Happ The Favorite?
Posted by Amanda Orr, Mon, February 09, 2009 01:00 PM | Comments: 50
Posts
J.A. Happ could be the favorite to win the fifth stater’s job. Happ’s success last season could give him a slight edge over the others competitors.
Last season, the twenty-six year old lefty pitched a total of 31.2 innings. His 3.70 ERA and 26 strikeouts was good enough to make the postseason roster as a reliever. Recalled from Triple-A when Brett Myers was demoted, most of Happ’s success came in four appearances as a starter. He had an excellent 2.28 ERA as a starter and opponents batted just .188 off him.
Myers returned, and Happ was moved to the bullpen and struggled. In 8 innings, Happ had an ERA of 7.88 and WHIP of 1.88. Opponents hit .343 off him.
Towards the end of the season, Happ replaced Kyle Kendrick in the rotation and finished strong. During the month of September, Happ had an ERA of 2.41 and averaged eight strikeouts per nine innings. Happ also made one appearance in the National League Championship Series. In 3 innings of relief, Happ allowed just one run and struck out two.
Even if Happ does not win the starting job, there is a chance that he will still make the major league roster. Without J.C. Romero for 50 games, the Phillies are in need of another left handed option out of the bullpen. Despite his bullpen struggles in the past, Happ could fill that hole.
Proving he can be compete in critical situations, the Phillies have a good feeling about Happ entering spring training.
Posts: 0 dan
The Phils would be stupid to put Happ in the pen. He should either get the job or get more experience in AAA. No way are we going to let this guy waste away in the bullpen until JC gets back. Here’s hoping he gets the job and Park is the other lefty in the pen. Happ really impressed me as a starter, especially in that outing in the 4th of July series.
Posted: 01:07 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 CT
dan, Park’s a righty pitcher…
i’m all for Happ being in the rotation. he’s got guts and is aggressive. he’s shown that he’s got a lot of confidence and a good arsenal of pitches to throw, unlike Kendrick. i think this last season was a pretty good indication of his ability… they’d best not put him in the pen. Happ’s got the makeup of a starter and he should be used as that way for the foreseeable future.
Posted: 01:23 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 MA Phanatic
here’s one guy hoping Happ wins the 5th starter job. I think it’s important he get the job as a younger pitcher than Park who is what he is at this point in his career.
Posted: 01:24 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
I don’t really like the idea of Happ in the pen either… but if Park wins the job in Spring Training, then he is the guy I want as the 5th starter… If Kendrick happens to win it, then he is the guy I want..
I THINK* that Happ will win the spot, and he is the one I’m pulling for, since I think he has the most upside of the 3.
I don’t like Happ in the pen because you already have a situational Lefty in Scott Eyre.. and while it might be useful to have 2 of them, its not neccessary.. and the #5 pitcher in the rotation is much more valuable than a situational reliever.. especially one that isn’t even comfortable with the reliever role.
There is a lot still to be determined on this roster.. but thank god the main parts are in place
Posted: 01:34 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 JohnKruksLoveChild
Happ’s got a better chance then Kendrick, since he’s at least got a breaking ball. Kyle got away with that during his rookie year, then the pitching tapes caught up with him and he was punished last year. Maybe he’ll come up with some off speed stuff during the off season, but somehow I doubt that will be enough to seal the deal. Happ or Park for 5th slot, I’m rooting for the kid, Park seems like he has more utility as a Durbin type pitcher. We’ll need him for those days when Jamie or Brett blows up in the 1st inning, something which they both have a bad habit of doing.
Posted: 01:49 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
I like Happ he is a very formiddable pitcher but the thought of three lefties in the starting rotation may cause Charlie to go with Kendrick or Park due to the fact that there are more right handed batters than left. But I wouldn’t be opposed to a six man rotation that will allow Hamels and Myers to save their arms in the early part of the season and once you get to mid May you can decide who’s pitched better to take the job. Unless someone just pitches out of their mind to take the 5th starter job.
Posted: 01:49 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 NC Jason
Don M I agree with you in that I am rooting for Happ to win the job. But in the end, and this goes for all of the competations that will take place in Spring Training, mainly at catcher and the 5th spot, I am most excited that the Phillies have options and the best person has to win the job.
Posted: 01:50 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Jason B.
This is a great problem for the Phillies to have. Competition will bring the best out in people and no matter who wins, I am confident the management will make the right choice. i agree with Amanda, I think Happ is the front runner for the job. Park has very little upside and Happ showed that he can go into a playoff race and get the job done. As far as catcher is concerned, sadly, I think Coste’s time is up. If I were him, I’d be talking to the front office about a managerial position in the minors. The guy knows baseball and if there is anyone who can keep a minor leaguers hopes up, it’s him.
Posted: 02:04 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
I like Justin’s idea of having a 6-man rotation for a little while, if and only if two of the guys competing for the starter role are outstanding in spring training. Hopefully, Happ and Kendrick.
First of all, you rest Hamels and Myers who pitched PLENTY of innings last year. But most importantly, you keep the competition going on in April, in real games that count… Compare the stats after a few starts, decide who’s best for the team, and end up with a solid 5-man rotation.
Posted: 02:24 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 NEPA
I’m definitely pulling for Happ for the 5th spot. He was very impressive as a starter last season and the guy just seems to be mentally tough. Park had a solid year last season in a long relief role, so we should keep him right there. Kendrick needs to continue working on his stuff before he’s ready to make another run at the majors. As for Carrasco, as pumped as I am to see him in a Phillies uniform, he should definitely start the year down in AAA and get himself ready for a mid-season call-up if needed (I’m weary of how Moyer will hold up, as well as Myers staying in last season’s second half form.)
Posted: 02:48 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 ryan
I would take Happ over Kendrick, Eaton, Park, or whoever else they have in mind. He could atleast be as good and steady as Kendrick was for his year and a half before he was finally exposed and the hitters got a book on him. If Happ does hit a wall sometime around the all-star break then possibly you could call up Carrassco to replace him.
Posted: 03:02 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
A-ROiD:
from ESPN.. Peter Gammons interview to air tonight:
His voice shaking at times, Alex Rodriguez met head-on allegations that he tested positive for steroids six years ago, telling ESPN on Monday that he did take performance-enhancing drugs while playing for the Texas Rangers during a three-year period beginning in 2001.
“When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure, felt all the weight of the world on top of me to perform, and perform at a high level every day,” Rodriguez told ESPN’s Peter Gammons in an interview in Miami Beach, Fla. An extended interview will air on SportsCenter at 6 p.m. ET.
Posted: 03:10 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Happ was successful last year. All Phils fans want to see him succeed again this year. Bullpen work is different than a starter’s job. Different in that they have to warm up all the time and be game ready almost every night and sometimes twice a night. THis is hard on an arm accustomed to preparing for a game every fourth or fifth day. Putting Happ in the bullpen may hurt his arm and he may be better in Triple A in Scranton, ready to come to the bigs on a short notice.
Posted: 03:23 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 NEPA
Phillies AAA team is now the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Scranton now has the Yankees AAA team.
Posted: 03:35 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Pete
here is a really good phillies starting pitching preview that also has Happ as the leader for the #5 spot…
http://www.reclinergm.com/the-reclinergms-2009-mlb-preview-phillies-starting-rotation/
Posted: 03:39 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
That’s a good review, Pete. Thanks for the link. I’m pretty much on the same page, though you can color me slightly more optimistic about Myers.
BTW, has anyone seen this Pitchers Abuse Points (PAP) table? Link here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=204015
It’s a pretty crazy/unique/interesting stat, and I kinda like it because at least it doesn’t show Hamels as “abused” as one might think (given his extremely high pitch count in ’08).
Posted: 04:05 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Malcolm
The Phillies should sign Mark Mulder to a lefty reliever role. I wonder who is going to bite and what the offer is going to end up looking like. I think he’ll be a steal and a low risk, potentially high reward situation. He has much ground to gain in a comeback and his injury wouldn’t hurt the team.
Posted: 04:16 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Malcolm
Also, hail the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons! Gone, but never forgotten. Cheers.
Posted: 04:18 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 tim mccarver sucks
I think that the 5th starters job is Happ to loose and he will win it. Kendrick was a serviceable pitcher who doesnt have the pitches or agresiveness to compete. He is going to be a intresting case in the next few years to see what the phillies do with him.
Posted: 04:27 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Brooks
Malcom – I fully agree about Mulder. He has been a huge dissapointment since leaving the A’s (where he was in the starting rotation with Barry Zito, Hudson, Lilly, Harden and Harang) and signing with St. Louis. Injured after his first full year with the Cards (he was 16-8 with a team that won 100 games and lost in the NLCS to the Astros), he has tried to come back since, pitching a total of 106 innings and giving up 91 ER for a worse than Eaton 7.8 ERA in the last 3 years.
The Cards finally dropped Mulders contract and he is available for the taking. Looks like in 4 years he ‘earned’ over $25 mil for the Cards – but, I am sure he would listen to any offers at this point as most think he is washed up. Mulder was in 3 games last year, started 1 and pitched all of under 2 innings.
I think a small risk would not hurt the Phils at this point. Especially with our long relief out of the picture for the first 50 games.
Why not?
Posted: 04:41 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
NEPA — Thanks for correcting me on the Scranton/Lehigh Valley issue. I knew I made a dumb mistake as soon as I sent the comment.
Posted: 04:56 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 NEPA
Haha, not a dumb mistake. I’m from Wilkes-Barre and sometimes I forget the Barons are gone.
Posted: 04:59 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
He had surgery again on his arm, he tried to come back late last season but after his start against the Phils he went back on the shelf his arm is so far gone it’d be a miracle if he could ever regain his stuff, we’re not talking about a Brad Penny case where he’s just coming off an injury this is a guy who since leaving Oakland hasn’t pitched a full season. By the way, he was traded to St. Louis for Dan Haren and other prospects/players.
Posted: 05:03 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Josh G
I have a fantasy baseball league composed of Braves and Phillies fans over at espn.com. The owners I have in the league are all active owners who have played in years past so it should be a relatively competitive league. I have three open spots on the Phillies side of the league that I need to fill up.
If anyone would like to join, email me at: jegatlaw@gmail.com
Posted: 05:09 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 philsphan
Happ is certainly the favorite. It’s his job to lose at this point. I see Chan Ho Park as a close second and Carrasco and Kendrick having little to no shot at winning since both of them need time at AAA.
Posted: 05:14 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
I’m not a fan of having three lefty starters in the rotation. But out of the four guys that are competing I think we might be able to eliminate two right off the bat. Chan Ho Park is just flat out terrible. The thought of exposing him to 160 innings in CB park makes me shudder. As for Carrasco, even if he’s good the Phils might not him keep up lest he accumulate that dreaded “service time” the Phils are so averse to. That leaves Happ and Kendrick. All things being equal I like the righty over the lefty. I think Happ is gonna end up being one of those guys that we’ll use to bring value in a trade and I think Kendrick will be fine as a #5.
The Dispy
Posted: 05:38 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 nando
the phillies are the worst team in the usa hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 06:25 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 nando
lets go mets!!!!!!!!
Posted: 06:27 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 nando
we gonna smash these effin phillies this year ((this is to all phillie fans out there))
Posted: 06:29 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Steve
Nando, shouldn’t you be out practicing the Heimlich maneuver in preparation for the upcoming season?
Posted: 06:35 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
dear nando..
LETS GO METS!!!! LETS GO METS!!!! LETS GO METS!!!!
Posted: 06:46 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Well, as for “nando” and “phillyhater”, I am glad to see they are finding SOME way to fill the time in their day while they’re waiting to masturbate again.
The Dipsy
Posted: 06:57 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
I love how “The Dipsy” signs his/her name after every single post… so redundant yet entertaining
Posted: 07:57 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
uhhh thats my point..it all depends on if you are married or not…actually the hell with it…they were both going down on me…by the way…good comeback…really…brutal…i dont think ill ever recover from being called shitforbrains
Posted: 08:41 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
I love how Mets fans are talking trash for a team that can’t compete with the Phils and missed the playoffs 2 years running to the Phils. We’re World F**king Champions the Mets are the World F**king Chokers.
Posted: 08:44 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
hey man…if you were smart you would see that all i said was lets go mets…i never said anything about your team or the mets beating the phillies or anything like that..i said lets go mets…
Posted: 08:47 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
and then “the dipsy” had to start with something smart…so i went back at him with something smarter…and then he TRIED to go back at me..but ended with something as gay as himself so…
Posted: 08:48 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
oh and by the way…cant compete with the phillies?..last time i checked during the season we beat you on the head to head…ohhh yeah i know wow you won the world series…good for you…i understand…however….like chipper said in an interview…you will have to beat us in 7 innings or else you are finished…we have a bullpen now…
Posted: 08:52 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Go away geez
Posted: 08:54 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
ohhh you lived in queens?…how did you turn into a philly fan then?…i live in jersey
Posted: 09:06 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Wa….wa….wahhaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Good one. You da man! Now THAT’S a comeback.
The Dipsy
Posted: 09:10 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
hahaha…thank you..haha….in all seriousness…i posted on here a few days ago..haha…i was honestly laughing this whole time…im not one of those stupid fans that after two freakin collapses i say going into the next one saying ohhh man we are going to beat you guys…blah blah blah…thats bullshit..i have to see it to believe it…and being a met fan there is so much misery with being a fan…its unbearable…BUT i do feel better going into this season..somewhat….with our bullpen…
Posted: 09:12 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
however…i dont see the mets offense doing anything..every met fan says ohh we were tied for second in runs..i dont care…and half of those are games when we beat teams up and didnt need all of the runs..with the same lineup going down the stretch…im giving the edge to the phillies…you HAVE to…given the past two years..they know how to get it done…
Posted: 09:15 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 philsphan
These mets fans are embarrassing, go worry about your own team and stop being hypocritical. Yet again Mets fans are obsessed with the Phillies!
Posted: 11:20 PM on February 9, 2009
Posts: 0 mets09
You def. dont want Park, So hope that Happ wins the spot, or kendrick. And Us Met fans are Baseball fans and discuss baseball all over. Its not about hating on you guys,just debating our different opinions in various topics. At least Thats for me and I know a few other Met fans.
Posted: 01:11 AM on February 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Joe
I think Happ is the best bet for the 5th starter. Its great to have Park in there as a long releiver. I just have this bad feeling about Jamie Moyer making it through the year. He looked really “old” last year even though he did get the job done.
As far as these stinking Met fans go, they must have missed the 2 million people at the parade. I guess we will just have to do it again this year to keep these wanna be Yankee fans in their place….
Posted: 09:53 AM on February 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave S
Yepp.
Posted: 02:38 PM on February 10, 2009
Posts: 0 mets09
except we hate the Yankees,why would we want to be like them? They stand for everythin the Mets dont. Yankee Stadium sucks
Posted: 03:40 PM on February 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Joe
Met fans hate the yankees because they are far classier than a met fan could ever be. They are not welcome in the yankee club because they are savages compared to yankee fans. Its that very reason the mets fans hate the yankee fans.
Posted: 04:28 PM on February 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Slice
Man everyone’s counting Kendrick out :( . Happ has the makings of a good starter and would suck horribly at relieving(my opinion). I think kendrick will get the 5th spot and redeem himself and park will go to the bullpen.I see Happ as a mid season call-up if anyone from the starting rotation got injured. Another scenario would be happ gets the 5 spot and kendrick gets put on the trading block.
Posted: 05:44 PM on February 14, 2009