1617
by civ ollilavad
Some notes from Tony Lastoria on yesterday's games:
•Cody Allen: RP, Columbus: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K: I know I’ve been on this bandbox nearly every time Cody Allen takes the mound this season, but I just can’t help myself. He’s just too good. Allen made his third appearance with Columbus, going 5 1/3 innings. During that stretch, he’s given up six hits and one run, while striking out six. Overall this season, he’s gone 17 total innings, giving up nine hits and two runs, while striking out 24. Allen hasn’t walked a batter yet, is hitting the mid-90’s, and is everything that the Indians thought they were getting and more. This kid is ready now, but I’m sure the Indians will take their time with him, but make no mistakes, he’s ready when they need him.
* Steven Wright: SP Akron Aeros: W (3-1), 9 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K:
There comes a point when an experiment stops being an experiment, and starts becoming, in this case, a starting pitcher dominating. Wright did just that tonight, throwing a complete game, five-hit shutout. Wright isn’t the best starter in the Indians’ system, but he does currently have the best numbers. Wright has thrown the knuckleball his whole life, but didn’t start using it until the 2010 season, and then as an out pitch. Wright continued throwing the pitch last season, but began tinkering with his delivery and pitch speed, with various degrees of success. This season, Wright went back to his old delivery, and started throwing a harder knuckler, and he’s been lights out every since. Wright has discussed the pitch with several knuckleballers, including Tom Candiotti, R.A. Dickey, and Charlie Hough, and it’s clearly paying off. Wright is currently utilizing the knuckleball as his primary pitch, but is still throwing a four-seamer, a cutter, a sinker and a curveball when he needs them. How has it paid off this year? Well, he’s 3-1 in six starts, has yet to give up more than one run in an appearance, has gone 40 innings, given up only 28 hits and 16 walks, and he’s struck out 35 batters. His ERA is a wicked 1.13 overall. I’d say Steven Wright is making some noise. The big question going forward is how much do the Indians believe in the knuckler at the higher levels, because his numbers are starting to make a case for him moving to the next level.
* Francisco Lindor: SS, Lake County Captains: 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, SB (11):
Lindor continues to showcase why the Indians took him as their first round pick, and why many are saying that he just might be the best player to come out of that draft. He’s 17-for-42 in his last ten games (.404), with nine runs, two doubles, two homers, five RBI, 3 walks, 7 K’s and five stolen bases. His 11 are tied for fourth in the league, and are the class of the team. This kid is only 18 years old, and he won’t be turning 19 until November. The scary thing is that he is a legit candidate to move up a level this year, if he continues to progress the way that he currently is. This is a special player, so you have to hope that the cards fall the right way for him over the next three years. I have a feeling that this kid is really going to take the sting out of losing guys like Choo and Cabrera.