Loaiza's "Weird Year"

[benjapage]

more than 200 K
2.90 era
1.11 whip

but beside 2003, every year in his career has been mediocre at best. why? what was it about 2003? has there been anything suggesting what happened that year?

just wondering if we'll ever see a recurrence.

b

[agchris02]

Im not quite sure what happened that year either, but I took a flier on him in a couple of leagues, particularly larger leagues that start lots of P's, he might come out this year again in the NL (hoping so anyways )

[Cornbread Maxwell]

Im no Loaiza expert, but I was around for the debates he created. Im pretty sure his 2003 performance was attributed to a new pitch (either changeup or slider I think). Im not sure about the decline, other than hitters figured out his new pitch too.

[slomo007]

Im no Loaiza expert, but I was around for the debates he created. Im pretty sure his 2003 performance was attributed to a new pitch (either changeup or slider I think). Im not sure about the decline, other than hitters figured out his new pitch too.

So all he would have to do is find a new pitch every year? Shouldn't be that tough.

[Steve-o]

Im no Loaiza expert, but I was around for the debates he created. Im pretty sure his 2003 performance was attributed to a new pitch (either changeup or slider I think). Im not sure about the decline, other than hitters figured out his new pitch too.

Yeah. That is what I remember too. Only I thought it was because he finally gained control of his cutter and it was moving more than ever before.

Kinda makes you wonder... Think he was scuffing? hmm... I doubt it...

Either way, it is possible that he could regain his form, but highly unlikely given the other years of crappiness. He is undrafted and ww material in almost all leagues.

[TheYanks04]

Ahhh....Flaxseed oil?....Vitamins?....Food suppliments?


Why does any mediocre SP have a goood season mixed in with a few crummy ones? Look at Millwood and Lowe as examples too. Who knows? Blind Luck, a new pitch that hitters have not caught up with yet, healthier routine, roids, new pitching coach, makes less mistakes for whatever reason or some combo of all of the above?

[benjapage]

i mean, the shift is not subtle. it's bonkers.

year__team____inn___k___era___whip
2004 CHW-NYY 183.0 117 5.705 1.574
2003 CHW 226.1 207 2.906 1.115
2002 TOR 151.1 87 5.718 1.522
2001 TOR 190.0 110 5.021 1.468
2000 TEX-TOR 199.1 137 4.566 1.431
1999 TEX 120.1 77 4.571 1.399

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[raiders_umpire]

a lot of luck????

[demoflauchy]

If he DID cheat, that's some AMAZING stuff. Geesh, to go from a 4-5 ERA and 1.5+ WHIP down to a 2+ ERA and 1.1 WHIP, that's good stuff there.

[RugbyD]

What's weird is that he's always had the "stuff", but he could only keep it together for more than a month for one season. He starts out hot every year. I'm considering picking him up just for April given his history.