Control, Fastball Keys To Eaton’s Resurgence
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, June 20, 2008 10:44 AM | Comments: 13
Posts
Tonight Adam Eaton pitches for the Phillies against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. And so far for the right-hander, it’s been a season on the upswing.
Dig:
2008 – 2-4, 4.57 ERA, 1.388 WHIP
That’s his best WHIP since 2004. Now dig this:
April – 28.1 IP, 17 K, 11 BB, 5.08 ERA
May – 33 IP, 16 K, 14 BB, 4.91 ERA
June – 19.1 IP, 9 K, 3 BB, 3.26 ERA
For his career Eaton is much better in June (3.34 ERA) than in any other month, but there is definite reason to believe that maybe Eaton has settled into a groove. Check out his last five starts:
May 23 at HOU – 7 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 K, 1 BB
May 28 vs COL – 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 4 K, 1 BB
June 3 vs CIN – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 1 BB
June 8 at ATL – 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 K, 2 BB
June 14 at STL – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 2 K, 1 BB
Yes he’s reverted just a little in his last two starts, but look at the walk numbers — 6 walks in his last five starts. He was regularly walking at least two batters per game in April and early May. It shows Eaton is now throwing strikes, becoming more comfortable on the mound and allowing his fielders to do their jobs.
The most important thing for Eaton is to get that first out. With one out batters are hitting just .256, and with two outs they’re at .244. But with nobody out it’s a staggering .325.
He also has been a great early pitcher, with OPS’ of .765, .695 and .641 in the first, second and third innings. But in the fourth, hitters are at a .974 OPS. Seems Eaton has the most trouble against the middle part of an order when they see him a second time.
The key, then is to get quick outs. Throw strikes. Rely on the defense. Solidify the fastball early. He’s been doing that lately, and it’s resulted in a new man, a more reliable and, sometimes, dominant pitcher.
Posts: 0 Mike T.
I miss those alternate hats.
Posted: 10:45 AM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I’ve been saying this about Eaton all along and I’ve been getting laughed at. I wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of the season you see his ERA drop down below 4.
Posted: 10:47 AM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 falese
if you look at thier career numbers eaton and myers aren’t very different at all. it’s always been tough for me to understand why myers was annointed an ace after a season or two of better than average pitching.
Posted: 12:07 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Because the Phillies organization is dumb, and they got that 1 really good season out of him and thought he was an ace. Don’t get me wrong, Myers has good stuff and has a lot of potential, better stuff than Eaton for that matter, but he’s not getting it done.
Posted: 12:10 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 scot
Phil, I’m not laughing. I agree with you about Eaton’s era potential. If we don’t make a trade, Eaton is our #2 for the playoffs.
Posted: 12:46 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 falese
i think myer’s stuff is less than good. even last year (before he became a closer) he was getting rocked. i totally agree with the organization being dumb, they tend to reward mediocrity with LTD’s.
i say if you can move myers in a package for a true #1 (sabathiaaaa) you do it in a heartbeat. He’s realized his potential and it turns out he’s average.
Posted: 12:53 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Adam Eaton
I’m throwing a no-hitter tonight!!
Posted: 01:16 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Brett Myers
I’m going to start pitching left-handed, since it seems to be working so well for Hamels. And seriously, who would want me as part of a package for their #1? I’m really not that good – hence the switch to LHP.
Wish me luck,
Brett
Posted: 01:18 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 falese
hahahah brett you could switch between batters, the location would be about the same. don’t worry i’m sure they will need you in new york….during the home run derby.
Posted: 01:29 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
Mr. Eaton: I hope you bean Vlad Guerrero in the head his first at-bat tonight.
Posted: 01:40 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 tom
please. myers has been terrible to this point, and it’s fine to be concerned on his end…. but to compare him and adam eaton is absolutely ludicrous. let’s skip the revisionist history in some kind of vain shouting for myers to be traded (save your breath, not happening) and acknowledge that barring a trip to the DL, myers is going to keep getting innings for better or worse because this team isn’t going anywhere without him figuring some of this out.
Posted: 02:27 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Pete
Myers-to-Eaton comparison ludicrous? I think not.
Myers (career): 4.45 ERA; 98 ERA+; 1.37 WHIP
Eaton (career): 4.69 ERA; 88 ERA+; 1.40 WHIP
By the numbers, both guys are slightly below-average pitchers who give up almost the same number of baserunners per inning and runs per game. The only difference between the two is that Myers’ best season is much better than Eaton’s best (though why the Phils ever gave a 3/24mm contract to a guy who only had a better than 100 ERA+ once in his career (and that in his first season!) is beyond me).
Myers’ best season, 2005, isn’t really the stuff aces are made of, either: 3.72 ERA, 118 ERA+, 1.21 WHIP
Posted: 02:57 PM on June 20, 2008
Posts: 0 tom
did you actually watch myers throw in 2005 and 2006? or last year for that matter?
whether he’s showing it or not at the moment he is vastly more talented than adam eaton. before becoming the closer last year he was coming off two straight seasons of about 200 innings, sub 4 era, and around 200 strike outs. he is struggling right now, as good players (calling him an ace is irrelevant, the ace title was something manuel gave him to show respect for him being shifted to and back from the bullpen to help the team, cole hamels is and always has been the ace) sometimes do.
so let’s enjoy eaton pitching about as well as he can, hope he can get some better earned run support so his record better reflects this, and stop acting like myers is some no talent hack who hasn’t done anything to deserve a shot at turning his season around.
Posted: 04:26 PM on June 20, 2008