So we bought ourselves a baby pitcher
Anyone know anything about Cassel?
On first glance he doesn't look half bad...maybe I'm just desperate. Let me know what y'all think.
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Cassel
The "good" side of Cassel is that he is a groundball inducing pitcher in the Sampson mode. The "down" side is that he gives up a lot of hits, though not many home runs. Maybe he can become a cheap version of Carlos Silva, who knows? His ERA was good in a very brief ML stint with the Padres last year (3.97) and his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was even better (3.67), which gives a little reassurance. He had a nice season in AAA last year with a 56% groundball rate, a 3.91 ERA, and a 4.01 FIP.
He isn't really a baby pitcher at age 27. At that age, he isn't a prospect, but, heck, he is younger and cheaper than guys like Moeller.
With Y. Ramirez and Cassel, two minor league free agents whom Wade is familiar with (as SD players), his tactic seems to be "offer a major league contract" in order to outbid other teams. The Astros have some room now on the 40 man and can make some of these minor moves.
Not exactly the type of pitcher
More pitching depth signed
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5388131.html
As Ed Wade might say, "can't have too many veteran arms in the bullpen."
Stats:http://firstinning.com/players/Chad-Paronto-a/
If you neutralize his major league career stats at his B-Ref page, 3.83 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, he isn't bad. Maybe another Borkowski type. He is a groundballer.
As I compare stats...
In fact, the Astros may think the new guy looks better than Borkowski because his ERA is much better (i.e., they may not pay more attention to ERA than FIP) and his GB% and HR rates are better. I could see Paronto and Borkowski competing in the spring for a bullpen slot.
A Cassel fan
Cassel has been around for a while. He had some success, but the overall peripherals were AAAA material. I don't know if 2007 was a fluke, but I can tell you that Cassel has changed his arm slot as well as his stride. There was an article back earlier in the season that talked about how the Padres changed his delivery when they first got a hold of him, and now he changed back to his original mechanics after hooking up with an old coach.
So Cassel's 2007 results also happened at the same time he changed his mechanics. Correlation at least.
As for Cassel giving up a lot of hits, PGE Park is turf, and the Beavers defense was just miserable. However, Cassel has given up his share of hits throughout his career. PGE park also suppresses home runs too.
I always thought Sampson was a good comp for Cassel, and they have similar paths to MLB.
On a side note, keep in mind that Cassel pitched for San Diego with the playoffs on the line. It's pretty impressive.
by STG on Dec 19, 2007 12:27 PM CST reply actions
part sophmoric humor - part serious question
by Joe in Birmingham on Dec 19, 2007 4:25 PM CST reply actions

by 
























