Who is Redszone's #17 prospect?

[Edd Roush]

I guess the fact that he has gone three years without finding one suggests he won't. Toss in the fact that because he hasn't done it to this point, the odds aren't good he remains a starter much longer and that coaches have him focus on just two pitches. As for being able to throw it over the plate, well that is much tougher. Especially when we are talking about a guy like Crabbe, who while he improved his control this year, isn't exactly a guy who pounds the strikezone.

So the coaches legitimately only let him throw two pitches in the game? If so, that sounds pretty dumb. How can it be so difficult to throw a third pitch when you throw the other two so well?

You look at his good numbers in a tough pitching league in a small sample size and you see promise. I guess if he truly can never learn a third pitch, he will never be a big league starter. I just don't see how that's possible to not be able to throw a third pitch when you can already throw two plus ones.

[dougdirt]

So the coaches legitimately only let him throw two pitches in the game? If so, that sounds pretty dumb. How can it be so difficult to throw a third pitch when you throw the other two so well?

You look at his good numbers in a tough pitching league in a small sample size and you see promise. I guess if he truly can never learn a third pitch, he will never be a big league starter. I just don't see how that's possible to not be able to throw a third pitch when you can already throw two plus ones.

No, I am saying that because he hasn't developed a third pitch that he is likely to be moved to a reliever position. And as a reliever, coaches aren't likely to continue working on a third pitch with him and will be working solely with his fastball/slider combo, thus decreasing his chances of ever finding that third pitch because he won't be focusing on one anymore.

As for it being so difficult to throw that third pitch if you can throw two so well..... if it were so easy, everyone would do it. But a slew of guys can't and those guys wind up as relievers.

[Edd Roush]

No, I am saying that because he hasn't developed a third pitch that he is likely to be moved to a reliever position. And as a reliever, coaches aren't likely to continue working on a third pitch with him and will be working solely with his fastball/slider combo, thus decreasing his chances of ever finding that third pitch because he won't be focusing on one anymore.

As for it being so difficult to throw that third pitch if you can throw two so well..... if it were so easy, everyone would do it. But a slew of guys can't and those guys wind up as relievers.

I can see your point. Furthermore, if he really can't throw a third pitch, I do agree maybe he shouldn't be valued as high as another starting pitcher with his numbers. I will continue to vote for him with the understanding that I think he will pick up another pitch. Even if he can't pick up another pitch, he could be another Boxberger-like pitcher in the bullpen. I guess the Reds will ultimately decide his fate by either placing him in the Pensacola rotation or bullpen. With the lack of arms in AA and High A outside of Crabbe, Corcino and Sulbaran, I see no reason to move him to the bullpen until they are absolutely sure he will never pick up that third pitch.

[RedsManRick]

Interesting blog here about another Fastball/Slider guy who is being moved from the pen to the rotation: Daniel Bard.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...d-as-a-starter

Of course, I don't know how hard Crabbe throws (I doubt it's 97+).

[dougdirt]

Interesting blog here about another Fastball/Slider guy who is being moved from the pen to the rotation: Daniel Bard.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...d-as-a-starter

Of course, I don't know how hard Crabbe throws (I doubt it's 97+).

Crabbe throws pretty hard, up to 97. But sits 92-95.

I am with Edd Roush in the idea that he is a guy who could develop into a Brad Boxberger type of prospect.

[The DARK]

Crabbe throws pretty hard, up to 97. But sits 92-95.

I am with Edd Roush in the idea that he is a guy who could develop into a Brad Boxberger type of prospect.

I'd like to see that, or at least what Donnie Joseph was before this season. Our cheap bullpen help is going to run out faster than we think.

[dougdirt]

I'd like to see that, or at least what Donnie Joseph was before this season. Our cheap bullpen help is going to run out faster than we think.

That's the thing though.... bullpens can almost always be built on the cheap.