Heath Bell: Pitch Selection and Values
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The Marlins introduced new closer Heath Bell on Monday, December 5th at the Winter Meetings.
As one of the two off-season additions to the Marlin’s pitching staff, fans can look forward to watching Heath Bell close out games in a Miami uniform next season. The three time All-Star and former Padre joined the team when he agreed to a three year, $27 million contract in December. While we’ve seen analysis of Bell as well as projections for him going forward (both from our good friends over at Fish Stripes), today we’ll examine Bell’s pitch selection and which part of his arsenal has been most effective using Pitch f/x data courtesy of Texas Leaguers.
The Repertoire
Bell worked a successful 2011 with only three pitches: a four-seam fastball, curveball, and a sinker. While he had used the fastball and curve throughout his career, the sinker was a new addition that he had not previously thrown. In fact, before this season, Bell relied on a change-up and slider as off-speed pitches before ditching both and adopting the slider.
His fastball had average velocity of 93.8 in 2011, next to the likes of Matt Garza and Brandon Morrow (both also 93.8), and right in line with his career average fastball velocity of 94.2. Bell’s sinker also lit up radar guns this year with an average velocity of, coincidentally, 94.2–8th fastest among relievers–in his first year using the pitch. His curveball had an average velocity of 82.1 this season, ranking as one of the faster curves in the league. However, this was not a new development, as Bell’s curve has clocked in at an average of 82.2 throughout his career.
Craig Counsell Career Highlights
By · CommentsFormer Marlins’ and recently retired infielder Craig Counsell had a memorable career despite never being the best in the game by any means. He was most known for his unorthodox styles at the plate and especially his role on a few triumphant teams.
In correspondence, Chris Jaffe over at The Hardball Times takes a look at the career highlights of Counsell. In timeline form, Jaffe goes year-by-year and franchise-by-franchise listing the most notable accolades of the former Brewer, Marlin, D-Back and Rockie, among others.
As always, Jaffe compiled a well-thought out article and one that I enjoyed reading. So be sure to give it a read.
Why Not Bryan Petersen in Center?
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Last week I went through the potential center field candidates for the 2012 Miami Marlins and one player I failed to mention, and I received multiple questions on why I failed to mention him, was Bryan Petersen.
Petersen, who turns 26 a week after opening day, had fantastic numbers in his second stint in Triple-A posting a .351/.434/.569 line in 286 plate appearances in 2011 earning him a call-up to the parent club where he would go on to hit .265/.357/.387 in 241 plate appearances with a .334 wOBA.
Petersen has above-average speed and shows a patient eye at the plate but he has some contact issues, especially with breaking balls. He whiffed on 14.3% of sliders and 13.1% of curveballs thrown to him. He also swung and missed at 11.1% of change-ups.
He can absolutely handle a fastball middle-in and has enough pull-power to hit a few out of the park. But when he uses that same stroke on balls on the outer-half he has a tendency to get on top of the ball and roll it to the right side of the infield. He is at his best when he tones his swing down and goes with the pitch. Major League pitchers do their home work and you can see that they know to pitch Petersen away-away-away.
The Carlos Zambrano Owner’s Manual
By · CommentsOur good friends over at View from the Bleachers put together something that we, the Marlins writers and readers, must have forgotten about when the Fish acquired Carlos Zambrano: an Owner’s Manual.
Thankfully, Jeremiah Johnson created one, a full guide to potentially maintain confidence in the Marlins most recent acquisition. From lack of self-awareness and instincts to hitting a long ball, the descriptive article enlightens us on just about everything we should keep in mind when watching Carlos Zambrano be, well, Carlos Zambrano.
Make sure to give it a read and bookmark it as all of us are sure to reference it at some point during the season. And lastly, remember, no refunds!
Who Plays Center Field for the Marlins?
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The Miami Marlins enter camp this February with center field being a position where I would expect to see some open competition. The competition for the open spot comes down to a few players who have very little experience at the position and only one player who has more than 570 innings played in center field.
If I were the Marlins, I would still be looking at external options for center field that may be attainable via trade. Maybe B.J. Upton from Tampa Bay could be had? How good would Peter Bourjous look good manning center field for the next few years? But, sadly, the price may be too high on those two and a trade may be out of the question at the moment.
Like it or not, the Marlins will likely have to roll with their internal candidates to fill the center field position despite the lack of experience outside of one player who turns 34 this August.
Is It Almost Time For Josh Johnson To Go?
By · CommentsLet me start off my saying that my name is Ryan Gaydos and I am one of the newest bloggers here at Marlins Daily. I will do my best to bring you the best Miami Marlins coverage out there. I am very thankful to be given this new position at Marlins Daily.
Now with all the introductions out of the way, let’s get to some Marlins talk starting with the ace of the new-look rotation, Josh Johnson. Johnson has been known in recent years for holding the Marlins rotation together and yet also being the most injury prone of the rotation. We have all seen him at his best when he’s healthy.
When Johnson is unhealthy, it seems like the rest of the rotation rots and no one feels like stepping up until the end of the season. The Marlins saw that when Javier Vazquez who finished 13-11 and won his last six decisions consecutively.
Interview with Marlins Prospect Austin Brice
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I recently sat down with Marlins prized pitching prospect Austin Brice and conducted a quick interview with him. To give you a bit of an idea of who Brice is, he most likely ranks among the top 15 prospects and is said to have some of the highest upside of anybody in the organization. He’s a righty with pretty good stuff and lots of arm strength. Expect to hear Brice’s name considerably more as he progresses through the Marlins organization. But until then, the pitcher talks about that very subject and his expectations leading up to his potential Major League promotion.
1) Can you talk a little bit about who you are as a pitcher? What you throw, your approach on the mound, etc.
One word: “DOMINATION.” I’m coming at you with everything I have no matter who you are. I throw a fastball, curveball, and change-up. Last year, I really learned how to use my change-up, and use it well. But I’m mostly learning how to be more consistent. But hey, who isn’t?
2) What some of your biggest and best experiences of pitching in the Marlins organization?
Well, with this year being my first full season the stories will be few. However, I would have to say the biggest day of my career was when Brian Chattin called me mid-September after the GCL Playoffs and said, “hey Austin, it is my pleasure to be able to tell you that you have won Minor League Pitcher of the month for August. I was just shocked and didn’t know what to do with myself. All those years of hard work and sweat was what paid off in the end. Also, I threw with Josh Johnson one day when he was on a rehab assignment. In my list of stories that would probably rank as one of the cooler things that I have done.
3) What are some of the biggest things you’re working on to improve yourself going forward and especially this coming season?
Marlins Acquire Carlos Zambrano
By · CommentsUpdate — 7:30: According to our good buddy Clark Spencer, the Cubs will absorb all of the $18MM owed to Zambrano this season. The Cubs will receive Chris Volstad in the deal. Now this trade appears much less suspicious for the Fish.
6:16: According to Ken Rosenthal over at FOX Sports, the Marlins are in the process of acquiring Carlos Zambrano from the Cubs. The trade is expected to go through, according to Rosenthal, that is assuming Zambrano waives his no-trade clause. We’ve heard rumors swirling regarding the Cubs’ desire to move Zambrano all winter, and to be completely honest, it’s hard to believe they finally found a match given the almost-$40MM that the right-hander is owed over the next two years. Hell, Zambrano isn’t even that good yet he’s getting paid more than any two-win pitcher should ever sniff.
Aside from a hefty pay check, lots of walks and a fair amount of strikeouts, Zambrano also comes with a record of at least one tirade per year over the last four seasons. I guess we can at least assume Zambrano isn’t heading to South Florida to display his leadership qualities. In any case, the fairly large dimensions of New Marlins Ballpark intrigue me, so the homer-prone Zambrano might net some help in that category.
Additionally, his two previous seasons before last both consisted of FIPs south of 4.00, so if he can get back to that he’d be a really decent #4 or #3 starter for the Fish, this is all assuming he can get his K-rate back to the 8.00 range where it’s been most of his career. Lofty expectations for the right-hander, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Either way, he’ll still be an over-payed volcano but still a viable back-end guy when on the mound.
Beware of the “NL Beast”
By · CommentsNL Beast
There is no question that the most competitive division in MLB is the AL East. New York, Boston, and Tampa Bay are mainstays atop the standings, despite different approaches to roster construction. Toronto would probably be a playoff contender in any other division, though is establishing itself as a challenger to the big three. And Baltimore is the only team in the division with no hope of contending now or in the near future. Overall, the AL East should continue to field some of MLB’s toughest teams, thanks to a combination of the largest payrolls and most competent front offices of either league.
In the NL, the balance of power among the three divisions shifts almost yearly. Although the Central is home to World Champion St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, a Pittsburgh team with an improved farm system, and Chicago and Houston teams under new management, the East, featuring Philadelphia, Atlanta, an invigorated Miami squad, and a promising Washington club is the better of the two. The sudden influx of talent into the NL East as a result of this Winter’s signings and trades will likely result in four teams contending for the playoffs. Several NL East teams also have the depth and youth to contend beyond next season, making this division a challenger to its AL counterpart as MLB’s toughest in 2012 and beyond.
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Marlins Looking To Re-Sign Dobbs
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Florida Marlins’ third baseman, Greg Dobbs was impressive with the bat as he had three RBIs including one home-run and went 2-for-4 in the Marlins’ 7-5 win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Chicago on July 17.
According to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the Marlins are directing their attention toward Greg Dobbs, attempting to re-sign him. Dobbs is coming off his first year with the Fish, where he hit .275/.311/.389 in 439 plate appearances. He spent much of the season playing at third-base, while also seeing occasional action in the outfield. Although not nearly as exciting as some of the team’s other signings this off-season, the potential move would come as no surprise given the Marlins need for depth in the infield and the added benefit of having a “clubhouse leader” on the roster.
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