When Jarrod Washburn was traded to the Tigers at the deadline this year, the return was a package consisting of left-handed Luke French and Mauricio Robles. As French was immediately slotted into the major league rotation, all eyes have been on him, so to speak. Robles quickly became something of a forgotten man, especially when for his first start on August 5th he managed to record five times as many runs as outs and as a follow up walked six in five innings on August 11th.
All in all, he wasn't looking too spectacular, even for a 20 year old calling Mavericks Stadium his home. But it's been a month since I last paid any attention to him, so I figured it was about time to catch up.
Robles, in five starts since August 11th: 33 innings pitched, 38 strikeouts, 11 walks, capping things off with his first playoff start yesterday where he went seven innings, allowed two hits, a walk, and got himself eight strikeouts. His line on the year? 3.21 tRA between Lakeland and High Desert - 2.85 with the Flying Tigers and 3.67 with the Mavs.
Well then. The walks are still too high, but he's a groundballing (50+%, one home run allowed as a Maverick) lefthander with an absolute tonne of strikeouts. A 3.67 tRA (which includes his disastrous first couple of outings) from Robles in his home park is more than we could reasonably have hoped for this year. Some will question whether he can remain in the rotation due to his stature, but until proven otherwise we have a fairly exciting starting pitcher prospect to keep an eye on.
0 recs | 6 comments
At some point, Graham, could you explain the different limitations in pitch, batted ball, and pitch f/x data between MLB, AAA, and the lower minors?
How much more will the data tell us when he gets to AAA and the major? I don’t really have a good handle on how much not having pitch f/x data for stuff like this limits the usefulness of such data (obviously it’s all useful, but my question is how much).
Decatur - September 15, 2009
I don't know that not having PITCHfx limits the usefulness of things like pitch data at all
You just have to take lower minor performances with a grain of salt because they’re against relatively poor competition.
Jeff Sullivan - September 15, 2009
Graham, what do you mean by stature?
Is he a little guy?
waldo rojas - September 15, 2009
5'10" 160lb
Graham MacAree - September 15, 2009
I think he's in the red shirt
From Baker’s blog on 9/10. Liddi’s in the stripped shirt next to him.
CMC_Stags - September 15, 2009
He's definitely not a big guy
…But then size has always been over-rated when it comes to pitchers—Just ask Johan Santana (a generous 6’0" listing), Roy Oswalt (dito), Scott Kazmir (a theme here?), and Tim Lincecum (He could only get away with a 5’11").
Scouts always want size because it projects power and durability, but the lack of it doesn’t necessarily relegate a pitcher into the bullpen. Especially if Robles can continue to control his walks while still missing bats and maintain his affinity for inducing groundballs.
I must say that Mauricio has taken on the mantel of “My favorite organizational lefty pitcher” since Tony Butler was so unjustly shipped away. What can I say? I have a soft spot for fellow southpaws with my slightly undersized frame.
Robles has been everything we could have asked him to be, and if he continues to pitch the way he has been next year, then Zduriencik has hit another one out of the park.
Adam B - September 15, 2009
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