Sunday Starter

[CajunProud]

_ First of all use the d@mn quote button if you want to quote someone, its not rocket science....

The only reason they may have been happy not to face him yesterday was the fact that they would have gotten hit by a 95mph fastball.

Wilbourn has had is opportunity to prove himself. He has had one good outing againist FIU in 8 starts. You obviously did not watch the game last week versus LSU where he threw to 2 or 3 batters (sorry I don't remember how many) but he had Griffen LEAPING to catch pitches he couldn't get anywhere near the plate.

I did the WHIP for the whole pitching staff and besides two guys who have thrown a COMBINED 6.2 innings this year he has the worst WHIP at 1.96. He gives up two baserunners an inning and that doesn't even take into account the 12 batters he has hit this year.

Yes he throws hard and scouts love that because they hope than can teach him to hit is spots, but the key is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Just ask Greg Maddox how he won 355 games with an 82mph fastball.

Did you happen to notice why we won Friday and Saturday??? Yes we only gave up 8 hits in two games, we also only walked 3 people in two games. If they are not given FREE baserunners they cannot get the big innings. That has been the main problem with the pitching staff as a whole this year, way to many walks and hit batsmen. _

Could Wilborne's problems stem from the possibility that his confidence is shaken? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the guy miss all of last year due to Tommy John surgery? If his control is not there, maybe it is becuase he needs more time to develop from his injury. It also may mean that he is having a mechanics issue. Is someone working with him on his mechanics in practice? I don't know the answers to these questions, just posing them.

[Parrott]

Wilborn now needs a little more recovery time after an outing since having surgery. In time, most Tommy John guys come back stronger and throw faster.

I think some of his inconsistencies are due to some doubts in his head. He's pitched well at times but also struggled mightily.

One thing to consider is that scouts don't pay much attention to stats if the guy has potential. The fact he's a lefty is big.

Remember that Farquhar had a losing record last year but was picked in the 10th round by the Blue Jays and is now tearing up the minors. He had the skills - and was strong as a sophomore -but was unable to put it together consistently until going pro.
igeaux.mobi

[CajunT]

_ Wilborn now needs a little more recovery time after an outing since having surgery. In time, most Tommy John guys come back stronger and throw faster.

I think some of his inconsistencies are due to some doubts in his head. He's pitched well at times but also struggled mightily.

One thing to consider is that scouts don't pay much attention to stats if the guy has potential. The fact he's a lefty is big.

Remember that Farquhar had a losing record last year but was picked in the 10th round by the Blue Jays and is now tearing up the minors. He had the skills - and was strong as a sophomore -but was unable to put it together consistently until going pro.
igeaux.mobi _

While I agree with you that Wilborn has lost some confidence and probably needs more time to heel, he has always had control problems. Before his arm injury, his walk-to -innings pitched were high both seasons he pitched. There is no questioning his arm, but he has never been a control pitcher.

[Ballfan]

_ While I agree with you that Wilborn has lost some confidence and probably needs more time to heel, he has always had control problems. Before his arm injury, his walk-to -innings pitched were high both seasons he pitched. There is no questioning his arm, but he has never been a control pitcher. _

most guys that throw 90 plus are not control pitchers--Farquhar was effective as a sophomore because he was a closer--we mis-used him last year trying to make him a starter and he was trying to pace himself and therefore lost his velocity-Now in the pros he is back to coming out of the pen and is not holding anything back and his velocity is back in the low 90's again

[Dad04]

_ Wilborn now needs a little more recovery time after an outing since having surgery. In time, most Tommy John guys come back stronger and throw faster.

I think some of his inconsistencies are due to some doubts in his head. He's pitched well at times but also struggled mightily.

One thing to consider is that scouts don't pay much attention to stats if the guy has potential. The fact he's a lefty is big.

Remember that Farquhar had a losing record last year but was picked in the 10th round by the Blue Jays and is now tearing up the minors. He had the skills - and was strong as a sophomore -but was unable to put it together consistently until going pro. igeaux.mobi _

Wood bats help some too. Most Tommy John surgery patients are phyically ready to take the mound in 12 months. 50 Weeks is the general rule. It generally takes another year or two to regain command. He had a typical freshman year getting used to the situation, throwing some innings and then blew out his elbow missing his sophmore year. He is basically starting over from less than scratch and about on schedule for a TJ recovering pitcher. He'll do better as he goes on, but it might be in a different uni.

[Dad04]

_ most guys that throw 90 plus are not control pitchers--Farquhar was effective as a sophomore because he was a closer--we mis-used him last year trying to make him a starter and he was trying to pace himself and therefore lost his velocity-Now in the pros he is back to coming out of the pen and is not holding anything back and his velocity is back in the low 90's again _

I watched him close a game two weeks ago. He was 91-94, mostly 94. Every inning he has pitched this year was as a closer. He has not given up a run in 7 IP, actually over 20 innngs going back to last year.

[CajunT]

_ most guys that throw 90 plus are not control pitchers--Farquhar was effective as a sophomore because he was a closer--we mis-used him last year trying to make him a starter and he was trying to pace himself and therefore lost his velocity-Now in the pros he is back to coming out of the pen and is not holding anything back and his velocity is back in the low 90's again _

Unfortunately, when you are a pitcher and things aren’t going well, there is no place to hide. Right now, if you are having control problems there is no right place to pitch. You can’t continually give up walks in the starting rotation or the bullpen and be successful. But you have to find a way to get a few innings in some place to work it out, that’s a problem right now.

[CajunProud]

_ Wood bats help some too. Most Tommy John surgery patients are phyically ready to take the mound in 12 months. 50 Weeks is the general rule. It generally takes another year or two to regain command. He had a typical freshman year getting used to the situation, throwing some innings and then blew out his elbow missing his sophmore year. He is basically starting over from less than scratch and about on schedule for a TJ recovering pitcher. He'll do better as he goes on, but it might be in a different uni. _

I really think Wilborn will be drafted this year, not because of his record, but because of his velocity and the fact that he is a lefty. I also think Osbourne will be drafted and will leave. If we lose these two guys, I think we will have another very long season next year.