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Joba Ranks
2008-06-14 06:10
by Alex Belth

Once again, it was a nice performance by Joba Chamberlain last night in Houston.

Pete Abraham has Chamberlain's post-game interview while David Pinto explains why Joba belongs in the starting rotation.

Comments
2008-06-14 06:54:47
1.   Ramone
Actually, he doesn't say that Joba belongs in the starting rotation. Pinto says Joba belongs there "[i]f Chamberlain turns out to be an elite starter, say with an ERA of less than 4.00 [otherwise] his ability to overpower the opposition for an inning is more useful in the bullpen."

Damon's comments aside, most people know that a good starter is worth more than a good reliever, even a good closer.

The question has always been whether Joba can be as good as a starter as he was as a reliever. I think the answer will ultimately be yes, particularly because he has multiple good pitches. Although I did wonder in Spring Training when joba started pitching much better when he was officially designated for a relief role.

2008-06-14 06:58:57
2.   mehmattski
As Starter:

12.3IP 12H 6R(4ER) 1HR 9BB 10K 2.84 ERA

As Reliever:

23.2IP 16H 6R(6ER) 1HR 11BB 30K 2.28 ERA

Yeah, the conversion has really hurt him. Actually the best news from last night's game is the two-inning masterpiece of Jose Veras, who could possibly shut up the mouth-breathers for a while if he continues a top-notch relief effort. Roughly half of Veras' peformance this season has come in "Late&Close" scenarios, and in those hitters are:

32 PA, .154/.290/.154

Compared to: 75 PA, .191/.257/.279 overall.

2008-06-14 07:00:19
3.   rbj
Jeez, I remember when a 4.00 era was considered bad.

OK you damn kids, get off the lawn!

2008-06-14 07:07:15
4.   OldYanksFan
I hope this Joba 'starter-or-reliever' talk will end soon. It's been SOOOOOOOOOOO overplayed. From what I've seen he is at least a solid #2 and looks ultimately like a #1.

I expect a years worth of experience will make him a very different pitcher. He has great stuff, but is still figuring out how to apply it. Once he AND the catcher have a definite game plan, I think he will be awesome!

2008-06-14 08:43:18
5.   horace-clarke-era
OYF, you and me, both. It is beyond tiresome by now. The risk is that because the kid is ... a kid, as in REALLY young (and luridly overhyped), he'll have some shaky outings which will instantly revive the back to the pen talk. Add the likelihood of, say, Farns blowing last night's save (thank the gods for Houston's managing) and people will say Joba should have been there to save his own game!

Veras was exceptional.

2008-06-14 09:04:51
6.   rbj
For a different train of thought, if Phil Hughes really is injury prone -- due to pitching many innings -- would it make sense to convert him into Mo's heir?
2008-06-14 09:54:53
7.   JL25and3
3 I have the same problem. Of course, I also remember when the league ERA was under 3.
2008-06-14 09:58:15
8.   horace-clarke-era
rbj, the problem is, the kids aren't on the lawn, they are on the mound in the Bronx, and elsewhere!

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