Too much of a hurry with Tsao?

看板Rockies作者silinduo (靈魂收割者)時間21年前 (2003/07/28 16:40)推噓4(4推 0噓 0→)

留言4則, 3人參與討論串1/4 (看更多)

Rockies in too much of a hurry with Tsao By Mike Klis, Post Sports Writer This is a rush job. No matter how well Chin-Hui Tsao pitches the rest of this season, a century of big-league baseball lessons state the Rockies are probably hurrying their top pitching prospect to the majors before he's properly developed. In the first inning of his major-league debut Friday, the 22-year-old Tsao was able to blow a 93 mph fastball past Scott Podsednik for strike one, make Geoff Jenkins look foolish for swinging at a changeup for strike two, and cause Richie Sexson to glare at the umpire for catching him looking at a slider for strike three. But in the marathon that is a major-league career, there is reason to fear Tsao became the first pitcher from Taiwan to reach the majors only because the Rockies were ready for him, and not the other way around. Tsao is a major-league pitcher even though he had not thrown one inning at the Triple-A level. Never had Tsao faced a hitter better than Double-A quality until Milwaukee's Eric Young stepped in to begin Tsao's first game. It marked the first time the Rockies have permitted one of their own farm-grown pitchers to completely skip the Triple-A level, where Sky Sox Stadium is supposed to provide an ideal altitude training ground. Colorado's favorite E.Y., no stranger to making Rockies history as a leadoff batter, belted a home run off Tsao's second pitch. It's not that Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle weren't aware of the risks. Hurdle, as much as anyone, understands how enormous expectations can damage a well- hyped prospect's major-league baseball card. He wanted Tsao anyway. "Why do things the same way, just to do things the same," Hurdle said. "We thought his skills were advanced enough to make the jump." O'Dowd's background includes extensive experience in running the Indians' minor- league system. Yet, he, too, decided Tsao's development could be enhanced by pitching in the big leagues. Surprised by the decision to push Tsao? A closer check into O'Dowd's track record as farm director makes it easier to understand. In 1990, the Cleveland Indians called up their top pitching prospect, Charles Nagy, all the way from Double-A, bypassing their Triple A Colorado Springs club. O'Dowd had some explaining to do to Sky Sox followers. Back then, Indians executives saw no benefit to having their best prospects pitch in high altitude. Besides mastering a changeup and throwing a fastball for strike one, the biggest need for every minor-league pitcher is confidence. And it's not easy for a pitcher to feel good about himself when his ego is getting pummeled into thin air. There is some thought among Rockies that to a special talent such as Tsao, the experience of pitching in altitude can bring more harm than good. Nagy initially struggled in the majors, going 2-4 with a 5.91 ERA to finish up the 1990 season, then 10-15 the next year. But from then on, Nagy posted six seasons of at least 15 wins, including five in a row from 1995-99. Tsao is more talented than Nagy. But will Tsao eventually post six 15-win seasons for the Rockies? If he does, his No. 71 will wind up painted in honor on the Coors Field outfield wall. The lessons that baseball's long history teaches haven't changed, but more and more of its students are ignoring them. Dontrelle Willis has yet to pitch a Triple A inning. As Willis stood in front of his All-Star locker two weeks ago, no one asked him if he thought he had been rushed. The Cincinnati Reds just called up pitcher Ryan Wagner a month after they drafted him. Wagner had just nine minor-league games of experience. Next to Wagner, Tsao is a minor-league has-been. After watching Tsao pitch 6 1/3 innings to win his big-league debut Friday, it was easy to understand why Rockies executives couldn't contain their excitement. His electric fastball originates not from the long-legged, tall-trunk delivery of a Jamey Wright, but from an easy, rocking-chair motion. Unlike John Thomson, Tsao can throw a breaking ball in a count that usually leaves no other choice but a fastball. After E.Y. welcomed him to the big leagues with a humbling homer, Tsao didn't get flustered, as Bryan Rekar would have done, but settled down. It's already obvious Tsao has tremendous talent and has a chance to become a great pitcher. But what needs to be asked is: Are the Rockies giving Tsao the best chance to achieve long-lasting greatness by calling him up this soon? 本文轉錄至 http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~108~1535536,00.html -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.csie.ntu.edu.tw) ◆ From: 61.57.208.88 ※ 編輯: silinduo 來自: 61.57.208.88 (07/28 16:43)