T.J. McFarland Today, 2013

[OFFNY]

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T.J. McFARLAND O (vs. TWINS, 4/06) . * OO**

IP:. 3.33

H:o 1

R:O 0

BB: 0

SO: 5

Pitches: 40 (28 Strikes, 12 Balls)

2013 ERA: 0.00

* McFarland's 2013 Season Debut

** McFarland's Major League Debut

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[bluedog]

Also his major league debut.

[OFFNY]

Also his major league debut.

OK, thanks.

[atomic]

He might be starting before long if he keeps pitching like that.

[section18]

This was the first time I've seen him pitch. He looked sharp and went after the hitters. His pitches seemed to fool the Twins hitters as a lot of them seemed to be out of the zone (on the corners, high or low) but they chased them.

[scottbbfm]

Really really liked him. Worked quickly (particularly for a lefty), threw strikes. Like a lot of pitchers making their debuts, if they throw strikes, they can find success. The trick is to maintain that success once there is more film on you and hitters have seen you once.

[Say O!]

Was hoping his fastball might gain a few ticks coming out of the 'pen, but alas no. Works fast, throws strikes, keeps the ball down...but I'm not sure he can turn over a lineup enough to be a full-time starter. Looks like the perfect kind of long-man to me...

[bdlj0887]

Was hoping his fastball might gain a few ticks coming out of the 'pen, but alas no. Works fast, throws strikes, keeps the ball down...but I'm not sure he can turn over a lineup enough to be a full-time starter. Looks like the perfect kind of long-man to me...

Longman/Swingman seems like his destiny, but I think he could be effective in the role.

[atomic]

Was hoping his fastball might gain a few ticks coming out of the 'pen, but alas no. Works fast, throws strikes, keeps the ball down...but I'm not sure he can turn over a lineup enough to be a full-time starter. Looks like the perfect kind of long-man to me...

What is everyone's obsession with speed. He looked like a great pitcher. I wonder what people did before radar guns? Actually see the results on the fields, I suppose.

[CharmCityHokie]

What is everyone's obsession with speed. He looked like a great pitcher. I wonder what people did before radar guns? Actually see the results on the fields, I suppose.

Probably what they did before every team had every pitch thrown by an opponent on video so they could watch it over and over again from multiple angles and figure out how to exploit it. I'm not saying he's doomed because he's throwing 87 MPH, but in a game played by the best out there, every advantage can help, which includes more velocity.

[atomic]

Probably what they did before every team had every pitch thrown by an opponent on video so they could watch it over and over again from multiple angles and figure out how to exploit it. I'm not saying he's doomed because he's throwing 87 MPH, but in a game played by the best out there, every advantage can help, which includes more velocity.

It is not like there is not starting pitchers and especially left hand pitchers who haven't been successful throwing the same speed as him. Mark Buerhle comes to mind off the top of my head. Barry Zito and Jamie Moyer. And the Orioles have had a bunch of hard throwers who couldn't get anyone out.

I think TJ and Steve Johnson are better options than Arrieta. At least we know Arrieta can't pitch at the big leagues. Give those guys a chance to show whether they can't be successful without worrying about their pitch speed all the time.

[Frobby]

Really really liked him. Worked quickly (particularly for a lefty)

Do lefties tend to work slower than righties? I have to admit, I've never noticed.

[mdbdotcom]

It's refreshing to see a pitcher keep it simple and execute his pitches.

[sfosfan]

I've definitely seen enough of TJ to warrant keeping him on the team, even with having two other lefties already in the pen. TJ can be solid for 2 or even 3 innings which is perfect. I just wish we had a righty that could do that. Steve Johnson yes, but he could very well end up in the rotation if Arrieta keeps it up. It's really nice to have one or two guys who go from bullpen to occasional starter, even more so when one is a righty and the other is a lefty.

[OFFNY]

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T.J. McFARLAND O (vs. YANKEES, 4/14)

IP:. 2

H:o 1

R:O 0

BB: 1

SO: 3

Pitches: 27 (17 Strikes, 10 Balls)

2013 ERA: 0.00