Today's Bit Of Good News

by Jeff Sullivan on Mar 27, 2010 5:14 PM PDT in Miscellaneous

Or at least, Today's Bit Of Not Bad News:

The Mariners lost to the Dodgers this afternoon. That's not what I care about. What I care about is that Ian Snell got the start and threw six more efficient innings against what's probably going to be LA's regular lineup.

Snell's up to 19 innings now so far in March, and in those 19 innings, he's walked two guys and struck out 13. I'll be the first person to tell you that spring training stats are pretty meaningless, but there's a difference between things like BA and ERA and things like strikeouts and walks. Getting strikeouts and avoiding walks against ML and near-ML hitters requires at least some semblance of skill. It's worth noting that the last time Snell showed good control in ST was 2007, when he had his breakthrough season.

This isn't great news, and it could very well mean nothing at all. But had you asked any Mariners fan, coach or executive last month if they'd rather see Snell have a good March or a bad March, they all obviously would've answered "good March," so on the scale from bad news to good news, Snell's performance so far is somewhere between the middle and the positive extreme. Which, hey, who could complain?

Having one or two guys behind Felix really step up in April would go a long way towards easing my roster concerns.

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WOOOOO!!!

PLAYOFFS!!!!

by I Lick Squirrels on Mar 27, 2010 5:16 PM PDT reply actions

This is why I hate spring training.

I spend all winter bracing myself with reminders that whatever happens in March, it should be meaningless.

Then Snell performs well, Sweeney hits like a better version of Barry Bonds, Hyphen is shaky, and before I know it I’m totally sucked in.

by katal on Mar 27, 2010 5:24 PM PDT reply actions

Ehh

I don’t think RRS has done that poorly. But then I don’t really care about hits. Important thing is he feels really good physically.

by Jeff Sullivan on Mar 27, 2010 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions

When I saw Snell on Monday (the 22nd) everything hit made off him was a solid line drive.

Snell pitched poorly from my seats leaving far too many pitches belt high and over the plate. I left pretty bummed after Sunday’s hit-a-thone and Saturday’s gem from Felix.

If Snell can be the pitcher he was in 2007 then that is something wonderful to hope for and maybe not completely out of the question.

Here’s to not saying “season’s over” before Opening Day!

by mark sobba on Mar 27, 2010 5:41 PM PDT reply actions

I'm pretty thrilled with Snell's spring so far.

His velocity has been a tick below where it ought to be, and he has barely walked anyone. If he can maintain that, even with the diminished strikeout numbers, I think he will turn in a very useful season. Our defense will limit baserunners on balls in play, and if he can only limit his walks then even an above average HR rate will be tolerable. I just hope the lack of walks is because he’s got some command back, and not because he’s throwing BP.

De Gutibus non disputandum est

by Bearskin Rugburn on Mar 27, 2010 5:47 PM PDT reply actions