Would it be wise for the Giants to send Tim Lincecum back to AAA when Ortiz comes off the DL?
Question:Lincecum has pitched 18.1 innings and has 21 K's. He was lights out against Houston. His line, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K. I say he's ready enough, let him continue to learn at the major league level.
Answers:
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Lincecums' stats, year-to-date: In 18 1/3 IP he has allowed 14 hits, and has given up 7 BB's. He has 21 K's, for a K:BB ratio of 3:1. A ratio I like to use, to gauge a pitcher's dominance (or lack thereof) is walks (BB) AND hits (H) divided by strikeouts (K) For a formula of; BB+H / K . If a starting pitcher's BBHK is 2.00 or under, he's having a very good year. If his BBHK is 1.00 or under; he's WELL on his way to elite status; possibly even Hall of Fame status. Oh, btw, Lincecum's BBHK ratio is 21/21 which of course, equals 1/1 Just to compare, Roy Oswalt's BBHK thus far in '07 is 81/47 or 1.72. Russ Ortiz, whom Lincecum is trying to supplant in the starting rotation, has a BBHK of 2.83.To use more conventional stats, Lincecum now has a record of 1-0 with an ERA of 3.44, and a WHIP of 1.15 . Very solid numbers there. But when we go back to Lincecum's first career start (vs. PHI) I recall Jimmy Rollins, a sure-fire all-star SS this year, singling to lead off the game. Lincecum got a 2-strike count on the next batter, Shane Victorino, then hung a curve ball about chest-high, which Victorino tomahawked into the cheap seats. It was 2-0 Philly, no outs, and Chase Utley due up. Lincecum struck him out. Next up, NL MVP Ryan Howard; Lincecum struck him out. After a walk to Pat Burrell, Timmy-Lin K'd the red-hot Aaron Rowand to end the inning.
Lincecum had a 1-2-3 second inning, then struck out Rollins to start the top of the third; after a ground out off the bat of Victorino, Lincecum had another mental lapse; he walked Utley. Ryan Howard was sure to make him PAY this time, smashing a 2-Run HR into McCovey cove, for a 4-3 Philly lead after 2 1/2 innings. In the top of the fourth, Lincecum again abused the bottom third of the Philly lineup, and thus, took a 4-3 defecit into the home half of the fourth. Then, in the fifth, all hell broke loose; Victorino singled to lead off the inning. Victorino then attempted to steal second, but apparently decided to take the scenic route; the catcher's throw would have clearly beaten the runner, and Omar Vizquel had the bag covered. The relay was perfect; problem was, Victorino, instead of sliding, or perhaps trying to run over the SS, headed off in a North-Westerly direction going as far as the outfield grass, before pivoting, and dashing back IN, towards the bag, which was now blocked by Vizquel. SS applied tag. Umpire awards Victorino 2nd-Base, citing "obstruction" on the part of Vizquel. Victorino took second despite much arguing from Bochy, who said later he'd never seen that. Victorino scored on Aaron Rowand's sacrifice fly.
"They changed (the rule) this year where the runner can make his own baseline," Vizquel said of the explanation he received. Apparently if that baseline leads off into the San Franciso Bay, the runner, as well as the SS or 2B trying to apply the tag better have swimming trunks under those uni's.
With first base now open, Utley flied out to deep left field, then Howard was intentionally walked; men on 1st and 2nd now. With the game in the balance, Lincecum then UN-intentionally walked Pat Burrell, to load the bases. That would be his last batter of the game. He was relieved by Vinnie Chulk, who promptly got Aaron Rowand; on a Sac-Fly; Victorino scored the un-earned run. Chulk struck out Wes Helms to end the inning with SF down by only a 5-3 score. But against Cole Hamels, the Phillies ace, the Giants couldnt get past Philly. Of course, to help kinda' EASE his rookie phenom into the lineup, Bruce Bochy decided to rest Barry Bonds that night (on Nat'L TV, no less) Bonds could not/did not even pinch hit in the Giants' 8-5 loss. I know I'm running long here, so I'll finish strong, and fast. Tim Lincecum really had VERY, VERY little, to NO chance that night. His first career game. National TV audience. Facing not only one of the most potent lineups in the NL, but facing the ACE OF THEIR STAFF, as well! Bruce Bochy should be publically flogged for throwing the kid into the fire (or is it, under the bus?) like that. Now, toss out that game, and look at Lincecum's Y-T-D fig's; 14 IP, 9Hits, 2 Walks, allowed. A total of 2 ER's in those 14 IP's, with 16 K's. That's an ERA of
1.29 and a WHIP of .079 I rest my case here. Ortiz is a journeyman at best, a simple hack at worst. If given the chance, I feel Tiny Tim could set some records, and maybe even help those Giants back to the World Series, along the way. This Kid's gonna be a GREAT pitcher. He needs to stay up at this level, and Ortiz needs to go sign with Baltimore or Atlanta again. At least there, he won't have to compete with the "Next Roger Clemens"! (sorry for the long post; I was just so interested in this, I HAD to present all the facts)
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They were trying not to bring up Lincecum if they could help it, but his dominance in AAA along with injuries and struggles to the pitching staff, they had no choice but to bring him up. Like most lights out pitchers in the minors, Lincecum is baffling hitters because he is new. Look what happened to Lowry, after an amazing rookie year its taken 2 long years to get back to that form this year. So its hard to say.Now that he is up, I say use him, but do not overwork him. He's a great young pitcher where the sky's the limit, use him wisely don't ruin his career.
Since they brought him up, they can send down spot starter Jonathan Sanchez who has been struggling bad.
He's good, no doubt about that. It's high-risk putting him in the rotation full-time, though. I know Ortiz has been crap for the past few seasons, but when he gets back Lincecum should throw in the bullpen for a month or two. He needs more experience with major league hitters...they can be damn relentless. But in the end, I'm glad he's on my team and not the other guys--we might just need him in the end of the line-up come August and September.
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Lincecum needs to be on whichever club has a better pitching coach to teach him the mental aspect of professional pitching. He's got the goods to be a dominate pitcher for years too come, but you can definetly tell that he needs to get better at knowing weaknesses, strengths, situational pitching, all that... I know it will come with experience, but since he's good enough to start for the Giants THIS YEAR, that's why he needs to be on the team with the best coach! If he wasn't ready to start, maybe a reliever you could just send him to AAA, but you need to get him good training, fast, and get him back out there! HELL if Nolan Ryan was coaching there A team, I'd send him down there!More Questions & Answers...