Close This.

[Durango53]

So Rox fans (RockieBill) or any other Rox fan out there who happens to drift by....

Who do you think is going to be the closer this year? With Chacon out of that roll is it Tsao who looked good late last year in that roll that he did a few times? Or is it the guy Hurdle thinks with Fuentes? Or is Fuentes going to be it no matter how bad or good he does just because Hurdle is going to keep him in that roll?

[RockieBill]

Hi Shad! Sorry I haven't been around much, but I gotta tell ya' - I'm not real excited about the Rox right now - maybe that will change when ST starts up.

Right now, Fuentes might have the inside track, but that's only because Tsao will probably get a chance to start. If he bombs out early, then it will be between him and Fuentes, I imagine, with one of them taking the setup roll. I don't imagine the closer's roll for the Rox to be a very high-stress position this season. It might not be very often that the Rox find themselves in a save situation, haha.

[Durango53]

I am with you Bill. I am not to excited also but I am trying to force myself... A year of hearing of Hurdles gut just dont get me going.....

[Durango53]

Tsao closing in

Rockies vs. Mariners, Peoria Sports Complex, 1:05 p.m.

Chin-Hui Tsao can begin putting his fingerprint on the closer's role with a strong outing today. With Eddie Gaillard sidelined with an injury, Tsao has emerged as a favorite to work the ninth inning. He will work on finishing off hitters today and picking up his pace between pitches. Tsao hit 98 mph in his last outing, but lost command of his fastball when he reached two strikes.

[yagsy]

Hmmmmm, Tsao sounds like he's overthrowing after two strikes. How old is he? This sounds like a maturity thing. What does Tsao have in his arsenal? Why isn't the pitching coach working with him on closing out hitters? If he can't close out a hitter after two strikes, what kind of counts is he getting into before a ball is hit either for a hit or for an out?

If Tsao is getting ahead in the count, then he should be able to relax and locate pitches which means he gets outs. If he is overthrowing which is what I am suspecting, because he's young (what Rox player isn't besides Helton :notme: ), then his coaches need to work on his mental toughness.

[Durango53]

Tsao is around 24 25? But has a great fastball and they say he might have the best slider around. Wicked slider. But I am a bit afraid of waisting this kid to be a closer. He has been a great starter the whole time in the minors and done great. I like the the Rox have always done with the pen. They go and sign castoffs who just want a job and the come here and throw strikes. Well the problem has been the past few years the guys that work the pen are blown out at the end of the first month and are done for the rest of the season it seems.

And that is a thing to I dont know if he has it to be a closer in his mind. He did appear in a few games at the end of last year and was about unhittable but I dont want to lose a could be good starter. Not in Coors that is....

[yagsy]

Shad, if he has only 2 really good pitches, is being a starter such a good idea at the ML level? I would think he would need another quality pitch to make it as a starter. The fastball/slider combo works great for the bullpen role, especially closer.

I see your point though about management mismanaging the use of the bullpen guys. It's a shame really. Tsao sounds like he could be a good pitcher at the ML level. I will make sure to watch for him though. Thanks for the info.

[Durango53]

He as a good change up. I was just going off his real strong pitchs. I am sure Bill could jump in and tell you if he has a 4th and such but he does have a good change up but a great fastball and a unbelievable slider.

He had some arm work done a couple of years ago and I remember he learned a new pitch because he was scard of his slider some. I cant remember which one...

[yagsy]

Oh, then that is different. That surgery though doesn't make me too confident that the slider will stick around throughout a long career.

Bill when you get a chance, I would love to hear your breakdown of this kid.

[Durango53]

If his slider goes he goes. That is his pitch....

[RockieBill]

Well... things have changed since I said Tsao would get a chance to start. I think this is not a good move on the Rockies part, but I can see where they feel the pressure to put up a top prospect in the closer position - whether he can do the job or not. But that's another story.

As Shad has said, his slider is his money pitch, but he can bring the heat as well. He hits the upper 90's, usually cruising at about 92 mph. He changes speeds extremely well, and has very good awareness of the strike zone (10.5 K's/2.3 BB's per 9 innings for his minor career).

His work ethic was the big question mark, as he didn't even throw during the off-season in 2000, which lead to his injury and Tommy John surgery in 2001.

In my extremely lowly opinion, the kid (he's 23) is a starter - and he needs another year at AAA to build up some stamina and strengthen that arm.

[Durango53]

Oh Bill I am so with you. You have a kid like this you cant close the door on him with him being a starter!!! How many guys have the Rox brought in that we the rejects and wasnt going to get a job somewhere else and did a great job for the Rox in the pen. This team is going to suck this year and as you said Bill how many times is the Rox going to even need a closer? You and me both think it isnt going to be very much.

And I am with you we cant give up on a kid that has a chance to be a solid starter for this team for that is what this team needs the most.

A move that makes me sick again thanks Clint and Dan.....

[yagsy]

Did he learn from his injury? I mean if it was his questionable decision to not workout during the off season and that lead to his surgery, is he taking measures to prevent a reoccurance? Has the work ethic changed for the better?

Triple A sounds like a wise option at this point too. And if management is bringing the kid up too soon, then they may face yet another TJ surgery.

Question too, has this kid ever closed before? Coming into a game with the game on the line in Coors for even the most mentally tough and mature pitcher is tough. I can't imagine what it will do a kid's psyche who understands about starting. The approach is completely different. Can this kid handle the pressure day after day grind? Why is it that we are asking these things and management is still going in this direction? :notme:

[Durango53]

From what I have heard he has learned some. But that was english. Because he didnt know how to speak english that well was the main reason he got hurt. And so that pushed him a bit to learn to talk. A bit lazy it sounds to me.

But as for closing he did close some and work as a set up man last year. Did ok at the roll but that was to help him more get back to the big league level and face some hitters. Dont want to lose him to the pen if he can be a solid starter but who are we just fans...