Question: Do you risk damaging a pitching prospect's chances of hitting his ceiling by giving him a spot start in the majors?

Twice this season, I have needed a spot starter, and have recalled prospects from AA rather than an older, so-so minor-leaguer from AAA. I sent the first guy back to AA after his start, and I'll send the second guy back tonight, after he makes his start.

The one guy is currently 70 (projects to 81) and the other guy is 62 (projects to 75).

Personally I wouldn't do it unless an injury made it happen. It's not worth the possible penalty imo.

But that's the question. Is there a penalty for giving a guy a spot start in the majors?

There are demotion penalties for sending a guy down a level. You always risk a guy getting a demotion penalty UNLESS he is called up at the same time a guy goes on the DL, and sent down at the same time that guy comes off the DL.

That didn't happen the first time. I'll know tomorrow if it happened the 2nd tme.

It doesn't always happen, but the risk is always there. Like Russian Roulette.

Pitcher 2 threw 6 shutout innings to get the win, and was sent back to AA. No apparent demotion penalty.

Was it worth starting his option clock?

He's back in the minors, he only accrued ml experience for the short time hw was up. He will just need to be kept down a bit longer before he is ready for the Bigs for good.

Quote: Originally posted by radkison on 5/18/2010Was it worth starting his option clock?

The only time I ever worry about option clocks starting are for fringe guys who might get sent up and down on an as needed basis. Calling a guy up a year or two early that will be a regular ML guy shouldn't matter as much, because once he is a ML regular, he probably isn't leaving.

These two guys will likely be in the majors for good within two seasons.

Quote: Originally Posted By vladyhop on 5/18/2010

Quote: Originally posted by radkison on 5/18/201
Was it worth starting his option clock?

The only time I ever worry about option clocks starting are for fringe guys who might get sent up and down on an as needed basis. Calling a guy up a year or two early that will be a regular ML guy shouldn't matter as much, because once he is a ML regular, he probably isn't leaving.

Except if you call up a super star early it means he is going to hit paydirt earlier.

It also means you'll get to use him to win games earlier.

This is a huge hole in the game.

In reality a AA guy getting called up for a spot start, knowing full well that he'd be demoted (something that happens in MLB plenty) would be ecstatic for the opportunity.

In HBD, you'll get a demotion penalty because he'll be ****** when he goes back down. It's pretty ridonkulous.