Padres decide on lefty for pen

Sunday April 4, 2010

According to Dan Hayes of the North County Times, the San Diego Padres have decided on a lefty for the pen to take the place of the injured Joe Thatcher.

The lefty? Cesar Ramos. Ramos got a taste of the major leagues in 5 appearances late last year for the Padres, 2 as a starter. Now he will be the loogy coming out of the pen until Thatcher returns from the DL.

Ramos was a 1st round draft pick by the Padres in 2005, but has largely been a disappointment as a starter in 5 seasons in the minors. He impressed the Padres staff in a relief role in spring training this year giving up just 2 hits in 17 at bats to left handed hitters.

To make room for Ramos the Padres optioned Adam Russell to AAA Portland.

To make room for Matt Stairs, the Padres will have to drop a pitcher from the 40 man roster and expose that player to waivers.

NEVER bring Joe Thatcher in with men on base!

Sunday September 6, 2009

Joe Thatcher on the season:

With the bases empty he is perfect - 0.00 ERA/0.90 WHIP/.189 BAA & just 4 walks in 20 innings pitched.
With runners on base - 5.94 ERA
With runners in scoring position - 8.71 ERA
With RISP and 2 outs - 13.50 ERA

With RISP he actually has as many walks as hits.
With RISP and 2 outs he has allowed only 3 hits, but has given up 5 walks in just 5.1 IP

And remember, this does not include the 6 inherited runners he has allowed to score.

So why would the Padres EVER bring him in or leave him in with men in scoring position, especially if there are two outs?

Gaudin gets pounded - Again!

Wednesday August 5, 2009

Chad Gaudin has been showing why the Cubs cut him loose before the season in his last few outings and today's game should be the nail in his coffin.

In his 4th consecutive loss today Gaudin gave up 9 hits, 2 walks and 6 runs in 3.1 innings to the Atlanta Braves to raise his ERA to 5.13 on the season.

If his burgeoning ERA isn't enough, his ludicrous 54 BB in 105 innings should be enough to punch his ticket for the pen or the minors. Occasionally the guy will pitch a good game, (5 quality starts in his last 13 starts since the beginning of June) but the bad games FAR outweigh anything positive he has done recently.

So who is the next young gun to get a shot at the Padres starting rotation?
LeBlanc again? Frieri? Carrillo?


On a side note:
Have you noticed how well Joe "Becky" Thatcher pitches with nothing on the line and his team down by a ton of runs? His BAA with the bases empty is .220. In appearances where the team is down by 4 + runs he has a sub 1.00 ERA and the opposing team hits .222.

Have you also noticed how absolutely putrid he is with men on base and the lead on the line? The guy has pitched in 24 games and has ZERO holds. Not a single one. With RISP he has a .318 BAA and has allowed a .484 OBP. In late and close games opposing batters hit .75 and in tie games the opposing team bats .500 with a .667 OBP!!

In other words the guy CHOKES with men in scoring position or in anything resembling a pressure situation.

Can you say head case?