02/21: Posada: "Wang has the best stuff in our clubhouse"
Posted by: James
The Asbury Park Press checks in with a story that has Jorge Posada talking about Chien-Ming Wang.
Of course, since this is spring training, there are always fluff stories about young pitchers coming into their own and learning the ropes - it makes for good copy and people like human interest stories, especially when the young man in question is now a huge star in his native country of Taiwan.
Personally, I really like Tiger Wang (I think he handles himself very well) and I believe that he is the goods. I don't believe that he is a No. 1 pitcher type but I think he can be a #2 and very soon (which the Yankees will need). The alarming lack of Ks that people seem to worry about are not an issue with me. First, he doesn't necessarily need to "miss bats" as often since he's a predominantly a groundball pitcher - he just needs to miss the fat parts of the bat (which he does very well as evidenced by his 2005 stats). Second, I fully expect his K rate to rise substanically this coming year, from 3.64 K/9 in 2005 to around 5 in 2006. I think this because of Wang's added experience and his experience in the minors (career 3.28 ERA and a 7.16 K/9 in 439.2 innings). The only caution flag is his arm - if he can remain healthy, we're going to be cheering the Wanger for quite a while.
Story via Brian.
"Randy is Randy and his power is incredible," Posada said Sunday. "But Wang has the best stuff in our clubhouse, no doubt. He'll be our No. 1 pitcher eventually."
"He does things that drive hitters nuts. I've never seen a pitcher get so many groundballs back to the mound," manager Joe Torre said. "That's all about movement."
Wang's sinker, according to Posada, is almost impossible to adjust to for a hitter.
"Even if he doesn't throw it perfectly, it still sinks and he still gets outs," the catcher said.
"He does things that drive hitters nuts. I've never seen a pitcher get so many groundballs back to the mound," manager Joe Torre said. "That's all about movement."
Wang's sinker, according to Posada, is almost impossible to adjust to for a hitter.
"Even if he doesn't throw it perfectly, it still sinks and he still gets outs," the catcher said.
Of course, since this is spring training, there are always fluff stories about young pitchers coming into their own and learning the ropes - it makes for good copy and people like human interest stories, especially when the young man in question is now a huge star in his native country of Taiwan.
Personally, I really like Tiger Wang (I think he handles himself very well) and I believe that he is the goods. I don't believe that he is a No. 1 pitcher type but I think he can be a #2 and very soon (which the Yankees will need). The alarming lack of Ks that people seem to worry about are not an issue with me. First, he doesn't necessarily need to "miss bats" as often since he's a predominantly a groundball pitcher - he just needs to miss the fat parts of the bat (which he does very well as evidenced by his 2005 stats). Second, I fully expect his K rate to rise substanically this coming year, from 3.64 K/9 in 2005 to around 5 in 2006. I think this because of Wang's added experience and his experience in the minors (career 3.28 ERA and a 7.16 K/9 in 439.2 innings). The only caution flag is his arm - if he can remain healthy, we're going to be cheering the Wanger for quite a while.
Story via Brian.
Patrick wrote: