GYBE wrote:No doubt he has a ton of innings on his arm...but is there a stronger pitcher in the game than Z? I don't profess to be an expert on pitching injuries, but aren't they more likely with smaller guys? He's like an ox.
Strong is nice and all but innings are innings just the same. Because of the bullpen usage in 2002, he went from 110 innings to 215 innings in 2003 at age 22. I don't care how "strong" you are, that is **** irresponsible as a organization can get. Yes he threw 150 innings in 2001 but to have a guy double his workload in a year at such a young age, history tells us, is a recipe for disaster. When you look at the number of inning he has had at such a young age, with high pitch counts because he has so many walks and strikeouts, and the arm slot situation early this year, I would be very worried about Zambrano's future.
I worry a little about CC Sabathia but a lot less than Zambrano. He went from about 70 innings to 140 at age 20-21 and it was 16-27 starts escalation. Other than that one year, Cleveland was very responsible with his innings count and development (although that might have been simply his lack of refinement keeping him out of later innings). Dwight Gooden is the poster boy for watching innings. He went from just under 80 to 190 innings at 17-18 and that really shortened his career considerably, or atleast his peak. He pitched well in the late 80s and early 90s but he could have been one of the all time greats if the Mets were just more responsible with him.
Also, because a lot of the concern about Z's health is the future health of his shoulder, THAT worries me too. I would much rather see him having elbow issues and need TJ surgery because that is a well walked path. You lose him for two years and he can come back stronger than ever. But the fact that the focus is more on his shoulder, the black hole of baseball injuries; well that worries me a lot too. I am so glad the Sox didn't sign him. mahalo
~Chach~
