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Found a link on another site to this article . . .
Dodgers seek domination
Sunday, June 24, 2007
HUGH BERNREUTER
THE SAGINAW NEWS
MIDLAND -- Ned Colletti wanted to see dominance.
Clayton Kershaw gave him an eyeful.
The Los Angeles Dodgers general manager spent Saturday in the stands, watching Kershaw surrender just two unearned runs and strike out nine.
The Great Lakes Loons left-hander threw six innings, but did not get a decision, leaving with the score tied 2-2.
Instead, the Loons committed three errors that led to three unearned runs and a 3-2 loss to South Bend in front of 5,213 fans at Dow Diamond.
Even without the victory, Kershaw's performance may have earned him a ticket out of Midland.
"You want to see a pitcher who dominates not just from at-bat to at-bat, but from inning to inning and game to game," Colletti said. "You don't want to promote someone who might struggle at the next level.
"The next level he'll be facing older players, better players, better hitters who won't let him do things he's used to doing at a lower level. If there's a chance the player will struggle at the next level, we won't move him up."
Kershaw struck out two in the first inning, including Gerardo Parra. Kershaw started with a 100-mph fastball and struck Parra out on a 78-mph curve.
He surrendered four hits and two walks, but no earned runs.
Kershaw has not allowed an earned run in his last four starts covering 26 innings. He has surrendered just one earned run in his last six starts covering 36 innings.
"Honestly, I felt this was a setback," Kershaw said. "The fastball was there, but the changeup wasn't there at all. The curve was there, then gone. It was very inconsistent. But I haven't pitched for 10 days, so some of that is to be expected."
According to Kershaw, the 10-day rest also may have helped with the triple-digit gun readings.
"There were a combination of things ... the rest, the adrenaline," Kershaw said. "Plus, you can't trust the guns here. I think they're juiced."
WOW!!!! Even if it wasn't quite 100 MPH, guns are seldom off more than a few miles per hour. He had to be throwing 97+. And then to counter that with an off speed over 20 MPH slower!?!? Unfair.
The part I liked most about the article was Kershaw's reaction that this game was a 'setback'. This kid is something to behold: Three great pitches, good command (what a welcome change that is!), and evidently a slight perfectionist streak! Now that Matt Kemp is up to stay (yes, stay!), Kershaw is by far my favorite of the prospects on the farm.
"It is called being a professional. If you take the money, give the effort. If you are a pro in any sport, you are always supposed to give your best effort." ~Joe Morgan.hunteralan:Found a link on another site to this article . . .
Dodgers seek domination
Sunday, June 24, 2007
HUGH BERNREUTER
THE SAGINAW NEWSMIDLAND -- Ned Colletti wanted to see dominance.
Clayton Kershaw gave him an eyeful.
The Los Angeles Dodgers general manager spent Saturday in the stands, watching Kershaw surrender just two unearned runs and strike out nine.
The Great Lakes Loons left-hander threw six innings, but did not get a decision, leaving with the score tied 2-2.
Instead, the Loons committed three errors that led to three unearned runs and a 3-2 loss to South Bend in front of 5,213 fans at Dow Diamond.
Even without the victory, Kershaw's performance may have earned him a ticket out of Midland.
"You want to see a pitcher who dominates not just from at-bat to at-bat, but from inning to inning and game to game," Colletti said. "You don't want to promote someone who might struggle at the next level.
"The next level he'll be facing older players, better players, better hitters who won't let him do things he's used to doing at a lower level. If there's a chance the player will struggle at the next level, we won't move him up."
Kershaw struck out two in the first inning, including Gerardo Parra. Kershaw started with a 100-mph fastball and struck Parra out on a 78-mph curve.
He surrendered four hits and two walks, but no earned runs.
Kershaw has not allowed an earned run in his last four starts covering 26 innings. He has surrendered just one earned run in his last six starts covering 36 innings.
"Honestly, I felt this was a setback," Kershaw said. "The fastball was there, but the changeup wasn't there at all. The curve was there, then gone. It was very inconsistent. But I haven't pitched for 10 days, so some of that is to be expected."
According to Kershaw, the 10-day rest also may have helped with the triple-digit gun readings.
"There were a combination of things ... the rest, the adrenaline," Kershaw said. "Plus, you can't trust the guns here. I think they're juiced."
WOW!!!! Even if it wasn't quite 100 MPH, guns are seldom off more than a few miles per hour. He had to be throwing 97+. And then to counter that with an off speed over 20 MPH slower!?!? Unfair.
The part I liked most about the article was Kershaw's reaction that this game was a 'setback'. This kid is something to behold: Three great pitches, good command (what a welcome change that is!), and evidently a slight perfectionist streak! Now that Matt Kemp is up to stay (yes, stay!), Kershaw is by far my favorite of the prospects on the farm.
I am for letting him dominate the Midwest League for a couple more months and instead of sending him to the Cali League, shoot him up to Jacksonville for a start or two to get his feet wet. If he struggles, we learn something, if he doesn't, still start him at Inland Empire and if he is still the three shades of Hell , he is right now, move him up to Jacksonville.
I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...100? Damn, this kid is gonna be good, even if that is only 97 in DS. Too bad we didn't draft anyone like this in this draft. Let's hope that he can stay healthy and not follow in Greg Miller's shoes....
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