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Post by Soxfansince1971 on Apr 14, 2024 20:30:16 GMT -5
It is hard to believe there is no Slaten thread yet….
Slaten just got a double play with the game on the line with one pitch against the Angels. He went on to pitch a solid 2 2/3 innings before turning the game over to Jansen. He saved the day (or bullpen that is) on Sunday 4/14. His 2 2/3 innings were not as dominant as he has been this young season, but he has been very successful so far this season.
IN - 10.1
H - 3
R - 1
ER - 1
W - 1
SO - 8
WHIP - 0.39
ERA - 0.87
Slaten has now thrown the most bullpen innings on the 2024 Red Sox. Granted this sample size is still small, but he looks to be similar to how successful Whitlock was in 2021.
IN - 73.1
H - 64
R - 22
ER - 16
W - 17
SO - 81
WHIP - 1.105
ERA - 1.96
How good can Slaten be? Is he a future closer or does he turn from multi- inning reliever to the next year’s rotation? That is a question for Breslow and Bailey…
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cdj
Veteran
Posts: 14,029 
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Post by cdj on Apr 14, 2024 20:40:50 GMT -5
my guess is he replaces Pivetta in the rotation and we let Pivetta walk for a comp pick
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Post by Soxfansince1971 on Apr 14, 2024 20:42:30 GMT -5
my guess is he replaces Pivetta in the rotation and we let Pivetta walk for a comp pick I would prefer to keep them both, but I could definitely see it happening as you say. If Pivetta has a good year, he could reject the $20ish million qualifying offer for more money and a longer deal and get it… |
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Post by asm18 on Apr 14, 2024 20:54:28 GMT -5
I mean in a world where dudes as diverse as Jordan Hicks and Zach Littell converted from MLB relievers to MLB starters, you can’t rule out Slaten in that role. But unlike Whitlock, Slaten’s starter career in pro-ball was pretty short-lived. He was sent to the pen in AA, admittedly while being able to go multiple innings. He hasn’t started since: www.fangraphs.com/players/justin-slaten/25648/stats?position=PIn comparison, Whitlock was a starter through AA in the Yankees system before getting TJ - after which the Yankees infamously didn’t protect him in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, and we all know the rest from there. For all the mania about “ruining” Whitlock, he had been a starter his whole pro ball career before being a reliever out of necessity as a Rule 5 selection coming off a major surgery. |
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cdj
Veteran
Posts: 14,029
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Post by cdj on Apr 14, 2024 20:57:54 GMT -5
I mean in a world where dudes as diverse as Jordan Hicks and Zach Littell converted from MLB relievers to MLB starters, you can’t rule out Slaten in that role. But unlike Whitlock, Slaten’s starter career in pro-ball was pretty short-lived. He was sent to the pen in AA, admittedly while being able to go multiple innings. He hasn’t started since: www.fangraphs.com/players/justin-slaten/25648/stats?position=PIn comparison, Whitlock was a starter through AA in the Yankees system before getting TJ - after which the Yankees infamously didn’t protect him in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, and we all know the rest from there. For all the mania about “ruining” Whitlock, he had been a starter his whole pro ball career before being a reliever out of necessity as a Rule 5 selection coming off a major surgery. Big reason for that pen move was that he didn’t throw strikes- I could see them being intrigued in trying to stretch him back out now that he seems to be throwing strikes at a much more reasonable rate Def won’t be this year tho |
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Post by okin15 on Apr 15, 2024 10:58:51 GMT -5
Next step might be to make him the opener for Criswell. See if he can go 3 innings.
ADD: The advantage of going even longer between appearances is he could get a bullpen between them, at least sometimes.
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Post by James Dunne on Apr 16, 2024 7:46:13 GMT -5
I mean in a world where dudes as diverse as Jordan Hicks and Zach Littell converted from MLB relievers to MLB starters, you can’t rule out Slaten in that role. But unlike Whitlock, Slaten’s starter career in pro-ball was pretty short-lived. He was sent to the pen in AA, admittedly while being able to go multiple innings. He hasn’t started since: www.fangraphs.com/players/justin-slaten/25648/stats?position=PIn comparison, Whitlock was a starter through AA in the Yankees system before getting TJ - after which the Yankees infamously didn’t protect him in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, and we all know the rest from there. For all the mania about “ruining” Whitlock, he had been a starter his whole pro ball career before being a reliever out of necessity as a Rule 5 selection coming off a major surgery. Big reason for that pen move was that he didn’t throw strikes- I could see them being intrigued in trying to stretch him back out now that he seems to be throwing strikes at a much more reasonable rate Def won’t be this year tho Yeah, agree with this. I'm skeptical that his control improvement is sustainable, but if it is then maybe it does make sense, yeah. He'll also have three option years, so they'll have the opportunity to get him a decent look in Worcester if/when they decide to try to convert him. Obviously it's tough to take a valuable reliever and send him to the minors to learn to fill a different role, but the Whitlock situation is definitely a hint of the benefit - he looks for all the world like a real-life mid-rotation starter. |
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Post by trotman on Apr 16, 2024 8:25:27 GMT -5
I mean in a world where dudes as diverse as Jordan Hicks and Zach Littell converted from MLB relievers to MLB starters, you can’t rule out Slaten in that role. But unlike Whitlock, Slaten’s starter career in pro-ball was pretty short-lived. He was sent to the pen in AA, admittedly while being able to go multiple innings. He hasn’t started since: www.fangraphs.com/players/justin-slaten/25648/stats?position=PIn comparison, Whitlock was a starter through AA in the Yankees system before getting TJ - after which the Yankees infamously didn’t protect him in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, and we all know the rest from there. For all the mania about “ruining” Whitlock, he had been a starter his whole pro ball career before being a reliever out of necessity as a Rule 5 selection coming off a major surgery. I agree. A few other names who converted this year are Reynaldo Lopez and Garret Crochet. Lopez has been the best Braves starter this year and hasn't gotten a lot of coverage. Crochet leads MLB in K's. It'll be interesting to see if they can sustain their hot starts. This day it does seem like guys are converted from RP to SP. |
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Post by julyanmorley on Apr 16, 2024 9:03:29 GMT -5
Slaten has been the best development of the season so far IMO. If he throws strikes all year he is a lock to go into camp next year as a starter. He has more experience as a starter than a reliever. His Stuff+ ratings continue to be among the best in all of baseball
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Post by wkdbigsoxfan on Apr 16, 2024 19:59:19 GMT -5
Nothing to do with anything, but thought it was hilarious Bill Simmons said he’s watched 0 innings of the Red Sox this year and then later said he likes Slaten
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Post by scottysmalls on Apr 24, 2024 12:51:53 GMT -5
Great thread on Slaten
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