Crow v. Matusz

[Greg Pappas]

CROW
http://images.stltoday.com/stltoday/resources/crow322flash328.jpg

Vs.

MATUSZ
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/usd/sports/m-basebl/auto_wide/434650.jpeg

If the decision comes down to taking a pitcher for us at pick #4, whom do you prefer JJ take: Aaron Crow or Brian Matusz?

[Stotle]

If the decision comes down to taking a pitcher for us at pick #4, whom do you prefer JJ take: Aaron Crow or Brian Matusz?

Both were dominant yesterday. For me its easily Matusz. While Crow has looked better in recent weeks, I take Matusz's consistency, left-handedness, three plus pitches and strikeout totals.

[birdtown]

I would go with Matusz

A blurb from baseball america about the first round of regionals:

San Diego beat California 5-0 in the Long Beach regional behind a gem from ace lefthander Brian Matusz, who struck out 10 and walked one in a complete-game, three-hit shutout. BA’s Dave Perkin reports that Matusz held his 89-92 mph fastball deep into the game and showed exceptional command of that pitch and his three plus offspeed offerings. Cal starter Tyson Ross held USD scoreless into the sixth before beginning to tire, allowing one in the sixth and four in the seventh–three of them unearned. Perkin said Ross threw almost exclusively fastballs and sliders, throwing only a handful of changeups and not commanding them well.

[Greg Pappas]

Both were dominant yesterday. For me its easily Matusz. While Crow has looked better in recent weeks, I take Matusz's consistency, left-handedness, three plus pitches and strikeout totals.

We agree yet again, what's going on here? :D

I will add that his decision was a bit harder for me than you, but Matusz seems like a lock to pitch at the front of a rotation... whether as a #1, 2 or at worst 3..

[clapdiddy]

Wow, that game summary really makes me intrigued by Matusz. I didn't realize he was a three-pitch pitcher...that makes him a little more "draftable" to me by us.

Of course, he may not be there when we pick anyway...so the point could be moot. I am confident that we will pick the best available player at that slot, and we'll all be pretty happy with it in the long run.

[crawdad]

I think I prefer Matusz. He seems to be the complete package and a lefty. He also seems to have less issues with control than Crow. Control is just one of those things I think is difficult to project.

[markpolis]

We agree yet again, what's going on here? :D

I will add that his decision was a bit harder for me than you, but Matusz seems like a lock to pitch at the front of a rotation... whether as a #1, 2 or at worst 3..

Matusz for me too, although I was quite impressed with Crow's stuff yesterday. Not just his fastball, but his command of his slider and changeup. Crow throws free and easy, where Matusz continues to land with his front leg a bit stiff. Just a minor correction that will help him stay healthy.

Both pitchers look like they can be front of the rotation starters. I guess I'm still leaning towards Matusz because his secondary pitches are major league caliber right now, but it's much closer for me than it was three weeks ago.

[ChaosLex]

Matusz's "violent" delivery REALLY scares me.

[markpolis]

Matusz's "violent" delivery REALLY scares me.

I wouldn't characterize it as violent, but he does need to make a slight adjustment to get better extension on his front leg.

[NoVaO]

Crow and this I would characterize this as a pretty easy decision.

If Crow stays healthy, his upside is as a legit number one starter, something Matusz cannot match.

[NoVaO]

I think I prefer Matusz. He seems to be the complete package and a lefty. He also seems to have less issues with control than Crow. Control is just one of those things I think is difficult to project.

I'm just curious since I see this said at times in regards to Crow's control, but where are the reports that have Crow's control being problematic? He has excellent fastball command, and while the command of his breaking stuff is not up to the level of his fastball command, it still is very solid overall.

His BB/9 this year I believe is below three though I don't have the exact numbers on hand.

[Stotle]

I'm just curious since I see this said at times in regards to Crow's control, but where are the reports that have Crow's control being problematic? He has excellent fastball command, and while the command of his breaking stuff is not up to the level of his fastball command, it still is very solid overall.

His BB/9 this year I believe is below three though I don't have the exact numbers on hand.

Just an example...

Lines from Friday:

Matusz -- 9 IP, o ER, 3 H, 10 SO, 1 BB
Crow -- 9 IP, o ER, 3 H, 10 SO, 5 BB

While this is just one example, I believe it's safe to say Matusz's command over his three plus-pitches is more advanced than that of Crow over his arsenal.

[Greg Pappas]

Current Statistics...

Crow> 107 IP, 2.35 ERA, 85 Hits, 38 BB's, 127 K's

Matusz> 105 IP, 1.71 ERA, 83 Hits, 22 BB's, 141 K's

FWIW, Boyd's (http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/isr/currentisr.html) Strength of Schedule Update has San Diego 20th and Missouri 42nd toughest...

[markpolis]

Matusz is as polished a college pitcher you are going to see. Crow will need to work on his secondary pitches at the next level. Right now, Crow just blows away college hitters with his fastball. He sprinkles in his slider, curve and changeup and the college hitters look lost because they are trying their best to catch up with the fastball. At the next level, professional ballplayers will be able to hit his fastball. Crow will need to command his secondary pitches much better in the pros or he will get rocked.

The best thing that has happened this week is that Matusz and Crow were "lights out" in their first appearance in the Regionals. Hopefully, the Pirates and Royals took notice. I think one of those teams (if not both) may select Matusz and Crow. There is a very good chance the Royals, at #3, will take the local product Crow. Because of this, Alvarez or T. Beckham may fall to us at #4.

[WV O's]

Does BM's fastball top out at 92mph? If so...bummer. He would have to have exquisite (sp?) control with that fastball to be a #1.

Give me alverez, hosmer or smoak.

[Greg Pappas]

Does BM's fastball top out at 92mph? If so...bummer. He would have to have exquisite (sp?) control with that fastball to be a #1.

Give me alverez, hosmer or smoak.

Matusz can touch 94 when needed, but he pitches at 89-91 normally. Throwing a FB at 92 is enough of a FB to keep teams honest while he carves them up with precision secondary offerings. :)

[OsandBohs11]

I will take secret option number 3! Gordon Beckham I am quite high on. I think a franchise SS that will be up quickly is the way to go. Granted if Alvarez is there I would take him first but if not GB is the way to go IMO. He mashed in college and his power could definitely develop. I would like to see the O's snag him at #4. I don't think he will be the best player available but I don't think that it is enough of a difference that it will matter.

[NoVaO]

Just an example...

Lines from Friday:

Matusz -- 9 IP, o ER, 3 H, 10 SO, 1 BB
Crow -- 9 IP, o ER, 3 H, 10 SO, 5 BB

While this is just one example, I believe it's safe to say Matusz's command over his three plus-pitches is more advanced than that of Crow over his arsenal.

I wouldn't consider Matusz's fastball a plus pitch. But I would concede Matusz has better command of his breaking stuff.

I would also point out how often Matusz throws his breaking/offspeed stuff, which I do think makes his numbers look better than they would otherwise against higher competition simply because the hitters at the lower levels often have a much tougher time hitting breaking stuff than a fastball, no matter how good each pitch is.

[Stotle]

I wouldn't consider Matusz's fastball a plus pitch. But I would concede Matusz has better command of his breaking stuff.

I would also point out how often Matusz throws his breaking/offspeed stuff, which I do think makes his numbers look better than they would otherwise against higher competition simply because the hitters at the lower levels often have a much tougher time hitting breaking stuff than a fastball, no matter how good each pitch is.

That's fair. His fastball probably is not plus, but it pitches up due to superior command. I don't have as big a problem with him pitching off his breaking stuff. It isn't like he's throwing in the mid-80s with his FB -- it's low-90's. In fact, I'd argue that pitching off of his breaking stuff and his plus changeup allows his FB to play as if it's a mid-90's FB, since hitters have to look offspeed.

He needs to lengthen his stride and drive with his FB, which I think he can learn to do, and he'll settle in as a very good #2.

Just my thoughts...nice post.

[NoVaO]

That's fair. His fastball probably is not plus, but it pitches up due to superior command. I don't have as big a problem with him pitching off his breaking stuff. It isn't like he's throwing in the mid-80s with his FB -- it's low-90's. In fact, I'd argue that pitching off of his breaking stuff and his plus changeup allows his FB to play as if it's a mid-90's FB, since hitters have to look offspeed.

He needs to lengthen his stride and drive with his FB, which I think he can learn to do, and he'll settle in as a very good #2.

Just my thoughts...nice post.

True...though I will counter (and you already note this in your post) that unless he does make the proper adjustments, his fastball plays slower than the 92 mph on the radar gun indicates.

It just seems you have a little higher of an opinion on Matusz (while I am higher on Crow, who I think can become a #1-type starter). I see him more as a #3 with some upside to become a #2, while I definitely see Crow as the pitcher, health not withstanding, who will go on to have a better career.

[Stotle]

True...though I will counter (and you already note this in your post) that unless he does make the proper adjustments, his fastball plays slower than the 92 mph on the radar gun indicates.

It just seems you have a little higher of an opinion on Matusz (while I am higher on Crow, who I think can become a #1-type starter). I see him more as a #3 with some upside to become a #2, while I definitely see Crow as the pitcher, health not withstanding, who will go on to have a better career.

I think the fastball "playing down" because of his shorter stride is fair. I think it's just hard for scouts to get a handle on him because it's so rare to have a pitcher who is better with his "seondary stuff", to the point where his fastball is actually his secondary stuff. I view him as a poor man's Buchholz --obviously because Buchholz has so much more on his FB. They are similar in that they are most comfortable, and effective, with their CB/CH/SL. I don't see Matusz matching Buchholz's upside, but I think he will continue to thrive with his offspeed stuff, much like Buchholz has. Whoever drafts him should extend his stride a little, add 2-3 MPH on his FB, and he should be a safe #2. The fact that up to the stride he is so smooth and compact should make the adjustment easier to make.