Let's Play: You Are The GM For A Day

[bradical]

Let's say you have a 25-year-old pitching prospect on your team who you drafted very late (20th round) of the 2008 Draft. After signing, you placed him the Class-A New York Penn Leage, where in 30 relief appearances he posted a 1-0 record with a 0.83 ERA and converted all 23 of his save opportunities. Also, struck out 42 in 32 IP.

In 2009, you moved him to Class-A South Atlantic League, where in 28 appearances he posted a 2-2 record, with a 1.47 ERA, and 20 saves. Striking out 40 over 30 IP. You then promoted him to Class A-Advanced in the Florida State League for the rest of 2009, where he went 2-0 with a 2.21 ERA and 2 saves in 21 appearances, striking 47 in 36 IP.

In 2010, you kept him at the Class-A advanced level and to date, he is 2-0, with a 1.61 ERA and 5 saves in 32 appearances, striking out 68 in 56 IP.

So, as a GM, what do you think this prospect has left to offer you, and why is he still stuck in Class-A Advanced at age 25?

Bonus points if you can guess who it is.

 

[Joshua.Roundtree]

Pat Venditte

 

[Joshua.Roundtree]

As for what to do with him.............he should have been moved to AA already especially considering he was very good for them in spring training. I'm not sure what the plan is for Venditte but he's not proving anything still playing in the FSL.

 

[kentuckyderby]

Sounds like a player who will be an excellent HS or JUCO pitching coach one day

25 and still in A ball?
Not impossible but unlikely to reach show

 

[matfanofold]

Without knowing any real context surrounding this guy, and going off of just stats, I'd say he should be continually moved up in rank/challenge.

(By the way, did you get my pm bradical?)

 

[SamHell]

Pat Venditte

That one. I don't know what the Yankees are doing with him. Every possible reason I have come up for not moving him along with doesn't make any sense. Is there AA bullpen so stacked that they don't have room for him? I haven't checked the roster but I doubt that one. Are they afraid more advanced hitters will tee off on what most scouts consider his below average stuff? Maybe, but you have to find out sometime. If he gets rocked, you cut him. It's not like he has great trade value they are trying to protect. He's a 25 year old, 20th round pick that is in the bullpen. Those guys have no trade value unless they throw serious gas. He doesn't. From everything I've read, he's supposedly a good kid so he deserves better than being kept around just for novelty. He's dominated every year so he has earned the right to be promoted.

 

[bradical]

The Yankees obviously saw some type of value in him coming out of Creighton. They drafted him twice, once in the 45th round in 2007, and then in the 20th round in 2008.

His switching pitching ability is far more of a novelty than advertised, it allows him to be used out of the pen nearly every day. While his stuff from the right side isn't defined as "electric" he has the ability to throw 95-96 MPH and have a very effective curveball. From the left, his velocity tops out at 90 and can throw a nice slider.

Joe Girardi seemed to be impressed with him enough to have him come play a few games in Spring Training for the Yanks.

Not real sure what they are doing with him, but I guess if he doesn't have a spot to advance within the Yanks organization, hopefully he gets moved to another team that feels his accomplishments are worth the advancements.

 

[SamHell]

His switching pitching ability is far more of a novelty than advertised, it allows him to be used out of the pen nearly every day. While his stuff from the right side isn't defined as "electric" he has the ability to throw 95-96 MPH and have a very effective curveball. From the left, his velocity tops out at 90 and can throw a nice slider.

He has added some velocity then. Last report I read had him topping out 88 or so from the right and 85 from the left.

 

[bradical]

His switching pitching ability is far more of a novelty than advertised, it allows him to be used out of the pen nearly every day. While his stuff from the right side isn't defined as "electric" he has the ability to throw 95-96 MPH and have a very effective curveball. From the left, his velocity tops out at 90 and can throw a nice slider.

He has added some velocity then. Last report I read had him topping out 88 or so from the right and 85 from the left.

He may have lost velocity since college. Watching him pitch at Creighton he was able to top 90 MPH from the right easily. Topping out at mid 90's range (with some control issues).

Since he's been on the East coast playing, I haven't had a chance to watch him at all.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/sport ... nkees.html

"The Champion Stadium scoreboard radar gun clocked Venditte as throwing harder from the right side (84 to 88 m.p.h.) than the left (77 to 82 m.p.h.). "

While that may make him seem less appealing on paper, I still have to say based off his proven track record a promotion is due.

 

[Joshua.Roundtree]

His switching pitching ability is far more of a novelty than advertised, it allows him to be used out of the pen nearly every day. While his stuff from the right side isn't defined as "electric" he has the ability to throw 95-96 MPH and have a very effective curveball. From the left, his velocity tops out at 90 and can throw a nice slider.

He has added some velocity then. Last report I read had him topping out 88 or so from the right and 85 from the left.

He may have lost velocity since college. Watching him pitch at Creighton he was able to top 90 MPH from the right easily. Topping out at mid 90's range (with some control issues).

Since he's been on the East coast playing, I haven't had a chance to watch him at all.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/sport ... nkees.html

"The Champion Stadium scoreboard radar gun clocked Venditte as throwing harder from the right side (84 to 88 m.p.h.) than the left (77 to 82 m.p.h.). "

While that may make him seem less appealing on paper, I still have to say based off his proven track record a promotion is due.