Frequent poster Steve C. made a comparison between “Ambiorix Burgos”:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7528 and “Armando Benitez.”:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5290 I covered Benitez when he was with the Orioles and back then had a sense he was never going to reach the elite level.
One of his coaches patted his chest and told me he doesn’t have this. You knew what he was talking about. The book on Benitez is he has brittle confidence to go along with his fastball. If he blew one game he would blow another.
After Cleveland got to him in the 97 ALCS, you knew the Orioles were in trouble and sure enough Benitez got tagged for the loss a couple more times in the series. Look at Benitez against Atlanta if you don’t want to go back that far.
I haven’t covered Burgos enough to draw that conclusion. He has closer stuff, but logically something has to be missing if they would trade that arm for Brian Bannister. Maybe it was something other than control. Then again, the Royals have been bad for a long time for a reason and misjudging players is part of it.
With Burgos’ arm, if he can develop another pitch, it isn’t inconceivable they could look at him in the rotation. Willie Randolph said it was under discussion in spring training, but this spring the Mets had a glut of starters. This is something to file away for later.
6 Comments
I think sending to the rotation would be a horrible idea. And needs to develop another pitch? John, you’ve made this point before, that velocity isn’t everything, you need location. Yet, when talking about Burgos you say he needs to develop another pitch, like his fastball is fine. The problem with Burgos is not the other pitches, its his fastball. If Burgos was able to control his fastball, at even 95 mph (which is throwing it easy for him) he would have success. He already has a devastating splitter, that when thrown ahead in the count, is nearly, not only impossible to lay off, impossible to hit. His slider is even a little above average, doesn’t command it great no, but does Billy Wagner command his slider great? No he doesn’t. He just gets away with it because he can control his fastball so well and can get ahead of hitters. Burgos simply needs to learn some control, control of his fastball that is.
To Joseph (RE: Burgos)
You are right, location is key. He has to get that down first, and has a way to go. I can see what you’re saying about developing another pitch leading to the impression all is well with his fastball. It is not and I didn’t make that clear enough.
All good points. So why is he at the major leagues again rather than AAA where he belongs?
I agree with the comments about Burgos’ repertoire: He’s got three above-average pitches, but needs command of his fastball in order for all of them to work.
The first time I saw him pitch in Spring Training, I was taken aback by his stuff, but thought that something was missing. It was like he didn’t believe he could get big-league hitters out.
I wonder if management’s talk about making him a starter reflects more upon his deep repertoire or his mental makeup.
Burgos is basically holding the fort until Mota can return to the big leagues after his suspension. I agree with Dave that Burgos should really be down in AAA where he can work on a consistant basis.
What’s the deal with Jon Adkins, the guy we got from the Padres for Heath Bell and Royce Ring? Although Adkins does not have a power arm, I’m sure he would be a better option then Burgos coming out of the pen.
location is the key but movement more so.
ron darling made a statement about maine last night. when get gets the fastball to suddenly rise thats when players swing and miss. maine got mauled because the movement was missing..
burgos has similar issue. he throws it straight down the pipe. grapefruit style. the only difference its going almost 100 miles. if he could reduce that grapefruit to an apple and make it move a little (hence control) he would be good.
but as i stated, like pelfrey he seems to fall apart. and for a short relief you cant have that.
Benitez choked against us and ya know it was damned good to see another team have to eat his no heart approach.
back to main, i felt bad for him something was missing, oh yeah besides his control it was the outfield.
green had little hustle, his bat was alive and great!
but as i have stated unless he gets a jump on the ball he waits for sencond bounce.
maybe his legs are too long? chavez and beltran had some miscommunication in the one inning.. but it seemed to get better. but i think there were a few singles that could have been caught if green had a jump on it.
and before people knee jerk, yeah its easy for us armchair coaches to say all this we arent in the game feeling the pressure. but remember one thing, these guys make more than you me and fireman and cops. so yeah a certain level of expectation is warranted.
I was telling my kids, i rather the Mets win the series against the team then win every game and start losing every game. if win every series against a team we play, we are in playoffs. and by gosh thats where we are ;-]
Lets Go Mets Go..
hey john how far were you from that guy from MetsBlog.com ???? maybe u and he should pool your knowledge..