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Thursday, May 01, 2008

BA: Adenhart to Debut on Short Rest

Angels righthander Nick Adenhart, the top pitching prospect in the organization, was called up today from Triple-A Salt Lake to make his major league debut against Oakland.

Ben Badler makes a lot of good arguments for why this is a less than optimal decision on the part of the Angels, but I think this one is the most telling:

It all points to an imperfect storm for Adenhart, a pitcher with premium raw talent who hasn’t yet put the finishing touches on his command. Despite his 0.87 ERA, Adenhart has walked 15 batters (4.4 per nine innings) in 31 innings, and last year in Double-A he walked 65 batters (3.8 per nine). To top it off, Adenhart will face the Athletics, a patient team that is second in the majors in walks.

This is a high-risk decision, one which the Angels would have been wise to postpone for a while.

Mike Emeigh Posted: May 01, 2008 at 04:14 PM | 22 comment(s)
Related News: Minor Leagues, Prospect Reports, LA Angels

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1. flournoy Posted: May 01, 2008 at 04:25 PM (#2765740)

Why are the Angels doing this? How is their rotation structured such that they can't start Adenhart one day later?

2. Alex Gordon's #1 Fan Posted: May 01, 2008 at 04:25 PM (#2765742)

How will this affect the 23-2 Salt Lake Bees?

3. Mike Emeigh Posted: May 01, 2008 at 04:37 PM (#2765766)

How is their rotation structured such that they can't start Adenhart one day later?

Adenhart's replacing Dustin Moseley in the rotation tonight. Moseley has gotten past the fifth only once in five starts, and the Angels have a chance to win three of four from the arch-rival A's. I'm sure that played into this decision.

My guess is that this is a one-shot, or possibly a two-shot. This spot in the rotation comes up again in KC next week, and Lackey should be ready to come back by the time the Angels get to Tampa the following weekend (he is supposed to make one more rehab start for Rancho Cucamonga this weekend).

-- MWE

4. Jamey Carroll Wojtyła (Dan Lee) Posted: May 01, 2008 at 04:43 PM (#2765775)

Scioscia said it would probably be three starts.

5. Halofan Posted: May 01, 2008 at 04:49 PM (#2765786)

THIS IS WIN/WIN:
He cannot be any worse than Moseley and Moseley will be ready in the pen if Ade-Rock falters ... If Ade-Rock does terrible then they blame it on 3 days rest and tutor him a bit for his next start in KC on normal rest. IF he does okay, hey, he did okay in his major league debut!

6. hunting for a halo-red october Posted: May 01, 2008 at 04:59 PM (#2765805)

Like the Rev said, this is a win-win situation--the team is merely giving Adenhart a taste of the majors, and he can't possibly be much worse than Moseley, whose lack of stamina and extensive repertoire prevents him from getting past the fifth. Lackey will replace Adenhart in the rotation in a few weeks, and the latter can then return to Salt Lake to refine his craft.

7. scareduck Posted: May 01, 2008 at 05:49 PM (#2765885)

I mentioned this in the other Adenhart thread, but he's only pitched on short rest once in the minors; he did okay.

8. Shredder Posted: May 01, 2008 at 06:06 PM (#2765908)

Ervin Santana pitched for the cycle to the first four batters he faced in his major league debut. I don't think one start is gonna make or break Adenhart. It will be interesting to finally see him on this stage, but the pen is pretty well rested after the last two games.

9. Pastor Toastman (PH) Posted: May 01, 2008 at 10:31 PM (#2766076)

And he's walked four straight.

10. Danny Posted: May 01, 2008 at 10:34 PM (#2766080)

I can't tell: is this WIN or WIN?

11. Will Young Posted: May 01, 2008 at 10:55 PM (#2766102)

One thing I've learned in life: if Rev Halo argues a point, I'm naturally drawn to the other side.

12. Shredder Posted: May 01, 2008 at 11:02 PM (#2766107)

I can't tell: is this WIN or WIN?

Right now it's "winning". Thanks, Jack!

13. I Am He, All Man Czar (TempleUSox) Posted: May 01, 2008 at 11:03 PM (#2766108)

Way to put your prospects in the best position to succeed, Tony.

14. Pastor Toastman (PH) Posted: May 01, 2008 at 11:05 PM (#2766111)

This is the first time I've ever basked in the splendor of Cust. It's incredible.

15. Duke, Duke, Duke, Duchscherer-er-er (Justin T) Posted: May 01, 2008 at 11:42 PM (#2766135)

Right now it's "winning". Thanks, Jack!

I don't think the team ahead in this game is who you think it is.

16. Shredder Posted: May 02, 2008 at 12:07 AM (#2766153)

I don't think the team ahead in this game is who you think it is.

Apparently you don't know the meaning of the words "right now". Sad, really.

17. Marmaduchscherer Posted: May 02, 2008 at 12:16 AM (#2766161)

This is the stupidest game ever.

18. dahlian Kirby, children's author extraordinaire. Posted: May 02, 2008 at 12:25 AM (#2766167)

What could possibly go wrogn?

19. Marmaduchscherer Posted: May 02, 2008 at 12:31 AM (#2766172)

What could possibly go wrogn?

Your spelling?

20. Nasty Nate Posted: May 02, 2008 at 12:42 AM (#2766176)

Do the A's really have 16 singles, or is yahoo sports going fishy?

how close is that to the record?

21. Danny Posted: May 02, 2008 at 12:52 AM (#2766183)

Do the A's really have 16 singles, or is yahoo sports going fishy?

how close is that to the record?

The record (since 1956) is 26.

22. Nasty Nate Posted: May 02, 2008 at 12:59 AM (#2766185)

Thanks.
Mike Timlin and David Wells gave up some of those base-knocks

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Thursday, May 01, 2008

BA: Adenhart to Debut on Short Rest

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