What the numbers say:
-103/12 K/BB between three levels in 2008
-Tons of fly balls
-Good control
What the scouting report says:
-Only reasonable command
-Righty
-Fastball that has topped out - topped out - at 87mph
-Loves to throw his change
-Unimpressive slider
-No out pitch
-----
If Manuel wants to succeed in the Major Leagues, he's facing an uphill battle, because minor league numbers be damned, his repertoire is bad, and it's not like he relies on a tricky delivery or anything. Quite honestly, as down as I am on Wlad, I figured we'd be able to get a little more in return. This is moderately disappointing.
0 recs | 66 comments
"I figured we'd be able to get more in return"
For a guy who had been DFA’d and demonstrated he’s nowhere near the prospect the M’s hoped two years ago?
Jeff Nusser - July 29, 2009
The names I had heard connected with Wlad were better than this
Jeff Sullivan - July 29, 2009
Bavasi would've gotten us Octavio Dotel or that other Devil Rays reliever with Wlad.
Fin - July 29, 2009
Bavasi, currently in the Reds organization, just got you Robert Manuel
Brendanukkah - July 30, 2009
Could his upside be like that of present day Hoffman?
Poochie - July 29, 2009
If he developed one of the best changeups in the world, yes
Jeff Sullivan - July 29, 2009
It's almost like this isn't a ringing endorsement
Poochie - July 29, 2009
Or, in a more positive light
Good news: the stats
Bad news: the general scouting reports
Good news: Z is one of the best execs in the game at scouting
Matthew - July 29, 2009
Bad News: The frogurt is also cursed.
Eyebrows - July 29, 2009
I
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
Sorry, what I meant to say is I've never rec'd a comment before but this deserves it.
I just don’t know how to rec.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
Under the post you want to rec, click the actions link.
PDXTai - July 29, 2009
But it comes with your choice of topping!
robbbbbb - July 29, 2009
That's good!
OlSalty - July 29, 2009
The topping is also cursed.
robbbbbb - July 29, 2009
Er, I meant to say: The topping contains sodium dibenzoate.
robbbbbb - July 29, 2009
That's bad.
robbbbbb - July 29, 2009
Thanks for running the joke into the ground.
Matthew - July 29, 2009
I Screwed It Up. I know. I'm a very bad person.
robbbbbb - July 29, 2009
He doesn't even really miss bats in AAA
Jeff Sullivan - July 29, 2009
His 2008 numbers are hilarious
Graham MacAree - July 29, 2009
I was going to say 8.4% is solid
and then I looked up the average for the International League (9.9%).
Matthew - July 29, 2009
I'm very, VERY uncomfortable with fly-ball pitchers.
JamMasterJesus - July 29, 2009
Our park and team are built for them.
Aaron Campeau - July 29, 2009
They still give me the wilies.
JamMasterJesus - July 29, 2009
So instead of sending Wlad down to AAA and praying he learns how to play baseball...
we send this guy to AAA and hope he learns how to pitch.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
He knows how to pitch
Graham MacAree - July 29, 2009
Learns an out pitch. Learns how to pitch better. Tells his command to please be more than reasonable.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
Also, we did send Wlad to AAA
Matthew - July 29, 2009
Im aware of that but thanks Matthew.
I meant passing through waivers and making it to Tacoma.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
He wasn't going to clear waivers
OlSalty - July 29, 2009
Im aware of that too, but thanks.
It’s still what the Mariners probably would’ve preferred if he wasn’t out of options. They would’ve loved to just sent him to Tacoma, but they couldn’t do that. So instead they just get another player who they can send to Tacoma and hope he can become a major leaguer.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
My point is I don't think we've really lost anything or gained anything, it was just the necessary thing to do. They needed a guy who they could send to the minors, and that's what they got.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
Conor's report
He has a funky delivery, like he has a stick up his ass.
davidcameron - July 29, 2009
So he'd fit right in with Guti?
PDXTai - July 29, 2009
Neat
Poochie - July 29, 2009
That seems like a precursor for a colonoscopy.
Sec 108 - July 29, 2009
Like a Brian Fuentes?
Kenny Knows Sports - July 29, 2009
Here you go
Jeff Sullivan - July 29, 2009
That is really cool
Graham MacAree - July 29, 2009
You work fast.
Aaron Campeau - July 29, 2009
I was already watching him
Jeff Sullivan - July 29, 2009
I am mesmerized by this.
Fuckmikereilly - July 29, 2009
The way he pulls his arm back is pretty nifty
Graham MacAree - July 29, 2009
I think it's more the glove flip before release
Very distracting.
Jeff Nusser - July 29, 2009
Notice how he brings it in front of his face?
Tricky.
Jeff Nusser - July 29, 2009
Such excellent control
Jeff Nusser - July 29, 2009
This pitch selection was accidental but hilarious
Jeff Sullivan - July 29, 2009
INVERTED W
seattlebruin - July 29, 2009
IN HIS NAME
seattlebruin - July 29, 2009
AWWWWWOOOOOOGA
seattlebruin - July 29, 2009
So we traded a real W for an inverted one?
PositivePaul - July 29, 2009
So he has an Inverted stick?
OlSalty - July 29, 2009
Meh
It sounds like there really wasn’t much interest in Wlad, and we had basically no leverage because it was either take the deal or lose him to waivers.
OlSalty - July 29, 2009
'Moderately disappointing' is a fairly apt description of today.
Eyeball Kid - July 29, 2009
Now to face Roy Halladay!
Fuckmikereilly - July 29, 2009
Let's see
funky delivery, crap FB, good change… didn’t Tampa build one of the game’s best pens out of guys just like him?
Bearskin Rugburn - July 29, 2009
Enough with the dissapointment.
Mariner Melee - July 29, 2009
Uh well
Jeff Sullivan - July 29, 2009
What more on the way?
Bearskin Rugburn - July 29, 2009
Washburn's probably staying!
Fuck.
SethGrandpa - July 29, 2009
Says who?
that makes no sense unless the Angels completely tank in the next… oh, two days?
Bearskin Rugburn - July 29, 2009
87 mph...
Ron Shandler’s group at baseballhq.com had this to say about Manuel:
Please note they have him at 87 mph to 91 mph this season in AAA Louisville. So don’t get you panties all in the bunch over his lack of velocity.
mcwalter44 - July 29, 2009
87-91 is significantly different than topping out at 87.
Anyone have any more info on this?
Fuckmikereilly - July 29, 2009
Gee, let me think
Should I trust a fantasy scouting report of actual, tangible data recorded during his major league performances?
davidcameron - July 29, 2009
A! A! A!
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Lookout Landing to post a comment.