Brad and the Rest of the New Buccos

As most of you know, the Pirates have called up a good bit of their prospects, and some of them are not doing so well.  The big two are Brad Lincoln and Pedro Alvarez.  Personally I felt that it was a bad idea to bring Pedro up at this point.  He could have used some more AAA work, but whatever.

I was talking baseball with an older gentleman the other day, and he happens to be a season ticket holder for the Altoona Curve.  He must not be a Pirates fan and asked me what happens to pitchers when the Pirates get them from Altoona.  The way he said it, made it sound like the Curve have a say in the matter, but that is beside the point.  I just shook my head and told him I had no clue.  I have learned not to argue baseball with old guys.  He then pointed out that Zach Duke was great at Altoona and then sucked for the Pirates.

I wish I would have informed that pretty much all starting pitchers in the majors had success in AA.  I decided to take a look at the Orioles pitcher David Hernandez, who was recently moved to the bullpen, and was what you would consider, a fifth starter.  He is 2-6 with a 4.64 ERA, not very good.  How was he in AA?

10-4, 2.68 ERA, 10.60 K/9

Duke’s AA #’s:  5-1, 1.58 ERA, 6.30 K/9
Lincoln AA #’s: 1-5, 2.28 ERA, 7.80 K/9
Maholm AA #s: 6-2, 3.20 ERA, 8.30 K/9

These guys all pitched rather well at the AA level.  Like I said, there is a huge difference between AA and the majors.  I realize most of you know this, but sometimes I feel like people in the Altoona region do not get it.  Sorry for interrupting your weekend.