GDT #23, 4/26/'14: Reds (Leake) vs. Braves (Hale)

So glad I got the opportunity to go to the game tonight! Not only was the weather perfect but it was a great all-around win. Freeman, JUP and Gattis all did work; Hale was amazing... I'm glad he will be in the BP and think he should be the guy to switch spot starts with Wood. And KKKimbrel... The man.
 
Wow Hale turns in one good start and you guys are all over his balls. I expect this from thethe.
 
NinersSBChamps said:
Wow Hale turns in one good start and you guys are all over his balls. I expect this from thethe.
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Dude people are only expecting him to be a 5th starter.

How many 5th starters pitch into the 8th inning like that retiring 14 in a row?

Other than that Mets loss where the defense let him down, his numbers as a 5th starter have been fine.
 
zitothebrave said:
4.47 xFIP isn't a great indicator of what's to come.
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True dat. His main problem has been the walks. Tonight he pounded the strike zone. Also generated more groundballs. If he can keep that up he can be a major league starter. But from start to start his command has not been consistent.
 
Great game by Hale again tonight, he continues to prove the doubters around here wrong. Good job by Freeman, Gattis and Justin providing the homers and congrats to BJ for his 1,000 hit. Let's sweep them tomorrow boys!
 
nsacpi said:
True dat. His main problem has been the walks. Tonight he pounded the strike zone. Also generated more groundballs. If he can keep that up he can be a major league starter. But from start to start his command has not been consistent.
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He also had Doumit catching him one game, that should be considered too. Not that Laird is good either, but Doumit is even worse.

Hale gets good movement on his fastball, he's a good sinker baller who will get a lot of ground balls. His off speed pitches are not bad either. He didn't have Simmons playing behind him in the minors. Now that he does he could really shine. Though Uggla at second has cost him two W's already (thankfully we still won that game vs Nationals, though not against the Mets).
 
Braves1976 said:
He also had Doumit catching him one game, that should be considered too. Not that Laird is good either, but Doumit is even worse.

Hale gets good movement on his fastball, he's a good sinker baller who will get a lot of ground balls. His off speed pitches are not bad either. He didn't have Simmons playing behind him in the minors. Now that he does he could really shine. Though Uggla at second has cost him two W's already (thankfully we still won that game vs Nationals, though not against the Mets).
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His fastball has good late life, making it a better pitch than the radar gun reading. He's just a bit inconsistent with the command. His changeup is a work in progress. His sinker is also a relatively new pitch. Although Hale isn't young for a rookie, we have to keep in mind that going to an Ivy League school retarded his development and also he was mainly an outfielder until his junior year. In terms of development he is still a work in progress. He probably has more potential for growth than your typical 26-year old.

He's the kind of guy you have to keep an open mind about. His floor is as an above average long man in the pen. His upside is mid-rotation starter.
 
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