I've got 3 very good high-minors SP prospects who would fit well in a 4-man rotation, and I just signed an IFA RP who should develop to something like 45/43 sta/dur. He should be fantastic, with mid-80s control and low-90s splits (with a very good set of 3 pitches, gbfb, and vel). I'm wondering if you guys think (assuming I'm right about sta/dur) that he could handle a 50/60 or 55/60 pitch count asignment starting every 4th day? If not, how high might I be able to go? Or just forget it and let him anchor the 'pen?

Let him anchor the pen and find a fourth. Right now I am running a 4 man rotation with the occasional spot start here and there. My 4 guys are:

34/87
30/94
33/77
27/80

I have a 85/42 take the brunt of the relief innings with a 93/31 helping out. My long reliever and spot starter is a 26/69 guy.

But, it really all depends on how good your pitchers are. If your starters will get you to the 7th or 8th, then have your guy throwing out of the pen. If you starters will never get you that far, then have him start so you get to utilize his innings.

I don't think your guy is going to give you the innings you expect with that combo.

i'd just toss him in the pen as a setup A and let some other schmuck be your SP4

He could be a shutdown closer with 40-50+ saves and a 90-95% conversion rate.

Steven Springer has worse control (55) and always gets 40 saves a year at about a 90% rate.

he'd be better used in a setup or closer role...

Putting him at closer will severely restrict his innings. The only way to get the 120+ IP you deserve from that guy is to have him at SetupA or as a starter.

I would think you'd want to get that pitcher the most number of highest leveraged innings as possible. Since HBD doesn't have pitchers "concerned with their roles" (i.e. I must get through 5 innings so I can get the W), their role won't likely affect the quality of their outings. That guy, to me would be a good candidate for a tandem arrangement. If you keep his pitch counts set where he reaches 100 again between starts, you can probably pull 130-150 innings from him. I'd take that over 50-60 of "Mr Magic Closer" innings - where 1/3 of the closing opportunities are protecting those precarious 3-run leads.

Your pitch count is probably pretty close, but you can monitor and adjust it as the season goes along.

Quote: Originally posted by kahrtmen on 2/24/2010Putting him at closer will severely restrict his innings. The only way to get the 120+ IP you deserve from that guy is to have him at SetupA or as a starter.

It will only restrict his innings if he is set to only come in for save situations. If not, Closer A will take first priority in non-mopup situations.

Set him at Closer A, able to enter in the 8th inning and a max pitch count of 50 and he will easily go over 100 innings and they all will be high-leverage.

tandem with someone else in the last spot.

My thinking at this point is like this: worst case scenario, with mid-40's Sta he can go 4 innings in a start (avg) pretty easily, I would think. And with mid-40s Dur he can do that every 4 days. 4 IP x 40 Starts (98 health) = 160IP.

Could I get that many using him as Closer A, not limited to save situations, with a 30/50 or 40/50 pitch count and 6th or 7th inning avail?

the way to maximize his innings is probably to start him (total control over when he pitches and how many pitches he throws)...personally i get a little antsy about pushing a guys pitch count too far past his stamina level...i suppose a 60 PC isn't too far past his 43 stamina...

Quote: Originally Posted By gjello10 on 2/24/2010I've got 3 very good high-minors SP prospects who would fit well in a 4-man rotation, and I just signed an IFA RP who should develop to something like 45/43 sta/dur. He should be fantastic, with mid-80s control and low-90s splits (with a very good set of 3 pitches, gbfb, and vel). I'm wondering if you guys think (assuming I'm right about sta/dur) that he could handle a 50/60 or 55/60 pitch count asignment starting every 4th day? If not, how high might I be able to go? Or just forget it and let him anchor the 'pen

His DUR means he could probably pitch every other day with a 30-35 pitch count. I think 75-85 appearances as a setup A would be a better use of his talent than 30 starts that kill your 'pen.

Quote: Originally Posted By iain on 2/25/2010

Quote: Originally Posted By gjello10 on 2/24/2010
I've got 3 very good high-minors SP prospects who would fit well in a 4-man rotation, and I just signed an IFA RP who should develop to something like 45/43 sta/dur. He should be fantastic, with mid-80s control and low-90s splits (with a very good set of 3 pitches, gbfb, and vel). I'm wondering if you guys think (assuming I'm right about sta/dur) that he could handle a 50/60 or 55/60 pitch count asignment starting every 4th day? If not, how high might I be able to go? Or just forget it and let him anchor the 'pen?

His DUR means he could probably pitch every other day with a 30-35 pitch count. I think 75-85 appearances as a setup A would be a better use of his talent than 30 starts that kill your 'pen

Well, I'd run him in a tandem 4 if I started him. I have a projected 30/45 Sta/Dur who I could pair with him. But if I can get 140+ leveraged innings at SuA, that might be a better way to go.

The other consideration is really whether I find a 4th SP who can really run in a 4-man rotation. If not, the advantage of getting my top two to start 80 games might be the deciding factor.

I've never considered a starter quite like you describe but I almost always use 4 man rotations and I bet you could get 55-60 pitches every 4th day. If his skills are as good as you say that should be good for 4+IP per start. I think that's worth considering because it probably gets you through the top hitters in your opponent's lineup twice. If you then use an opposite hand tandem pairing you might even gain a little advantage over the next couple innings.

I'd say better to try it for a season and risk failure than park him in the bullpen and never know if it might have worked.