Minor League Question

[slomo007]

I went to a Frisco Rough Riders game tonight (Rangers AA), and Ismael Valdes was the starting pitcher. My question is - are there 2 Ismael Valdes's or was this the Texas Ranger Valdes on a Rehab assignment or something. He allowed something like 10 hits and 3 runs in 4 innings. I don't know how the Rangers can turn good (or in this case, decent) pitchers into bad ones by simply signing them.

[YankFan51]

that was the ranger one.

usually, a minor league rehab assignment is a chance for the pitchers to shake the cobwebs and throw a lot of fastballs to get their arm strength together. that usually explains the poor numbers.

[Madison]

Yes, it was Ismael Valdez. The real one. He's on the DL and trying to figure out how to pitch again.

I live about 20 minutes from The Ballpark in Arlington and I've tried to figure out that same question. No matter who comes here, they pitch terrible. With the Rangers offense, a pitcher just needs a sub 4 era to win 20 games. Someone like Zito who's 8-10 with a 3.14 era would win 20 easy. Why won't they come to Texas? Arg....

[YankFan51]

mad, you know texas drafted zito, but didn't want to pay him something like 20,000 dollar bonus?

[slomo007]

that was the ranger one.

usually, a minor league rehab assignment is a chance for the pitchers to shake the cobwebs and throw a lot of fastballs to get their arm strength together. that usually explains the poor numbers.

See that's the weird part...he was throwing almost all breaking balls. I dont' know why he was doing that, but he was. I guess maybe he isn't really hurting as much as he is sucking. If he were hurting, like you said, he would be throwing fastballs to test his strength. Maybe he's working on location b/c he now sucks.

[Madison]

mad, you know texas drafted zito, but didn't want to pay him something like 20,000 dollar bonus?

Yea, I know. Just like we had Sammy Sosa at one time. We've actually had a ton of guys that turned out good. Moyer is another one.

[YankFan51]

sosa used to hurt us, the yanks, back with the sox and rangers. i'm so glad he went to chicago. then, he started hitting all teams like he did the yanks

[thehat]

I'm just curious about Slomo's comment about Rangrs turning good pitchers into bad ones. When exactly is it that Valdes was good? He was 15-7 one year, but that was 1996. Can't blame this one on Texas.

[Madison]

Year Team G GS W L SV CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA
1994 LOS 21 1 3 1 0 0 0 28.1 21 10 10 2 10 28 3.18 1.09 .000
1995 LOS 33 27 13 11 1 6 2 197.2 168 76 67 17 51 150 3.05 1.11 .000
1996 LOS 33 33 15 7 0 0 0 225.0 219 94 83 20 54 173 3.32 1.21 .000
1997 LOS 30 30 10 11 0 0 0 196.2 171 68 58 16 47 140 2.65 1.11 .000
1998 LOS 27 27 11 10 0 2 2 174.0 171 82 77 17 66 122 3.98 1.36 .000
1999 LOS 32 32 9 14 0 2 1 203.1 213 97 90 32 58 143 3.98 1.33 .000

I know it's hard to read, but he was a decent pitcher until 2000. In '97 he had a 2.65 era in 196 innings. I call that not bad.

[HOOTIE]

Valdes numbers were deceiving because of LA. His splits were huge. His road era was in the vicinity of 4.30. He was a bust waiting to happen if he left LA. Teams could save themselves alot of $ if they would see the effect parks have on numbers.