Blake Beavan Interview
by jparks77 on Dec 1, 2008 8:46 AM CST
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Q: Are you cocky, confident, or a combination of the two?
Beavan: Every professional athlete is cocky in his or her own way. That's what makes you good. Whether it's cocky as far as showing people in body language, or the quiet cocky, I think everybody is some sort of cocky. I'd say I'm more confident than anything. Back in high school I'd tell you that I was definitely cocky, but now I've been through a year and a half of professional baseball, with instructs and stuff, and it brings you back down to earth and humbles you and makes you realize that you aren't the only good athlete out there -- that you are going to have to work just as hard, if not double the effort of the other guys, if you want to be on that stage.
Question: Assume that Beavan's velo is already back in the 92-95 range. Does that have influence on where you would rank him on a prospect list? How much higher would you rank him because of the increased velo?
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Nice interview
Intersting to know that he understands the difference of pitching with and without velocity.
If his velocity come back, but he still understands the art of pitching, look out, hes got closer written all over him. Unless his change develops…
I'll re-post this here because I'm actually curious about it
Question: Assume that Beavan’s velo is already back in the 92-95 range. Does that have influence on where you would rank him on a prospect list? How much higher would you rank him because of the increased velo?
IMO
an increase in velocity would give him a better chance at being an elite closer. I think having that as a fall back is worth more. How much higher does that put him? I don’t really know — maybe a spot or two?
I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles
why do you say he'd be a closer
if anything, beaven proved to be the most durable of our 07 first rounders (i guess outside of hunter)… He definitely seemed to be able to get hitters out up and down the order twice, and that would only be helped with an increased velo. Id really think that this year at least proved that Beaven is much more of a SP than a reliever. And if his stuff doesnt really come back he’d be more a back end starter, but if it does more of a front end guy.
I think he's referring to
Beavan’s lack of a true “out” pitch. Increased velo would make his FB his greatest asset, but his CU and slider are works in progress. It all depends on how all 3 pitches develop.
"Holland didn’t make that kid question his swing, he made him question his career path"
Lack of a true out pitch would seem to disqualify him as a closer, not the other way around.
Closers usually have two solid pitches, one of which is a true out pitch.
A big durable dude with three average/above-average pitches screams starter to me.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
Me too
and Dirk clarified below, he was referring to the tendency for the back end of the bullpen to be flamethrowers.
Beavan has never seemed to be a closer in waiting… that role is reserved for Kiker/Feliz types.
"Holland didn’t make that kid question his swing, he made him question his career path"
Kiker
having velo issues of his own.
Bring up Matt West '09
by inactive lsb user on Dec 1, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply actions
I just meant if he doesn't make it as a starter
having the ability to get that extra velo can be the difference between a marginal closer and an all-star.
I didn’t mean for that to come across as I think it’s likely he ends up as a closer.
I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles
IMO
a couple spots higher, from ~12 to ~8/9 with Martin Perez. Ahead of Hurley, Beltre, Borbon for me.
"Holland didn’t make that kid question his swing, he made him question his career path"
Possibly a spot or two.
I already have him at ten so it’d be hard for him to move up too much just on velocity, but I think he could leapfrog up a bit in my book if he was showing that he could sit at ~92-93 over a full start just cause it would serve to alleviate some of my bat-missing concerns regarding the Wonderful Wun.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
We need to make
a dirkatron callsign list. Anybody that browses but doesn’t frequent this forum would have no idea who you are talking about 2/3 of the time… at least
"Holland didn’t make that kid question his swing, he made him question his career path"
Hah!
I do tend to just make shit up and kind of expect people to catch on with things like BORP and LAIE.
I think Eric Thompson’s Ghost needs to post a new LSB user’s guide.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
Results
It would depend heavily on how he controlled it. If his results were good, then he’d definitely be higher.
JParks - Clarification please
Do you mean working 92-95 or working in the low 90s but being able to ratchet it up to 95? Dont mean to nitpick but there is a huge difference for me.
Working in 92-95 range
Of course the catch is that he might sacrifice some movement for the velo increase.
Right,
that is exactly why I asked. Thank you. He would shoot up the list for me provided he keeps his pitching philosophy intact. From what I have heard and seen (only video) during last season he was spotting up very well.
Something in your interview that caught my attention was that Beavan said that he realized he had to pitch like a guy throwing high 80s-low 90s. This means that most of his pitches were likely low in the zone and he did less “challenging” to hitters. I think with this increased velocity he would be able to change his hitters’ eye levels. Instead of working side to side through the zone he could work up and down with less fear. Like I said I above I would hope that he would keep his pitching philosophy intact however with the caveat that now he can be more creative with his FB.
Id probably re-rank him
RIght there with Main. It seems like the only thing seperating the two is the fact that beaven’s velo went down. i know makeup and what not, but if you look at the numbers, the secondary pitches, beaven probably even’s out the makeup worries with the lack of injury concerns and pure performance last year.
The real issue to me
as you pointed out before is: what the hell happened to his reportedly plus slider? The reemergence (or the appearance for the first time) of this plus pitch would do wonders for his fastball even if he only sits 89-92…
I would
have him higher on my list if his velo increased. prob 5 notches higher. but only if he’s keeping it down in the zone and stays with his same philosophy. he’s pitching now, not throwing as he did during his prep career. If he’s painting w/ 5mph more on his fb, then he’s missing more bats. Right now he’s pitching to contact which is great and he’s been successful at it, but start humping it up there 93-95..it just makes him more effective (and a little more intimidating to the hitters). Not to mention his secondary stuff would be more effective as the hitters need to prep for a fb w/ more zip. just my pov.
Freddie King rules faces.
by Cecilio's Guante on Dec 1, 2008 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
Follow-up
Would you favor a pitcher with an upper 80s/low 90s fastball with serious sink or a pitcher that throws in the 92-95 range with less movement? Assume the comps are similar.
It’s obvious what I’m getting at here, but I find the topic very interesting.
I appreciate the responses.
Velo is exciting, but
I’d probably go with the movement guy if everything else was similar.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Movement
Gimme Webb over Oswalt/Burnett or any of those FB/CB guys any day
"Holland didn’t make that kid question his swing, he made him question his career path"
Any of those FB / CB guys?
Like Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax?
by mjh on Dec 2, 2008 6:42 AM CST up reply actions
Me, I'll take both.
/sarcasm
" He throws it where he wants it, his breaking ball kept getting better and better and of course God gave him that special arm. He's great." ~ Neftali Feliz on Derek Holland.
That word doesn't mean what you think it means
Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.
Coco "coffee is for closers" Cordero is a good case in point
97-8 with zero movement. When his control is on, he’s effective, but definitely not unhittable. With out control, he’s borderline useless.
I suspect most people would take good movement over 3-4 mph, wouldn’t you?
Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.
Absolutely
I’m just trying to figure out why Beavan is usually ranked where Beavan is usually ranked. I have my reasons (secondary development), but I was curious to see if the velo dip was enough of a negative to influence his ranking.
It seems that some would prefer a few more ticks on his fastball and downgrade him for that, while others would rather have the current velo with the current movement and downgrade him for something else. Of course, it’s not out of the question to assume he could gain velo while keeping the movement, but that’s another story.
Basically, I’m just trying to find out why people think Beavan is a second tier prospect. It’s intriguing to me.
It isn't the lost velocity for me (although that definitely disappointed)
It is the low k rate.
If he was throwing 89 with 10K/9 he’d be right behind Main and Perez.
Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.
same here
people see the low strikeout rate and hear the reports of diminished velocity. I assume that those two are probably related. If his strikeout rate drastically improves while his velocity stays the same, then that is a great development.
In memory of Ulysses Simpson Grant Stoner. RIP Lil Stoner.
Yes. Although he still is right behind those guys in my book, which is much smarter and has better illustrations than yours.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
You gotta miss bats
There isn’t any way around it in the minors.
Hopefully this is just a speed bump incurred from refining his delivery. Cuz, you be on the money, he’s doing everything else right.
And FYI: Your book may be smarter (I’m sure it has many more pages exhaustively researched), but mine has a foreword by Clint Eastwood.
Have you heard of him? He’s an Academy award winning director.
Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.
Yah, and he deserved the Oscar he won... for Unforgiven.
It’s so cute that you believe everything the Academy Awards tell you, though.
Why form your own opinions when the a bunch of Hollywood douchebags can tell you what to think?
“Not only was Crash the best film of the year, it was also the best edited film of the year!” -Brian Thomas, Academy Award parrot.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
You see through me like a dirty window
Up late drinking again?
Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.
Up early.
And it’s not like you’re an opaque dude when it comes to your affinity for various movies/tv shows.
You like what the award givers and aficionados tell you that you should like. I’m sorry I’m not like you and I can decide for myself whether or not a movie is good or horrendously stupid in a way that is insulting to the viewer and really to all of humanity in general.
It must be nice to be Mr. B. Carter Thomas and have the Academy go on television once a year and tell you what movies you should think are good.
“Honestly, do you squids grok just how superb the sound mixing was in the Bourne Ultimatium!?” -Brian Thomas, Academy Award parrot.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
I enjoy
Clint Eastwood’s subtle touches in all his movies.
Nolan Ryan is the Greatest Pitcher ever, because Google says so.
"BTW I’m officially welching ab03. Yeah I planned too all along, but I figured I’d try to get off the hook with double or nothing first."- Sharky
I just love
blatently stealing others schtick :)
Nolan Ryan is the Greatest Pitcher ever, because Google says so.
"BTW I’m officially welching ab03. Yeah I planned too all along, but I figured I’d try to get off the hook with double or nothing first."- Sharky
he doesn't look so much angry or vengeful
as he does constipated. do you think that’s how he came up with that famous scowl? is that also how the Cower scour came about…?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 3, 2008 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
I'm more of a shill than a parrot, thank you very much
And Crash winning was a traveshamockery.
So, to summarize your feelings on the subject:
Me: stupid, lazy, lemming.
You: misunderstood genius who walks to the beat of a different drummer, holding court for all who are savvy enough to recognize true erudition when they sees it.
Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.
by Brian Thomas on Dec 2, 2008 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Yes, finally.
Rec.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
Ha, ha, ha! It got greened!
Take that, Thomas!!!
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
by thedirkatron on Dec 2, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
You're a grumpy asscrack who likes to jab at people when you know they're wrong.
Not very different from the rest of the blogging community.
meet me at the mawwl... it's goin dowwn...
by oc on Dec 2, 2008 7:44 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
This.
Green it.
Bring up Matt West '09
by inactive lsb user on Dec 2, 2008 9:15 PM CST up reply actions
Wha happen?
Where did his plus slider get away to?
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
Slider
The problem with his slider is that it was never really a plus pitch to begin with. It might have had plus potential, he could definitely spin it in high school and it certainly had its moments in ’08, but I strongly doubt it was ever a legit plus pitch.
I think people (fans, prospectors, writers, etc.) have a tendency to misinterpret/misrepresent scouting grades. “Plus potential” can easily turn into straight up “plus” when the situation calls for it. Before you know it plus-plus grades are all over place and some 17 year old in short season ball has three plus pitches attached to his resume.
All that said, Beavan’s slider could still develop into a monster of a pitch. It currently has monster potential or even monster-monster potential if the situation happens to call for that.
Ah-ha!
Thanks for the clarification. Perhaps all us prospectophiles add to this dilemma, huh?
I’ll be pulling for monster-monster on the slider ;)
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
Slider
He just seems to get around it too much. I think this could be solved with more focus on his fingers as opposed to trying to spin it with his wrist.
I agree
when you’re a manchild throwing 96 with all the hitters “gearing up” for the fastball, then you throw something up there 10 mph slower, you’re going to get some dumb looks. Dumb looks make some think he’s got a slider Jesus would dig. I can totally see how the slider got overhyped. But it could also be that since he’s learned a new delivery / arm action his slider has suffered. I’m giving this kid’s loss of velo and loss of slider (supposed out pitch)) til end of next year, if they’re both still lacking then there’s maybe something to worry about…until then, just something to keep your eye on.
Freddie King rules faces.
by Cecilio's Guante on Dec 1, 2008 9:01 PM CST up reply actions
do we have anybody with
a “monster-monster” pitch currently in our system? does Feliz have movement on that 100 mph comet???
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 3, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
Yep
Feliz has the best pitch in our system. It has both velo and movement (which is rare) and he can command it. I’ve seen it mentioned as being an 80 on the 20-80 scale. That’s beyond monster-monster.
There's something beyond moster-monster?
I figured monster-monster meant 80.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
by thedirkatron on Dec 3, 2008 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
I learn new stuff every single day thanks to LSB.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
There are two kinds of men in this world: Men who make jump throws, and men who wish that they were Derek Jeter so that they could make jump throws.
Holland's fastball.
If it stays at 94-96, his fastball isn’t far from “monster-monster” status.
Neftali Feliz is not a swimmer.
does it have the movement?
I know he has the control…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 4, 2008 9:59 AM CST up reply actions
With his massive # of swing-and-misses
it’s gotta.
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
Absolutely.
Movement + command + velocity = great fastball.
Neftali Feliz is not a swimmer.
by NoNameOnCard on Dec 5, 2008 12:50 AM CST up reply actions
it really is nasty
just watching it in short clips it looks sick. THat thing has some sick tailing action to it, going that fast, i can understand how no one can hit it.
Monster-monster-monster
Feliz’s fastball looks like a 90 on the 20-80 scale. But I tend to exaggerate…
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
how about this...
if he never had that velocity, it wouldn’t have been a great reason to knock him down a few pegs…but then again, he probably wouldn’t have been up as high as he originally was. and to the naked eye, that loss in velocity hurts somebody that was throwing pretty hard to start out. but if you take his peripherals, and how much success he had, which I think was quite considerable, and take the fact that he actually learned how to “pitch” instead of just “throw” this past year while not being able to use a dominant fastball, I would actually rank him much higher than most do right now…right on the heels of Main, especially if he regains a few mph on the heater. sacrifice movement for 3-4 mph? can he dial it down to 89-91 still and use that movement, or does adding 3-4 mph completely take away the movement from here on out? if not, I think he’s a very good prospect.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 3, 2008 10:59 AM CST up reply actions
Movement
Especially in this ballpark, a sink pitch is prefect for groundballs and not flyballs
In Smoak We Trust
I'll take the one that comes with command
and not the “pound the strike zone” type of command, but the paint the black in and out kind of command.
Luis Mendoza and Ryan Drese threw some sickly sinkers, but leave them over the plate and it’ll still get hit hard.
I know ERA isn't everything, but...
…his 2.37 era was lower than Holland’s while in Clinton (2.40), lower than Feliz’s while in Clinton (2.58), lower than Main’s, Kiker (‘07), Poveda (’07), etc. I know there’s a huge fuss being made about his lack of velocity, but as long as he can keep the walk rate down, I think he’ll be just fine.
If that velocity does come back, he could be scary good.
If
we start hearing that he’s pitching regularly in the 92-95 range and see that his K/BB rate is the same and that people aren’t hitting him any harder even after a jump from a pitching oriented Low A league to a hitting oriented High A league, I’d be pretty excited.
While it’s not bad, his HR rate wasn’t great for his league, and though he had a GB tendency, I wouldn’t think from his stats that the sink (not movement, but specifically sink) on his FB was a huge player this year.
You want the best combination of velocity, movement and command on the FB, but the perception that I had from his draft year was that he didn’t lack movement or command despite his high velocity. Maybe he just can’t throw as hard with clean mechanics (wouldn’t be a surprise), but that’s a little different question from yours.
World Peace and The Perfect Pitch?
I want the answers BEFORE I buy more nachos!
Smile when you call me Beat Weed!
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