5/12: Pham K's 11

[cboemmeljr]

MINOR LEAGUE GAME SUMMARIES

[Frobby]

I thought about starting an Alex Pham thread, but I’ll just post some thoughts here.  He got knocked around in his first appearance of the year (3.1 IP, 7 R, 4 ER).  Since then, he’s allowed one run in his last five appearances combined, the last four of which were scoreless.  Yesterday was his first really big strikeout day, but he’s had more strikeouts than IP in all 6 of his appearances.  He’s allowed fewer hits than IP in every appearance except that first one, and in his last two, allowed only one hit in 5 innings. 

In short, Pham is firmly on my radar screen now.  If he can stay steady the next 4-6 starts, I think a promotion to Bowie may be in order.  
 

[Mooreisbetter27]

I don’t know anything about the guy. Looks like he was 19th round in 21. Signed for 25k and must’ve signed late because that’s not even listed on our draft tracker.

Already 23. Gotta love the 13.11 k/9. Will be following him. 

[RZNJ]

The Orioles seem to be good at teaching mediocre (and good prospects) prospects how to strike guys out at the lower levels.    I don't think Federman, Pham, etc. are prospects but they have moments when they have big strikeout games.

[Frobby]

17 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

The Orioles seem to be good at teaching mediocre (and good prospects) prospects how to strike guys out at the lower levels.    I don't think Federman, Pham, etc. are prospects but they have moments when they have big strikeout games.

I’m putting a bit more stock in Pham than I am in Federman and some of the others.   At 23, he’s not terribly old for Aberdeen.  Like I said, if he has a good 4-6 weeks he could find himself in Bowie, and then he becomes interesting.  

[RZNJ]

3 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I’m putting a bit more stock in Pham than I am in Federman and some of the others.   At 23, he’s not terribly old for Aberdeen.  Like I said, if he has a good 4-6 weeks he could find himself in Bowie, and then he becomes interesting.  

Ok.  I watched him pitch once on milb.tv and he didn't look like he had anything, but he must have something to get 11 K's in 5 innings.

[Frobby]

Just now, RZNJ said:

Ok.  I watched him pitch once on milb.tv and he didn't look like he had anything, but he must have something to get 11 K's in 5 innings.

I’m purely scouting the stat line.  Would be interested to know if @Tony-OHhas seen Pham this year and has any opinion.  

[DanS]

I was at the game.  Pham was dominating the whole night.  I don't recall even any loud outs.  He didn't light up the radar gun.  I only saw fastballs around 90 to 91, although I only checked occasionally.  I'm certainly no scout, but to my untrained eye, I also didn't see great movement on the off speed stuff.  The hitters couldn't make contact, but I couldn't see why he was so tough to hit.  When Virbitksy came in later, you could hear him popping the mitt louder than Pham, but both Virbitsky and Heid got rocked by the opposing team.  Maybe Pham is just a deceptive guy who mixed his pitches well and hits his spots.  I'm also curious if @Tony-OH thinks his stuff will play at higher levels.

[Tony-OH]

On 5/13/2023 at 10:27 AM, Frobby said:

I’m purely scouting the stat line.  Would be interested to know if @Tony-OHhas seen Pham this year and has any opinion.  

 

3 hours ago, DanS said:

I was at the game.  Pham was dominating the whole night.  I don't recall even any loud outs.  He didn't light up the radar gun.  I only saw fastballs around 90 to 91, although I only checked occasionally.  I'm certainly no scout, but to my untrained eye, I also didn't see great movement on the off speed stuff.  The hitters couldn't make contact, but I couldn't see why he was so tough to hit.  When Virbitksy came in later, you could hear him popping the mitt louder than Pham, but both Virbitsky and Heid got rocked by the opposing team.  Maybe Pham is just a deceptive guy who mixed his pitches well and hits his spots.  I'm also curious if @Tony-OH thinks his stuff will play at higher levels.

Never really been on my radar because of the lack of fastball velocity. He's a guy that has to prove it at every level or suddenly show big strikeout numbers against upper level hitters before I'd start to pay attention.

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, DanS said:

When Virbitksy came in later, you could hear him popping the mitt louder than Pham, but both Virbitsky and Heid got rocked by the opposing team.  

On a side note: Virbitsky has been terrible.  22 earned runs in 16.2 IP, WHIP over 2.00, 7 BB/9.  He’s been awful pretty much every time he’s taken the mound.