Mariner ace in waiting...

[GrizBiz]

Well, after getting swept by a Toronto team that is missing its ace pitcher I figured that I would cut & paste this link to an article on young Mariner pitcher Felix Hernandez. The author, Jason Churchill, is an M's insider and his site is worth the subscription. I believe that he does some radio work with the Mariner's Everett Aqua Sox affiliate.

I like hearing that Felix got the best fastball, best curve and best slider in the organization. He should be promoted to Seattle soon - September??? - and that will at least give M's fans something to watch. As it stands now, this team is nearly unwatchable. Sigh.


http://mariners.scout.com/2/397350.html

 

[UMclassof2002]

That Toronto series was flat out ugly.

 

[GrizBiz]

Wow - Felix got his first start in Safeco last night and did not disappoint. Despite a 100 pitch limit placed on him, he threw 8 shutout innings against the Twins and got his first major league win. I've been on the King Felix bandwagon for a while now but I can't help but be impressed with the 19 year old phenom.

Consider the following breakdown of his game: he threw first-pitch strikes to 20 of the 29 batters he faced, and finished the game having tossed 73 percent (69 of his 94) of his pitches for strikes. He threw 60 fastballs (95-97 mph), 20 curveballs (81-84 mph) and 14 changeups (82-84 mph).

After watching M's pitchers that either couldn't find the strikezone without a compass and a map or served up nothing but meatballs right over the center of the plate, it was a refreshing change. He's going to be fun to watch. If he can pitch like this at 19, what is he going to be like when he's 25?

 

[son-of-info]

I was at the game (as a Twins fan) and I got to give this guy his props. He was lights out.

 

[jagur1]

Not to disrespect the Twins but almost everybody is lights out against them. Shutting out the Twins doesn't make you Sandy Koufax. Anyway the Twins better go out and get some Right handed power for next year or they'll just be waisting a good pitching staff.

 

[GRIZFAN20]

But it wasnt just againse the Twins. In his first start, he only allowed 1 ER in 5 innings against a Tigers team that has some pop to their bats. There have been many overrated players to come up to the majors in the past years, but Felix isnt one of them.

 

[GrizBiz]

But it wasnt just againse the Twins. In his first start, he only allowed 1 ER in 5 innings against a Tigers team that has some pop to their bats. There have been many overrated players to come up to the majors in the past years, but Felix isnt one of them.

And he's 19! He's been listed as the #1 pitching prospect in baseball all season for a reason. Baseball America had a guy at his start against the Twins and he compared him to Greg Maddux in Livan Hernandez's body. Think about Greg Maddox with a 97 mph fastball. Yowza.

I do think that they planned his arrival very well. His first start was in Detroit - one of the most radically pitcher friendly parks in the majors. Then he comes home to pitch against the Twins and the Royals in Safeco. The Yankees will probably be his first real test and that will be interesting to see.

Do I think that he's going to carry a sub-1.00 era for the rest of the year? Nope. Will I jump off the King Felix bandwagon if/when he gets shelled and has to be pulled in the second inning of a game? No way - this kid is special and he very well might hold the future of my beloved Mariners in his big right hand. I've read that it takes a great prodigy level pitcher 20 games to adjust to the league. Look at what Hardin is doing in Oakland - he started off on fire, went through a couple of rough patches and then started clicking in his twenty-something start. I'm just glad that Felix is going to get six or seven of those starts this year so that he's got something to think about in the off season. If he stays healthy, he should start to dominate on a regular basis int he second half of next year.

 

[GRIZFAN20]

Another great game last night. 8 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 11 STRIKEOUTS , and a walk.

In case anyone is wondering, he did manage to raise is ERA, to 0.86

 

[Spokane Griz]

Felix can flat out bring it. They have been talking about him all season. They didn't wan't to rush him up even though he was smokin' people in the bus leagues and they knew he would give immediate help. He's fun to watch.


I know you can say this about every team in the league. But just think if money wasn't an option and they still had A-rod and JR. Griffey. Jr. gets bashed a lot but I like the guy. How many other guys would go balls to the walls for a fly ball in April. I'm sure that has attributed to his health. Man it sure is weird how he goes to his hometown and goes into the toilet. This guy DOMINATED the 90's and his game has dropped off big-time. That would be like A-Rod failing in 6-8 years from now. A-Rod will shatter all kinds of hitting records before he is done. Definately break hammerin' Hanks record.

Does Missoula get Mariner games on radio or Fox Northwest?

 

[GrizBiz]

Felix can flat out bring it. They have been talking about him all season. They didn't wan't to rush him up even though he was smokin' people in the bus leagues and they knew he would give immediate help. He's fun to watch.


I know you can say this about every team in the league. But just think if money wasn't an option and they still had A-rod and JR. Griffey. Jr. gets bashed a lot but I like the guy. How many other guys would go balls to the walls for a fly ball in April. I'm sure that has attributed to his health. Man it sure is weird how he goes to his hometown and goes into the toilet. This guy DOMINATED the 90's and his game has dropped off big-time. That would be like A-Rod failing in 6-8 years from now. A-Rod will shatter all kinds of hitting records before he is done. Definately break hammerin' Hanks record.

Does Missoula get Mariner games on radio or Fox Northwest?

We get the radio broadcasts and the FSN tv broadcasts.

Felix will get his first real test in Minnesota. They aren't the best hitting team but they have seen him once before and will be in the Homer Dome. After that, he's got the White Sox and the Yankees in Safeco. That Yankee game will be interesting, eh?