3.50 FIP during that span, meaning that their defense could have done a bit more to help the team’s relievers (there’s not a huge disparity between the ERA and FIP, though). The Yankee bullpen also have a 9.62 K/9 while Boston’s K/9 is 8.04. Our relievers are also walking fewer batters—2.78 BB/9—when compared to the BoSox relief corps (4.08 BB/9). Much of this success can be attributed to Phil Hughes and the emerging David Robertson. [...] [...] Over the last 30 days, the Yankee bullpen’s ERA of 3.83 is higher than the Red Sox’s 3.53. However, the Sox have been helped by a good defensive club (J.D. Drew, Pedroia, Youkilis, Kotchman, etc.), as their FIP of 4.36 is considerably higher than their ERA. The Yankees actually have a 3.50 FIP during that span, meaning that their defense could have done a bit more to help the team’s relievers (there’s not a huge disparity between the ERA and FIP, though). The Yankee bullpen also have a 9.62 K/9 while Boston’s K/9 is 8.04. Our relievers are also walking fewer batters—2.78 BB/9—when compared to the BoSox relief corps (4.08 BB/9). Much of this success can be attributed to Phil Hughes and the emerging David Robertson. [...]

]]> By: PinstripesForeverDougie http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-531193 PinstripesForeverDougie Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:04:03 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-531193 and for some reason, no one ever credits Phil for that tremendous 1st postseason effort. The guy has shown in his debut season that he would be a fine pitcher. Always believe in the Hughes!! and for some reason, no one ever credits Phil for that tremendous 1st postseason effort. The guy has shown in his debut season that he would be a fine pitcher. Always believe in the Hughes!!

]]> By: PinstripesForeverDougie http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-531190 PinstripesForeverDougie Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:01:28 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-531190 or vitamins, as Big PED would call them ;) or vitamins, as Big PED would call them ;)

]]> By: PinstripesForeverDougie http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-531189 PinstripesForeverDougie Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:00:32 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-531189 Ben, I agree the obession is growing weary for the Universe but the chase for justice & fairness, is a fight we must continue till the bitter end. The bias is so extreme that we can't ignore and hope it goes way. If we don't fight for the abused, scared & depressed Yankee & other non- Roid Sux fans, who will? Thus, the good fight rages on, D-Rob is having a great season and everyone should realize that. Report it, NESPN. Ben, I agree the obession is growing weary for the Universe but the chase for justice & fairness, is a fight we must continue till the bitter end. The bias is so extreme that we can’t ignore and hope it goes way. If we don’t fight for the abused, scared & depressed Yankee & other non- Roid Sux fans, who will?

Thus, the good fight rages on, D-Rob is having a great season and everyone should realize that. Report it, NESPN.

]]> By: prime http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-529991 prime Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:43:52 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-529991 The background used for the TV commercials that advertise Baseball Tonight and Sunday Night Baseball is the Fenway/Green Monster scoreboard, substituted for teams/times of the games or show. I don't know how you can get more biased. The background used for the TV commercials that advertise Baseball Tonight and Sunday Night Baseball is the Fenway/Green Monster scoreboard, substituted for teams/times of the games or show. I don’t know how you can get more biased.

]]> By: Dayman, fighter of the Nightman http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-529944 Dayman, fighter of the Nightman Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:04:52 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-529944 Could not agree more, Congressman. ESPN goes where the money goes. As far as the "boli, boli" quote, who cares? It was Jon Anderson, the co-host of Wipeout(terrible show), and the diminutive singer of Yes, probably just trying to be funny. Could not agree more, Congressman. ESPN goes where the money goes. As far as the “boli, boli” quote, who cares? It was Jon Anderson, the co-host of Wipeout(terrible show), and the diminutive singer of Yes, probably just trying to be funny.

]]> By: mattb http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-529921 mattb Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:35:53 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-529921 Oh I don't disagree, and there's no heir apparent to Mo anyway. They'll find a good closer and continue to win games, since we know that the importance of that role is vastly misunderstood and overblown (with Mariano being special, but to me, and maybe it's obvious, but that's because of the postseason--you've def had regular seasons this decade where Mo's VORP--before WAR was all the rage--ranked behind Foulke at times, and Nathan at others--Mo is specical because of the once in a lifetime ability to be so consistently good for so long in a role that's not amenable to that, and having performed at the highest level on the biggest stage; not to mention that one can easily argue that he's still getting better, if that's possible). I think for me with Melancon, it wasn't that he didn't dominate immediately, it was that he didn't immediately flash the skill set that had everybody raving about him, namely great fastball command with late movement allowing him to induce alot of weak contact and have short innings, as well as the plus curve. For me, he actually looked alot like DRob looked last year, which surprised me--and I'm very high on DRob--maybe MM just didn't look as much of a finished product as I sort of anticipated. In any case, his continued development, along with the emergence of DRob--and generally strong work from Coke (though he's another story, freaking great peripherals, but in SSS way too homer friendly in big spots) and Melancon, that's a nice young core of a pen to be behind Mo. And they're all key, as I'm sadly one of those in the camp that says Bruney won't ever put it together--he'll have stretches, but nothing he's ever done leads me to believe that he will suddenly become a pitcher capable of sustained excellence over an entire year). And frankly, I think Edwar and Alby are what they are, and we've seen enough of that. Don't really know enough about Dunn, Kontos, the other Texeira and some of the next guys in line to comment on them (maybe the day will come when I conceive of Clagget as being an effective reliever, but even a guy who believes in rationality, has trouble having seen his two outings this year). But if Marte makes it all the way back next year, Mo, Marte, Coke, DRob, Melancon and Aceves is one heck of a starting point for a pen, with, of course, the constant caveat as to reliver volatility. Man, sorry for all the incredibly long posts---I'm way too amped up from having basically lived at work this week. I hope I'm even making sense. Oh I don’t disagree, and there’s no heir apparent to Mo anyway. They’ll find a good closer and continue to win games, since we know that the importance of that role is vastly misunderstood and overblown (with Mariano being special, but to me, and maybe it’s obvious, but that’s because of the postseason–you’ve def had regular seasons this decade where Mo’s VORP–before WAR was all the rage–ranked behind Foulke at times, and Nathan at others–Mo is specical because of the once in a lifetime ability to be so consistently good for so long in a role that’s not amenable to that, and having performed at the highest level on the biggest stage; not to mention that one can easily argue that he’s still getting better, if that’s possible).

I think for me with Melancon, it wasn’t that he didn’t dominate immediately, it was that he didn’t immediately flash the skill set that had everybody raving about him, namely great fastball command with late movement allowing him to induce alot of weak contact and have short innings, as well as the plus curve. For me, he actually looked alot like DRob looked last year, which surprised me–and I’m very high on DRob–maybe MM just didn’t look as much of a finished product as I sort of anticipated.

In any case, his continued development, along with the emergence of DRob–and generally strong work from Coke (though he’s another story, freaking great peripherals, but in SSS way too homer friendly in big spots) and Melancon, that’s a nice young core of a pen to be behind Mo. And they’re all key, as I’m sadly one of those in the camp that says Bruney won’t ever put it together–he’ll have stretches, but nothing he’s ever done leads me to believe that he will suddenly become a pitcher capable of sustained excellence over an entire year). And frankly, I think Edwar and Alby are what they are, and we’ve seen enough of that. Don’t really know enough about Dunn, Kontos, the other Texeira and some of the next guys in line to comment on them (maybe the day will come when I conceive of Clagget as being an effective reliever, but even a guy who believes in rationality, has trouble having seen his two outings this year). But if Marte makes it all the way back next year, Mo, Marte, Coke, DRob, Melancon and Aceves is one heck of a starting point for a pen, with, of course, the constant caveat as to reliver volatility.

Man, sorry for all the incredibly long posts—I’m way too amped up from having basically lived at work this week. I hope I’m even making sense.

]]> By: mattb http://riveraveblues.com/2009/08/the-rise-of-david-robertson-15793/#comment-529877 mattb Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:16:55 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=15793#comment-529877 Oh as am I, and I agree with the Honorable Congressman below, that alot of it is MSM/Yankee organizational hype. I freely admit that I'd never seen Melancon pitch before his Boston debut. And saying "disappointed" is probably going way too far given the sample size, because I usually know better than to buy into the "next Mo" or "next Joba." Part of it no doubt is just making the jump for the first time, but in just looking at Melancon's triple A numbers, it wasn't the K/9 and H/9 peripherals that I really noted, even though they were great--rather, it was the scary good efficiency. He was just an out machine, seemingly an endless stream of 7-8 pitch innings--obviously, the very fact of the jump to MLB is going to make him less of a machine, but I've been somewhat surprised to just not have noticed that kind of efficiency really at all. But I'm definitely willing to attribute a great deal of that to the iregular work--his first stint was a joke. He impresed in Boston, and then Girardi, IMHO, mismanaged that Angels game terribly and put him in just an awful spot that he really should't have been tossed into (the Gary Matthews bases load clearing double). Abd then you never saw him again. I will say I'm certainly encouraged that as he got incrementally more chances in the second stint, he certainly pitched better (referring to the time after the two weeks you never saw him after he struggled in Anaheim). At the same time, maybe others disagree, maybe I just don't have the eye for it, but I've yet to see a devestating curve. I've seen some good ones, particularly in Detroit when he was first up, but not the plus plus pitch I'd heard about. I do like the fastball I'm seeing though, 93 and everything moves, that's the kind of fastball that allows you to really work efficiently, so long as you command it--and I do trust that eventually Melancon will exhibit the outstanding command he's shown at Triple A. I think I managed to totally reverse positions between posts here. "Disappointed" was too strong-"jury's out, but nice potential" is probably more accurate. Oh as am I, and I agree with the Honorable Congressman below, that alot of it is MSM/Yankee organizational hype. I freely admit that I’d never seen Melancon pitch before his Boston debut. And saying “disappointed” is probably going way too far given the sample size, because I usually know better than to buy into the “next Mo” or “next Joba.”

Part of it no doubt is just making the jump for the first time, but in just looking at Melancon’s triple A numbers, it wasn’t the K/9 and H/9 peripherals that I really noted, even though they were great–rather, it was the scary good efficiency. He was just an out machine, seemingly an endless stream of 7-8 pitch innings–obviously, the very fact of the jump to MLB is going to make him less of a machine, but I’ve been somewhat surprised to just not have noticed that kind of efficiency really at all. But I’m definitely willing to attribute a great deal of that to the iregular work–his first stint was a joke. He impresed in Boston, and then Girardi, IMHO, mismanaged that Angels game terribly and put him in just an awful spot that he really should’t have been tossed into (the Gary Matthews bases load clearing double). Abd then you never saw him again.

I will say I’m certainly encouraged that as he got incrementally more chances in the second stint, he certainly pitched better (referring to the time after the two weeks you never saw him after he struggled in Anaheim).

At the same time, maybe others disagree, maybe I just don’t have the eye for it, but I’ve yet to see a devestating curve. I’ve seen some good ones, particularly in Detroit when he was first up, but not the plus plus pitch I’d heard about. I do like the fastball I’m seeing though, 93 and everything moves, that’s the kind of fastball that allows you to really work efficiently, so long as you command it–and I do trust that eventually Melancon will exhibit the outstanding command he’s shown at Triple A.

I think I managed to totally reverse positions between posts here. “Disappointed” was too strong-”jury’s out, but nice potential” is probably more accurate.

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