A case for Chorye Spoone

[RZNJ]

Being possibly our second best minor league pitcher after Garrett Olson. Better than Penn? Better than Erbe? Better than Liz? Better than Beato, Bascom, and whoever else? You betcha. Sure, Erbe and Liz probably have higher ceilings but Spoone has something going for him. He's an extreme groundball pitcher who also gets strikeouts. I've heard that's good. After tonight's (8/4) complete game victory, the 21 year old Spoone ranks top 5 in the Carolina League in IP, WHIP, SO, and ERA. And while Liz & Erbe can bring mid to high 90's heat, Spoone, from what's been reported, is no slouch when it comes to velocity either. While Spoone walked 80 in 129 IP at Delmarva last year, that figure now stands at 56 in 123 IP with Frederick, and just 21 walks in 55 IP, post all-star break. Spoone has improved while jumping a level. What a welcome change. Spoone had a 1.76 Ground ball ration last year. That's pretty good. This year it's 2.75. So it's improved, and yet his strikeout rate has improved also, while his walk rate has decreased significantly. IMO, Chorye Spoone is a prospect on the move, and in the right direction too. UP!

[YardBirds13]

Having worked with a Carolina League team this summer, I've gotten to see every team in the league multiple times, and Spoone is probably one of the 2 or 3 best I've seen.

Obviously Erbe is still young, and has struggled this year, but Spoone was by far the most impressive out of Frederick's starters that I saw this year. He actually took a no-hitter into the 8th inning in a game I saw this year. I'm with you RZ, I think Spoone is a guy to keep an eye on.

[AVencill]

Tell ya what, I've got Spoone at #3, maybe #4 if you put Hoey ahead. But right now he’s behind Olson and Liz. Olson is an MLB-ready arm. Liz hits 98 in his sleep and his slider is sharp. I'm hoping to go catch Liz whenever Frederick goes on the road and Bowie returns home. Spoone is in a world of his own right now in Frederick, and if he ends this season the way he's pitched since the all-star break, he's going to turn a few heads next year in ST. Spoone's command issues have gone down greatly as evidenced by 25 less walks in basically one less start (129 IP in ’06 to 123 in ’07). He’s sidestepped the frustration on the mound, and he’s pitched out of jams in the early part of this season. He’s really shown a ton of maturity this season, and he’s grown up as the season’s gone on. Sure Erbe, Berken and Hernandez have regressed a little bit as they’ve all collectively hit bumps in the road at the same time, but Spoone has really evolved. Maybe the coaching has screwed with the three that have struggled, but at the same time I better understand the relationship between one player and his manager and pitching coach. I’ll share some quotes from both of those men maybe tomorrow or Monday. It’s not a diss to Erbe, Berken, and Hernandez, they’ve all shined at some point this season, and I’m sure they’ll shine again as the season winds down.

[NoVaO]

I agree. He is certainly a very under-the-radar prospect.

There are a lot of intriguing things about him. As mentioned, the first thing that jumps out is the ground balls. The Ks are an added bonus as you don't usually see GB pitchers strike out that many hitters.

To expand on the GB, RZ is using the MiLB numbers, which are just for outs, last year he threw a GB 60% of the time and this year he is at 64%. His GB:FB ratio this year is 2.79 compared to 2.33 last year. Also a good sign, he is tough to hit and center the ball against it seem. He gave up LDs in just 10.6% of his batted balls last year and its at just 8.6% this year.

His control has improved every month (5.48, 4.91, 3.90, 3.38).

I wonder how far off the comparisons to Brandon Webb would be:

1. Both 8th Round picks
2. Both had some sort of "makeup" problems heading into their drafts
3. Both around 6'2, 220
4. Both extreme GB pitchers (though my guess is that Webb threw more ground balls)

Statistical Comparison:
Webb:
22, A+ - 9.65 H/9, .50 HR/9, 2.44 W/9, 8.76 K/9
23, AA - 8.35 H/9, .24 HR/9, 3.49 W/9, 7.22 K/9

Spoone:
20, A - 8.23 H/9, .35 HR/9, 5.58 W/9, 6.28 K/9
21, A+ - 6.29 H/9, .59 HR/9, 4.10 W/9, 7.39 K/9

Spoone is a year younger at Webb's A+ level. Obviously Webb has the better control, but I think the K numbers even up eventually as Spoone progresses.

I'll point out that BA didn't have Webb ranked in their top 10 until he was entering his 2003 season (the year he won rookie of the year I think) so he was under the radar for a while too.

I will also point out that Webb pitched in Lancaster (very heavy hitter's park) in A+, and was also a more polished college guy, while Spoone is out of high school.

As for his ranking, as of right now I see him in that 3-6 range, but I can't say for sure until I look more closely at some other players. In terms of the other pitchers, he is clearly in that 2nd, 3rd, or 4th slot. A case could be made for Erbe, Spoone, or Liz. Just depends on what you value more in a prospect.

[Tony-OH]

Here's some more feul for the fire:

After an outing earlier this year, Joe Jordan told me it was the best minor league pitching performce that he's seen from an Orioles minor league pitcher since he's been here. He basically said he would have been blanking big leaguers with that stuff.

He's easily in the top ten prospects right now....

[wayne25]

great post RZ. Yeah, they made a big deal out of his "lack of maturity" when he was drafted, but haven't heard a peep since then....Wow. What a quote from Jordan.

[AVencill]

Funny you should bring up the Top 10 Tony. After last night's game had ended, I stopped to look at the 2006 OH Prospect list and tried to compile where Spoone would end up. His progression this season, and the regression by 2006 prospects ahead of him, I had him just like you did, sitting pretty in the Top 10.

wayne25, if you read my feature on Spoone when the minor league season kicked off, Spoone talked about that. His lack of maturity stemmed from frustration on the mound. If he gave up a bomb, he'd start cussing and he would get flustered if he worked into a jam. A lot of what Blaine and Tommy have done is worked with him to control all that. If anyone saw Spoone last night, there was a play in the top of the sixth where a batter dropped a perfect bunt down the third base line. Chorye fielded it, but decided not to throw to first to get the runner and held onto the ball and walked back on the mound. Blaine was particularly impressed by this.

Chorye's a great guy with a great family support system behind him. He's really shown a lot of people that he's got the ML-caliber arsenal. With a half-dozen starts left, playoffs and possibly fall/winter ball, this guy is ready to turn heads down in Florida when spring training kicks off in 2008.

[Duke2010]

Well if Spoone is reaching into the top ten, and rightfully so, what about a guy like Bascom who has performed very well it the little time he has had?

[orioole28]

Well if Spoone is reaching into the top ten, and rightfully so, what about a guy like Bascom who has performed very well it the little time he has had?

Can't disagree with you, But wasn't Bergesen doing the same at Delmarva? You're giving him(Bascom) way too much credit. Yes he has dominated at LOW A ball. Lets see what he does at the next level before we give him top 10 status.

[JohnD]

I'd think Bascom is in the running.

At this point you figure Wieters, Rowell, Erbe, Reimold, Olson, Liz, and Snyder are locks.

After that, Spoone, Bascom, Henson, Kolodny, Bergesen, D. Hernandez, and Hoey are probably all under consideration, and that's just a list off the top of my head.

[Duke2010]

Can't disagree with you, But wasn't Bergesen doing the same at Delmarva? You're giving him(Bascom) way too much credit. Yes he has dominated at LOW A ball. Lets see what he does at the next level before we give him top 10 status.

Bergesen was doing the same in Delmarva after he repeated the level, where as this is Bascom's first go around in the league, so I'd like to hope that Bascom is much more prepared for pro ball, and hopefully more prepared to fly up the organizational ladder. I'm just happy right now that we are able to discuss 15-16 guys who are worthy of top ten contention, when before we were pretty dry on talent. Here's to hoping that Garrett Olsen loses his prospect status and frees up a spot for another young arm.

[Tony-OH]

I'd think Bascom is in the running.

At this point you figure Wieters, Rowell, Erbe, Reimold, Olson, Liz, and Snyder are locks.

After that, Spoone, Bascom, Henson, Kolodny, Bergesen, D. Hernandez, and Hoey are probably all under consideration, and that's just a list off the top of my head.


I try to stay out of these talks too much becasue people tend to run off and say I said so-and-so was a top prospect in August so why was he not in the top 10 after the season?

Well, in no particular order, I'd say that Rowell, Erbe, Olson, Reimold, Beato and Liz are locks for the top ten. Weiters is a lock if he signs.

Olson could still possibly get enough major league time to not be eligible, especially if the Orioles get off their butts and put him in the rotation like they should.

That means only Rowell, Erbe, Reimold, Beato and Liz are locks for the list right now. So who should be consideration as well?????

Spoone probably heads the list with Hoey, Bascom, Hensen, Bergesen and perhaps Zach Britton slipping in there with a strong finish. Hernandez could always slip in there if suddenly starts to pitch lights out down the stretch as well and Brandon Tripp could at least see considertaion, but I see him as a second tier guy right now until I see him do it at a higher level.

It's way too early in my opinion to put Kolodny in a top ten list regardless of his quick start with the GCL O's. He needs to prove to me he can hit more than glorified high school pitchers before we start annointing him a top prospect.

[blazer]

I try to stay out of these talks too much becasue people tend to run off and say I said so-and-so was a top prospect in August so why was he not in the top 10 after the season?

Well, in no particular order, I'd say that Rowell, Erbe, Olson, Reimold, Beato and Liz are locks for the top ten. Weiters is a lock if he signs.

Olson could still possibly get enough major league time to not be eligible, especially if the Orioles get off their butts and put him in the rotation like they should.

That means only Rowell, Erbe, Reimold, Beato and Liz are locks for the list right now. So who should be consideration as well?????

Spoone probably heads the list with Hoey, Bascom, Hensen, Bergesen and perhaps Zach Britton slipping in there with a strong finish. Hernandez could always slip in there if suddenly starts to pitch lights out down the stretch as well and Brandon Tripp could at least see considertaion, but I see him as a second tier guy right now until I see him do it at a higher level.

It's way too early in my opinion to put Kolodny in a top ten list regardless of his quick start with the GCL O's. He needs to prove to me he can hit more than glorified high school pitchers before we start annointing him a top prospect.

The only player I'm surprised not to see mentioned is Snyder. Was this an oversight or do you thing he is now a second tier player as well?

[oriole from cal]

I try to stay out of these talks too much becasue people tend to run off and say I said so-and-so was a top prospect in August so why was he not in the top 10 after the season?

Well, in no particular order, I'd say that Rowell, Erbe, Olson, Reimold, Beato and Liz are locks for the top ten. Weiters is a lock if he signs.

Olson could still possibly get enough major league time to not be eligible, especially if the Orioles get off their butts and put him in the rotation like they should.

That means only Rowell, Erbe, Reimold, Beato and Liz are locks for the list right now. So who should be consideration as well?????

Spoone probably heads the list with Hoey, Bascom, Hensen, Bergesen and perhaps Zach Britton slipping in there with a strong finish. Hernandez could always slip in there if suddenly starts to pitch lights out down the stretch as well and Brandon Tripp could at least see considertaion, but I see him as a second tier guy right now until I see him do it at a higher level.

It's way too early in my opinion to put Kolodny in a top ten list regardless of his quick start with the GCL O's. He needs to prove to me he can hit more than glorified high school pitchers before we start annointing him a top prospect.

Well he started August in a good way!! Lets see if he can finish strong, because I agree if he can go lights out for the month of August then he has chance to regain his status as one of the better prospects.

[hoosiers]

We had hoped that between DHernandez and Spoonye that one would break out nicely. I think both have had good seasons, but DHernandez ran out of gas after a nice start for the second year in a row. I think RZ makes an excellent case for Spoonye - who should move inside our top 10 based on performances so far and maybe close to the top 5, IMO.

I also think Snyder is worthy of the top 10. He was inside it last year and has done little to disappoint, IMO.

I guess I would go with Rowell, Erbe, Reimold, Liz, Beato, Snyder, Hoey, Bascom, Henson and Kolodny and assume Olson graduates. I know it's difficult to get excited about someone so far down as Kolodny, but he is really mashing and if he had been a top pick we'd have daily stories about his future greatness.

Bergesen, Britton, McCrory, DHernandez and Tripp, in no particular order, are next in line. I'm tempted to put Wieters ahead of Rowell when he signs and would also consider Arrietta for a place insider the top 10.

[Sports Guy]

He has to improve his control...His command rate is 1.8 and his BB rate is over 4...That doesn't translate well.

I would also like to see his K rate better as well.

However, as was pointed out...His control is improving and his GB/FB ratio is great, so there is a lot of potential there.

[Tony-OH]

The only player I'm surprised not to see mentioned is Snyder. Was this an oversight or do you thing he is now a second tier player as well?
Yep, right now I have Snyder still in the top ten. Thanks for catching my oversight.

[Tony-OH]

I know it's difficult to get excited about someone so far down as Kolodny, but he is really mashing and if he had been a top pick we'd have daily stories about his future greatness.

But it didn't stop you from putting him in your top ten, now did it? ;)

The fact is Kolodny is not a top draft choice and even if I buy into the fact that he was overlooked a bit due to some scheduling issues with some scouts, he's still a 19-year old, late round draft pick who had a nice start, but who now has come back down to earth.

His 24-9 K-BB ratio and 13 errors in 32 games at third base are also question marks.

Don't get me wrong, I like the guy's start to his career, but I think a few of you out there are getting way too excited, way too early about a guy who is pretty darn far away. IMO, there is no way he's even in consideration for top ten talk.

[orioole28]

We had hoped that between DHernandez and Spoonye that one would break out nicely. I think both have had good seasons, but DHernandez ran out of gas after a nice start for the second year in a row. I think RZ makes an excellent case for Spoonye - who should move inside our top 10 based on performances so far and maybe close to the top 5, IMO.

I also think Snyder is worthy of the top 10. He was inside it last year and has done little to disappoint, IMO.

I guess I would go with Rowell, Erbe, Reimold, Liz, Beato, Snyder, Hoey, Bascom, Henson and Kolodny and assume Olson graduates. I know it's difficult to get excited about someone so far down as Kolodny, but he is really mashing and if he had been a top pick we'd have daily stories about his future greatness.

Bergesen, Britton, McCrory, DHernandez and Tripp, in no particular order, are next in line. I'm tempted to put Wieters ahead of Rowell when he signs and would also consider Arrietta for a place insider the top 10.

I really don't think he ran out of gas more than I think he and his coaches didn't adjust during the course of the year. But if he has a strong August than you really can't say he ran out of gas. He needs a strong August.