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I Don't Get It

Justin Thomas' usage pattern so far with the Mariners:

  • 9/1: inherits 12-6 lead in 8th, throws one inning
  • 9/2: inherits 5-2 deficit in 7th, faces three batters
  • 9/5: inherits 3-1 lead in 8th, faces one batter
  • 9/6: inherits 3-2 lead in 8th, faces one batter
  • 9/11: inherits 4-0 deficit in 6th, faces two batters
  • 9/15: inherits 2-0 deficit in 7th, faces one batter

Justin Thomas is was recently a starting pitcher. He's also one of the few reasonably advanced lefties in the organization who throws a good enough breaking ball to retire solid left-handed hitters. In six Major League games, he has thrown 41 pitches.

This kind of goes along with Brandon Morrow intentionally walking Vlad Guerrero the other day, or Miguel Cairo getting any playing time ever. What's the point of having a bunch of young players hanging around in September if you aren't going to give them many chances to prove what they can do? God help Jim Riggleman if he's still trying to win. That ship sailed so long ago that robot submarines are trying to find it on the floor of the ocean.

I understand that it's hard to fit everyone in and be fair about it, but the Justin Thomas usage doesn't make much sense to me. Let him do a little more, Riggleman. You might be surprised.

1 recs  |  24 comments

Comments

I had a friend named Justin Thomas while growing up.

He had no potential.

I honestly think they are doing whatever they can to avoid 100 losses
I don't see why they're bothering.
If you're management, do you want the first ever 100 million dollar/100 loss team in MLB history

to take place under your watch?

Is it really going to be that different if we only lose 96 games?
100 million/100 losses is going to be something that the local and national media will have a field day with.

They love arbitrary numbers like that.

.
God help Jim Riggleman if he’s still trying to win. That ship sailed so long ago that robot submarines are trying to find it on the floor of the ocean.

Bahahahahahaha

I rec'd it just for that.
Thomas was converted to relief midseason

The team has given up on him as a starter. They’re auditioning him for a LOOGY job for next year.

But does it hurt to see how he'd fare against righties at this level?
Seems like it'd be better to see what he can do instead of heaping innings on Woods/Wells/Messenger
Not disagreeing

Just clarifying that he’s not really considered a starting pitcher anymore.

Since you know more than me on this front

how’s his changeup? I assume it hasn’t really come along, then?

Not really, no

He’s a fastball/slider guy for the most part, and like EOF, he throws a ridiculous amount of sliders.

I guess that answers that then

Still don’t like his usage pattern, but I guess I see where they’re coming from. If only it weren’t for all those other junk relievers getting more time.

Is EOF a bullpen option next season?
I for one wonder where he went

There’s little information on what happened with him and injuries this season.

Turned into Soylent Green and fed to Carlos Silva during a post-game buffet.
I bet he tasted like potatoes
Justin Thomas has pitching issues
I'm pretty sure Thomas is our Rhodes replacement

and as he struggles to hit 90 on the radar gun out of the pen I doubt there’s much to see from him as a starter. All the same, you’re absolutely right that there’s no reason for him to go 1-2 innings every time he’s out there and we’re down/up by a few runs.

Yeah, but Rhodes could locate his pitches
Yeah I know

I’m still hoping EOF figures something out and gives us something like 80-90% of GS52.

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