Shockers vs Salukis... Game III

[SB Shock]

Through the Oral Roberts series, Grimes was 11-53. Since then, he's 13-43, for a .302 AVG. Remember, he was experimenting with switch-hitting early on, which contributed to his struggles.

Your job when at the plate is to not make an out. And with a .455 OBP, he's the best guy on the team at not making an out.

That is a very sensible argument (and good stat breakdown) and is a reminder that in Grimes case it is not just black and white. Thanks.

[WSUwatcher]

Perspective

Gotta feel for Grant Muncrief. He worked his butt off making it back from Tommy John surgery, but it just isn't working out for the young man.

An interesting quote from one major league GM talking to ESPN about the Twins and their closer Joe Nathan, who's out for the year following Tommy John surgery...

"In my experience, it takes 16 months to get right after Tommy John," he said. "Yeah, in a year he'll be throwing. But he might not be the same for 16 months..."

Maybe that explains some of Muncrief's struggles this year -- and it also suggests that as the Shocks continue to search for a closer, they need to look elsewhere for now.

[tru2thaduce]

His velocity is fine.Location is not.That's normal when coming back from TJ.Hopefully he pitches his best down the stretch and isn't mentaly worn from his struggles in the first half of the season.

[ShockerFever]

I feel for the kid. I really do. But it is IMO that he shouldn't touch a baseball again this season except for the Bethany game, possibly the San Jose State series, or a any game which has us with a 15 run lead.

Of course, we don't have a deep enough bullpen (or any one at all for that matter) to imply this tactic so it's a moot point.

[SB Shock]

Re: Perspective

Gotta feel for Grant Muncrief. He worked his butt off making it back from Tommy John surgery, but it just isn't working out for the young man.

An interesting quote from one major league GM talking to ESPN about the Twins and their closer Joe Nathan, who's out for the year following Tommy John surgery...

"In my experience, it takes 16 months to get right after Tommy John," he said. "Yeah, in a year he'll be throwing. But he might not be the same for 16 months..."

Maybe that explains some of Muncrief's struggles this year -- and it also suggests that as the Shocks continue to search for a closer, they need to look elsewhere for now.

it has been said on SN before that you should never count on a pitcher for the first year after surgery. Nate Robertson is a perfect example. Was worhless his first year back. 2nd year back was better but never pitched up to his full potential in the program after his injury. But eventually regained his form and made mlb.

It make you wonder why the wsu coaching staff didn't consider that these guys might not be effective. Only answer I can think of is they did but couldn't find players who wanted to come or they lost in recruiting battles.

[WSUwatcher]

Yep

You're probably right about necessity, SB.

In all the years I've known Gene, I've very seldom found anything I mentioned to him that he hadn't thought of first. No doubt the same is true of Brent. That's the way it works with guys who make their living coaching baseball (and doing so very successfully) vs. fans who watch, however seriously.

So if we're wondering now whether there was really a reson to hope that guys like Muncrief would be successful this year, I have to believe that Kemnitz was way ahead of us, but just ran out of options.

[Shocker85]

Re: Yep

So if we're wondering now whether there was really a reson to hope that guys like Muncrief would be successful this year, I have to believe that Kemnitz was way ahead of us, but just ran out of options.

The big question is "When does the experiment end?" Neither Muncrief or Hoch has been able to pitch their way out of a wet paper bag. A stat that isn't published is inherited runners scoring, and I'll guarantee that Hoch's number in that category are sky high. His ERA isn't horrendous, because most of the runs he allows go on someone else's stat line.

When I started writing this, I thought, "Wow, it seems like the 'pen is costing the Shox a lot of games," but that really is not the case, if you look at the stats on the surface. The Shox are 21-1 when leading after 6 innings and 20-0 when leading after 7 innings - seems impossible doesn't it? I made an assertion a couple weeks ago that the Shox need to get off to a quick start to win, and those number bear that out.

Look at this line (runs scored):

Inning-by-inning        1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  EX  Total
----------------       --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  -----
Wichita State          46  28  17  30  35  37  20  19  13   4    249
Opponents              17  19  17  17  16  13  24  24  19   0    166

The Shox score like mad until the 6th inning, then drop way off. What is really happening is that when the starters get shelled early, the 'pen can't keep the opposition from scoring and the hitters give up. This team can't play from behind. Witness LBSUX2, ASUX2, ORUX2, KSU, SIU, UNL.

Opponents have been able to kick it into gear late and bury the Shox. Why, because there aren't any pitchers in the bullpen with the confidence or the stuff to slam the door. You look down to the bullpen for better options and there aren't many who you think, "Bring him in, he'll stop the bleeding." Bluma(s), Looper, Booth, Dreifort, Newlin, Wycoff etc. just aren't there. The coaching staff knows it, this hitters know it, and worst of all the pitchers in the 'pen know it.

This, my friends, is a mental toughness issue, and it permeates the squad, not just the relief pitchers.

--'85.