a baseball mind

RSOD - Most Ks on Birthday ! (Starting Pitcher)

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:52:41 -0400

On September 10th 2000, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamond struck out 14 Marlins on his birthday. This is the all time record for MOST strike outs on a players birthday. Johnson received a no decision for his 14K game. In his career, he would throw 39 14K+ games.

Box Score

The Dodgers are getting desperate!

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:26:02 -0400

The Dodgers are getting desperate!

Random Stat: Most GIDP in a Single Season

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:16:57 -0400

In 1984 Jim Rice of the Boston Red Sox hit into 36 double plays. 36 Double plays is the most in an entire season. During that season, Jim hit into a double play 18.25% per At Bat. Interesting not, he’s also second on the list with 35 in 1985.

Current active players with the Most GIDP in a season, Billy Butler (32) in 2010, Miguel Tejada (32) 2008.

Rubby So Ho!

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:19:54 -0400

Rubby De La Rosa, a hot pitching prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system, made the first start of his Major League career.

Here is a quick scouting breakdown for De La Rosa, his fastball sits around 93-95 and has been clocked as high as 102MPH. He has a change up that sits around 85-89MPH, with late downward fade and a slider. The off speed pitches still need some work and command is an issue. Baseball America projects Rubby to be a No.2 starter or a closer.

He has 5 appearances this season out of the Dodgers bullpen. In 5 innings, he has given up 3 hits, 1 walk while striking out 5.

I made it a point to watch his first start today, even though I’m a pretty big Giants fan. What I saw is a work in progress. He was having a hard time locating his off speed pitch. He walked 5 batters and plated a run do to a bases loaded walk. His fastball overall was very impressive. Very nice movement, sat around 91-93MPH. His off speed pitch issues worried me, only because his arm speed would slow down at times when throwing.

Overall, I don’t see him as a starer, I easily see him as a closer in the bullpen. His plus fastball with movement, I love. He could be racking up saves as soon as next season.

Here is his line from Today:

5IP | 4H | 1R | 1ER | 5BB | 4K 96P |46S

The last big leaguer to have a similar line to win, Carlos Zambrano 6/19/2010

(scouting information provided by Baseball America)