I've always thought that lefty screwballers were very interesting: there's Carl Hubbell, Tug McGraw, and Fernando Valenzuela. Jamie Moyer and John Franco have exceptional screwie changups. Spahn added a screwball late in his career, with great sucess.
Most threw a lot harder than Daniel Herrera. Color me intrigued, though. He's my new favorite minor leaguer.
I just don't understand the logic of not giving a dominant player the chance to test his stuff at a higher level. There is potential benefit in doing so and essentially zero cost involved. The only true cost is potential ego bruise taken by those who have predicted the player's failure. Unfortunately, at times that can idea can be blinding. It can make people ignore prospects like Kevin Youkilis or Jack Cust.
I don't think it's likely that Herrera or Guevara will ever be regular members of an MLB bullpen. However, I would certainly give them the opportunity to prove me wrong so long as they continue to seize the opportunities they are given. It certainly makes more sense giving these guys a first chance before giving a 5th to some 29 year old who has yet to capitalize on his previous 4... cough... Ricky Stone... cough.
Last edited by RedsManRick; 12-24-2007 at 01:04 PM.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
Reds very rarely fail to give a pitcher a chance. If anything, there are too many opportunities in our organization for the ugly pitchers.
Mike Marshall was a little RHer with a screwball. I can't think of another. Christy Mathewson threw hard and didn't throw the pitch very often.
Mike Cuellar is another little lefty screwballer. Freddie Norman was a personal favorite of many on the board, I'll bet. Bill Lee and Willie Hernandez were big lefties.
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