Chuck James
by mm7du on May 15, 2008 8:20 PM EDT
24 comments
Chuck James is an absolute joke of a major league baseball pitcher. He has two pitches (fastball and change-up) and his fastball sucks. He throws up in the strike zone and he does not fool anyone. He gives up twice as many home runs as an average pitcher. On top of that, he walks so many batters that he is constantly giving up two and three run home runs. We have no chance of winning a game he is pitching for us, and honestly, I never want to see him start another game in a Braves uniform. Bring up Morton, or start Bennett or even Campillo. We really don't have to live with his shittyness.
0 recs |
24 comments
Email
Print
Comments
I think the Chuck James era has come to a close after this horrid performance. Lets hope we see MORTON on the upcoming pitchers list next week.
by bigjoe on May 15, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
^
I think they should’ve stopped sending him up and down. They send him down to work on things, then call him up within a week, then send him down, and you know the drill. It’s just plain foolish to think that the results will be any different.. They have been setting him up to fail since before spring training. He was rehabbing two to three times a week in the off season, driving all across the state of GA only to show up at Roger’s camp and not being allowed to throw off a mound. They wouldn’t let him pitch in big league games. Keeping him in minor league camp just to cover their ass so they could put him on the DL when the team broke. It’s been all against him this whole time. He is one of the worst starting options the braves have as a result of all this.. He can’t keep the ball down or consistently in the zone, he’s casting his change, and has no confidence in a slider. Now he has zero confidence on a big league mound and only slightly more confidence on a minor league mound. Its so frustrating to watch.. Now when they send him down, it’ll be worse than last time, which was worse that the time before that…
by bravos408 on May 15, 2008 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
His days are numbered...
... but don’t forget, he had nothing to work with tonight from the offense.
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
by sdp on May 15, 2008 10:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
^
Hamels had 2 hits, the braves had 3
by bravos408 on May 15, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well
we all knew he would suck in this game. He is a fly ball pitcher and this park is a hitters paradise. WHO did not think that he would suck in this game? But he was recovering from a rotator cuff tear during the offseason. He is still an above average number 5 starter when healthy. No reason to give up on him yet. If the Indians would have given up on Cliff Lee then look what they would be thinkin now. Actually I heard a rumor where they were thinkin of trading Lee for WIckman last July. But I think it was just a rumor, I hope it was just a rumor. lol. Yes I know Lee has ALWAYS been better than James but im sure yall get the point that I am making.
braves#1
by rockybull on May 16, 2008 1:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m going to have to agree with you. I still don’t think he’s fully recovered from the cuff surgery, and I too am not ready to totally give up on him yet (but I’m starting to get close). I think he needs to go down to Triple A, and just work on being consistent. We can if need be call up Morton, or go with Buddy or Bennett. Though I’d rather give Morton a shot, hoping that it doesn’t screw with his development.
That kid is going to be a good rotation guy, not sure about where – solid TOR guy though. Maybe #3 at worst.
by RainDelay on May 16, 2008 4:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My rationale
James is either #5 starter or a LOOGY, tops.
He’s too limited in pitches, and he just not that bright. The location can be attributed to the health, but I do want to emphasize the mental toughness. James is a pitcher that is easily … not rattled, because he’s a southern tough guy who would rather throw at your face than show intimidation (see Oliver Perez), but distracted. Once he gets hit, then he gets worse – I don’t think he has the mental makeup/intelligence to be more than the two roles mentioned above.
Imagine Chuck James with a slice of the intelligence game that Greg Maddux brings to the table. That would be more than enough for a +.500 record, and at least keeping the team in the games past three innings. Until he gets smarter, he better be content with the minor leagues and Lowes’ window installations.
I understand a lot of people are pissed with his performance last night, but I’m not surprised we lost; we had a shit-corn mish-mash lineup, and the Phillies’ ace pitcher was on the mound. But realistically speaking, I don’t think James will ever be any better than his rookie campaign. I’m amazed he even had a .500 record the year after.
real men, don't wear small.
by royhobbs on May 16, 2008 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chuck’s knock coming up through the ranks was that he didn’t have enough pitches and the worry was that he would get knocked around if he didn’t develop an effective third pitch. And it’s showing, I had big hopes for him (as did a lot of people) and I’d hate to see him just explode.
by RainDelay on May 16, 2008 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why can everyone see this...
except Bobby (or is it getting to be Booby?). Move over and give someone else a chance to screw it up, too.
by BBFAN46 on May 16, 2008 7:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chucky has changed his tune....
look at his attitude here:
versus here:
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/printedition/2008/05/16/braves.html?cxntlid=inform_sr
Maybe this is a slightly positive sign. I think he will never be successful until he learns to actually use his head for something besides a place to put his cap. All the anecdotes about what an airhead he is are funny to a certain point, but I think that point has been reached.
by sddbaker on May 16, 2008 11:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He’d be perfectly fine if he just had to face the lineup once through, ie as a tandem starter or long man. He’s absolutely worthless as a guy who’s expected to throw six innings. He simply doesn’t have the stuff to survive and lacks the command.
Chuck in opponent’s 1st PA:
243/356/432 (2008), 220/305/370 (Career)
Chuck in opponent’s 2nd PA:
343/465/714 (2008), 259/329/485 (Career)
I’d love to see the Braves tandem start James and Smoltz once he comes back.
by 17843 on May 16, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Start James, hope he gets through three innings. Then put in Smoltz, so he can go 3-4 innings, and be the pitcher of record, to recoup all the wins he’s been Vultured out of in his second stint as starting pitcher.
real men, don't wear small.
by royhobbs on May 17, 2008 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think...
I saw an article about this concept recently somewhere, but I can’t remember where. It is a verrrry interesting idea.
by sddbaker on May 17, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting Thought.
Honestly, I think we’d be better served with Smoltz as the closer at this point and he seems to favor that as well. Who knows what’s wrong with Soriano and if/when he’ll be back or for how long. Gonzo will take some time to shake off the rust he’s piled on for a year and Moylan will be in his shoes a year from now. Acosta still scares the bejesus out of me and Boyer (my pick for the closer’s role at the moment) can be a bit shaky. All in all, as long as Huddy, Jair and Glavine can pitch as they have, we’ll have enough to patch the backend of the rotation together over the summer before busting out the real reinforcements (Morton, maybe Hanson) for the stretch run.
Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!
by ejruiz on May 17, 2008 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
^
As of right now, I agree with the fact that he can’t go 6 innings in the big leagues without getting lit up, but the results of starting pitchers against hitters during the first time of the order compared to the second time are most likely going to look like this (maybe not this bad). He doesn’t have the raw stuff that would allow him to sustain and compete later in the game, and right now his confidence is shaky at best..the same confidence that helped him dominate in the minor leagues and pitch very well in his rookie year…. . I’m worried that in the 7th and 8th innings (even as a reliever), he may have trouble just the same (as of today). One of the advantages of being a starting pitcher (for the first go around), is not only is the batter facing you for the first time of the day, but it’s his first time batting that day…
by bravos408 on May 17, 2008 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smoltz: He’s without a doubt the best pitcher the Braves have. If he can’t start every fifth day and throw seven innings, we still need to maximize the innings he can throw to make the biggest difference. That does not mean he has to be a closer and should not mean he only throws one inning per appearance. The absolute best way to use him would be in two inning stints in high leverage situations; ie, if it’s a one run game going into the seventh, put Smoltz in to hold the lead for two innings rather than save him for the ninth. That way he’s pitching innings that give us the most benefit, he’s not overly straining his arm, and he could be used at least twice a week. 60-80 max leverage innings would contribute more than 40 innings in the traditional closer role.
Splits: Some splits follow from a random collection of NL lefties. All numbers career.
Glavine
1st – 243/304/353
2nd – 256/316/379
3rd+ – 274/337/399
Oliver Perez
1st – 224/315/392
2nd – 241/354/412
3rd – 269/359/448
Ted Lilly (odd)
1st – 226/303/385
2nd – 270/337/478
3rd – 250/316/425
Tom Gorzellany
1st – 251/329/404
2nd – 264/357/379
3rd – 283/344/437
Now I’m not sure if that proves anything besides that great pitchers are great because they have the stuff to dominate late into games, but none of the four showed a 115 jump in SLG from 1st-2nd or a 226 jump from 1st-3rd.
Tandem starting him is the only way I can see him being any use to us. He has no discernable platoon split (making him worthless as a LOOGY), he’s a flyball pitcher (making him worthless as a groundball causing middle reliever), his inability to last five innings as a starter is well noted, and he doesn’t have electric enough stuff to pitch late in the game.
by 17843 on May 17, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
James to the 'pen?
I think he would be an effective long man out of the bullpen, giving you 1+ innings but no more than 3 at a time. His lack of pitch variety, stamina and most of his other flaws would be limited in this role. He’s lost all trade value at this point and there’s not much hope that he’ll ever be an acceptable ML-caliber starter for Atlanta again, so why not try to salvage what you can while you still have a chance?
Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!
by ejruiz on May 17, 2008 5:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It was mentioned above that he was moved up and down from the bigs to the minors. If you send him down to work on MECHANICS AND A THIRD PITCH then you LEAVE him down there. I also think have the rotator cuff tear has also hindered him. I thought he was going to be another Glavine and learn from him but right now he’s not.
He elevates the ball to much which leads to the HR’s and only throws the change and fastball. Yes, this can be worked out but it will take time. I wouldn’t recall him until after the All-Star Break and maybe even longer. Give Morton a shot.
Im kind of wishing we traded James instead of Devine for Kotsay but i think James can overcome these problems and become a good pitcher in the bigs.
by braves077 on May 17, 2008 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only problem I really see with turning Chuck into a longman is this. We already have 3.. I know Buddy & Bennett are older and could shit the bed at any minute, but do we REALLY need another one?
by bigjoe on May 17, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Braves077
Chuck wouldn’t mind staying in AAA to work on the issues he’s facing. Its just a shame that every attempt to help him get better, is erased by poor starts in Atlanta. He might just develop a sense of security in the minor leagues and not overcome his confidence issues in Atlanta (which ontop of mechanics, and his physical state are other problems). A good start in Richmond doesn’t mean one is ready to pitch in Atlanta. Stringing together multiple 6, 7, 8 inning outtings over a decent span of time in AAA is what would help him. He needs to “re-invent” himself and get back to where he was.. Re-develop somewhat if you will..
by bravos408 on May 17, 2008 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, it pays better than Lowe's, but...
I’d even trade him to Lowe’s at this point. Maybe he does need a fresh start elsewhere, but I have never liked his mechanics (or, lack thereof).
by BBFAN46 on May 20, 2008 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The more I read
The more I think that James is completely worthless in the bigs until he develops at least another pitch.
A flyball LOOGY seems like a bad idea, and given his indiscernible platoon split, what’s the point of using him for more than one batter?
My last thought on this is agreement with everyone who believes he should be back in the minors. Considering he was brought up more or less due to the ineffectiveness of Kyle Davies, John Thomson, and Jorge Sosa, he had some rookie luck and was slated to be a shoe-in. The season after proved all that wrong, when he became an inconsistent .500 pitcher. It’s like he needs to stew around in the minors, get healthy for starters, and develop another pitch. Dominate the minors, and don’t be afraid to experiment, even if it means losing some games. Better for him to learn some new things while taking losses that don’t count than to come to the games that do count with a limited arsenal, and ding up your confidence.
real men, don't wear small.
by royhobbs on May 18, 2008 12:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
