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Dan Connolly: Gunkel Love


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http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/01/12/minor-league-podcast-gunkel-talks-mincamp-40-man-roster-2017-hopes/

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The Orioles completed their three-day minicamp Wednesday in Sarasota, Fla., and one of the participants was right-hander Joe Gunkel.

The 25-year-old Gunkel has been in the Orioles’ organization since he was traded by the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Alejandro De Aza in June 2015.

This has been a big offseason for Gunkel, who was added to the Orioles’ 40-man roster in November, and now will be part of big-league spring training camp.

He talks about that honor, about the recent mini-camp experience and about meeting new Orioles pitching coach Roger McDowell in the newest segment of our “Minor League Podcast with Adam Pohl.”

Pohl, the voice of the Double-A Bowie Baysox, announced plenty of games pitched by Gunkel in the past two years, and the two discuss Gunkel’s progression through the minors.

Listen to the Podcast as well!

 

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1 hour ago, Frobby said:

I don't find Gunkel too inspiring.   I like the fact that he doesn't walk batters (1.1 per 9 last year), but that's about all I see to like.   

Gunkel is an interesting stat guy to follow. I was once told by baseball GM that their research indicated K:BB ratio is the most important factor for analyzing minor stats when trying to determine if pitchers will be successful in the majors. Gunkle's 5.19 K/BB was the best in the organization with anyone with 75 or more innings pitched. Even though the rest of his stats are pedestrian at best, and few scouts seems to think he's more than a long reliever/emergency starter guy, it will be interesting to see how he does.

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3 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Gunkel is an interesting stat guy to follow. I was once told by baseball GM that their research indicated K:BB ratio is the most important factor for analyzing minor stats when trying to determine if pitchers will be successful in the majors. Gunkle's 5.19 K/BB was the best in the organization with anyone with 75 or more innings pitched. Even though the rest of his stats are pedestrian at best, and few scouts seems to think he's more than a long reliever/emergency starter guy, it will be interesting to see how he does.

I like K/BB, but preferably with a higher K rate to start with.    If Gunkel was at 8.0 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9, that would still be a 5.0 K/BB but it would be much more impressive.    Gunkel's H/9 is not very good, so despite the low BB/9, his WHIP is just OK.

That said, I listened to the interview, and he's an intelligent young guy.    

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In the past couple years, I've moved from K/BB to K%-BB% as a favorite quick dominance/command indicator.

A low K control artist might run a 18% K and 3% BB rate, and look better by K/BB than someone with a 28% K and 6% BB rate, but the second guy's a lot closer to being a star.  And even better are ones that incorporate pop-up percentage because that is enough of a pitcher skill and the ball in play type is basically equal to a strikeout.

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5 hours ago, Frobby said:

I like K/BB, but preferably with a higher K rate to start with.    If Gunkel was at 8.0 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9, that would still be a 5.0 K/BB but it would be much more impressive.    Gunkel's H/9 is not very good, so despite the low BB/9, his WHIP is just OK.

That said, I listened to the interview, and he's an intelligent young guy.    

I agree that a higher K rate and a similar K/BB ratio would be a better sign, but the ratio he has shown is a positive. I can't put too much stock into his WHIP overall or H/9 because he is playing with a minor league defense. The Orioles defense definitely could turn some of those hits into outs. He is facing minor league hitters, but his good K:BB ratio shows he has good command of his pitches. Similar to how scouts say a strong OBP in the minors is a good sign for MLB potential. If you have a good eye and command of the strikezone that carries over to the big leagues.

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On 1/12/2017 at 11:14 AM, Frobby said:

I like K/BB, but preferably with a higher K rate to start with.    If Gunkel was at 8.0 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9, that would still be a 5.0 K/BB but it would be much more impressive.    Gunkel's H/9 is not very good, so despite the low BB/9, his WHIP is just OK.

That said, I listened to the interview, and he's an intelligent young guy.    

Agree on all points. Remember, Gunkle didn't make my top 25 so I'm not that high on. I do however want to follow his progress closely to see if his numbers will translate to some kind of major league success. I do know one scout who thinks he could get a jump in stuff if he goes to the pen so there's that as well.

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On 1/12/2017 at 9:20 AM, Frobby said:

I don't find Gunkel too inspiring.   I like the fact that he doesn't walk batters (1.1 per 9 last year), but that's about all I see to like.   

I can't think of Gunkel without thinking of Josh Towers.  1.2 BB/9 helps ease the sting of the 500-ft homers.  Many of them are solo shots.

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