Is anyone else concerned with our pitching?

[flatjacket1]

Couldn't agree with this more.

Our starters will take their lumps, but on the whole I think they can keep us somewhat competitive, and this year will be hugely beneficial going forward if guys like Alvarez, Drabek and Hutchison figure into our long term plans

I agree with this.

And for the getting another batter, it's saving on runs anyway we can. If 10 more runs is cheaper than saving 10 runs, then 10 more runs it is. I don't care where we improve.

[dennistokyo]

I don't think the pitching is so bad. Lots of ground balls and double plays are fine by me. I'm concerned with Thames and Lind. A team needs big bats at those positions.

[Hamyltowne]

Change the topic to "Is anyone else concerned with our hitting?"

I answer, yes. I am also concerned with our hitting.

[DonYon]

Wasn't this sort of expected? SP was documented as the teams' biggest weaknesses from the start.

On a side note, I just can't understand why people believe K/9 is an indication of quality pitching.

[Hamyltowne]

I read, a few days ago, of the major-league batting average being just under .250 (think it was .247).

So, clearly, we've not been the only ones lucky thus far. I know this is a pitcher's era, but come summer, the ball will travel farther.

[James_Raptors]

I agree with some of your points.
As far as Alvarez is considered I'm very impressed with his career so far and if he could continue this pace (which I highly doubt) we have a stud on our hands.

We knew pitching and probably 1 impact bat were holes in our lineup going into this season and I don't feel that's changed. Pitching , especially, had question marks after our #1. I like the prospects within the organization and I believe we could improve via trade of asssets and/or within. Forget about all of this "we need a #5" stuff though, what we really need is a top of the rotation type guy #2 or #3 at the worst. Those types of players never come cheap though and it's possible someone like Drabek or Alvarez could end up filling that role (I don't expect it this season though). If we get some development from within, look at off-season pitcher FA's and investigate possible trades (seems AA is always checking around the league like a good GM should and stoking the fires) we could nab a gem.

[Hendrix]

The flipside is that there is zero chance that 13% of the fly balls hit on us will continue to clear the fence

Sure we may be lucky on balls in play, but we've been very unlucky on balls in the air leaving the park.

This is why i'd agree it's too small a sample to begin worrying about.

You are right that we won't continue to put up those kinds of hr #'s. However even if you look at xFIP, we are still one of the worse teams.

I understand the worry about small samples, but I think you can still tell something from small samples. For Morrow for example, if his k/9 were a bit bigger you could attribute it to random variation. But at 4k/9 there are other attributable factors in there.

I don't think the pitching is so bad. Lots of ground balls and double plays are fine by me. I'm concerned with Thames and Lind. A team needs big bats at those positions.

We arn't going to continue to get those kinds of ground ball, double play babip #'s. They are unsustainable.

Wasn't this sort of expected? SP was documented as the teams' biggest weaknesses from the start.

On a side note, I just can't understand why people believe K/9 is an indication of quality pitching.

Because k/9 is a factor in determining quality of pitching, and is used by all defensive indipendent pitching metrics.

I read, a few days ago, of the major-league batting average being just under .250 (think it was .247).

So, clearly, we've not been the only ones lucky thus far. I know this is a pitcher's era, but come summer, the ball will travel farther.

You are right that the entire leasuge is down at the start of the season, however we are currently the luckiest in the entire league at this point w/ a -by far- league best babip.

[TheDunc]

The only pitcher ive had a problem with so far is Morrow. He just hasnt been that impressive to me, i think he has alot of work to do if he wants to become 2nd in the rotation. I have no problems with Alvarez,Drabek or Hutchinson. I personally think Alvarez is already better then Morrow.

If AA has any intention on making the playoffs then he will go out and get another proven starting pitcher. It should be 1.Romero 2.? 3. Alvarez 4. Morrow 5. Drabek or Hutchinson
This jays team is so close to being a playoff team. To me the only question is does AA really want to make the playoffs this year? If the answer is yes then AA should have no problem getting us another Starting Pitcher. If he wants to contend for the world series this year then hes going to need to ship out Adam lind and bring in another good hitter.

I think this team is one more starting pitcher and Good batter away from being a very good team.

[joseph235]

Man cue the sample size song...

[Lateral Quicks]

I'm perfectly fine with letting the young'uns loose this year. They each are or have been legitimate top-flight prospects. I'd be more concerned if we were giving playing time to mediocre journeymen starters who likely wouldn't be any better, and quite possible worse.

[dagger]

Change the topic to "Is anyone else concerned with our hitting?"

I answer, yes. I am also concerned with our hitting.

Thank you, saves me the trouble of posting the same.

[Hendrix]

Is the hitting something to be concerned about at this point?

We're 5th in the AL in runs/game, and were 5th last year as well. Certain guys like Bautista, and Escobar have started off slow, while other guys like KJ, and Encarnacion have started off quick. We've gotten a little lucky with RISP, and a little unlucky with babip. Doesn't seem like we're deviating that much from the norm here does it?

I mean I think we all knew that the batting order could desperatly use a 1b that could do better then Lind, and there was no way we'd compete with Texas, Yanks, or BoSoxs order's without a better 1b (and probably still wouldn't be there even with a better one).

[dagger]

Is the hitting something to be concerned about at this point?

We're 5th in the AL in runs/game, and were 5th last year as well. Certain guys like Bautista, and Escobar have started off slow, while other guys like KJ, and Encarnacion have started off quick. We've gotten a little lucky with RISP, and a little unlucky with babip. Doesn't seem like we're deviating that much from the norm here does it?

I mean I think we all knew that the batting order could desperatly use a 1b that could do better then Lind, and there was no way we'd compete with Texas, Yanks, or BoSoxs order's without a better 1b (and probably still wouldn't be there even with a better one).

Only three of our nine starters today are averaging better than .231. What do you think? I don't think it takes advanced analytics to find the answer. We haven't scored a run since the third inning Tuesday night.

[Hendrix]

Only three of our nine starters today are averaging better than .231. What do you think?

I suppose I think that it means next to nothing. Batting average hardly means anything to start with, and going into this game the league average was .248 with us at .243. Not really all that worrysome.

I don't think it takes advanced analytics to find the answer. We haven't scored a run since the third inning Tuesday night.

I used 'runs/game' as my main point, and brought up that we've done well when having runners in scoring position. Those are about as basic of stats as you can get.

I'd say worrying about a 16 inning stretch that happens to all teams, and is ~1% of the whole season is a tad myopic. How is a 16 inning stretch a better indicator of how the offense has been this year then runs/game?