[lex24]

Harrison is done for the day

Three and a third, two runs (a two run homer by Bryce Harper in the first), five hits (all by lefties, I think), one walk, five strikeouts, sixty-five pitches / forty-three strikes. Pitched with blood on the top of his left ring finger for much of the game. A lot to be excited about, he certainly has electric stuff.

His start was eerily similar to Lincecum’s debut.  Both gave up a two run HR and recorded three K’s v. the Phillies in the first inning.  

Harrison has an interested delivery and I loved the high heat v. right handers.  

All things considered, I think his first start exceeded expectations.  I don’t think that it is too early to say the Giants have a long term partner for Webb.  Next up - Whisenhunt in 2025 (I hope)…..

Comparisons to Lincecum at this point are foolish. But here's another one anyway from Tim's debut:  ;-)  
In 4 ⅓ innings, Lincecum gave up five runs on five hits with five walks. He struck out five and threw 100 pitches. Advantage, Harrison.

The big concern about Harrison was his alleged lack of command. IIRC, someone pointed out several months ago that the PCL was using robo-umps again this year, and they actually tightened the strike zone, hence league wide issues with control, including Harrison. Once Kyle hit the bigs, his command should be better. The source for that info was from Harrison's dad, who just might know something about the situation.

Though it's a sample size of 3 1/3 innings, his command looked pretty good, throwing two strikes for every ball called. He sure looks to have a great future, and love seeing him with P Bailey.

There is no doubt that it is too early to compare him to Lincecum; however, the first inning comp. was weird.  I’m looking forward to his next start at Oracle.

I watched the game, and the broadcast highlighted the comparison multiple times, at least the first inning. Odd parallel, no doubt. Think I mentioned, sat with Kyle's family at a sports award dinner--really really nice family. Brother is a good kid, too, and quite a catcher.

I went to Lincecums debut. It was electric.  Gave up an HR to Shane Victorino (second batter he faced) and Ryan Howard hit a rocket off him.  But you knew you were seeing someone special.  They had him at 100 on the gun. Which I expect was a bit amped.  But still.  

People forget that when Timmy broke in he was essentially a two pitch guy - fastball and curve.  The pitch that turned him into a Cy Young winner was his split/change up. Which was devastating.  He learned that. Plus, Timmy had sick movement.

Harrison is essentially a two pitch guy at this point - fastball slider.  He got a lot of swings and misses on the fastball up.  Good late life. Slider was flat but that could be from adrenaline. He threw at least one excellent change up.  If he gets that pitch in his arsenal he’s going to be very good.

Except ….  He’s a 3-4 inning guy right now.  Max 5.  He was at 65 pitches.  I guess he will be at 80 next start.  If im game planning against him, it’s take a lot of pitches.  Get his count up as fast as possible.  Especially given he’s not yet a high command guy. 

I’ll get very excited about his potential when I see he’s capable of getting through an order 3 times.  That won’t happen until next year. So, this year, he will be the “featured pitcher”. Give you hopefully a good 4.  Fits In perfectly with what the Giants are doing. Which I intensely dislike.

My favorite inning for him was the third.  He got early outs.  We know he can strike people out.  I want to see him learn to get more efficient.  That’s the only way he’s going to get deeper in games.

Giants have not had one start in minors go more than 5.  I get protecting  young arms, but I also don’t see how you flip the switch at the major league level and turn these guys into true starting pitchers.  OTOH, we know that the Giants are the smartest organization in the history of baseball.  They need not play by any of those silly old rules.  Platoon to excess - two slightly better than average platoon pieces are surely better than 1 guy who can play everyday. Right?  Churn.  No stars necessary.  Just give us slightly better than average and our depth will beat you. Rotation?  Not necessary.  Gabe will mix and match like the brilliant chemist he is. 

  The Giants way…..

[lex24]

Harrison is done for the day

Three and a third, two runs (a two run homer by Bryce Harper in the first), five hits (all by lefties, I think), one walk, five strikeouts, sixty-five pitches / forty-three strikes. Pitched with blood on the top of his left ring finger for much of the game. A lot to be excited about, he certainly has electric stuff.

His start was eerily similar to Lincecum’s debut.  Both gave up a two run HR and recorded three K’s v. the Phillies in the first inning.  

Harrison has an interested delivery and I loved the high heat v. right handers.  

All things considered, I think his first start exceeded expectations.  I don’t think that it is too early to say the Giants have a long term partner for Webb.  Next up - Whisenhunt in 2025 (I hope)…..

Comparisons to Lincecum at this point are foolish. But here's another one anyway from Tim's debut:  ;-)  
In 4 ⅓ innings, Lincecum gave up five runs on five hits with five walks. He struck out five and threw 100 pitches. Advantage, Harrison.

The big concern about Harrison was his alleged lack of command. IIRC, someone pointed out several months ago that the PCL was using robo-umps again this year, and they actually tightened the strike zone, hence league wide issues with control, including Harrison. Once Kyle hit the bigs, his command should be better. The source for that info was from Harrison's dad, who just might know something about the situation.

Though it's a sample size of 3 1/3 innings, his command looked pretty good, throwing two strikes for every ball called. He sure looks to have a great future, and love seeing him with P Bailey.

There is no doubt that it is too early to compare him to Lincecum; however, the first inning comp. was weird.  I’m looking forward to his next start at Oracle.

I watched the game, and the broadcast highlighted the comparison multiple times, at least the first inning. Odd parallel, no doubt. Think I mentioned, sat with Kyle's family at a sports award dinner--really really nice family. Brother is a good kid, too, and quite a catcher.

I went to Lincecums debut. It was electric.  Gave up an HR to Shane Victorino (second batter he faced) and Ryan Howard hit a rocket off him.  But you knew you were seeing someone special.  They had him at 100 on the gun. Which I expect was a bit amped.  But still.  

People forget that when Timmy broke in he was essentially a two pitch guy - fastball and curve.  The pitch that turned him into a Cy Young winner was his split/change up. Which was devastating.  He learned that. Plus, Timmy had sick movement.

Harrison is essentially a two pitch guy at this point - fastball slider.  He got a lot of swings and misses on the fastball up.  Good late life. Slider was flat but that could be from adrenaline. He threw at least one excellent change up.  If he gets that pitch in his arsenal he’s going to be very good.

Except ….  He’s a 3-4 inning guy right now.  Max 5.  He was at 65 pitches.  I guess he will be at 80 next start.  If im game planning against him, it’s take a lot of pitches.  Get his count up as fast as possible.  Especially given he’s not yet a high command guy. 

I’ll get very excited about his potential when I see he’s capable of getting through an order 3 times.  That won’t happen until next year. So, this year, he will be the “featured pitcher”. Give you hopefully a good 4.  Fits In perfectly with what the Giants are doing. Which I intensely dislike.

My favorite inning for him was the third.  He got early outs.  We know he can strike people out.  I want to see him learn to get more efficient.  That’s the only way he’s going to get deeper in games.

Giants have not had one start in minors go more than 5.  I get protecting  young arms, but I also don’t see how you flip the switch at the major league level and turn these guys into true starting pitchers.  OTOH, we know that the Giants are the smartest organization in the history of baseball.  They need not play by any of those silly old rules.  Platoon to excess - two slightly better than average platoon pieces are surely better than 1 guy who can play everyday. Right?  Churn.  No stars necessary.  Just give us slightly better than average and our depth will beat you. Rotation?  Not necessary.  Gabe will mix and match like the brilliant chemist he is. 

  The Giants way…..