Chris Capuano is having a career crisis. Since making the All-Star team in 2006 Capuano has pitched 206 innings, given up 226 hits, 32 home runs, walked 68 and struck out 161. Capuano had an ERA of 5.21 in the second half of 2006 but appeared to rebound starting out 2007 5-0 with a 2.32 ERA. However, as many here may know CC has since gone 0-10 with a 6.70 ERA over 16 starts. And the Brewers are winless in all sixteen of the games Capuano started.
For those wondering how Capuano could stay in the rotation long enough to generate this type of in-season streak it’s a combination of things. First, when he started to go downhill he also suffered an injury. So the inital phase was attributed to pitching while hurt. Upon his return his struggles were again attributed to working back from injury. Immediately after the break Capuano had two solid outings which gave the club hope. And then as he completely collapsed the Ned Yost code of unswerving loyalty kicked in forcing Chris and Brewer fans to suffer through indignity after indignity. Basically, a veteran player’s season has to careen off the road, wrap itself around a telephone pole and explode into a shower of flames before Yost is compelled to make a change. I stress the word “veteran” because if you have not received the Yost seal of approval you are always one bad outing from The Nashville Express.
As to the nature of Capuano’s difficulties, there are many theories. I think it’s the simple matter of a guy who cannot miss in the strike zone. I have always been puzzled by Capuano’s success because he never showed “stuff” or a single out pitch that made one understand how he got guys out. Chris has to live on the corners. For the past year whenever he misses over the plate it is getting crushed. And as the losses mounted the confidence eroded so that that Capuano and the team as a whole pretty much expected bad things to happen. And in any profession that’s not a mindset conducive to success.
Chris is healthy and left-handed so there is always a chance of a resurrection. If Eric Milton can pitch in the major leagues for this long I expect Capuano to find a way to get back to “competent”. For now the team will use off days to go with four guys and hope that Sheets can return as expected. If not it’s Manny Parra time.
Best of luck to Chris in his efforts to get his career back on track…........
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1. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: August 21, 2007 at 03:58 PM (#2493406)I think Capuano might do well in Pittsburgh. We have a good park for finesse lefties.
The other step that needs to be taken is to give Turnbow a two-batter limit. If he gets one of them out, fine, finish the inning, since the Good Turnbow is on the field that day. If he gets neither of them out, the Bad Turnbow is on the field, and he needs to be yanked IMMEDIATELY. It can only get worse from there.
That said, come on Brewers, dang it. It's there for the taking! I picked the Cubs to win the Central this year, but I'd much rather Milwaukee crash the playoff party for no other reason that it will do my heart good to see the old Gorman Thomas, Rick Manning, Charlie Moore, Ben Oglivie, Moose Haas footage dusted off for the pre-game montage hype-o-rama.
(I had no idea DOUG JONES! was briefly on that team, as well as Kevin Bass. It goes without saying that B-Reference is excellent.)
edited to add: Not to hijack this thread, but Doug Jones had an incredibly good career. Even his last two season in Oakland were valuable, especially 1999 when he threw over 100 innings out of the pen. 3 top 20 MVP finishes, 4 all star games, over 300 saves. A career ERA+ of 130 in over 1100 innings. To put in perspective, Lee Smith had an era+ of 132 in 1289 innings. Not to say Jones was better than Smith, but Jones also got his innings in 150 fewer games, which I think has some value, too. I hereby nominate Doug Jones for the Ray Lankford wing.
Well, Miller Park is good for home run hitters but over time has been a pitcher's park. And don't underestimate the nature of Capuano's home runs. I don't know if there is a quick resource that details the average distance of homers surrendered but Chris has been giving up BOMBS. It's not widely reported but the country went to DEFCON 3 when a Capuano surrendered homer accidentally triggered a missile launch warning.
And Ryan Braun has almost been decapitated the last few weeks playing third behind CC. I think the team was considering sending him out there encased in bubble wrap.......
They call it the "hot corner" for a reason.
Hell, the Reds gave Eric Milton 3/$21 based on peripherals like that. :-)
Really, the only thing off in that line is the HR. Keep the ball down son. Might even be mainly a release point issue.
It isn't a verticality issue. It's a horizontal placement issue. He has had low changeups launched into the second deck of Miller Park. Capuano is basically Doug Davis without the disgusting sweat and the consistent knakck for nibbling nonstop. Davis can drive a fan insane with his willingess to walk six batters over six innings. But he abjectly refuses to give in to any hitter.
Capuano has been cutting across too much of the plate and getting WHACKED.
I want to believe in Mike Maddux but seeing Capuano and others struggle this season has me and other Brewer fans wondering what in the (blank) is going on when games are not being played. Because there seem to be d*mn few adjustments on the part of anyone. Which considering the lack of results is pretty bizarre...............
Sounds even more like it might be a release point issue -- not getting on top of the ball to give it more downward movement. Or something.
CBW, get your butt in here and figure this out. :-)
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