39.13 A Post-Bobby Lynch Jackrabbits Future #14 Keijo Reini

[crobillard]

Fourteenth on our list is our first starting pitcher, Keijo Reini. He was the return the Jackrabbits got from San Fernando in exchange for Dusty Rhodes earlier this year. Reini was an international signing back in 2034. He signed without Havana, at the time, having to cough up any cash. I was not able to find any stats for him prior to 2037, but for the minor league history I do have, Reini has been solid in rookie and single A leagues with an ERA hovering between 3-4. What is more notable about Reini is how he bumped his stuff so high. When he was signed by Havana he was rated with a 20 potential with 6 stuff, 2 movement and 2 control. In 2035, he gained a point in stuff and control. 2036 had him gaining two points of control to 5. He gained two points of stuff in 2037. Then, in 2038 he picked up two more points of stuff to put him at 11 with a 70 potential. He's come down in potential since then and is currently rated with a 65 potential. The issue for him is actual progression. At nearly 22 years old, Reini's potentials sit at 11/2/5 with 9/12/12 pitches and his actual ratings are only 5/2/3 with 9/7/5 pitches, so the odds are stacked against him.

It's not too late for Reini, but he's going to need some really fast progression. The good news is that his intelligence and work ethic ratings are probably middle of the road. His only personality traits are a high greed and low leader and loyalty. He could be a candidate for an age inquiry in several years, but I think if I am going to spend PPs on him it's best to do it now and get his work ethic and/or intelligence up and see what happens. At the point the question is whether he's worth it. He's number 14 on this prospect list for a reason.

[usnspecialist]

The movement for reini was the killer for me, I have seen that profile struggle mightily in the BBA.

[crobillard]

The movement for reini was the killer for me, I have seen that profile struggle mightily in the BBA.

Yeah, I don't disagree. Juan Trujillo on Madison is probably one of the more successful pitchers of that type (at least that season), but he has much better control. Those 12 rated pitches could do well for Reini. He doesn't have a bad pitch either, assuming he fills out. He's an interesting pitcher, but you're totally correct in that it usually doesn't work out well.

[7teen]

I think these guys are hit and miss like any other pitcher. There are spots these guys can be successful.

Trujillo is a freaking head-case. Dude stays injured more than he's healthy. It hit me right after I traded for him that I shouldn't have over his injury history but oh well.

But a guy like Hector Diaz is proof these low movement guys can be successful. It's worth noting that he was successful in Madison even before I changed into a new ball park.

The control would be my biggest concern with Reini. If the Control was 7 or higher I think he could be real successful. Sure, he'd give up a ton of homeruns, but they'd be solo shots. High K numbers, solo homeruns, still successful. But the walks could be worrisome. Interested to see if his high pitch ratings can counter that.

[niles08]

I agree, these guys can thrive in the correct location. Let's say a park where the home run factor is 0.8 instead of 1.2. I think if you stocked up on 2-3 of these guys and consistently set them to start at home and set your 7-8 movement guys to start on the road you might have a good time but I unfortunately would have to do the opposite in Omaha and there aren't enough 0.8 HR parks for me to visit to start these fellers.

[7teen]

I agree, these guys can thrive in the correct location. Let's say a park where the home run factor is 0.8 instead of 1.2. I think if you stocked up on 2-3 of these guys and consistently set them to start at home and set your 7-8 movement guys to start on the road you might have a good time but I unfortunately would have to do the opposite in Omaha and there aren't enough 0.8 HR parks for me to visit to start these fellers.

My experience is as well they are better suited for a relief roll as well. Even if it's a longer relief or heavy used as a middle reliever. Not so much as a starter.

The Home/Road split is puzzling though. Look at Habib Mahsud-Khel and his 1 Movement and 2.75 ERA on the road. Axel DeGiusti has an ERA .80 runs lower on the road this season for me. Of course I don't have the splits on where those road numbers were accumulated.

[crobillard]

I agree, these guys can thrive in the correct location. Let's say a park where the home run factor is 0.8 instead of 1.2. I think if you stocked up on 2-3 of these guys and consistently set them to start at home and set your 7-8 movement guys to start on the road you might have a good time but I unfortunately would have to do the opposite in Omaha and there aren't enough 0.8 HR parks for me to visit to start these fellers.

My experience is as well they are better suited for a relief roll as well. Even if it's a longer relief or heavy used as a middle reliever. Not so much as a starter.

The Home/Road split is puzzling though. Look at Habib Mahsud-Khel and his 1 Movement and 2.75 ERA on the road. Axel DeGiusti has an ERA .80 runs lower on the road this season for me. Of course I don't have the splits on where those road numbers were accumulated.

That's really interesting. If Reini ever develops completely I might run some experiments with him. My park is .830 with HRs and just below 1.000 on avg so these guys interest me. I'm curious if his stuff would bump as a reliever too. Regardless, I need some good defense when he's on the mound to help him out a little.