by Jim Brown
*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
LHP Ryan Verdugo, Double-A Richmond (SF)
season stats: 3-1, 2.50 ERA, 54 IP, 47 H, 20 BB, 59 K in 10 starts
June 1-June 7: 8 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, BB, 10 K in 1 start
The buzz in the Bay area this season has been the resurgence of Ryan Vogelsong but another Ryan has seen a resurgence of sorts down on the farm. Verdugo had been languishing in the bullpens at the lower levels and, although he had been successful, his command issues have kept his ceiling low and out of the starting rotations. One has to question the knock on his command problems seeing that the lefty was 13-1 with a 1.75 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 113 innings (76 relief appearances and 1 start) prior to 2011. It was foreseen that he would be an accomplished pitcher against younger competition but his command issues would be exposed by more advanced hitters in Double-A. That hasn't been the case at all for the 24-year old in his 10 starts. Verdugo made the cut by pitching a two-hitter in eight shutout innings while matching his career high with 10 strikeouts in his last start.
After having some trouble surrendering the home run ball early (4 in his first 6 starts), the California native has settled down and has not allowed a long ball over his last four starts. Verdugo, who has allowed 2 runs or fewer in 9 of his 10 starts, has an above average change-up with deception caused by his effortless arm action. His resurgence may snowball as he has added a strong slider and cutter to his repertoire to go along with a low’s 90s fastball. Some say that gaining better command of his fastball could see Verdugo pitching in the San Francisco bullpen by season’s end. If this plays out, and Vogelsong collapses as the long season progresses, Verdugo may even be able to steal a spot start.
Relief Pitcher of the Week
RHP Michael Brady, Lo-A Greensboro (FLA): 4-1, 1.08 ERA, 25 IP, 18 H, 5 BB, 32 K, 8 saves in 19 appearances; 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K, Sv in 2 appearances over last week
Click HERE to follow Jim Brown on Twitter.
UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League AL Performances of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment