I Don't Get It

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 15, 2008 10:05 PM PDT in Miscellaneous

Justin Thomas' usage pattern so far with the Mariners:

9/1: inherits 12-6 lead in 8th, throws one inning
9/2: inherits 5-2 deficit in 7th, faces three batters
9/5: inherits 3-1 lead in 8th, faces one batter
9/6: inherits 3-2 lead in 8th, faces one batter
9/11: inherits 4-0 deficit in 6th, faces two batters
9/15: inherits 2-0 deficit in 7th, faces one batter

Justin Thomas is was recently a starting pitcher. He's also one of the few reasonably advanced lefties in the organization who throws a good enough breaking ball to retire solid left-handed hitters. In six Major League games, he has thrown 41 pitches.

This kind of goes along with Brandon Morrow intentionally walking Vlad Guerrero the other day, or Miguel Cairo getting any playing time ever. What's the point of having a bunch of young players hanging around in September if you aren't going to give them many chances to prove what they can do? God help Jim Riggleman if he's still trying to win. That ship sailed so long ago that robot submarines are trying to find it on the floor of the ocean.

I understand that it's hard to fit everyone in and be fair about it, but the Justin Thomas usage doesn't make much sense to me. Let him do a little more, Riggleman. You might be surprised.

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Comments

I had a friend named Justin Thomas while growing up.

He had no potential.

by Wilder. on Sep 15, 2008 10:11 PM PDT reply actions

I honestly think they are doing whatever they can to avoid 100 losses

by JI on Sep 15, 2008 10:15 PM PDT reply actions

I don't see why they're bothering.

I'll shut up lest you ban me like you banned butthol.

by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 16, 2008 7:19 AM PDT up reply actions

If you're management, do you want the first ever 100 million dollar/100 loss team in MLB history

to take place under your watch?

by BrianL on Sep 16, 2008 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Is it really going to be that different if we only lose 96 games?

I'll shut up lest you ban me like you banned butthol.

by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 16, 2008 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions

100 million/100 losses is going to be something that the local and national media will have a field day with.

They love arbitrary numbers like that.

by BrianL on Sep 16, 2008 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions

.

God help Jim Riggleman if he’s still trying to win. That ship sailed so long ago that robot submarines are trying to find it on the floor of the ocean.

Bahahahahahaha

by BrianL on Sep 15, 2008 10:17 PM PDT reply actions

I rec'd it just for that.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Sep 16, 2008 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Thomas was converted to relief midseason

The team has given up on him as a starter. They’re auditioning him for a LOOGY job for next year.

by davidcameron on Sep 15, 2008 10:18 PM PDT reply actions

But does it hurt to see how he'd fare against righties at this level?

by BrianL on Sep 15, 2008 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Seems like it'd be better to see what he can do instead of heaping innings on Woods/Wells/Messenger

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 15, 2008 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Not disagreeing

Just clarifying that he’s not really considered a starting pitcher anymore.

by davidcameron on Sep 15, 2008 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Since you know more than me on this front

how’s his changeup? I assume it hasn’t really come along, then?

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 15, 2008 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Not really, no

He’s a fastball/slider guy for the most part, and like EOF, he throws a ridiculous amount of sliders.

by davidcameron on Sep 15, 2008 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess that answers that then

Still don’t like his usage pattern, but I guess I see where they’re coming from. If only it weren’t for all those other junk relievers getting more time.

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 16, 2008 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Is EOF a bullpen option next season?

by seattlebruin on Sep 16, 2008 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Should be

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 16, 2008 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions

I for one wonder where he went

There’s little information on what happened with him and injuries this season.

by Gomez on Sep 16, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure Thomas is our Rhodes replacement

and as he struggles to hit 90 on the radar gun out of the pen I doubt there’s much to see from him as a starter. All the same, you’re absolutely right that there’s no reason for him to go 1-2 innings every time he’s out there and we’re down/up by a few runs.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Sep 16, 2008 11:19 AM PDT reply actions