Tigers#1
02-14-2003, 07:49 PM
Right-hander German impressive
Trammell gets first look at intimidating reliever
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
Alan Trammell hasn't coached pitchers before, but he knows enough to recognize a dominant reliever when he sees one.
Trammell talked with reporters near a batting cage Friday morning as Franklyn German pitched to minor-league catcher Russ Cleveland. As the giant German fired fastball after fastball, Trammell told reporters, "This is not a fun at-bat."
More than simply how German threw, Trammell was impressed with how German looked in his first day at camp. German's 6-foot-7, 270-pound frame is an intimidation factor that the manager thinks he can put to use as he matures. This was Trammell's first look at his relief prospect in action because visa problems had delayed German's arrival to camp, and he stood out.
Trammell played with one such intimidating pitcher, Juan Berenguer, in the early 1980s. A reliever for most of his career, Berenguer was a starter on the 1984 World Championship team. He posted 11 wins and tossed two complete games that year. Unlike German, Berenguer didn't have size in his favor. He was only 5-foot-11, but weighed 215 pounds. More important, however, was his face and demeanor.
More recently, Matt Anderson was emerging as a big-league reliever when Trammell last coached on the Tigers staff in 1999. Like German, the 6-foot-4 Anderson built his intimidation early on with size and velocity, eventually playing that into a closer's role.
If size is a factor, the Tigers could end up with one of the more intimidating bullpens in the league, or at least one of the taller frontcourts in a pickup basketball game. They have another 6-foot-7 reliever in lefty Eric Eckenstahler, though he weighs about 60 pounds less than German. They also have 6-foot-6, 220-pound setup man Oscar Henriquez back from last year. In theory, if Anderson remains at closer and Henriquez, German and Eckenstahler become his setup man, Detroit could have size on the mound from the seventh inning on to protect leads.
"I'd like to say one of our strong suits is our arms out of the bullpen," Trammell told AM 1270 WXYT Wednesday. "I know our starting pitching is a little inexperienced and we understand that, but in our bullpen we have some good young arms. Our job will be to try to polish some of these guys as quickly as we can."
Getting in shape: After some Tigers officials accused ex-manager Phil Garner of not having his team in shape last Spring Training, the club has spent more time on conditioning drills in this year's camp. That was strength and conditioning coach Dennie Taft's suggestion, Trammell said, and not any edict on his own part.
The drills have a secondary benefit other than keeping pitchers in shape. Trammell said he wants to see which of his players are willing to work harder than others. That's especially important, he said, on such a young staff.
On deck: Tigers position players don't report to camp until next week, but Trammell is already thinking about what his lineup will be. He didn't give many details, but he said he wanted to build out a lineup that can create "havoc" on the bases in close games.
As for who will be in that lineup among the infielders, Trammell indicated he'll give the benefit of the doubt to two veterans. Damion Easley's status won't be a tricky situation if he's healthy, a sign that his job isn't as threatened as previously thought.
At third base, Trammell wants Dean Palmer to be ready to play on March 31, whether at third base or DH. Not a sign that the Tigers want to rush Palmer, Trammell rather wants his slugger not to rush his comeback in Spring Training and aggravate another injury.
Palmer has missed most of the past season and a half, first with back problems and then his neck surgery last May. He was limited to 12 at-bats last year.
Equal focus will be paid on Palmer's potential replacement at third base, Eric Munson. Trammell said Munson could expect to see more playing time than most players. For one thing, the converted first baseman needs as much time at third as he can get. Just as important, though, is the fact that Munson is out of minor-league options. He'll either make the club out of camp or be placed on waivers.
Trammell gets first look at intimidating reliever
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
Alan Trammell hasn't coached pitchers before, but he knows enough to recognize a dominant reliever when he sees one.
Trammell talked with reporters near a batting cage Friday morning as Franklyn German pitched to minor-league catcher Russ Cleveland. As the giant German fired fastball after fastball, Trammell told reporters, "This is not a fun at-bat."
More than simply how German threw, Trammell was impressed with how German looked in his first day at camp. German's 6-foot-7, 270-pound frame is an intimidation factor that the manager thinks he can put to use as he matures. This was Trammell's first look at his relief prospect in action because visa problems had delayed German's arrival to camp, and he stood out.
Trammell played with one such intimidating pitcher, Juan Berenguer, in the early 1980s. A reliever for most of his career, Berenguer was a starter on the 1984 World Championship team. He posted 11 wins and tossed two complete games that year. Unlike German, Berenguer didn't have size in his favor. He was only 5-foot-11, but weighed 215 pounds. More important, however, was his face and demeanor.
More recently, Matt Anderson was emerging as a big-league reliever when Trammell last coached on the Tigers staff in 1999. Like German, the 6-foot-4 Anderson built his intimidation early on with size and velocity, eventually playing that into a closer's role.
If size is a factor, the Tigers could end up with one of the more intimidating bullpens in the league, or at least one of the taller frontcourts in a pickup basketball game. They have another 6-foot-7 reliever in lefty Eric Eckenstahler, though he weighs about 60 pounds less than German. They also have 6-foot-6, 220-pound setup man Oscar Henriquez back from last year. In theory, if Anderson remains at closer and Henriquez, German and Eckenstahler become his setup man, Detroit could have size on the mound from the seventh inning on to protect leads.
"I'd like to say one of our strong suits is our arms out of the bullpen," Trammell told AM 1270 WXYT Wednesday. "I know our starting pitching is a little inexperienced and we understand that, but in our bullpen we have some good young arms. Our job will be to try to polish some of these guys as quickly as we can."
Getting in shape: After some Tigers officials accused ex-manager Phil Garner of not having his team in shape last Spring Training, the club has spent more time on conditioning drills in this year's camp. That was strength and conditioning coach Dennie Taft's suggestion, Trammell said, and not any edict on his own part.
The drills have a secondary benefit other than keeping pitchers in shape. Trammell said he wants to see which of his players are willing to work harder than others. That's especially important, he said, on such a young staff.
On deck: Tigers position players don't report to camp until next week, but Trammell is already thinking about what his lineup will be. He didn't give many details, but he said he wanted to build out a lineup that can create "havoc" on the bases in close games.
As for who will be in that lineup among the infielders, Trammell indicated he'll give the benefit of the doubt to two veterans. Damion Easley's status won't be a tricky situation if he's healthy, a sign that his job isn't as threatened as previously thought.
At third base, Trammell wants Dean Palmer to be ready to play on March 31, whether at third base or DH. Not a sign that the Tigers want to rush Palmer, Trammell rather wants his slugger not to rush his comeback in Spring Training and aggravate another injury.
Palmer has missed most of the past season and a half, first with back problems and then his neck surgery last May. He was limited to 12 at-bats last year.
Equal focus will be paid on Palmer's potential replacement at third base, Eric Munson. Trammell said Munson could expect to see more playing time than most players. For one thing, the converted first baseman needs as much time at third as he can get. Just as important, though, is the fact that Munson is out of minor-league options. He'll either make the club out of camp or be placed on waivers.