Is it Just Me?

by mhsiegel14 on Apr 8, 2006 1:49 AM EDT

I watched Joey Devine's first ML appearance. Was impressed with his stuff. Saw him give up a slam. Oh well First time jitters. Next time same thing. Then there's game five of the NLDS. I just turned on the TV in time for him to blow the game to Alou. Does he not like me or something? How can a kid with such killer stuff get hit so hard? Every time I see him, he has the look of an ace reliever. And every time I see him, he blows up!

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It's You!

Just kidding of course :)

We need to be patient with this kid. Remember, he went from college to the majors in a very short time. Besides, I would throw out last night's game. The weather conditions were atrocious. Just look at the 10 walks given up by the Giants. That has to tell you something.

Joe Hamrahi

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Apr 8, 2006 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, but...

Having watched the games on TV, I'd say Devine has developed a chronic problem. He sometimes releases the ball too late, so it hooks WAY to the left -- we're talking out of the catcher's reach, Nuke LaLoosh hitting the bull, that kind of left.

He did it about 3 times during Friday's rainy game... and did it again on Saturday, in perfect sunny conditions.

It seems to happen against right-handed batters only -- Devine threw two perfect, perfect inside pitches to Barry Bonds on Saturday, even getting barry to swing at one.

Still -- something's very, very wrong. Devine needs some serious work on nerves or mechanics or something. They should get him back to the shelter of the minors, and fast.

by wedge on Apr 9, 2006 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

Yesterday, the announcers were saying that he may be used to his pitches fooling hitters in college and the low minors, but major league players are more experience and more patient. And the wild pitches come from him trying to overthrow his pitches.

I think some work at AAA would do wonders with him learning how to pitch to experienced hitters, instead of how to throw past inexperienced ones. Lots of ML-quality and AAAA guys would be in opposing lineups so he could learn without hurting the team. He looks promising to me -- some seriously good stuff. But he needs to work on the mental apsect of getting ML-calibre hitters to swing and miss.

by mhsiegel14 on Apr 9, 2006 4:34 PM EDT reply actions