Bill Bray

[jamess697]

Is Bill Bray not exciting, we have a 23 year lefty (who will only get better), poised to be our closer for years to come. I think it is great to have a leader and mentor like Guardado for Bray to learn from. Bray has improving stuff and with experience, and confidence he will be outstanding!

[flyer85]

14IP 24H 5BB 11K
4.40 ERA 1.8 WHIP

I must be missing something.

[redram]

Originally Posted by flyer85

14IP 24H 5BB 11K
4.40 ERA 1.8 WHIP

I must be missing something.

I Think you are missing quite a bit if you cannot see this kid will be a force in the future. He already shows flashes of being a great pitcher and he is very young. I am looking forward to watching him for years to come. Even at his age his is so much better than most we had by far. I would rather have a 24 year old with his potential, than some of these fossils we had before him any day.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Originally Posted by flyer85

14IP 24H 5BB 11K
4.40 ERA 1.8 WHIP

I must be missing something.

Look at stats all you want, but he's a young kid with some pretty good looking stuff.

[Ravenlord]

Originally Posted by dburke1337

Look at stats all you want, but he's a young kid with some pretty good looking stuff.

who looks like, and has numbers like Gabe White.

[Superdude]

Has anyone seen him throw a changeup yet? I kept hearing about his changeup and the possibility of converting to starting, but I haven't seen him throw it yet.

[guttle11]

Originally Posted by dburke1337

Look at stats all you want, but he's a young kid with some pretty good looking stuff.

The guy certainly has electric stuff that stats can't see, but the stats don't lie, and "stuff" doesn't win ball games.

As of now, he's nothing more than decent.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Originally Posted by guttle11

The guy certainly has electric stuff that stats can't see, but the stats don't lie, and "stuff" doesn't win ball games.

As of now, he's nothing more than decent.

Indeed, but the original post was talking about how exciting the possibilities for his future are.

[registerthis]

Originally Posted by dburke1337

Indeed, but the original post was talking about how exciting the possibilities for his future are.

There have been plenty of pitchers with good "stuff" who have flamed out in the Majors. I'll save my excitement for someone like Bailey, or for someone who is actually demonstrating success at the major league level.

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by dburke1337

Look at stats all you want, but he's a young kid with some pretty good looking stuff.

but you just don't know how it is going to turn out. He may be good or end up moediocre like he is now.

[oregonred]

Originally Posted by flyer85

14IP 24H 5BB 11K
4.40 ERA 1.8 WHIP

I must be missing something.

Yes, Bill Bray was the best young MLB arm moved during July. He quickly moved into being maybe the most trusted setup man and his presence alone has helped move others in the pen into better and more appropriate roles.

That being said, I looked at Bray as the best part of "the trade" going forward as being under Reds control until 2012 and just turning 23 a couple months back. His dividends were to be received somewhat in 2006 but mostly over the next 6 seasons as a key lefty setup man or potential closer on an organization desperately needing a young infusion of pitching talent. (on the cheap too). Obviously the Maj injury situation and ineffectiveness jumbled things on a number of fronts the last few weeks. Bray's minor league K numbers were pretty sick -- I believe he was in the 11-12 K/9 IP range in ~30IP of AAA ball this season.

He has been OVERUSED in the last 2-3 weeks and it better stop soon or else he may get hurt and this trade is going to look really bad. His arm is young and he hasn't logged many IP in pro balls. He needs to grow in high leverage situations, but not 4-5 times a week. I'd rather see him pitch a couple of key innings twice a week rather than 4-5 appearances with an inning here and there.

I'd take him over Kearns in a heartbeat. I'm thrilled to have someone like Bray on the Reds staff for the next several years.

[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by flyer85

I must be missing something.

You got that right.

His ERA/WHIP is easily skewed by the fact that he's only pitched 14 innings for the Reds. His BAPIP is .331 this season. That wont continue.

With the Reds he has the following numbers:
6.3 K/9
2.9 BB/9
0.57 Hr/9

That makes a pretty good DIPS ERA of 3.30.

For the season total he's a little worse than that (3.78 DIPS), but that's still pretty solid for a 23 year old that will likely improve. Basing a pitcher's talent on 14 innings with ERA and WHIP as your primary stats is a poor way in doing so.

[Reds1]

He has some sweet pitches. As all young players he's searching for consistancy. He actually seems to be tougher on rightys, but it's early. The potential is there, but the stats are misleading. I would think anyone who has watched him would see some pretty darn good potential. I guess the mgr does too as he has a few saves and has pitched in the close games. Right now we don't have anyone lights out in the pen so he's as good as any.

[redssouth]

Gabe White was in the minors with the Yankees at age 24. He didnt have his breakout year until he was 26 with the Reds. And then followed that up with a dud the next year. I think Bray has twice the potential of Gabe White. Bray is a guy who in two minor league seasons averaged 10.53K/9. And he is 23 i believe. He gives up a good amount of hits, but he has the ability to miss some bats. He could develop into a really good reliever.

[puca]

Originally Posted by redssouth

Gabe White was in the minors with the Yankees at age 24. He didnt have his breakout year until he was 26 with the Reds. And then followed that up with a dud the next year. I think Bray has twice the potential of Gabe White. Bray is a guy who in two minor league seasons averaged 10.53K/9. And he is 23 i believe. He gives up a good amount of hits, but he has the ability to miss some bats. He could develop into a really good reliever.

Actually Gabe White was pitching for the Expos at age 23. His next stop...the Reds.