Latos...could he become an ace this year??

[bigfunguy]

I can see it...

[JB12]

The job will be Johnny's to lose.

I guess it depends on your definition of "ace". There's a whole thread discussing what an "ace" is over on ORG. If you see "ace" as the first starter in the rotation, then it will be Johnny.

If your "ace" is the stopper, the guy they trust with the ball for the team's best chance at getting a win, then I think the season will tell.

Regardless, this starting rotation is filled with potential (which we saw last year). Let's hope they can put together a year like they did last year. Having the likes of Cueto, Latos, Bailey, Chapman, and Arroyo (and plenty more capable arms fighting for a spot) is a good problem to have.

[bigfunguy]

it's pretty deep...recall it was just a few years ago when Leake was the most consistant guy--now he is going to have trouble cracking the rotation

[New York Red]

You could make the argument Latos is already an "ace" type pitcher. He pitched an entire season without missing a start, pitching in one of the worst ballparks for a pitcher, lost only four games and ended with a 3.48 ERA. Both his WAR (4.2) and WHIP (1.161) finished just outside the top ten of all MLB pitchers. I don't think being the #1 starter has anything to do with being an "ace", since a lot of teams have no ace and several teams have more than one. I guess it's all in the definition. With Cueto and Latos, we at least have two young guys on the verge of being that kind of pitchers.

[Todd Gack]

Is he going to stop throwing a fit on the mound in series deciding games? Remains to be seen. It just depends on his maturity. . . and probably his wife's too.

[Rock of Truth]

Originally Posted by Todd Gack

Is he going to stop throwing a fit on the mound in series deciding games? Remains to be seen. It just depends on his maturity. . . and probably his wife's too.

True ... True ... and True. Game 5 against San Fran was a mental blow up, nothing else. He got squeezed a little and threw a fit like a 5 year old. The ump didn't like it and squeezed him even more.

I'm not a twitter follower myself, by my wife is. Lots of posts from the Latos clan that resemble the following "Mat just ate 22 tacos." "Mat just finished his 6th Philly Cheesesteak". Way to take care of yourself in the offseason. Sounds like he is on the Austin Kearns plan.

[JB12]

^

He definitely needs to work on his maturity, especially dealing with the strike zone. This is not uncommon with major league pitchers though, there are many hot heads out there. I think Mat will cool it down with time, and develop into a very good pitcher (not that he already isn't).

If I were an athlete, or someone under the spotlight, I would not subject myself to questions about my loyalty/work ethic via twitter. It makes me wonder how supportive he is of Dallas's twitter antics, considering he doesn't even have a twitter himself. I think it's a bit ridiculous if you ask me. Just let em play ball...

[bigfunguy]

Anybody else remember with glee the Cardinals pitcher---Andujar I believe--blowing up in a WS game 7 about getting squeezed?? Good times...

[Salukifan2]

Makes sense, ive always heard andujar was the inspiration behind Rick Vaughn

[goreds2]

I hope all the starters are aces.

[alwaysawarrior]

Does Mat get overly upset? Yes. But for me personally I kind of like some of his fire, he just needs to channel it better. He's not that old yet,let him grow and mature.

[New York Red]

Originally Posted by alwaysawarrior

Does Mat get overly upset? Yes. But for me personally I kind of like some of his fire, he just needs to channel it better. He's not that old yet,let him grow and mature.

Exactly. I love the fact that he has that fire in his belly, and at age 24 he has a lot of time to learn to use it to his advantage.

[Rock of Truth]

Originally Posted by New York Red

Exactly. I love the fact that he has that fire in his belly, and at age 24 he has a lot of time to learn to use it to his advantage.

October of 2012 would have been a good time to start.

[New York Red]

Originally Posted by Rock of Truth

October of 2012 would have been a good time to start.

Haha, indeed.

[JB12]

Originally Posted by New York Red

Haha, indeed.

I know it's easy to ruminate on the bad and forget about the good, but remember Latos is the same guy that mowed down that Giants lineup in game #1 (in OCTOBER).

He started off great in game #5 as well, it wasn't until the 5th inning where he gave up those runs (6 to be exact). Yes, that inning was dark spot, on an otherwise good season in Cincinnati, however (in hindsight) we can't just sulk over the bad.