I thought it would be interesting to list out the starters and relievers in order of how the team seems to view them. People talk a lot about the #5 starter or the #7 starter, and about who is the 6th inning reliever or whatever, so it's interesting to look at all the pitchers in the organization in terms of where they seem to rank.
Obviously, we are on the outside and will never know the real depth chart. And obviously injuries really shake things up-- who is active, who is on the DL, when are they coming back, etc.
And there would be a much different depth chart in the midseason than in a 1-game playoff. But based on the way things look to me personally right now, this is my guess as to how the pitchers line up as of this moment, knowing that the order will probably shuffle from day to day.
Feel free to post your own take, and to point out the pitchers I forgot about and left off.
Starters:
1. Sale-- the ace.
2. Porcello-- even-year Porcello is damn good. If only there was some way to combine odd-year Josh Beckett with even-year Rick Porcello.
3. Eduardo Rodriguez-- has been quite good so far, can he keep it up for a full season?
4. Price-- over the course of his career, he'd deserve to be #2, but he is really struggling right now. Game-thread posters would have him below the bad Josh Smith on the depth chart, but the team doesn't agree.
5. Pomeranz-- on the DL, so obviously not in the rotation now. I'd think the team would have him in the starting 5 if he was healthy. Really wish they hadn't rushed him back to the majors last time he was hurt.
6. Wright-- another guy on the DL. Who knows when he'll be healthy? He was going really well until he got hurt, but is a knuckleballer, so you know there will be poundings even when he's healthy. If he is healthy again at some point this year.
7. Velazquez-- all he has done in his time here so far is get people out and win games for the minimum salary.
8. Johnson-- hey look, another guy on the DL. He was doing pretty well lately, but will be out for at least 10 games as his cursed luck continues.
9. Beeks-- his MLB start did not go well but he has good numbers in the minors and could get another shot the next time we need a #9 starter.
10. Justin Haley-- he pitched 4 games in the majors this year, and started 13 in AAA. Cuevas, Chandler Shepherd and the better Josh Smith could also get the call if god forbid we need a #10 starter at any point.
Relievers:
1. Kimbrel-- the closer.
2. Barnes-- has been good almost all season, seems pretty underrated around here. Still walks a few too many but 52 Ks in 37 IP with a 2.32 ERA is really damn good.
3. Kelly-- has been the setup man for most of the season, but he has been bad in June and had to leave the game Saturday night with an injury. He'll probably bounce back up to #2 once he gets going good again.
4. Hembree-- 49 Ks in 37.2 IP. 10 more Ks and same number of walks as Kelly in almost the same number of innings.
5. Velazquez-- he has been a swingman most of this season, so I am listing him as both a starter and reliever.
6. Workman-- only 13 IP, but he has done the job so far.
7. Thornburg-- got the call in the 9th with a 4-run lead today. He quickly turned it into a save situation for Kimbrel. He was good with the Brewers years ago and will get his chances. It would be so great if he could be a good reliever again, but I'm skeptical.
8. Brasier-- good numbers in AAA, he's in the majors now. His name reminds me of Dairy Queen's brazier burgers.
9. Cuevas-- decent enough numbers in AAA, he's in the majors now. His name sounds like a brand of cheap tequila.
10. Poyner-- in the majors this year, 10.2 IP, 10 Ks, 1 BB. Is left-handed. And 2-eared, and single-headed.
11. Walden-- in the majors this year, 14.2 IP, 14 Ks, 3 BBs.
12. Ty Buttery-- I bet his delivery is buttery smooth.
13. Robby Scott-- in the majors this year, he got one out and gave up 2 runs. In AAA, 31.1 IP, a startling 48 Ks with 10 walks. Also throws with his left hand. Well his left arm, really, the hand is more for gripping, with the arm doing the throwing.
14. Kyle Martin-- May one day take on the Robbie Ross role of having a name that sounds more like a NASCAR driver than a baseball player.
15. Austin Maddox-- from the playoff roster last year to injuries and 3.2 horrible innings in AAA this year. For his major league career, he has an 0.52 ERA in 17.1 IP with 14 Ks and 2 walks. Got moved to the 60-day DL today.
Obviously, we are on the outside and will never know the real depth chart. And obviously injuries really shake things up-- who is active, who is on the DL, when are they coming back, etc.
And there would be a much different depth chart in the midseason than in a 1-game playoff. But based on the way things look to me personally right now, this is my guess as to how the pitchers line up as of this moment, knowing that the order will probably shuffle from day to day.
Feel free to post your own take, and to point out the pitchers I forgot about and left off.
Starters:
1. Sale-- the ace.
2. Porcello-- even-year Porcello is damn good. If only there was some way to combine odd-year Josh Beckett with even-year Rick Porcello.
3. Eduardo Rodriguez-- has been quite good so far, can he keep it up for a full season?
4. Price-- over the course of his career, he'd deserve to be #2, but he is really struggling right now. Game-thread posters would have him below the bad Josh Smith on the depth chart, but the team doesn't agree.
5. Pomeranz-- on the DL, so obviously not in the rotation now. I'd think the team would have him in the starting 5 if he was healthy. Really wish they hadn't rushed him back to the majors last time he was hurt.
6. Wright-- another guy on the DL. Who knows when he'll be healthy? He was going really well until he got hurt, but is a knuckleballer, so you know there will be poundings even when he's healthy. If he is healthy again at some point this year.
7. Velazquez-- all he has done in his time here so far is get people out and win games for the minimum salary.
8. Johnson-- hey look, another guy on the DL. He was doing pretty well lately, but will be out for at least 10 games as his cursed luck continues.
9. Beeks-- his MLB start did not go well but he has good numbers in the minors and could get another shot the next time we need a #9 starter.
10. Justin Haley-- he pitched 4 games in the majors this year, and started 13 in AAA. Cuevas, Chandler Shepherd and the better Josh Smith could also get the call if god forbid we need a #10 starter at any point.
Relievers:
1. Kimbrel-- the closer.
2. Barnes-- has been good almost all season, seems pretty underrated around here. Still walks a few too many but 52 Ks in 37 IP with a 2.32 ERA is really damn good.
3. Kelly-- has been the setup man for most of the season, but he has been bad in June and had to leave the game Saturday night with an injury. He'll probably bounce back up to #2 once he gets going good again.
4. Hembree-- 49 Ks in 37.2 IP. 10 more Ks and same number of walks as Kelly in almost the same number of innings.
5. Velazquez-- he has been a swingman most of this season, so I am listing him as both a starter and reliever.
6. Workman-- only 13 IP, but he has done the job so far.
7. Thornburg-- got the call in the 9th with a 4-run lead today. He quickly turned it into a save situation for Kimbrel. He was good with the Brewers years ago and will get his chances. It would be so great if he could be a good reliever again, but I'm skeptical.
8. Brasier-- good numbers in AAA, he's in the majors now. His name reminds me of Dairy Queen's brazier burgers.
9. Cuevas-- decent enough numbers in AAA, he's in the majors now. His name sounds like a brand of cheap tequila.
10. Poyner-- in the majors this year, 10.2 IP, 10 Ks, 1 BB. Is left-handed. And 2-eared, and single-headed.
11. Walden-- in the majors this year, 14.2 IP, 14 Ks, 3 BBs.
12. Ty Buttery-- I bet his delivery is buttery smooth.
13. Robby Scott-- in the majors this year, he got one out and gave up 2 runs. In AAA, 31.1 IP, a startling 48 Ks with 10 walks. Also throws with his left hand. Well his left arm, really, the hand is more for gripping, with the arm doing the throwing.
14. Kyle Martin-- May one day take on the Robbie Ross role of having a name that sounds more like a NASCAR driver than a baseball player.
15. Austin Maddox-- from the playoff roster last year to injuries and 3.2 horrible innings in AAA this year. For his major league career, he has an 0.52 ERA in 17.1 IP with 14 Ks and 2 walks. Got moved to the 60-day DL today.