Long Ball Hurting Matusz

[Tony-OH]

I will also add this: Matusz's 6 starts in the AFL this fall basically count as AA experience, and in a way moving him to Frederick would be having him take a step backwards.

Now, you could have said the same about Arrieta, but the situation was a little different because (1) he was used exclusively as a reliever in the AFL, and (2) we already had a full rotation at Bowie.

I definitely agree with Tony that if Matusz goes to Frederick at all, it should only be for 1-2 months unless there are unforeseen problems. We don't want Matusz to be in Frederick through the minor league all-star break.

The other thing about Arrieta was the fact that he was mainly a two-pitch pitcher who needed to work on his changeup. Matusz is supposedly alreadya three to four pitch guy. Matusz should be more advanced than Arrieta going into pro ball next year.

[Three Run Homer]

You're right, it would not be the worse thing for him to get his feet wet at High-A, but Stockstill generally doesn't promote this way and prefers to have guys in a league for at least half of a season. I would really hate to see him dominating High-A batters for 10-12 starts when he could have been more challenged at Double-A.

Matusz should go to Bowie, and Stockstill should go to Palookaville.

Unfortunately, Angelos seems to have Stockstill's back, according to our insiders, and Arietta started in Frederick after pitching better in the AFL in 07 than Matusz did in 08. So it's hard for me to see how Matusz starts anywhere but Frederick.

[slappy12]

I'm going to duck for cover after I type this, but I think Tillman should probably start out at AA again [running away quickly....]

I don't see that benefitting Tillman much. Couldn't he work out his kinks at Norfolk where there are better hitters?

[Stotle]

I don't see that benefitting Tillman much. Couldn't he work out his kinks at Norfolk where there are better hitters?

He's young for his level and while he was very impressive, he wasn't necessarily regularly dominant. Let him start the season in AA working on his various "kinks" and promote him when he forces the issue with his performance.

Personally, I like for prospects to experience and recognize what it is to dominate the competition. Now there are instances where you don't have that luxury -- where the good of the organization demands that player X be promoted because he's capable of succeeding at the next level.

Keeping Tillman at AA allows him to contiue to face competition that is on par with his developmental level and wouldn't prevent him from making an ML appearance in 2010 if he does well. Why not build the complete player rather than rolling the dice that the player will be able to fill-in the holes along the way as he's promoted?

Just personal preference.

[wickedwitch]

Matusz should go to Bowie, and Stockstill should go to Palookaville.

Unfortunately, Angelos seems to have Stockstill's back, according to our insiders, and Arietta started in Frederick after pitching better in the AFL in 07 than Matusz did in 08. So it's hard for me to see how Matusz starts anywhere but Frederick.

Relievers, which Arrieta was, have much lower ERAs on average than starters. There's no way to say who pitched better.