Sunday update: Mauer, Morneau and Nathan named to All-Star team
Posted on July 5th, 2009 – 10:17 AMBy Joe Christensen
The All-Star teams will be announced today at noon on TBS, and we’ll have the update here soon after.
I’m moving forward under the assumption that Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan are making it. All three are deserving again.
On his weekly radio show on KSTP AM-1500, Manager Ron Gardenhire spoke of getting R.A. Dickey back into a long-relief role and gave today’s tentative lineup.
Updates as they come…
Update: Gardenhire hinted that the starting rotation could get juggled, using Monday’s off day to realign the pitchers heading into upcoming series against the Yankees and White Sox.
For now, Scott Baker, Glen Perkins and Anthony Swarzak (corrected) are scheduled to face the Yankees this week.
Update: The Twins announced that they’ve signed sandwich pick Matthew Bashore (No. 46 overall), a pitcher from Indiana University. He’s heading to Elizabethton.
Update: As expected Joe Mauer was named the starting catcher for the AL All-Star team. It is his third selection. He also started last season.
The reserves have not been named yet.
Mauer was the AL’s second leading vote getter, behind Derek Jeter.
The AL starters: C Mauer, 1B Mark Teixeira, 2B Dustin Pedroia, 3B: Evan Longoria, SS Derek Jeter, OF Jason Bay, OF Ichiro Suzuki, OF Josh Hamilton.
The NL starters: C Yadier Molina, 1B Albert Pujols, 2B Chase Utley, 3B: David Wright, SS: Hanley Ramirez, OF Ryan Braun, OF Raul Ibanez, OF Carlos Beltran.
Update: Gardenhire said the team likely will stick with 11 pitchers, partly because they don’t have anybody exactly knocking on the door at Class AAA Rochester. He mentioned RHPs Juan Morillo and Rob Delaney as the two who are throwing the best.
Update: Joe Nathan was named to the AL All-Star team. Still waiting on AL position reserves.
Update: Justin Morneau was named, as well. This is the fourth All-Star selection for Nathan, and the third for Mauer and Morneau.
Update: Morneau also received the third most votes among AL players in the Home Run Derby poll, behind Evan Longoria and Josh Hamilton. Morneau defeated Hamilton for last year’s Home Run Derby crown.
TIGERS (44-36)
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Don Kelly, LF
5. Brandon Inge, 3B
6. Magglio Ordonez, DH
7. Josh Anderson, RF
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Adam Everett, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Rick Porcello (8-5, 3.90 ERA)
TWINS (42-40)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Delmon Young, LF
9. Nick Punto, 2B
Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn (6-4, 3.10)
Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m.
176 Responses to "Sunday update: Mauer, Morneau and Nathan named to All-Star team"
No break for Morneau - oh well!
Dickey seems to be feast or famine. Perfect for long-relief.
If you now look at the numbers that Morneau has put up this year he should be the first baseman. I would not be upset if he decided to take the All Star break off to rest up for the second half.
As for todays lineup.. I like that Delmon is back in as he has started to heat up and this guy was tough on us last time.
This line up is capable of scoring a lot of runs. Let’s hope they start doing that.
IMO this is their best possible lineup right now. go Twins! Delmon=picked to click
Good lineup. Young had a nice game on Friday. I still would like to see Cuddyer and Kubel flipped so that Cuddy might see more lefties and Kubel more righties.
Alright, give us 7 Blacky. one more recovery day for the pen. This lineup should score some for you
Anthony Slama?
Here’s to hoping that Morneau declines the invite to the Home Run Derby when he gets selected today. He’s proven enough in that event already. Just relax and enjoy the weekend Justin. No need to exert yourself for that thing again.
You mean Anthony Swarzak right? or do you know something we don’t???
Is anybody else getting fed up of the annual “Should it count” arguments on sporting televsion across the nation this time of year?
Yes, about 90% of baseball fans agree it’s the dumbest thing ever, but it’s not going anywhere.
It’s even more absurd when they start arguing that not every team should have a representative…
Oh, and since it’s selection Sunday.
Starters:
Joe Mauer, C
Reserves:
Justin Morneau, 1B
Joe Nathan, RP
And of course, Slowey would’ve gone had he not gone down with an injury.
Anthony Slama - You mean Swarzk?
Or is he moving into the MLB starting rotation?
Slowey wouldn’t have gone
slama jamma up or typo??? oh how i would like to turn on tv one day and see a score of 9-2 or something in favor of twins of course…does every game have to be down the wire and depend on nathan ….lets have a blowout once in a blue moon twinkies…lets have some offense, as i know we have the bats….
I read alot of hub bub about the second base spot yesterday. Correct me if I’m wrong. Didn’t they say earlier this month Morales was a minor league all-star at second base before moving him to catcher. Essentially Craig Biggio is in the office, just move him back and you have your solid hitting second baseman, at least an emergency one. I appreciate reading what other Twins fans have to say
Oh yeah: here comes Hakeem and the Glide. Wait, this ain’t basketball; when’d they pick up the sport?
Anyway, no reason to give Harris PAs over Mauer, Morneau, Cuddy, or Kubel. Nonetheless, Porcello gonna get lit up!
So TBS announces the results of the fan poll for who will be in the Home Run Derby.
…#2 on the list is Josh Hamilton, who has been on the DL since June.
Congrats MLB fans for proving that once again you have no idea what you’re talking about.
What happened to batting Mauer 2nd? Twin’s scoring too many runs or other teams filed a protest? RH starting pitchers can not look forward to facing Span, Mauer, Morneau & Kubel all in a row. C’mon Gardy let’s go back to this lineup.
Absent a legit #2 hitter, I’d prefer returning to moving M&M up, as well, coco. But I’m resigned to it not happening.
No matter where they hit, this group should be able to score sufficient runs.
why has there been no talk of Gambinio being called up?
Glad its going to stay at 11 pitchers. Most teams carry 12 or 13 simply because half of the staff can’t be trusted. 11 guys you can reasonably depend on is the way to go
Slowey an All-Star? Puh-lease….
Morneau “exerting” himself in the HR Derby? Puh-lease….What is so exerting about taking batting practice? I wish that was the toughest most “exerting” part of my job.
The White Sox & Tigers are not afraid to make a big trade to try to make the playoffs. It sure would be nice if Twins would beat them to the punch & trade for someone like Sanchez. A .300 hitter at 2b would add a lot of depth to this lineup. To me, this would be even a greater addition to the team than another RH bullpen arm.
Why isn’t bert doing the game today? Smalley? Seriously? Zzzzzz.
Bartlett an All-Star… Awesome trade Smith!
I agree coco. A good 2B would put less pressure on the entire pitching staff as the lineup becomes a monster.
If a bullpen arm is injured, clutter, I don’t doubt Gabino will be in the mix with regard to who is called up.
But lefty at 12:55 says it all.
where’s Bert?
Punto is wearing the white hat today.
Armed Forces Recognition Day, Puntz is wearing NAVY cap.
If Blackie’s on, get used to this. Lotta GBs to be expected.
How come Nathan doesn’t sit with the rest of the bullpen?
I like Blackburn’s hat. Nathan’s too!
Somebody commented yesterday that Dick was talking over Mark Grace yesterday.
Smalley just showed how to solve that. He says “Excuse me, Dick….”
It’s the Twins way.
:)>
Coco,
Sanchez hurt his back getting out of a cab on the way to a game the other day and hasn’t played in the last three games. I’ve had him on my FBB team and am not real impressed.
Not quite, Mornie (as he goes for a single up the middle).
Congratulations on your truly deserved AS selection.
I know, I know, the front office constantly looks at revenue versus expenses. That said, considering the stadium vote, there’s really no good excuse for them not to improve their roster (actually, they’ve decreased payroll). As a lifelong fan, the bland/apathetic approach to winning the division (yes, it would be great to get past the first round of the playoffs), gets increasingly frustrating. Seriously, in order to improve, who do you give up? It’s not like your going to get an All-Star for a bag of balls. And we all know who should not be starting on this team. Reserves? Maybe. Starting? No f n way. But that’s not how the Twins operate - God love ‘em. Fairy tales happened in ‘87 & ‘91. I certainly hope before the 4J’s (5J’s?) careers are over in Minny, they win another World Series. I was fortunate enough to experience 2 World Championships in my lifetime. I’d like to see a 3rd. Or 4th, 5th, etc. Damn, they are just good enough to be frustrating. I’m in a good mood when they win, and a bad mood when they lose…
What is Cuddyers batting avg. with runners in scoring postion? He has got to be the most un-clutch player on our team and would be shocked to hear his avg being over .200.
heatonator, usually the closer and in some cases setup men, stay in the dugout for the first few innings because they wont be used early in the game.
.253 RISP for cuddy
RISP:
Cuddyer .253 .396 .456 .852
Probably the best comp on the team is:
Kubel .247 .330 .506 .836
Morneau is .356
Cuddyer 2009 wRISP: .253/.396/.456
Cuddyer career wRISP: .279/.382/.448
Put “Baseball Reference” in your favorites folder, union, then you can check this stuff yourself.
Not as bad as I thought……wonder how he does with under other certain situations, i.e. bases loaded, 2-outs runners on.
thanks for the tip USAF
A little nuance: RISP w/2 outs: .167 (6 for 36) this year .242 for career. Career .219 hitter in tie games.
Nice bike, Harris.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I can’t wait for Bert to come back ASAP.
Is it just noise? Cuddyer’s two worst career batting averages by inning are the 1st and 2nd.
What’s Baker’s record since his horrible 0-4 start with that 9+ ERA?
6-2 with an ERA in the low 3’s?
Justin - thank you! Smalley is terrible. I’m just waiting for him to talk more about Mauer developing as a hitter and his similarities to Don Mattingly.
MVP!
Justin going for a 40/140 MVP year. All his teammates need to do is keep him in the pennant race.
Morneausie! You magnificant bastard you!
huh?
Somebody missed a sign.
Roy Smalley’s rambling run-on sentences rival Sarah Palin’s.
Oops, Cuddy misses the H&R sign.
Glad thry’s not here. I feel bad enough for Cuddy already.
:)>
Right on romer. With Bake shaping up and F-Bomb puttin in work the rotation is formidable.
watching the Detroit feed… I’ll take the HD over the my29
Porcello’s pitch count is getting high (and they want to limit the rookie’s innings this year) but their pen is gassed. 10 pitch BBs kill right here.
Oh c’mon Justin.
Smalley’s not THAT bad.
Actually, I like Smalley, I’d take him over Bert any day.
Delmon is getting better
The peanut gallery sure turned on ol’ Roy pretty quick.
Yeah Delmon! They just showed him grinning at first base; I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him smile?
Delmonzie!
Boy that botched H&R looms large this inning.
Though I agree with you, Justin — politics on the Twins blogs here always put a burning pit in my gut.
Yeah, it been a tough 1st half for Delmon this year…But if he can turn it around our team suddenly becomes much more intimidating.
So do those 3 runs Chief.
Yeah………missing that Everett guy.
a big game should get mauer his ABs
Of course Roy’s speaking skills aren’t in Palin’s league but he keeps rambling and rambling. Although I do appreciate it when he interrupts Dick.
No more Harris in the 2-hole please. He shoulders the weight too much.
He can get a clutch hit here and there batting 7th.
That’ll work.
At least Smalley has something interesting and intelligent to say, and doesn’t treat us listeners like we’ve never seen a baseball game before.
I’ll admit I’m hugely anti-Delmon, but he’s hitting well lately. I think its to the point where Delmons hitting outweighs Gomez’s defense in the outfield alignment debate.
Which Twin takes the most extra bases (1st to 3rd on a single, 2nd to home on a single) while on the basepaths?
1. Tolbert (58%)
2. Cuddyer (50%)
3. Gomez (44%)
That’s value too.
I agree with getting Harris out of the 2 hole. I like him better around the 7 spot.
Thinking outside the box: If Delmon continues to show this improved plate discipline and hitting stroke, move him to the 2 hole?
If Delmon makes the OF situation moot, the Twins are WS contenders.
Harris is slumping but he’s been kind of streaky all this year. I think he’s a better fit batting before or after Crede, and bump Mauer up to 2nd.
But then again when Harris is hitting well he’s great to have batting second.
Two major changes for the young Young this year:
1- his mom
2- After playing about 160 games a year, he now just platoons. I mean, what do you do with all that idol time through a season? Veterans know how to pace themselves on the bench. I’d think Young goes a little crazy.
“…move him to the 2 hole?”
No…….for reasons #1 and #2 stated above. Can’t through him into another hot kitchen now that he’s found himself some, finally.
Blackie @ 52 pitches thru 5. He has been the best starter this year? (W-L not withstanding)
While we’re at it, how’s about some love for Blackburn? Great start so far.
Another Mauer shift.
No shift beats a walk.
Harris at the 7 hole makes a lot of sense. I forget the exact breakdown, but each spot one moves down the lineup, if left there the whole year, equates to a loss of 30-40 PAs vs. the spot before it. I see no problem with Mauer getting as many PAs as possible (I.e. he hits #2).
About Blackburn: definately the best starter so far. Probably not the best starter from here on out. Nevertheless, clearly an asset in the rotation (not to mention tonight).
So based on yesterday’s game story I take it that Red has some pretty heavy bats. Is that accurate?
Don’t give up on Harris too soon. He has had some good clutch hits.
Nice play by Blackburn on the little popup by Cabrera
72 pitches so far - could easily get thru 8 but probably not CG.
Isn’t Fu Te Ni a pasta dish?
In Luke Hughes’s rehab start in the GCL today he walked FOUR times in 5 PAs.
Blackie must really be bringing it tonight. He’s got a lot of strikeouts as compared to his normal self.
Go Blackie!!!!
You’re thinking of Tofu Te Ni, Too Nice.
No offense, but for the entire month of June Delmon had 0 walks. His OBP was lower than his batting average.
One week of lucky hits doesn’t mean Delmon still doesn’t blow chunks.
Okay, OB……since you’re talking starting staff, I did some leg work. Here’s Baker’s year:
0-4 - 9.15 ERA. Since then……
6-2 - 2.65 ERA
Looks like an ace to me. Remember, his shoulder was messed, and it probably changed his mechanics.
He’ll enjoy his AS break.
Punto still using Red’s heavy bat?
Dick soiled his pants over Punto’s AB.
Punto still using Red’s heavy bat?
Naked head first sliding into first base now?
Miss that Everett guy….
Indeed romer, I’ve always thought Bake was the ace of this staff. Blackie’s been lucky this season (tonight notwithstanding) and Frankie is coming on. All in all, good rotation.
keV, hopefully Delmon has reached his nadir and is now working with the staff on his swing. Hard to hit a lucky home run.
AGH-Wife, no one expects harris to do anything but strike out here.
Sho-nuf…..
Why are they gushing over Punto’s confidence and different approach. He had two hits yesterday, his first two hits of the week. Why is this some turning point?
“soiled his pants” to say the least. It’s like it was his kid in a little league game or something. Smalley’s a lot more pleasant to listen to than Bert.
There’s a 61 point difference in Delmon Young’s first half/second half career OPS numbers. I don’t know if it’s really possible for a guy to need 3 months of work to get locked in, but my money’s still on his production being better from here out than its been thus far.
Harris isn’t a “heavy weight” type. Shouldn’t be at the top of the order.
Why are they gushing over Punto’s confidence and different approach. He had two hits yesterday, his first two hits of the week. Why is this some turning point?
Punto is so awesome that anything bad he does is overlooked, and any success is overstated.
And Delmon is useless, he’s the same player he was 5 years ago in the minors.
Burn that pen. Tabbies will be hurting next series (starts tomorrow vs. KC).
Why are they gushing over Punto’s confidence and different approach
The cynic in me would say the Twins have told the announcers to point out reasons why the Twins don’t need Freddie Sanchez (or any upgrade) at second base.
Yesterday Gladden spent two innings explaining why the Twins were dead solid perfect at every position, today it’s the TV staff.
But that’s just the cynic in me talking. Probably coincidence.
Nice magic trick!
Or…you know…that IS a really good at bat.
Yesterday Gladden spent two innings explaining why the Twins were dead solid perfect at every position, today it’s the TV staff.
But that’s just the cynic in me talking. Probably coincidence.
While my cynic side agrees, it also says Gladden is an idiot who goes off on tangents all the time. 
So with this AB, Mauer is officially on the leaderboards now?
It was a good AB, T. I agree.
Doesn’t mean both can’t be true…
And can I have the PoD for the “Tofu Te Ni” post?
That’s my best stuff right there, and not even a chuckle from you’s guys.
Give me some love here, people.
Let’s hope Blackburn can get through the 8th quickly, and maybe have an extended bottom so he can go for the CG. That’d be a HUGE pickmeup for the pen.
Chief,
Dazzle was terrible yesterday talking down the Twins trade needs. It sounded like he thinks all trades are bad.
The no-brainer 2B upgrade the Twins need went 2-4 last night and 2-3 with 2 walks and a home run today: Steve Tolleson. Prof. Gardenhire will hate the imperfect glove, but it’s certainly serviceable and his offense will be a vaaaaast (say it with the pretentious accent to amuse yourself) improvement. I do love me some Freddy Sanchez, but that’s as a Buc. I realize he’s in all probability not long for that world, but let me dream, ok?
Kubel quietly back over .300 today.
I chuckled Chief. Props.
“Give me some love here, people.”
We luvs the Chief. (Didn’t know what you were talking about…)
Can the Okie manager just put Baby Jesus batting second again and leave him?
Your 4 best hitters in a row!!!
Anyone else think Morneau should turn down the home run derby? Why mess up his swing when he still gets no credit for winning last year.
Great job by Blackburn thus far!
Blackburn should be going to the all star game.
Dang, Morneau had a chance to tie a major league record there in the 8th.
You gotta let Blackie start the 9th, don’t you?
Heavy-weight or not, another thing about Harris is a pretty tiring position to play.
Next time it’s obvious he’s wearing down some, play Tolbert.
What was it Chief?
I was just going to say it’s good to see the guys still taking good ABs and working the count at this point at the game and then Delmon grounds into a DP on the first pitch….
What was it Chief?
Three foul fly putouts in one inning.
He would’ve shared the record with a cast of thousands! 
Other 42, Smalley……..
Merriweather has a plane to catch, apparently.
Delmon just wanted keVin to hurl chunks.
I was just going to say it’s good to see the guys still taking good ABs and working the count at this point at the game and then Delmon grounds into a DP on the first pitch….
Delmon walks total in July >>> Delmon walk total in June.
93 pitches for Blacky……2 outs to go.
tripledot got a point at 3:19. Now lets see the exclamation point Blackburn!
Smalley (by mentioning not wanting to jinx anything) has effectively jinxed it.
Another screw-up in Left by Delmon…
Good going DnB, with an assist by the OF.
Dang, Blackburn just can’t seem to go the distance.
Dragon: That was Span in LF, moved over from CF (ironically enough) for defensive purposes.
I’ll settle for the win.
Still a tremendous job by Blackburn. He can take a shutout into the 9th any time as far as I’m concerned.
Too bad he didn’t do the ol’ unintentional intentional….
How did Delmon screw up?
Delmon apparently screwed up by letting Gardy take him out of the game to put Gomez in CF and slide Span to LF.
Laird bunting = Twins baseball!
Pretty sure dragon was being sarcastic there, guys.
T.
I know that, just wanted to make a post fitting the feelings on this blog
Regards,
ah. It’s hard to tell these days. Really.
Or not. Still, the pen is rested.
Good thing the Tigers went with defense or a good hitter would be up now.
Didn’t you tell me yesterday that sarcasm rarely works in print?
Blackie’s just not as good as his ERA and WHIP suggest. He is not the groundball machine the Twins PR shills make him out to be, and everybody knows he doesn’t (normally) overpower anyone. 3 starts ago I said he was due for some 10 hit shellacings and that’s just what happened. He’s been a bit better today (6 Ks) than usual, but I just don’t see him as ace material at this point.
That really WAS a great D by Morneau there.
Wow.
Nice to get a cozy win after the nailbiter yesterday and the let down on Friday.
Twins should be in high spirits with the Yankees coming to town. They played them close in NY, they’ve got to feel like they can do it.
shut your pie hole toby!
Nice finish to the weekend after that tough, tough loss Friday night. We’d probably all have been willing to accept 2 of 3 from the Tigers if offered that.
Now let’s keep it rolling. 4 of 6 before the AS break would be fine with me.
You’re right toby. Blackburn is a 4-5 starter who has had a good half year while the true talent has rounded into shape. His efforts should be applauded.
Yeah toby - you sure told us
But toby and OB, there has to be some kind of phantom quality to Blacky’s pitches. Batters just don’t get good wood on them. It’s a nuance thing.
He looks like a great #3 pitcher.
AND, Chief………..a *totally* rested BP starting Tuesday.
He throws some sort of cutter right romer. I have yet to see the man pitch.
ChiSox on the verge of losing 2 outta 3 to KC. 6-3 in the 9th.
Mauer hitting only .340 the past 30 days (yikes, how horrible).
Also, looks like his power swing has weakened some.
Put him in the 2-hole.
OB, he could bring it 95 mph a year ago. But it screws up his game plan. Rarely goes over 90-91 now.
Spot on romer.
Span CF
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
Cuddy RF
Kubel DH
Crede 3B
Young LF
Harris SS
Punto 2B
One good bat away from being truly scary.
Your 2nd place Twins 3 behind in the loss column.
I see romer. Looks like he throws a cutter too (about a fifth of the time at 86 or so). I’ve always been a fan of that cut fastball, never could get the grip right though. The arm action must be awfully similar.
romer: sabremetricians have yet to discover the non-junkball pitcher who has a discernible “phantom” (or other) quality such that they consistently post BABIP numbers lower than .290-.300 without being otherwise dominant K/BB-wise. It just doesn’t happen over the long run. If his above average control doesn’t suddenly become otherwordly and if he continues to strikeout out 10-11% of hitters while inducing an average number of groundballs he WILL yield hits in general and extra base hits/home runs specifically at a greater rate than he has in the first half of 2009. I’m just trying to inject some realism into the Blackburn love fest, that’s all, which is what I was doing 3 weeks ago when the gushing was over the freaking top. Now would be a great time to trade him — while the ERA and WHIP are lower than they’re likely to be — if somebody’s offering real (potential) star-quality SS help. It’s not like Plouffe’s exactly blossoming at Rochester. Prior to todays game his LOB% was 75.5%. Maybe he’s just that “clutch”, huh? Don’t bet on it. You don’t even have to assume his rates will change: just look at his base runs (normalizes the distribution of hits/walks/outs to show the “typical” ERA for a guy’s stat line) of 4.21 coming into this game!
Don’t get me wrong: I like him; I think he could indeed get better; I’m not saying they SHOULD trade him. I’m just saying his numbers are likely to decline in the second half.
Now would NOT be a good time to trade your best performing pitcher (in July when you are 2 games out). In fact I don’t think there’s ever a right time to do that. Just because you can’t explain it away sabermetrically doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. The fact remains that Blackburn is flirting with a CGSHO nearly every time he gets on the hill. He may indeed regress but sometimes you need to step away from the stat sheet and see the forest for the trees. Suggesting the Twins trade Blackburn at this point is laughable.
toby said:”Prior to todays game his LOB% was 75.5%. Maybe he’s just that “clutch”, huh? Don’t bet on it. You don’t even have to assume his rates will change: just look at his base runs (normalizes the distribution of hits/walks/outs to show the “typical” ERA for a guy’s stat line) of 4.21 coming into this game!”
Ok Toby, I’ll bite.
Why is MLB GAMEDAY putting out bogus ERA statistics on Blackburn?
Since you have posted the ACTUAL ERA?
Just curious.
Regards,
Blackburn last year:
33 Starts, 193.1 IP, 224 H, 102 R, 87 ER, 23 HR, 39 BB, 96 SO, 11 Wins, 11 Losses.
Blackburns pace this year:
33 Starts, 226 IP, 234 H, 90 R, 74 ER, 20 HR, 55 BB, 100 SO, 14 Wins, 8 Losses
Two things stand out to me in those stats. His walk rate is up quite a bit compared to last year, which is probably helping him throw off some hitters.
The other thing I notice is that he’s actually on pace to give up more hits than last year. I’m pretty sure he’s been helped out a TON by our stellar defense this year (best in baseball fyi) more than anything else.
But more than anything it looks like a young’ish pitcher improving on a previous season.
The guy is turning in to a steady work horse type pitcher. A high quality middle of the order guy, with grit to get through any situation (like last years 1 game playoff.)
