Last-minute request from the ESPNEWS folk – I’ll be on at 3:20 EDT, less than an hour from now.
→ April 1, 2008
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The collected thoughts of sportswriter, bookworm, & food critic Keith Law
Last-minute request from the ESPNEWS folk – I’ll be on at 3:20 EDT, less than an hour from now.
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Keith, I had a random question for you. Has there ever been a player that you have been so convinced was going to be a star, that for whatever reason just fizzled out? Or a little-known prospect that you had a feeling on and no one else did, and now they’re making an impact? I read a Gammons article a few years back about scouts looking back on their reports and seeing how they match up to current status and I found it fascinating.
Craig:
It is my understanding that this is precisely what Billy Beane was as a player. Also, what about Joe Borchard or even Matt Thorton?
Keith:
I just saw that Pedro got hurt and the BBTN guys were mentioning that the Mets might look to Claudio Vargas. Whither Jeff Weaver? What is wrong with Weaver such that teams have avoided to signing him.
IMO he has more upside than guys like Claudio Vargas who have never really had any dominant moments, at least Weaver used to be pretty good and occasionally has a good game…
I guess when I look at teams like the Astros, Mets and even the Phillies, who are really struggling for five legit pitchers, but also consider themselves to be “contenders” (I know the astros suck, but obviously they think they have a chance when you look at their offseason moves), I can’t help but ask – why not Jeff Weaver instead of the faceless or worse injury prone (El Duke) Fifth Starter that they have on staff.
Unrelated, but I just finished Ball Four so I will also ask this, what is your take on R.A. Dickey or the Guy in the WHite Sox Organization that throws the Knuckler? Any change the pitch ever comes back as a viable option?
Keith,
I’m watching the Rangers-Mariners game right now and Putz is pitching. I’m noticing that just before he releases the pitch, he does something funky with his head (snaps it forward/to the first base line). I’ve seen you talk about pitchers having a “head whack” or “head whip,” and I’m wondering if whatever Putz is doing qualifies as one of those things?
Thanks,
Niel
Todd,
Of course Craig was asking about players who Keith personally had scouted, but even in terms of concensus opinion I don’t think Billy Beane is a good example of having been regarded as “can’t miss”. He was highly regarded as a high schoool junior but had a relatively poor senior year and was drafted 23rd overall due to teams’ doubts about him (this was pre-Scott Boras and other “advisors” causing talented players to fall.)
The best examples of very highly regarded players who didn’t pan out are probably Todd Van Poppel, Ben McDonald (OK career but far from expectation), Pat Burrell and J.D. Drew (also have had OK careers, but were regarded sure superstars). I would also throw out Mike Kelly of ASU, who I saw play a lot, taken #2 overall in the draft by the Braves, seemed to be a polished, flawless five tool player but didn’t pan out.
I forgot to add Jeff Hammonds, very similar to Mike Kelly as far as all around skills and correspondent high expectations, he had a better career than Kelly but far from what scouts expected.