How did McCarthy do yesterday?

by bronco28 on Mar 10, 2007 6:10 AM CST Comment 20 comments

John Danks yesterday: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R
(6 IP; 5 H, 1 R overall in ST 2007)

By Dave van Dyck, Chicago Tribune
March 9, 2007, 9:41 PM CST

TUCSON, Ariz. -- He may not have started a game this spring for the White Sox, but John Danks might start the season in the rotation.

Danks, acquired from the Rangers in the Brandon McCarthy trade, leaped to the forefront in the fifth starter battle with three scoreless innings Friday against the Diamondbacks.

He faced the minimum of nine hitters and 16 of his 23 pitches were strikes.

In three relief outings this spring, Danks has allowed five hits, no walks and one run in six innings.

"This kid is really, really, really impressive," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think every outing we send this kid, (he) makes you open your eyes a lot. He's one of the guys who throws the ball the best."

Only 21 and with just 14 games at Triple-A, Danks was slated for Charlotte until he started getting outs--and more outs. Now a spring start could be in his future.

"[Saturday] morning, there's going to be a long talk about him," Guillen said. "I expect we'll have a long talk about that kid to see what we plan to do with him and [Gavin] Floyd and the guys for the fifth spot."

Danks, himself, wasn't all that impressed with Friday's effort, calling it "a little iffy. It wasn't as sharp as I'd have liked it to be."

But he knows what's at stake if he continues to pitch well.

"I'm going to try to make a name for myself, kind of put the pressure on them," he said. "I don't have any control over who they pick. I just have to go in there and keep getting outs."

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Danks is a good one

I'm willing to be no one here would ever wish anything but great success for Johnny Danks. But McCarthy isn't battling for a rotation spot, and it's the second week of March, so his outting yesterday, in terms of stats, is as relevant as a Ozzie's view on world politics.

"With running and conditioning the average major league pitcher works less in a week than a ditch digger does in a hour."

by SteveP on Mar 10, 2007 6:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Right

But weren't we all told that McCarthy (who was facing the Cubs' B team yesterday) showed up to camp in "midseason form" and "ready to go nine innings" and "ready for the playoffs"?

by bronco28 on Mar 10, 2007 6:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

ITS MARCH 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by pblack on Mar 10, 2007 7:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you understand the game of baseball?

Do you know what spring training is for?

by Dustin on Mar 10, 2007 9:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ST

really does separate out the casual fan from the diehard.

everybody should go rent Major League II or something.

"I want him focused on figuring out a way to beat that lefty's ass." - RW

by ab03 on Mar 10, 2007 9:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course I do

It's just funny how every local media outlet had a story about how McCarthy was going to win the Cy Young after his first ST appearance. And how now the Chicago press is doing the same thing over Danks.

It's also cute how both clubs are taking a very proactive approach to selling their fans on the greatness of their acquisition.

As for the issue of whether that deal makes the Rangers better this year, as we've been told that it does, I remain ambivalent.

Don't fear, Ranger homers, I'm sure McCarthy will give you two outings like his first one for every one like his performance yesterday.

And I won't make the mistake of reminding anyone about Danks again ;-)

by bronco28 on Mar 10, 2007 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

It's stupid to get into this outing for outing bullshit in spring training. From what I can tell, they BOTH have a chance to be outstanding pitchers, and I'd bet money that if Danks pitches in Chicago this year he won't do very will. He just needs a little more time. McCarthy should be ready. Danks may very well end up being better, but not yet. And that's why the trade was made.

by Dustin on Mar 10, 2007 10:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bronco

I say this with all humility, but I don't understand a word you're saying.

by pblack on Mar 10, 2007 10:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Danks and McCarthy

Further, there is a huge differece between a guy who is assured of a spot in the rotation (McCarthy) and a guy trying to make a team (danks) in terms of the approach they bring to the mound. For all we know, McCarthy was working on one pitch or something whereas Danks was really trying to show something. The point is, it is an apples and oranges comparison. If, come July or August, Danks is outperforming McCarthy as a starter in the majors then maybe, maybe, we could enter into some critique of the deal, but it is impossible to do that in early March!

by pblack on Mar 10, 2007 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is your goal to throw shit on McCarthy?

If so, why?

I like Danks, but I wouldn't be too eager to proclaim him the second coming just yet. And I wouldn't be too quick to relegate BMac to the scrap heap because of a rough performance early in ST.

Why don't we see where they are at the end of May? You might have to do some serious back-pedaling then.

by Athos on Mar 10, 2007 10:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

No

It's funny to me how last week, McCarthy was going to win the Cy Young b/c he had a good ST outing.

It's also cute how Danks is now the second coming on the Southside b/c he's had 7 good innings.

I find it especially funny that all of the media pro's in D/FW and Chicago are buying the propoganda campaigns by the two clubs.

This is the kind of deal that is extremely dangerous for both clubs. And they both know it, obviously.

Finally, I find it funny how Rangers fans were falling all over themselves touting McCarthy last week b/c he had one good ST outing and are now distancing / ignoring / rationalizing his horrible outing yesterday.

You can't have it both ways folks. If last week's outing was so meaningful, then this one was too. And if this one was not meaningful, then the first one wasn't either.

by bronco28 on Mar 10, 2007 8:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

fan (n.)

Short for Fanatic - a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal.

------------
:) - Obligatory smiley showing I don't mean whatever mean
spiritedness is likely contained in the preceding post

by jtts on Mar 10, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

I think you're preaching to the choir. Wait until Adam asks for predictions on McCarthy, which will probably be sometime next week if I had to guess. There will be a few who are super optimistic, sure, but there will be many more who will be realistic.

Hell, look at the predictions for Millwood, a guy who led the AL in ERA year before last. I saw very few of them that were out of the realm of possibility.

On the other hand, you shouldn't look at the Kam Loe predictions from last ST. Those don't count.

by Dustin on Mar 10, 2007 8:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs