Spring training games are designed to get players ready for the season ahead. For minor league players spring training gives them a chance to test themselves against the best. For 2004 spring training I tracked the appearances of the Blue Jays minor league pitching prospects. I am particularly interested in minor league pitching prospects and I was curious to see how they fared. All of these pitchers are now back in minor league camp getting ready for their season so now is a good time to review their spring.
Jason Arnold pitched in six games. Arnold and Chulk had the most appearances. Jason allowed eight hits and five walks in 8.2 innings and conceded at least one run in three of his six appearances. Jason's first appearance was his best, two innings with no hits or walks. After that appearance we heard how Jason had changed his arm angle to pick up a couple of mph. Jason then allowed runs in his next three appearances.
Arnold's spring was similar to his 2003 season. He allowed twelve baserunners in 8.2 IP, and most troubling was only four strikeouts in his 8+ innings. Pitchers come to the major leagues with plus stuff or average stuff. Pitchers with plus stuff arrive more quickly because the plus stuff can let them escape with some bad pitches. If Josh Beckett misses his location with his 97 mph heater the hitter might still miss the pitch. If Jason misses his location with his 90 mph fastball it could be in the bullpen in three seconds.
Jason needs to develop a strikeout pitch to make it this year. If he does not have that strikeout pitch he is still a prospect, but he will need more time to refine his control. Right now it looks like Arnold will need a full year of AAA.
Baseball America last week listed Vinnie Chulk as the Jay who is running out of time. Vinnie was sent down over the weekend but said he was not disappointed, he felt he had a good spring. He allowed six hits and four walks in 6.2 innings.
Encouragingly Vinnie had six strikeouts and did not allow a home run. When Vinnie keeps the ball down in the zone his sinker can get him strikeouts or ground balls. Once Vinnie develops more consistency with his location he could be a very effective middle reliever. 2004 spring training was a good confidence builder for Chulk.
Dustin McGowan entered 2004 as the Jays top pitching prospect. He learned that he still has a ways to go. McGowan pitched 5.2 innings in three games allowing seven runs on ten hits and two walks. McGowan's first appearance was his best, one hit and two K's in 1.2 innings. He allowed seven hits in two innings in his last. Reports suggested McGowan tried to throw the ball past the hitters. That does not work with major league players. Hopefully McGowan started to learn the difference between throwing and pitching.
David Bush appeared in four games pitching nine innings. He conceded eight hits and six walks. Bush's reputation entering 2004 was as a pitcher who threw too many strikes. Either he has changed his approach or he was intimidated by the hitters, the six walks were out of character. Bush had seven K's in his nine innings which is encouraging.
Brandon League, who ended 2003 at Dunedin, had an excellent spring for his level. Brandon appeared in five games and pitched 5.2 innings. League allowed seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts. League throws hard and his stuff allowed him to pitch well for an A ball pitcher. A big confidence boost.
Francisco Rosario made his first game appearance in over a year and showed his rust, allowing four hits in his first inning. Next time out he pitched two innings allowing just one hit and one walk. In his last three appearances Rosario conceded no hits or walks in 2.1 IP with FIVE strikeouts. He got rid of the rust pretty quickly. Spring training was very good for Rosario.
Josh Banks pitched twice and allowed six baserunners in three innings. Encouragingly he had four strikeouts.
Adam Peterson was bombed in his first outing but struck out the side in his second.
Bubbie Buzachero, like Peterson, had one good and one forgettable appearance.
Jesse Harper pitched one successful inning.
Jordan DeJong pitched one inning yesterday and was hit around a bit.
In summary spring training 2004 was a learning experience for most pitchers. Vinnie Chulk looks to be close, and Francisco Rosario was very good. The others will have work to do when their season starts.
I did not track the hitters start by start and I did not have the time to go back to add up their walks and strikeouts. MLB's spring statistics do not track BB's or K's. The hitters, in order of batting average (min 10 AB), were:
Ave AB
Sequea .429 21
Chiaffredo .412 17
Hall .282 39
Rios .265 34
Quiroz .263 19
Hill .231 13
Gross .222 27
Griffin .111 18
Adams .091 11
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