Why is Ben Sheets so much better this year?

[The Cow]

Outside of wins the guy is a fantasy stud. Is it maturity? A fluke? New pitching coach? New pitch? I am trying to figure out if this guy is for real or a one year wonder. I know the guy is talented, but he never struck people out like this. Brewer fan(s) I need your help. I think I have only seen him pitch once this year and have read little about him, can someone shed some light?

later,
Cow

[hybrid]

I think it's just a matter of a young kid finally learning how to pitch better. He has great stuff with a mid 90's fastball that he can throw even faster, that along with a big curve allows him to throw 2 plus pitches. I don't believe it is any type of new pitch, just that he knows how to pitch now.

[kimchi_chigae]

well, u even said yourself he's talented guess u answered your own question. we knew he could pitch and it was only a matter of time for him to mature and start putting up big numbers. his strikeout numbers were always above average, for 3 seasons now he has struckout at least 157 batters and the numbers were always rising. he's not a one year wonder...

i dunno if u like tennis or even follow it, but take roger federer as an example. he was a junior champion and everyone predicted he would be great, it took about 4 years in the pro tour for him to start winning grand slams, now he's the number 1 in the world.

[thetongueofire]

a) everyone agrees that he had talent and some pretty nice stuff.
b) hes finally fully healthy.
c) hes attacking the strike zone much more and has a lot better control.

[so0perspam]

a) everyone agrees that he had talent and some pretty nice stuff.
b) hes finally fully healthy.
c) hes attacking the strike zone much more and has a lot better control.

Short and concise. There are your answers.

[Bloody Nipples]

Outside of wins the guy is a fantasy stud. Is it maturity? A fluke? New pitching coach? New pitch? I am trying to figure out if this guy is for real or a one year wonder. I know the guy is talented, but he never struck people out like this. Brewer fan(s) I need your help. I think I have only seen him pitch once this year and have read little about him, can someone shed some light?

later,
Cow

I love it!

And Sheets will be good for a while. He is here to stay.

[thetongueofire]

Outside of wins the guy is a fantasy stud. Is it maturity? A fluke? New pitching coach? New pitch? I am trying to figure out if this guy is for real or a one year wonder. I know the guy is talented, but he never struck people out like this. Brewer fan(s) I need your help. I think I have only seen him pitch once this year and have read little about him, can someone shed some light?

later,
Cow

I love it!

And Sheets will be good for a while. He is here to stay.

brewers fans....

[raiders_umpire]

a) everyone agrees that he had talent and some pretty nice stuff.
b) hes finally fully healthy.
c) hes attacking the strike zone much more and has a lot better control.

i think this about covers it.....

[LBJackal]

That's true... but I don't think he is attacking the strike zone more, I think he has better control, so he's attacking it less. He can hit it if he has to, but to get all those K's you don't attack the zone; that's what guys like David Wells, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson do. They make you hit the ball the way they want, instead of not at all which is what it seems Sheets has been doing. He also has great control though, and hardly walks anybody. Seems like the real deal. You don't have a K/BB of 8.2 by fluke.

[shortsavage]

That's true... but I don't think he is attacking the strike zone more, I think he has better control, so he's attacking it less. He can hit it if he has to, but to get all those K's you don't attack the zone; that's what guys like David Wells, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson do. They make you hit the ball the way they want, instead of not at all which is what it seems Sheets has been doing. He also has great control though, and hardly walks anybody. Seems like the real deal. You don't have a K/BB of 8.2 by fluke.

Agreed.

And, if you want a head start for 2005 on who is going to be the next extremely talented pitcher to join the elite ranks, look no further than the Tigers' Jeremy Bonderman.