White Sox Quote of the Day: Brandon McCarthy

by The Wizard on Dec 15, 2006 8:09 PM CST in Quotes

B-Mac on 21 year old re-acquired southpaw Gio Gonzalez:

"He's just a filthy little left-hander. His stuff is bigger than you would expect. He has an absolute hammer curveball, a fastball that jumps on you, and if I remember right, he has a good changeup. Gio was one of those guys who you found out when he was throwing because you wanted to watch and see what he has. Hitters might doubt Gio, but by the second time they see him, they better be prepared. He probably has the ability to get out lefties in the big league right now on stuff alone."

Any recent reports on Gio's stuff?

[editor's note, by The Cheat] I heard the original interview with McCarthy from which these quotes were cribbed. It was on Carmen & Silvy on ESPN 1000 during the first quarter of the Bears Monday night game. Quotes aren't quite intellectual property, but it would have been nice if Merkin pointed, you know, to the source of these quotes. It probably doesn't bug anyone but me. Oh well. I thought it was worth noting.

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The reports on his stuff...

seem to be all the same. Three pitch guy, fastball clocking anywhere from 89-93, a developing changeup that could use a little bit of work but is probably average right now, and a nasty curveball that is (in all likelihood) the reason why he's averaging upwards of 10Ks/9 IP despite being young for every level he's pitched at.

So, while Gio isn't up in that top tier of pitching prospects, I see no reason why he can't take the step up next year so long as he can get that ERA down a bit.

by CWSKeith on Dec 15, 2006 8:33 PM CST reply actions

Small lefty with good stuff and a 3/4 delivery

Although they ain't common, I have a hard time thinking of any smallish lefties with a more or less vertical delivery and a plus fastball and good breaking pitch that don't turn out to be real good at the major league level. Ron Guidry was probably the best.

The key may be if his motion is stress free (as in the opposite of Liriano). Any history of elbow trouble?

Also, I'm glad we've moved on from "I had to write something" as it seemed to be degenerating right past the "back up catcher crisis". I was thinking that soon a discussion would break out on what KW's strategy might be for batboys in 2007. You know, "like every year lots of free agents this year" and "we need someone with plus speed for running new balls out to the ump", or in homage to Bill Veeck "how about an Eddie Gaedel type, may not be fast but can get someone older, with veteran experience".

Then on to "how many rosin bags should we have in the on-deck circle next year" and "if there is more than two I'm turning in my season tickets".

Canada's finest

by MarkD on Dec 15, 2006 9:43 PM CST reply actions

that was hilarious!

sss post of the day!

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Dec 15, 2006 9:50 PM CST up reply actions

just to be clear

the hilarious response refers to the batboy and rosin bag parts of the message...

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Dec 16, 2006 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

Well, with V.Wells

being locked up for 7 years, Toronto gets back into the game after losing out to Scrubs/Royals (?!). So one other team's offseason has ashining spot.

As far as ours, back-up catcher is but one hole we have, and I would tend to agree with those that have posted the assessment (in a rather arid offseason for us, admittedly) that thus far, batboys excepted, it has been a somewhat disappointing offseason.

by winningugly on Dec 16, 2006 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

Gio

the thing I can't figure out is from the day KW traded him last year it was OMG I can't believe we traded him. His name refused to go away - see several 'how are our prospects doing' posts - which included him even though he was not in our organization.

Now that he's back I expected some wow I'm so glad KW got him back stuff. Instead its yeah so he's no big deal. This site cracks me up.

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Dec 15, 2006 11:33 PM CST reply actions

Gio

I"m a big Gio fan, and I'm curious about Floyd.

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Dec 16, 2006 2:24 AM CST up reply actions

From BA

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/263003.html

Strengths: Gonzalez has a fundamentally sound delivery that he repeats well, creating effortless 92-95 mph velocity with his fastball. His low-80s hammer curveball always has been his go-to pitch, and he'll use it in any count. He located his changeup better in 2006, and it shows flashes of being a third plus pitch. Though there were questions about his durability, he pitched a career-high 155 innings and added 16 more in the Arizona Fall League.

Weaknesses: Gonzalez will need better command with his fastball and more consistency with his changeup to succeed at higher levels. He fell behind in the count early and often in Double-A, leading to too many homers and walks. He can get top-heavy in his delivery, which causes him to rush his lower half and leave fastballs up in the zone.

The Future: The White Sox were delighted to get Gonzalez back. He has all the making of a legitimate No. 2 starter, but they have no reason to rush him. He'll likely return to Double-A at the beginning of 2007.

Zok, I'm thrilled to have him back. In fact, I think the BA piece above (aside from the MPH -- It seems like we should always subtract 1-2 MPH from BA's scouting reports) is a bit conservative. I think Gio could compete for a LOOGY role right now (though that's probably not in his best interest long term.) I would send him AAA Charlotte though. The only reason to send him to B-Ham is to gain some confidence, but the huge alleys at the Hoover Met may give him a false sense of security. I say keep him in small parks and let him learn to succeed there. Consider it practice for when he gets to the show and USCF.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Dec 16, 2006 12:43 AM CST reply actions

Not to pile on...

as, I know at this point it looks more "after the fact" with my post, but I fell in love with Gio after just watching his scouting video on MLB.com.

Plus, listening to the MLB draft that year, the Sox left their 'phone' on just a little too long, and you could hear the excitement. I believe the phrase was, "he could start the year in Kanny!". I think a bit of that rubbed off on me.

Speaking of which, I'm a little dissappointed that the MLB Draft is going to be televised from now on. I sort of enjoyed the subtlety of listening on the internet to the conference call. I fear that with TV will come a more elaborate and showy 'event', meaning commercials and a five hour NFL-like first round.

Fwiw, the Gio video is here:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/draftday/y2004/search.jsp?sc=team&sp=cha

by CWSKeith on Dec 16, 2006 2:35 AM CST reply actions

Absolutely thrilled ...

I am absolutely thrilled to have Gio back ... Likewise, I agree Gio should start the season at Charlotte where he can face all the MLB "has beens" and "will bes" that play at AAA as he prepares to step into the White Sox 2008 starting rotation.

by Jim in Maine on Dec 16, 2006 5:52 AM CST reply actions