Flipping the Script
Known for starting RP anyway, Brooklyn takes a more traditional, non traditional approach.
Participation point season is quickly approaching. We've already learned that the Robins will be anointing Sam Adams as a coach in the system. Now we have a new leak of information to tell you about. This years 6th round draft pick Ismael Guzmán will be spending the winter with pitching coach George Kent learning a new pitch in attempts to become a full time starting pitcher.
The 18 year old Guzman had been a starter throughout his High School career. But most scouts took a hard pass on draft day figuring he'd be not much more then a middling relief pitcher. The Robins, however, had been heavily monitoring actions taken by former Huntsville Phantoms GM Kyle Stever. Specifically his handling of Amayas Moelling. Good relief pitchers are a dime a dozen, quality starters are harder to find and essentially a greater asset.
Now converting a RP to a SP is not a slam dunk. Some get it better then others and once you do it, there is no turning back. But if successful, you can multiply a players value tenfold. It's a risky proposition that could pay off big time for those who take the chance.
So getting into the schematics of the conversion. Guzman is currently a 9/8/5 pitcher with 9/8 pitch ratings and 7 stamina. Doing a rough "in our head" conversion, we figure he will be 7or 8/8/5 with 8/7/6 pitch ratings. So yeah, he is no Moelling. We don't expect that kind of a result. But I'd sign for a 8/8/5 SP with 3 playable pitches.
No word yet on what the elusive third pitch will be. Rumor has it that the Robins have been lobbying the BBA board of directors to change the rules of the game and lift the ban on the eephus pitch because the league is obviously going down the toilet without it. Debates got hot and heavy on the interwebz message board when the drunken GM called everyone who didn't think the eephus pitch(aka the bugs bunny curve) was the greatest thing ever a bunch of idiots. Once the obligitory league vote poll gets created and quickly squashed, Guzman may have to settle for a more vanilla pitch like... the fastball.