Notes On Tacoma Tonight

by Jeff Sullivan on Jul 1, 2010 11:11 PM PDT in Seattle Mariners Game Recaps

On a pitch count of 80-85, Erik Bedard played to his critics by lasting 4.1 innings. This was not Bedard at his best, as his location started to fade as the innings wore on. Still, we shouldn't expect him to be at his best. This is called a rehab start for a reason. And of the 19 batters Bedard faced, none of them hit the ball very hard. He was done in by some walks and a couple infield singles. A minor league lineup generated minor league results.

As far as his stuff was concerned, he was hitting 90 on the Cheney radar gun, and after reports of his hitting 92-93 in earlier rehab starts, I don't think there are any questions about his velocity. His curve had the familiar big, sweeping break to it, which I never doubted but was pleased to see with my own eyes for the first time in like a calendar year. Can't tell you much about his cutter or change; I saw some of the latter, but not enough to say anything.

The velocity was fine. The movement was fine. The location left something to be desired, as he'd seemingly alternate between hitting the glove and missing by a foot. He missed so bad on one fastball that instead of putting it low and away, he threw it up and in right past Adam Moore and off home plate umpire Brian Larson's facemask. Erik Bedard's fastball hit a guy in the face. That's awesome.

His fastball got hit in the air. Most of the contact on his curve stayed on the ground. Both pitches missed bats, albeit not many. All in all, he looked ready to come up, but I'm begging you to be reasonable about your expectations. Most likely, it's going to take a little while before Bedard settles into a groove, if he gets there at all. Please be patient. He might be instantly awesome, but I wouldn't count on it. He had some major medical issues.

I'm really not a big fan of Bedard's chinstrap beard. Bedard, I imagine, couldn't give two shits what I think about his appearance. I'm glad that's settled.

One little thing that stood out - in the fourth inning, some guy named Chris Stewart hit a swinging bunt up the third base line. Bedard hurried over to field it, but didn't turn around. He ate it, because he knew he didn't have a play and didn't want to risk a senseless error. How many times have we seen Felix force that throw? I hate it when pitchers force that throw. It's a throw that fans and announcers usually love - "he's competitive, he's just trying to make a play" - but it's so risky that it's good to see a guy stay composed and think better of it.

Somewhere along the line I forgot about Bedard's rather deliberate tempo. For those of you looking forward to having him replace Cliff Lee, he's not going to replace Cliff Lee. The experiences of watching them are completely different. When Lee has success, it looks like everything comes naturally to him. When Bedard has success, he looks methodical. When Lee struggles, it's like he always thinks the next pitch will get him out of it. When Bedard struggles, it's like he wants very, very badly for the next pitch to get him out of it.

Erik Bedard pitches like a thinking man. I don't want to make the comparison to Miguel Batista, because people wouldn't respond to that one very well, but he's never in a hurry to walk off the mound.

I have as much confidence in Matt Tuiasosopo to field a grounder as I have in a soccer goalie to stop a penalty kick. I'm just waiting for Tui to guess early and dive the wrong way.

Greg Halman and Jose Lopez drew unintentional walks on the same day. Halman also hit his 15th homer of the season, and is now pairing a BA of .237 with a .559 slugging percentage. He doesn't turn 23 for two months. I don't want to sound like I'm all aboard the Halman train, but it's amazing how much damage 2009 seemed to do to his status as a prospect. He's having a big year, and he has the same tools as always.

Ladies tell me that Jack Hannahan is attractive, but I don't think he looks right in a baseball uniform. I do, however, think he'd look great in an old timey baseball uniform. Get that man into some stockings and baggy knee-breeches.

Jeff Heaverlo joined Mike Curto on the broadcast tonight. Heaverlo was always my favorite of that group of pitching prospects we used to have. I don't remember why, exactly, but I do remember being all kinds of bummed when it dawned on me he'd never make it. As a 23 year old in AA San Antonio, he struck out 173 batters and walked 40 in 178.2 innings. Jeff Heaverlo could've been big.

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The list of guys who have made Halman's skillset work

Alfonso Soriano

That’s basically it.

by davidcameron on Jul 1, 2010 11:14 PM PDT reply actions

That he seems to have some defensive value makes me inclined to be more patient

I would really like a second half that sees him improve on his current 60% contact rate though. Some sign that he’s actually improving instead of just swinging way harder.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jul 1, 2010 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions

BB/K ratio

2007 (A-/A): 0.18
2008 (A/AA): 0.23
2009 (AA): 0.16
2010 (AAA): 0.30

Not that I’m a fan of the guy, but isn’t that a sign he’s somewhat improved his plate discipline?

by Fuckmikereilly on Jul 1, 2010 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions

38% strikeouts in 2010, 37% strikeouts in 2009, 26% strikeouts in 2008

Even if he has improved a little bit, he’s never going to make it with that contact rate. He needs to improve more. A good deal more.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jul 2, 2010 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Clearly he can't make contact worth shit.

I would imagine he’s just laying off more pitches in general this year, hence the higher walk rate. But still, it’s better than if he was just riding a homer streak. We already know he can do that.

by Fuckmikereilly on Jul 2, 2010 12:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Or just continue to walk 11% of the time and have 35% of his hits go for home runs he might be able to make it work.

Maybe a good comp would be Bo Jackson?

by Edgar for Pres on Jul 2, 2010 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

For this type, I always went with early Jesse Barfield

In 1983, Barfield hit 253/.295/.510 in the majors, striking out 110 times in 388 ABs. He always drew more walks than Halman (so I initially made this comp about Balentien), but if Halman improves a bit, I think it sort of works.

Bo was so unique I think it’s tough to comp anyone to him. I’m also not certain that anyone without a pre-existing celebrity would be given that much time. Years and years of a sub .300 OBP would be tough to put up with now unless the guy’s an amazing SS or something.

by marc w on Jul 2, 2010 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Note: "something" also includes being a Royal

by Matthew on Jul 2, 2010 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Jack Hannahan reminds me of Mac from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

I’m sure the comparison has been made time and time again, I just never noticed it.

Carlos Silvelite

by OceanBird on Jul 1, 2010 11:23 PM PDT reply actions

All three singles were flukes but there was one ball hit hard

The liner to center to end the 3rd on a fastball up and over the middle of the plate.

Also of note was that his fastball was not impressive. It was around 88-90 all night if the Cheney Stadium radar gun was to be believed. The knuckle curve is still there and he had pretty good command with it.

by TrashiDawa on Jul 1, 2010 11:27 PM PDT reply actions

I believe the FB will come back eventually. It's only his third start after an entire year,

I just can’t wait to see that curve and that pitch face again.

You got slurved!

by Slurvey on Jul 1, 2010 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions

PITCH FACE!

(click for larger version)

Does the World Series trophy come with a plate of bacon?

by PositivePaul on Jul 2, 2010 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Jesus Jeff. You have a twisted mind.

I can’t get the image of Tui guessing early and diving the wrong way out of my mind. I keep laughing mindlessly for no apparent reason.

by Droid Rage on Jul 1, 2010 11:50 PM PDT reply actions

LLLJ but my dad used to work with Heaverlo's mom

I was always sort of hoping he’d succeed because of that for some reason.

by Mariner John on Jul 1, 2010 11:56 PM PDT reply actions

I want Halman to make it to the Majors, even for a little bit

Just to see how exciting/funny it’ll be when he faces Major League pitching. Maybe he’ll be like a real life Merrill Hess.

by Aaroniero Arruruerie on Jul 1, 2010 11:57 PM PDT reply actions

Well

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2009/3/14/797468/greg-halman-is-major-leagu

by Jeff Sullivan on Jul 2, 2010 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I completely forgot he played in the WBC

All I remember was the weird short-lived pitching duel between Felix and Snell, and Ichiro getting an ulcer. Even the crappy version of Carlos Silva struck Halman out. How embarrassing.

by Aaroniero Arruruerie on Jul 2, 2010 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd love for Halman to get a September call-up this year and log a few plate appearances.

He’d probably go something like 1 for 20 with 19 K’s and a 450 foot dinger.

by I Lick Squirrels on Jul 2, 2010 1:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope that homerun is to the opposite field

Just to make Lopez feel jealous.

by Aaroniero Arruruerie on Jul 2, 2010 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

His HR yesterday was to the opposite field, though not 450.

To bring this back to the original topic, he actually is improving and he actually is nowhere near MLB ready. I’m OK with this. He’s young, and as everyone says, if he ever improved his pitch recognition/contact skills, he’d be a hell of a player. I’d like to point to an improvement in his K rate as the season went on, but an improvement in HRs will have to do. He’s also improved a bit in the field, now that he’s more or less the everyday CF (instead of sharing with Saunders or, less often, Carrera).

by marc w on Jul 2, 2010 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions