Jordan Lyles Still Winless, Astros Lose 6-3

by David Coleman on Jul 8, 2011 11:23 PM CDT in Houston Astros News

Well, the Jordan Lyles Train ran aground in Florida. It's not the first time that's happened, as Roy Oswalt seemed to have some of his worst games down in Miami. He gave up that quick no-doubt home run to Hanley Ramirez, while Han-Ram preened around the bases afterwards.

At least he went six innings and only threw 108 pitches. Yes, he did give up five runs and his ERA is now over 4.50, but...yeah, there's nothing redeeming about this start for Lyles. It was just bad.

In fact, this game was so bad that Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond talked about something called a "Super Slam" for about 20 minutes late in this one. It's apparently when a batter hits a game-winning grand slam when the home team is down three runs. It was actually interesting, but also incredibly random, and you could tell that the two guys were much more engaged by that search for triviality than they were in the game.

That's a problem with this team, I guess. The games just keep slinking along. The losses keep piling up and, unless the Astros can sweep a pair of weekend games, the Astros will lose their sixth straight series. Maybe the Astros will hold another team meeting. That seemed to work pretty well last time.

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Jordan’s been pretty homerun prone so far this year.

by conroestro on Jul 9, 2011 4:39 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

His command still isn't up to par

He needs more development time at AAA.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Jul 9, 2011 4:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Everybody was sayin

While he was coming through the minors that his stuff wasn’t electric but he had great polish and command, especially for his age. The few starts I’ve been able to see, I haven’t seen that type of command. I am, however, IN LOVE with the HARDCORE late movement in his fastball. Its really cool to watch I just wish he would throw it in the strike zone for a change. Overall I like Lyles and think he could be a good #2 or #3 pitcher for us for the next couple of years. Maybe a #1 after that…who knows how this kid will develope.

by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 9, 2011 4:53 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

He has very good command for a 20 year old

But “very good command for a 20 year old” is not anywhere near the same thing as “very good command for a MLB pitcher”. He projects to have plus command in the future, but he is not there yet.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Jul 9, 2011 5:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I guess because I’ve never really seen another 20 year old pitcher throw, I can’t compare how progressed he is.

by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 9, 2011 5:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

To me, the big thing is the consistency. In some starts, Lyles has good command. In some, like yesterday, he doesn’t. And I think that inconsistency is what you expect from young pitchers. That’s why my past point has been that you might increase his chances of becoming a 1 or 2 rotation pitcher if he stayed in AAA and worked on his consistency in command and throwing the curve ball. Right now he can pitch like a 4 or 5 rotation pitcher in the majors, but is that what you want him to be?

by clack on Jul 9, 2011 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Do you think he is completely sacrificing his progression or “seasoning” if you will, if he stays up at the ML level? Or can he continue to work on his pitches and command while he’s here? If they shut him down now and send him back to the minors (not likely with attendance already in the toilet) he would still qualify as a.rookie next year right?

by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 9, 2011 6:06 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I don’t know. Obviously he is getting experience here, and maybe he can still work through it satisfactorily. But I think it’s easier to work on issues at the AAA level, because you can devote time to working on one pitch in a game, for instance. I agree that it is unlikely he will be sent back to AAA this year, unless the bottom completely falls out on his performance—-so, it’s probably academic. I wish the Astros had an experienced pitching coach to work with Lyles at the ML level.

by clack on Jul 9, 2011 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ooh! BURN!

HEre that Doug? Experienced!!!

by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 10, 2011 1:36 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Lyles had a lot of problems with his curve ball in this game. As JD said, if one of Lyles’ tools isn’t working, he has trouble finishing off hitters in critical situations.

by clack on Jul 9, 2011 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

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