Myspace Escobar Update

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 12:34 AM PDT

I was browsing 6-4-2 and came across a link to this golden nugget.

Kelvim Escobar continues to amaze in his recovery from a shoulder tear. The right-hander's fastball hit 93 mph during a 30-pitch simulated game in Arizona on Saturday, and he is expected to pitch in an Arizona Summer League game this week.

"His velocity was terrific, which is very encouraging," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "We expected him to get there, but it's a pleasant surprise that the first time out of the box, the ball came out of his hand that well. He's ready for a game."

it also says that the angels havent ruled out a return to the rotation as the angels are short on pitching depth (which somehow we are). Also, moseley is sucking it up in AAA and bootcheck just returned from the DL and is pitching well so far in 5 innings .80 WHIP, 0 ERA...

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Nice!

"i got 5ive on it"

by Funke5ive on Jun 24, 2008 1:07 AM PDT reply actions

I saw

that on S-Duck’s site as well. I wish I knew which day it was going to be, so I could take a break and watch an inning or two.

Lamest poster of all-time.

by ineptituderunsamok on Jun 24, 2008 1:37 AM PDT reply actions

Not that MySpace shouldn't enjoy our complete confidence or that he

hasn’t earned a spot in the rotation, but…jeez, who do you take out? I suppose Weaver’s the obvious choice, but it’s not like he’s been horrible. Garland’s a vet, being paid 12 million, and to be honest would have every right to complain about being sent to the pen when he’s pitched just fine. The thought of removing Saunders or Santana, while the obvious choices in terms of seniority, makes me sick to my stomach given the way they’ve carried the team.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Jun 24, 2008 10:08 AM PDT reply actions

Any way they could use Escobar as a long reliever

While they build up his endurance?

I don’t know how that would work, but I’d love to have him be useful to the team and not need to take any one out of the rotation.

by gilbert on Jun 24, 2008 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Putting Escobar in the bullpen until/unless someone goes down is the obvious move.

And Escobar actually seems to be okay with it, even expecting it.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jun 24, 2008 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Rank Under Shields

In order of importance the bullpen would look like this:

CL – Frankie
Setup – Shields
Escobar
Arredondo
Oliver
Mop – Speier

That is baseball’s most bad-ass bullpen.

by Rev Halofan on Jun 24, 2008 11:18 AM PDT reply actions

Agreed

A power pen built for speed in the postseason

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Correct. The Halos shorten games to 5 innings with that pen. 4 on a good day.

by Stirrups on Jun 24, 2008 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I mean are bullpen is already kickass

We need to create a word for how amazing are bullpen is

Maybe we should start one of those wave things?

by WillGoAngels27 on Jun 24, 2008 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

going to be

Maybe we should start one of those wave things?

by WillGoAngels27 on Jun 24, 2008 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

isnt that word

Panther???

Lamest poster of all-time.

by ineptituderunsamok on Jun 24, 2008 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

re-donnd-culous?

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Not bad insurance for next year...

We could hand the closer gig to Escobar, if Frankie strikes it rich in NYC. Given Escobar’s injury history, we may get the most value out of him in this role for the remainder of his contract.

by rghan on Jun 24, 2008 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

Can Frankie go to NYC now ...

that they have signed Mariano Rivera to his deal?

"At some point, a veteran player will more often than not find his stroke. You just have to show them a little bit of patience."

by Downing Rules on Jun 24, 2008 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions

No offense

but Frankie to NYC is the lamest rumor IMO.

Why would he go there? He is looking to set the all time saves record.

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

he is looking to make the most money

don’t fool yourself

by Rev Halofan on Jun 24, 2008 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions

We shall see Rev

He will get his 15 mil and NY is not going to pay a set up man 15 per.

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

both correct

he won’t go to the yankees….the Mets now are a real possibility. Phillies, LAD, Rangers, O’s, Atl are among many others too.

Go Angels!

by Four Ts on Jun 24, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

If they punt Wagner, the Mets are a real possibility.

If they sign him, he would be assured he was signing to be the closer.

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

EGO

Setting up is for bitches in Frankie’s mind

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions

He was just quoted the other day...

as saying a closer is nothing without a good setup man (not a direct quote, but he was pumping up Scot Shields in the article I was reading).

"Never throw the ball so far over the fence where you can't go back and get it." Chuck Knox quoted through Darryl Henley

by Downing Rules on Jun 24, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions

That does not mean he would be the good set up guy

There are quotes out there with him basically saying he has done the set up thing and that he is a closer.

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with that 100%

No way he goes back to setting up. I didn’t mean to suggest that and I don’t think Rev’s comment was suggesting that either… That’s why I really don’t see the Yanks making a play for Frankie now that they have Rivera signed for atrocious money.

"Never throw the ball so far over the fence where you can't go back and get it." Chuck Knox quoted through Darryl Henley

by Downing Rules on Jun 24, 2008 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

escobar is not the answer for closer

in 1 season as a closer (38 saves) he had a 4.27 ERA and a 1.5 WHIP! Frankies career worst ERA is 3.03 and career worst WHIP is 1.25 (last year). Id be much happier with shields (even though he can be inconsistent). But shields does have a career 4.83 ERA in august and second half numbers including an ERA more than a run and a half worse than his first half numbers. Arredondo is too young and inexperienced at the moment. I think that if frankie leaves, we give the job to shields, have escobar ease in at setup, and arredondo at short. if arredondo continues pitching well, then we can slowly ease him into the closers role depending on the performances of shields and escobar. I dont think arredondo is gonna be the full time closer (pending serious meltdowns) until mid 2009 at the earliest

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

See 2005 end season/playoffs

Escobar was rather nasty. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as closer.

A pipeline of talent, welcome to Anaheim.

by ClutchHomer on Jun 24, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions

true, i guess. at first i was gonna be more emphatic, then i looked at teh stats

and saw he wasnt a bad option. its just that he hasnt pitched in months and im not sure how his velocity or stuff will hold up, so im a little hesitant to crown him with the closer role before hes even thrown a pitch of relief (this season)

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

cross that bridge when we come to it.

"Never throw the ball so far over the fence where you can't go back and get it." Chuck Knox quoted through Darryl Henley

by Downing Rules on Jun 24, 2008 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

That was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away

Escobar has evolved as a pitcher.

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions

only a 2008 SP

if there’s an injury to one of the guys. He’s an insurance policy for the SP. Beyond that, he makes the pen even that more dominant. If we had him and Arrendondo in the pen throughout the year, we would not have those 3 or so big 10+ run blowouts (& thus, the weird run differential).

Go Angels!

by Four Ts on Jun 24, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply actions

Coach Mike was saying...

...he wants Escobar to return as a starter. He’d be dynamite out the pen. Either way, I think I speak for all of us when I say, we don’t care if he starts or is the pen, we just want him to come back (and come back healthy)- which would mean less of Darren O’Day and Bootcheck.

by hk47 on Jun 24, 2008 2:21 PM PDT reply actions

6 man rotation?

Who is the odd man out?

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

by hauldog on Jun 24, 2008 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions

i posted this on the revs fanpost

but escobar has been dynamite pitching the 7th inning. and also, when he was a full time reliever in 2002, he was great pitching in the 8th inning as well

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 2:44 PM PDT reply actions

6 man rotation

But with a starter going on the DL every week or two. Keep the pitchers rested for the stretch. Sure does sound like Mike, don’t it.

Angels Defense. Angels Pitching. Get past that. :-[

by vladtheimpaler on Jun 24, 2008 3:18 PM PDT reply actions

Bullpen for 2008

but Sosh wants to stretch him out so he can be the 6th starter in case someone goes down

K-brothers rule! (Kendrick & Kotch)

by halofan91 on Jun 24, 2008 8:52 PM PDT reply actions

oh, yes

and then we let Garland walk and put Esky back in the rotation for 2009

K-brothers rule! (Kendrick & Kotch)

by halofan91 on Jun 24, 2008 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

what about adenhart?

or is he just gonna chill in triple-A until he’s 30?

Howie for MVP!

by angels.vlad27 on Jun 24, 2008 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

same with Wood and Kendry, apparently

i am all for youth movements, and i think they’re necessary to continue a winning team.

some people, however, are content on letting our prospects rot away while we resign old players waaaaaay past their usefulness.

i’m not saying this applies here; it’s just true.

Chaka Khan... Rally Monkey 2.0

by howiestheman on Jun 24, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

have you looked at adenharts numbers in AAA?

A sweet 4.73 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP in 72 innings. those are worse than any starter we have now and those numbers are in AAA. He is still 21 years old, and very young for his level (PCL average age is around 25). he will be called up and be a fixture, but not this year (pending an emergency or if we clinch the division waaay early, and have starts that we can give up). Possibly next year, but 2010 for sure. By the way, ervin at 22 was inconsistant, 23 was terrible, and now at 24 is rockin (actually 25, he has an early b-day). the same might happen for adenhart (except not the terrible year) with better early results if we slowly ease him in and make sure hes not way in over his head

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions

it's all about experience and learning

you can only learn so much in AAA… at some point, you need to face MLB batters and learn from them.
i’m not saying he should be here this year, because he shouldn’t. we did the right think in giving him a few starts, then sending him down.
his placement next year should depend on how he finishes this season and how he looks in Spring Training. if we need a starter, then yes, he should be allowed to give it a shot.
but you’re right, he should be here by 2010… there’d be no excuse, barring injury, for him to still be in AAA come 2010.

Chaka Khan... Rally Monkey 2.0

by howiestheman on Jun 24, 2008 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions

i agree with that wholeheartedly. but if you are stinking at AAA, then chances are

either, a) youve been there a long time and the other teams knows your tendencies
b) you are not cut out for the majors
or c) you just need more time to figure things out and mature as a player

for adenhart, its most def C, and i look forward to seeing him starting for the angels in the future

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 24, 2008 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

at 21 years old, the kid just needs more time, plain and simple

Chaka Khan... Rally Monkey 2.0

by howiestheman on Jun 25, 2008 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Remember what he was doing before his call-up

His ERA for the first month in AAA was 0.90, or something like that. Getting rocked at the major league messed with his head, but his problems are all mental. He’ll work through it, and force a decision about the rotation sooner rather than later. I’m guessing spring ‘09.

by rghan on Jun 25, 2008 6:10 AM PDT up reply actions

that depends on whether garland will be resigned

or i guess garland being resigned depends on adenhart.
you can never have enough good pitching though

I AM THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. BOW TO MY WILL AND MY HAMMER!

by anaheim angels on Jun 25, 2008 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

In 2009 he'd be the go-to guy if any starters went to the DL,

and looking at the past few years it’s an excellent bet he gets 10 or more major league starts (Remember, to begin this year either Joe Saunders or Ervin was our 6th starter). After 09, it’s tough to say. Escobar and Lackey would both be FA’s unless we lock them up with extensions. I want Lackey back in the worst way, and resigning Escobar is a possibility too, but looking at what we’ve got now, the FO might decide we can’t keep both. In which case, Adenhart’s the 5th Starter by 2010. Considering he’d only be 23 at that point, it’s not a bad deal at all.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Jun 25, 2008 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions