Innings Limit

Friday, August 21 2009 @ 12:52 PM EDT

Contributed by: John Northey

Many reports have come out that the Jay pitchers are hitting their inning limit.  Lets look at the kids and see where they are against their recent past.  Speculation on who should/will come up to fill in is welcome.

Listing player with B-R link, maximum innings they have ever thrown in a professional season, 2009 innings (all levels) and how many innings they should have left with the +30 IP rule (a general rule of how far you should push a kid pitcher)

Ricky Romero  - not listed as an 'at risk' candidate by the same sources.
Max innings: 164.1 last year
2009 innings so far: 139
Innings left on meter: 55 - no risk

Brett Cecil - listed as near his limit by sources.
Max innings: 118.2 (last year)
2009 innings so far: 119
Innings left on meter: 29.2 - yeah, that's close

Marc Rzepczynski - listed as near his limit.
Max innings: 121.0 (last year)
2009 innings so far: 130.1
Innings left on meter: 20.2 - not much left

David Purcey - in AAA, potential call-up
Max innings: 182 (last year)
2009 innings so far: 138.1
Innings left on meter: Tons

Fabio Castro - Potential call-up from AAA
Max innings: 120.1 (last year)
2009 innings so far: 146.2
Innings left on meter: 3.1 - not coming up I suspect

Zachary Stewart - unlikely call-up from AAA
Max innings: 33.0 (plus 47 in college)
2009 innings so far: 95.0
Innings left on meter: factor in college and it is just 15 more to go

Kenny Rodriguez - unlikely call-up from AA
Max innings: 134
2009 innings so far: 113.0
Innings left on meter: 51

A shame Brad Mills is DL'ed as he hit 147 last year thus would've had lots left in the tank most likely.  Reidier Gonzalez in AA is DL'ed with his 2.90 ERA.  Randy Boone has thrown just 115.1 IP in AA vs his 143 last year but doesn't have to go on the 40 man this winter so odds are strong against him. Robert Ray is DL'ed as well.  Others either aren't high enough in the system (AA/AAA) or just aren't doing well (Davis Romero for example).

So, who has innings left then among potential starting pitcher call-ups?
David Purcey, and Kenny Rodriguez.  Given Rodriguez is just in his 2nd pro season he is very unlikely to get the call (Jays will want to save that 40 man slot and a future option for him I'm sure).  So Purcey mixed with a few relievers to fill in the innings appears by far the best bet.  Tallet/Purcey in the rotation along with Accardo/Hayhurst eating any innings possible along with the current pen.  Boy is September going to get ugly.  I fear the return of Brian Burres and maybe T.J. Beam if the Jays get desperate enough for arms that are not going to fall off.

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