Ricky Nolasco an elite starter?

by craig on Mar 3, 2010 9:52 AM EST in News and Rumors

Some wonder if Ricky Nolasco can become an elite starter.

The last time Ricky Nolasco took the mound in a game situation, he was making history.

On Sept. 30 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Nolasco set a Marlins record by striking out 16 batters. In one stretch, from the third through fifth innings, he fanned nine consecutive Braves, falling one shy of a Major League record.

Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, on April 22, 1970, whiffed 10 consecutive Padres, a mark that remains unmatched. The rarity of nine in a row is reflected by the fact that number has been reached only four times in history -- and three since 1900.

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The way Nolasco breezed through the Braves' lineup that night has many wondering if he can elevate his game to where he could be a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter.

This actually pisses me off. Ricky is a top-of-the- rotation starter! Geez, what world are you living in where he isn't? In 2008 he was 2nd in WHIP, 7th in IP, 2nd in K/BB, 9th in H/9, 8th in K, 3rd in BB/9, 10th in HR. That was the year he increased his number of innings thrown over the previous year by roughly, I don't know, about a 190, which is a ridiculous amount. In 2009 he started off sluggish as one would expect given the previous year's increase in workload. Yet still he finished the season 3rd in K/BB, 7th in K, 3rd in ER, 10th in BB/9.

Ricky is a top-of-the-rotation starter and if he strings a couple more good years together, he will reach elite status. Nolasco has the stuff, but whether he obtains the status will solely depend on how healthy he remains.

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I wasn’t too impressed with him early on, but by the end of the season I thought he was a lot more convincing than JJ

by LondonDave on Mar 3, 2010 10:33 AM EST reply actions

I wouldnt call him elite

But he definitely is a solid pitcher. I want to see how he performs this year before bumping him up even to “all star” level, much less elite.

If he could improve his split finger fastball and fastball command, I would be sold.

by backtocali on Mar 3, 2010 1:17 PM EST reply actions

Last year

There were two Ricky’s last year. The first half Ricky was unexpected to me, because I was used to his top of the Marlins’ rotation status. But, after looking at the increase in innings, as Craig tends to do, it’s almost expected in hindsight. The second half Ricky, after he calmed down and worked on his stuff, was the Ricky I was used to. One that can conceivably dominate every time out.

by GMFB on Mar 3, 2010 4:40 PM EST reply actions