Jordan Walden converted to a reliever

[Wes]

Sorry prospectors:

http://bit.ly/bT0lsi

Vote for FCB!

 

[Joshua.Roundtree]

When I read about this, it seemed as if I was reading about another Angels starting pitching prospect that was converted to a reliever because of his fastball/slider combo from 2002. That guy did pretty well for himself closing after one season as a set up guy. His name Francisco Rodriguez, aka K-Rod.

 

[Messier2]

I liked Walden even from way back in 2007 and I'm glad he's back up to 98+ on the gun...I'd rather he be a reliever and be on the "fast track" to the bigs than be a starter and get hurt again or worse!

 

[Jurgy25]

Boo

 

[All The Hype]

Sucks for prospectors when this happens, but it's surely the best thing for the organization.

If you have a big stash, I'd move as much as possible as soon as possible. If you only have one or two cards, especially if they are higher end, I'd hold out hoping for a solid appearance in his ML debut. It will probably happen sooner now that he is a reliever anyway.

 

[rainmanesq]

Why oh why must the angels do this? Blah. Oh well, @ least I didn’t have a big stash (don’t think I have any left as I flipped in/out of his cards).

 

[Mudcatsfan]

When I read about this, it seemed as if I was reading about another Angels starting pitching prospect that was converted to a reliever because of his fastball/slider combo from 2002. That guy did pretty well for himself closing after one season as a set up guy. His name Francisco Rodriguez, aka K-Rod.

Hmm, i thought you were gonna say Bobby Jenks.

 

[Mudcatsfan]

Curse of 2007 EEE.

First Joba, then Aumont, now Walden.

Expect to see Bumgarner warming up in the bullpen soon.

 

[bmc398]

Scherzer's cards jumped a ton when he came in as a reliever. This doesn't mean its over for his card values. Most guys are relievers because they don't have good stuff. Doesn't look like that is the case with this kid tho. If he can work his way into a setup or closer role, with the electric stuff he supposedly has you can still make money on him, just probably not as much as you initially hoped.

 

[Halonut]

whatever keeps him healthy and gets him to the bigs is okay with me. as for the reliever stigma, i think it is overblown...last i checked, neftali's cards were doing okay.

 

[Wes]

whatever keeps him healthy and gets him to the bigs is okay with me. as for the reliever stigma, i think it is overblown...last i checked, neftali's cards were doing okay.

Scherzer's cards jumped a ton when he came in as a reliever. This doesn't mean its over for his card values. Most guys are relievers because they don't have good stuff. Doesn't look like that is the case with this kid tho. If he can work his way into a setup or closer role, with the electric stuff he supposedly has you can still make money on him, just probably not as much as you initially hoped.

Both of them - and I would add Joba to this - came into the league as relievers but were constantly hyped as being groomed as starters. Walden won't have that benefit.

 

[HPC]

Most young star pitchers serve time in the pen when they come up.

Transitional period to move them into the starters role

Walden could still be a starter and probably will be

 

[Messier2]

Personally, I think it doesn't matter if he was a starter at one point or not. If he gets the call, comes in mows down hitters left and right with his heavy fastball...he's going to get some love from the Halos fans...

He's a good short term pickup now cheap...for a quick flip once he gets the call and (hopefully) dominates!

 

[Mudcatsfan]

Most young star pitchers serve time in the pen when they come up.

Transitional period to move them into the starters role

Walden could still be a starter and probably will be

I agree if he was easing into a bullpen role in teh bigs, but that's not how the article reads.

Sounds like they're officiallly converting him