The one to that we will look at in a couple of years is Kershaw V Lincecum… does Lincecum’s arm hold up with these extremely high innings with a small frame? Does Kershaw cut down the walks and become one of the better lefties in a long time? Are they able to stay healthy? etc, etc…Another one, even though from different drafts, is Billingsley and Kershaw. Both have had MLB success, are drafted and developed by the Dodgers, but in a couple of years is Kershaw going to be lightyears ahead of Billingsley, like many expect, or is Billingsley, who has FOR stuff, able to keep up with his lefthanded counterpart?
start_wearing_purple
I think Lincecum’s arm will hold, at least until his mid-30s. As for Kershaw, I still think the Sandy Koufax reference is viable but as you said, it’s the walk rate right now that’s killing him. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but of NL starters right now, Kershaw is boasting the highest BB/9 rate and it’s higher than it was last season. If he gets that under control then he’ll start getting deeper into games and suddenly the question of Kershaw v. Lincecum becomes much more of a rivalry question.
UnknownPoster
I think the Lincecum-mechanics question has been solved, but he seems to have thrown a LOT of innings for being in his mid 20s… A lot of people arent worried because he is, well, a back to back CY Young winner, but it could catch up in the future, a la Sandy Koufax.
With Kershaw, he is now walking 5.2/9.. these numbers, however, were skewed by his first 5 or 6 starts, where he was walking almost everyone. He has settled down slightly, and is still boasting an ERA under 3… quite impressive considering he adds an additional 5 guys/9… And yea, Kershaw has the highest walk rate for NL starters, you are correct.
I think the numbers say that Kershaw could be as good as Koufax, the early season(in their careers) stats point to Kershaw actually being better, and they had similar problems(control). Add in that Koufax has become Kershaw’s mentor(what an amazing mentor…), and I think it is possible that Kershaw could reach that level… but, like we agree, control is really the only obstacle..
55saveslives
We’ll have to hold on for Scherzer…I think he needs more than one 14 K 5 2/3 inning performance before compared to a 2 time Cy Young winner.
Too bad Ubaldo wasn’t in this draft as well! That would be interesting.
Did you see Lincoln at his last year in college? 12-2 1.69 ERA 152 SO with 32 BB. 9.4 K/9.
Lincecum was in the bullpen for Washington to start the year. Still put up a solis record though 12-4 1.94 ERA
rainyperez
Don’t fault the Pirates they were 8 other teams that passed on him, but every executive is kicking himself right now for not taking Timmy…but…His recent troubles are just a little tiny slump, he’s been through this before and he’ll get out of it soon. He is playing a bunch of under .500 teams in the next couple games that will hopefully boost Tim’s confidence. Its all mechanical with him ,and once he fixes it he’ll be to the the back-to-back Cy Young winner again. Lincecum looked better yesterday and even cut down his walks to three although two were intentional. Ubaldo was the better pitcher yesterday and is the best pitcher in baseball up until now, but we’ll see if he can sustain his success throughout the season. Because that is what separates the Dan Harens from Cy Young winners like Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum.
“RHP Tim Lincecum (Giants) vs. Max Scherzer (Diamondbacks): Is this one about to turn?” WOW The first thing to come from that comparison is “are things about to turn?” Since when did this site become about causing a reaction opposed to reporting the news. I’m hoping that is a joke and is never attempted again
redsandyanksfan
What really got me , Last year i was reading a article when i went to the reds game and the reds front office was said to be thinking alot about take Timmy but that opt for drew stubbs due to the fact they thought Lincecum motion was violent and his arm would blow but it doesnt seem like it will happen anything soon (knock on wood for Giants fans)
stadds
The real question here should be Brandon Morrow vs. Tim Lincecum. Remember how the press flayed Seattle for not drafting the local boy? Now they’ve got Brandon League to show for it…
Even more interesting, if memory serves, is that Miller was looked at as a number one overall talent who fell to Detroit because of signability. Not unlike Porcello shortly after. Interesting the ways projection doesn’t always turn out in both the cases of Miller and Morrow, though both still have time to right things.
stadds
The real question here should be Brandon Morrow vs. Tim Lincecum. Remember how the press flayed Seattle for not drafting the local boy? Now they’ve got Brandon League to show for it…
Even more interesting, if memory serves, is that Miller was looked at as a number one overall talent who fell to Detroit because of signability. Not unlike Porcello shortly after. Interesting the ways projection doesn’t always turn out in both the cases of Miller and Morrow, though both still have time to right things.
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UnknownPoster
The one to that we will look at in a couple of years is Kershaw V Lincecum… does Lincecum’s arm hold up with these extremely high innings with a small frame? Does Kershaw cut down the walks and become one of the better lefties in a long time? Are they able to stay healthy? etc, etc…Another one, even though from different drafts, is Billingsley and Kershaw. Both have had MLB success, are drafted and developed by the Dodgers, but in a couple of years is Kershaw going to be lightyears ahead of Billingsley, like many expect, or is Billingsley, who has FOR stuff, able to keep up with his lefthanded counterpart?
start_wearing_purple
I think Lincecum’s arm will hold, at least until his mid-30s. As for Kershaw, I still think the Sandy Koufax reference is viable but as you said, it’s the walk rate right now that’s killing him. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but of NL starters right now, Kershaw is boasting the highest BB/9 rate and it’s higher than it was last season. If he gets that under control then he’ll start getting deeper into games and suddenly the question of Kershaw v. Lincecum becomes much more of a rivalry question.
UnknownPoster
I think the Lincecum-mechanics question has been solved, but he seems to have thrown a LOT of innings for being in his mid 20s… A lot of people arent worried because he is, well, a back to back CY Young winner, but it could catch up in the future, a la Sandy Koufax.
With Kershaw, he is now walking 5.2/9.. these numbers, however, were skewed by his first 5 or 6 starts, where he was walking almost everyone. He has settled down slightly, and is still boasting an ERA under 3… quite impressive considering he adds an additional 5 guys/9… And yea, Kershaw has the highest walk rate for NL starters, you are correct.
I think the numbers say that Kershaw could be as good as Koufax, the early season(in their careers) stats point to Kershaw actually being better, and they had similar problems(control). Add in that Koufax has become Kershaw’s mentor(what an amazing mentor…), and I think it is possible that Kershaw could reach that level… but, like we agree, control is really the only obstacle..
55saveslives
We’ll have to hold on for Scherzer…I think he needs more than one 14 K 5 2/3 inning performance before compared to a 2 time Cy Young winner.
Too bad Ubaldo wasn’t in this draft as well! That would be interesting.
Eddie
Ah, how about the pirates taking Brad Lincoln over Lincecum and Kershaw.
Chris
Did you see Lincoln at his last year in college? 12-2 1.69 ERA 152 SO with 32 BB. 9.4 K/9.
Lincecum was in the bullpen for Washington to start the year. Still put up a solis record though 12-4 1.94 ERA
rainyperez
Don’t fault the Pirates they were 8 other teams that passed on him, but every executive is kicking himself right now for not taking Timmy…but…His recent troubles are just a little tiny slump, he’s been through this before and he’ll get out of it soon. He is playing a bunch of under .500 teams in the next couple games that will hopefully boost Tim’s confidence. Its all mechanical with him ,and once he fixes it he’ll be to the the back-to-back Cy Young winner again. Lincecum looked better yesterday and even cut down his walks to three although two were intentional. Ubaldo was the better pitcher yesterday and is the best pitcher in baseball up until now, but we’ll see if he can sustain his success throughout the season. Because that is what separates the Dan Harens from Cy Young winners like Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum.
jon
Ubaldo has been improving his control each year. Dan Haren, after all these years, is still a crappy 2nd half pitcher.
Chris
Miller vs. kershaw- Kershaw
Scherzer vs. Lincecum- Really!?
Colvin vs. Snider- Idk prolly Snider but Colvin looks like he can be good.
Daniel
“RHP Tim Lincecum (Giants) vs. Max Scherzer (Diamondbacks): Is this one about to turn?” WOW The first thing to come from that comparison is “are things about to turn?” Since when did this site become about causing a reaction opposed to reporting the news. I’m hoping that is a joke and is never attempted again
redsandyanksfan
What really got me , Last year i was reading a article when i went to the reds game and the reds front office was said to be thinking alot about take Timmy but that opt for drew stubbs due to the fact they thought Lincecum motion was violent and his arm would blow but it doesnt seem like it will happen anything soon (knock on wood for Giants fans)
stadds
The real question here should be Brandon Morrow vs. Tim Lincecum. Remember how the press flayed Seattle for not drafting the local boy? Now they’ve got Brandon League to show for it…
Even more interesting, if memory serves, is that Miller was looked at as a number one overall talent who fell to Detroit because of signability. Not unlike Porcello shortly after. Interesting the ways projection doesn’t always turn out in both the cases of Miller and Morrow, though both still have time to right things.
stadds
The real question here should be Brandon Morrow vs. Tim Lincecum. Remember how the press flayed Seattle for not drafting the local boy? Now they’ve got Brandon League to show for it…
Even more interesting, if memory serves, is that Miller was looked at as a number one overall talent who fell to Detroit because of signability. Not unlike Porcello shortly after. Interesting the ways projection doesn’t always turn out in both the cases of Miller and Morrow, though both still have time to right things.