|
Expectations of Wacha
|
|
|
Posted: 2/21/2013 9:57 PM
Expectations of Wacha
As most here already know there has been a lot of good stuff coming out this Spring about Michael Wacha. We know that he pitched out of the bullpen last year once signing and dominated. Obviously his stuff played up in the short appearances but what is everyone's expectation of him this baseball season? He will obviously be a starter but how close can he come to matching last year? Is his stuff permanently on the upswing? We know that Wainwright has been working with Wacha on his curveball. We also know that the organization is liking how Wacha is going about his business this Spring.
What does everyone think and expect from him this year?
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/21/2013 10:00 PM
RE: Expectations of Wacha
I've read he is projected anywhere from a 3 to a 1.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/21/2013 10:11 PM
RE: Expectations of Wacha
I know I mean what is your personal expectation of the season that he will have next year?
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/21/2013 11:52 PM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
I expect Wacha to reappear in Springfield and spend likely a third-or-half the year in Springfield if successful and then spend the rest of the year in Memphis finishing the year strongly. I think if the Cardinals need him at the major league level before the end of 2013, he will get a cup of coffee and in 2014 will have a defined contributing role as a starter to last. Wacha won't be racking up as many strikeouts as starter than when was as a reliever last year but will still be striking out batters to an above-average rate. In my opinion continue to think his stuff is on the upswing and will just continue to progress as he matures. Wacha's fastball/change-up combination alone is dominating but his curve from what I've seen has lately really taken huge strides has tighter spin and 12-6 action break (just like Wainwright's) resulting in more swings and misses in his relief appearances in SPF and lately have thought the curve was plus at times and believe it could miss bats in the big leagues down the line. This year will be very interesting to see how he does in his first full year as a starter will like to see him keep the same consistent sharpness of his pitches that he maintained as a reliever last year. That's all said this kid has a very bright future as a Cardinal.
Last edited 2/21/2013 11:53 PM by DTFlush234
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 6:11 AM
RE: Expectations of Wacha
Well said, DTFlush.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 7:39 AM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
DT pretty much covered everything, well done sir. Personally i put him as Miller's equal if not a notch above. Wacha went to college while Miller went pro thus putting Shelby ahead on the learning curve IMO. That gap will be bridged this season and there are many that feel Wacha maturity level is already on par with Major leaguers. We could see him in September even.
GO CARDS!
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
- UncleDenny
 - St. Louis Cardinal
- 1150 posts this site
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 7:42 AM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
Very rare that the Cardinals start the clock running that early on anyone, but I suppose this could be the exception but only if he would be a difference maker in the stretch run.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 8:11 AM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
UncleDenny wrote: Very rare that the Cardinals start the clock running that early on anyone, but I suppose this could be the exception but only if he would be a difference maker in the stretch run. True UncleDenny but if there is an exception Wacha is it. When he came out of A&M there were people at that school that thought Wacha was ready then, at least from a maturity level. Cards drafted him with the belief that he would be a fast riser once he developed his secondary pitches. This seems to be already happening. It is unusual a guy gets this kind of hype so early in the Spring and so early in a career.
GO CARDS!
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 8:58 AM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
Clock running or not, the Cards are going to have a very difficult time sending Wacha down late next month. Can they pull the trigger on sending this gem south? Stay tuned.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 9:24 AM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
I'd kind of like to see what Wacha can do over a full professional season before I start anointing him the new Ace of the staff. 2014 will be soon enough.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 11:08 AM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
pugsleyaddams wrote: Clock running or not, the Cards are going to have a very difficult time sending Wacha down late next month. Can they pull the trigger on sending this gem south? Stay tuned. Did MLB expand rosters to 30 players when we weren't looking? ;-)
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
- UncleDenny
- St. Louis Cardinal
- 1150 posts this site
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 12:06 PM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
It will be difficult as is to trim the pitching staff to 12 as Domeboys is alluding to.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 12:08 PM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
He's got a total of something like 75 professional batters under his belt. Not innings. Batters. He's faced 75 batters in his professional career. 75!
I think sending him to the minors later in camp will be one of the easiest decisions the Cardinals front office will have ever made.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 2:41 PM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
That's my point.
Now, if he runs roughshod over the Texas League for, say, six weeks and then does likewise in the PCL for another six weeks, we may have to revisit things - but there's no way he's going to make the team out of ST even if he strikes out every batter he faces.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 2:43 PM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
I'm excited by the possibility of him coming out of the bullpen this September/October similar to what Rosenthal did this past year.
That would be fantastic.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 2:52 PM
Re: Expectations of Wacha
Jmodene1 wrote: That's my point.
Now, if he runs roughshod over the Texas League for, say, six weeks and then does likewise in the PCL for another six weeks, we may have to revisit things - but there's no way he's going to make the team out of ST even if he strikes out every batter he faces. Actually what i said was we could see him by September. He almost certainly starts the season in the minors but could move fast.
GO CARDS!
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 3:14 PM
RE: Expectations of Wacha
Not sure cnh, but JMo could have been replying to Pugs' over-enthusiasm rather than to you.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 3:37 PM
RE: Expectations of Wacha
Domeboys wrote: Not sure cnh, but JMo could have been replying to Pugs' over-enthusiasm rather than to you. Yes, and to those fans on other forums who Joe Strauss so charmingly refers to as the HGGV (or whatever the heck the acryonym is; the "H" stands for "Hyperventilating"). |
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 3:50 PM
RE: Expectations of Wacha
Probably much less confusing if you respond to fans on other forums - on the other forums... ;-)
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
|
|
Posted: 2/22/2013 3:52 PM
RE: Expectations of Wacha
What I like most is how people are impressed about how he's going about it. He's not coming in thinking he's the best but he's also not quiet and sheepish. He's coming in doing his work, asking the right questions. He knows what he needs to work on and is doing it.
|
|
Reply |
Quote |
