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Goldstein on Blake Beavan

20080813andrusfeliz_tiny by zywica on

From his Monday Ten Pack:

Blake Beavan, RHP, Low-A Clinton (Rangers)
On the surface, Beavan is having an outstanding full-season debut. On Friday, he struck out a career-high nine batters over six shutout innings to lower his ERA to 2.28 in 19 starts for the LumberKings, while limiting Midwest League hitters to a .230 batting average. Still, scouts are wondering what happened to last year's high school power pitcher who was consistently hitting the mid-90s with his fastball. On Friday, Beavan was at 88-92 mph, actually a step up from where's he's been in the recent past. He's now succeeding on sink, absolutely impeccable command and control, and much-improved secondary stuff, including a nice slider and changeup. Whether that makes him better or worse as a prospect is debatable, but it certainly makes him different, and we'll probably need another year before we consider adding him to the long list of players who hit their peak velocity while still in high school.

I know that some of our prospect analysts - and Beavan himself - feel like they have a handle on why the velocity has dropped and seem to be confident that it will return. I'm a little more concerned about that, but it is certainly good that the rest of his game has seemed to progress to compensate, and if the velocity does come back, that's quite a package.

 

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Velo loss

I’m struggling to recall any prospects who lost this much velocity and then regained it back after “adjusting” to the pro schedule. Anyone?

It may be that his high school velocity came at the cost of command and/or control that would not allow him to succeed at the pro level. If he needs to be a low 90s pitcher to succeed, than ok, but I’d feel better if I had some sort of success story in my memory to compare to.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 11, 2008 2:35 PM CDT   0 recs

Heh

That would be nice. Did Cahill have better velocity in high school before turning pro?

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 11, 2008 3:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I believe so

and he hasn’t gotten it back to HS levels

by FirebatM3 on Aug 11, 2008 3:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

loss of velocity

Several of the high profile guys that have entered the system via the draft have been touted with big fastballs and have ended up with something significantly less than that. Diamond, Hurley (in particular), Kiker, now possibly Beavan….that’s a bevy of pitchers that were all drafted with mid nineties cheese and now each of those guys seems to sit in the high eighties.

I don’t know if this loss of velocity is common in every system, a part of the culling process that goes on everywhere, or is there something wrong going on developmentally with these high-profile, diminshed velo prospects. Anybody have a guess what is going on?

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Aug 11, 2008 6:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it's an important question

It obviously happens with guys, and this organization has also seen some velocity jumps, like with Holland. But those you listed are all first round picks and all guys who the organization thought needed mechanical adjustments. Everyone has some adjustments to make, but I definitely wonder if something is up. You just can’t afford to have a trend like that, whatever the explanation(s).

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Aug 11, 2008 6:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Inflated scouting numbers?

Is it possible scouts give high school guys inflated numbers either by accident or intentionally?

"Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states" - Barack Obama

by DaheelzCM on Aug 11, 2008 6:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think

that’s the case here. Plus, Diamond, Hurley and Kiker all threw at the same high velocities at certain points in the system. They just haven’t continued to.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Aug 11, 2008 6:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes

What is going on is these pitching prospects are taught to be slow and controlled with their delivery. That’s a velocity killer. In Hurley’s last outting he looked nearly as slow as Millwood.

by SteveP on Aug 12, 2008 10:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm skeptical...

about his velocity returning as well. I sure hope it does though. His other pitches and command have drastically improved which is great, but it’s always nice to have that hard heater to put batters away with.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Aug 11, 2008 2:38 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm not worried

Dude is dominating, and in his first full season with new mechanics. I am really excited about Beavan, Holland, Kiker, and Feliz. If they live up to the expectations, we would build a dynasty.

"That one is headed for the moon!" - All Star Derby

by m_nieft on Aug 11, 2008 3:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Don't forget about

Main either.

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Aug 11, 2008 3:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

i am higher on main than any other pitcher not named feliz in our system

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on Aug 11, 2008 10:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I am encouraged.

If his secondary stuff is much improved, then he will be a much more dangerous pitcher. Get that velocity back soon Blake and we’ll see you in Arlington soon enough!

Go Cubbies and Go Rangers!

by pbpsean on Aug 11, 2008 3:22 PM CDT   0 recs

It's nice to see him K nine in six innings

since he struck out so many in high school and so few in the pros. The impression I’d had was that he had great control and was pitching to contact, so he wasn’t walking people but not getting strikeouts either.

/me checks LumberKings Web site

Ah, he only walked one. Good to see. I was afraid that with the nine K’s came a bunch of walks, too.

by Inkara1 on Aug 11, 2008 3:51 PM CDT   0 recs

thats good and all

but if he was throwing 88-92, he wouldnt have been picked nearly so high even with the control and off speed stuff.

we need him in the 93-95 range

by kumizi on Aug 11, 2008 3:56 PM CDT   0 recs

great draft

3 busts

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:04 PM CDT   0 recs

neil ramirez, beavan, main

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You think

Ramirez, Beavan and Main are busts? Based on what?

Richard Bleier Interview

by jparks77 on Aug 11, 2008 4:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

injuries, beavans velocity

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so a .94 ERA in his last 10 starts...

doesn’t count for anything??

by tyd3311 on Aug 11, 2008 4:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it does

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Main

He’s back, and is pitching pretty well at Clinton. I’m not sure how that makes him a bust.

"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky

by RCCook on Aug 11, 2008 6:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Is velocity how you judge a pitcher?

Ever heard of Colt Griffin? There is more to being a pitcher than just raw velo.

Richard Bleier Interview

by jparks77 on Aug 11, 2008 4:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

obviously but it helps a whole lot

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

B-U-S-T-S

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 5:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wasn’t it just the other day you were bandying about that ERA is the only stat that matters when judging a pitcher?

by Keynes on Aug 11, 2008 5:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it's pretty much

whatever gets under everyone’s skin at that moment.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Aug 11, 2008 6:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Come on, Z

IP Ban ‘em!

"...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
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Aug 11, 2008 6:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1000000000

My problem with him isn’t that he has the mental acuity of a beach pebble. The problem is that he derails threads for fun. Whenever he posts his insane shit, all cogent conversation on a topic ceases and the focus turns to how retarded he is.

It’s like a more annoying (and stupid) version of Josey.

by LiamP on Aug 11, 2008 6:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ignorance is bliss, right?

But sometimes it’s just so fucking hard to ignore!

"...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
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Aug 11, 2008 6:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i'm like the fight between parra and fielder

i bring everyone together :) :) :)

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 6:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I blame the responders more than him

"Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states" - Barack Obama

by DaheelzCM on Aug 11, 2008 6:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Aug 11, 2008 10:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

in the pros

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 6:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the minors

aren’t professional?

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

by Dirk Diggler on Aug 11, 2008 6:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gotta admit

the thought of ERA magically becoming an all-consuming stat while a pitcher travels from his AAA club to the majors is a funny notion. I like to imagine a fairy Joe Morgan sprinkling ERA dust on a pitcher mid-flight.

Then sweeping it off if the pitcher gets demoted.

by Keynes on Aug 11, 2008 7:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Great post

you still suck

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Aug 11, 2008 4:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

half right

he does suck

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Aug 11, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yours is much better

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thank you

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Aug 11, 2008 4:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your Welcomed

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's about 3 or 4 years early

to declare anyone a bust from the 2007 draft.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 11, 2008 4:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

People used to tell me that

when I declared Drew Meyer and Scott Heard busts the year they were drafted.

I'm sure the Russians felt there were WMD's in Georgia, and that it was a hotbed of terrorism.

by DJCahill on Aug 11, 2008 4:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the fact that you're a joyless

douchebag doesn’t justify others being joyless douchebags.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 11, 2008 4:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Right.

There is no one in the 2007 draft REMOTELY like Meyer or Heard. In your rush to be the inconoclastic curmudgeon you sometimes leave relevance aside.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 11, 2008 4:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

YOU ARE RETARTEADED

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LMMFAO

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Aug 11, 2008 4:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

someone made one for Firefox

anyone got it still? Does it work for 2.0?

by FirebatM3 on Aug 11, 2008 4:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

nes

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Aikman and Bradshaw?

Please. They are in the same league as Trent Dilfer and Jim McMahon as QBs who were taken to the SB by great Defenses and great Running Games.
-DJCahill

by SarasotaRanger on Aug 11, 2008 4:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

stop

messing up random threads with your retardation. Pick one thread a day to be utterly retarded in and keep your idiocy localized.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 11, 2008 4:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Aug 11, 2008 4:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

WHAT DID YOU SAY ?

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

stop

messing up random threads with your retardation. Pick one thread a day to be utterly retarded in and keep your idiocy localized.

Do you need me to draw diagrams?

by FirebatM3 on Aug 11, 2008 4:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

watts a diaaggrm

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

hug

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

huh

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

John Hart

is that you??

"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno

LSB facebook group ---->>> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288

by hinduplaya on Aug 11, 2008 4:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yessssssssssssssssssssssss

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Aug 11, 2008 4:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The velocity

I think its a combination of things. I think if Beaven wanted to, he probably could take it up a few notches right now but that would sacrifice some command of the pitch. Its his first year and he is dominating with his secondary pitches looking great. Let him work on fine tuning his fastball velocity next season and see if he can get it to a 93-96 mph area which would make him jump right back up the prospect charts.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Aug 11, 2008 4:11 PM CDT   0 recs

+1

That’s exactly what i think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXWLfIgc0nA

by mchang4 on Aug 11, 2008 6:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

think

or hope?

It's easy to lie with stats, it's even easier to lie without them......

by red shoe ranger on Aug 11, 2008 10:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Velocity is not that big of a deal as long as your off speed pitches are good enough to keep the hitters off balance. Jaime Moyer averages 81 mph on his fastball and he still has won 10 games with a better ERA than any of our starters. As long as he can pitch in the low 90’s and his off speed pitches continue to develop as they are now. people should not worry. It all about location and the ability to keep the hitters guessing.

by CRUSHDAVIS on Aug 11, 2008 4:40 PM CDT   0 recs

It's a pretty big deal

Beavan would be pitching at Northlake Community College right now if he threw 81 MPH.

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Aug 11, 2008 4:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

True

but how many pitchers with stuff like Jamie Moyer are successful in the big leagues? Most pitchers that throw 81 mph are selling used cars right now. Moyer is the exception.

by uthornfan on Aug 11, 2008 4:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Robbie Ross says he is 85% sure

he will sign with Texas per Scott Lucas via mlb.com

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Aug 11, 2008 6:25 PM CDT   0 recs