Tim Hudson's Spring

[Chief Knockahoma]

does the performance of Tim Hudson bode well for the upcoming season? or is this to be taken lightly as most Spring Training performances are?

[Hobbes]

Well, it's a promising sign to be sure. But he hasn't put in the kind of lengthy outings he will have to put in once the season rolls around, so there is a caution there. Plus, he seems to have real problems in the summer heat, so that will be a concern as well once the weather warms.

[McCarroll21]

With the way the TV schedule has worked out, I've seen Hudson pitch 3, maybe 4 times. What I'm happy to see is that not only is he getting great results, his pitches are doing what they are supposed to do. He's getting sink on his splitter, he's getting some Maddux like tailing action on his fastball. He's got his changeup working.

So I'm more happy to see how he's pitching, rather than the stats he's put up. I'll basically say the stats he's put up aren't tainted because it's Spring Training.

But I've said this a few games back, and Hobbes just said it, it will be interesting to see how he works in the summer heat. From looking at him, it looks like he's much bigger this year [not as noticeable as Andruw is slimmer], that is most likely done to help him in the summer when he starts losing weight.

I'm pleased, but I don't think it makes him a lock to have a great season because he's got everything working in March. Check back to me in July and I'll see how he's doing around the 6th, 7th inning and let you know, as if you won't already. :D

[lavell12]

Our starting rotation looks awesome and Hudson looks as good as any starter in the league right now. Our bullpen looks a little shaky, Gonzalez doesn't look good at all but he will be okay and MaCay needs to only face lefties and in spring training its about getting guys innings not match ups. Wickman has been decent and Paronto is suprising me. Villarreal is shaky also. But on the bright spot Soriano looks like a stud.

[JayDonnelly10]

He's no longer going to be the ace of a pitching staff but this makes me feel better cause he should do better than last season!

[CosmoBravo]

Based purely on his career averages in comparison to last year, it's really hard to imagine Hudson having a worse season than he had last year. Having said that, I also don't think he'll regain his form as an "ace." I expect something in the middle: 3.50 ERA 1.30 whip.

[TheMatrix31]

We REALLY need him to bounce back. A Smoltz-Hudson-James trio would be deadly for the rest of the league.

I snagged Huddy in the 18th round of my draft today.

[Chief Knockahoma]

A Smoltz-Hudson-James trio would be deadly for the rest of the league.

QFT!

:nod:

[McCarroll21]

Want to know something crazy ... it appears that my boy Kyle Davies is headed back to Richmond. I would think Redman gets a rotation spot, and Davies has done nothing to show he proves to be here above Cormier, though he did supposedly look great in an intrasquad game the other day.

Right now we're looking like:
Smoltz
Hudson
James
Redman
Cormier

Hampton is on track to return sooner than anticipated, though I'm not sure we can count on him at this point. It would be nice if we could, but we'll see how he's doing in a few weeks.

With all that said, if Davies finds a way to get his control fixed [which is supposed to be his strong point] and become fearless with his changeup again, as he appeared to be in the intrasquad game, he could get awarded a spot based on upside and the "initial plans." I don't know who would go to Richmond in that case though.

Whodathunk we'd be thinking about what to do with the extra starters at this point in Spring Training a month ago?

[Chief Knockahoma]

Whodathunk we'd be thinking about what to do with the extra starters at this point in Spring Training a month ago?

Whodathunk Lance Cormier was/is a legit candidate for a spot in the starting rotation?

[McCarroll21]

Whodathunk Lance Cormier was/is a legit candidate for a spot in the starting rotation?
Certainly not me. He did pitch well enough to be thought of as a good spot starter, but I didn't think he would be this good.

[CosmoBravo]

Certainly not me. He did pitch well enough to be thought of as a good spot starter, but I didn't think he would be this good.


Yeah, I mean he's not an innings eater, but he showed last year, that he might have a niche as a 5th starter who can provide 5, maybe 6 solid innings. He was definitely much better starting than he was in relief last year.

[Hobbes]

Even more scary is that our #4 in that potential rotation is a pitcher we pulled off the scrapheap of the worst team in baseball.

[CosmoBravo]

Even more scary is that our #4 in that potential rotation is a pitcher we pulled off the scrapheap of the worst team in baseball.

True. At this point, we just need someone who will give us innings and not completely tax our bullpen when Hudson, Smoltz, and James aren't on the mound.

[BGarrett7]

True. At this point, we just need someone who will give us innings and not completely tax our bullpen when Hudson, Smoltz, and James aren't on the mound.Exactly why I said that we should go out and get as many healthy, ML-calibur arms as we can -- ie: Redman, Thomson, etc.

[CosmoBravo]

Back to the topic at hand, I think Hudson's performance this year may be one of the single most important factors in determing how good the '07 Braves are. He doesn't have to be great, but he has to be better than last year.

[CB1]

I agree with Cosmo. He's a key (if not THE key) to determining whether the Braves get back to their winning ways or not.
It seems like he pitched well.

[Jsh1284]

Whodathunk Lance Cormier was/is a legit candidate for a spot in the starting rotation?

The ownage he unleashed opun Auburn in his college career was unreal. He's got a great arm. Back when he was with the tide, I predicted him to be a major league ace. Just like I did with ... John Rauch when he was with the Barons.

Not saying he'll be an ace, but I certainly think he's got more than enough talent to be a major league starter.

[Adam's Army]

Ida thunk Cormier had a shot at that 5th spot in the rotation, Kyle Davies never earned that spot so it was up for competition.

As for Hudson i think his numbers are encouraging. i remeber the saeason andruw hit his 40+ HRs he had a really good spring this year. lets hope Hudson has a simmilar experience this season

[Chief Knockahoma]

6 G/GS
1 W
1 L
2.16 ERA
25.0 IP
21 H
8 R
6 ER
1 HR
15 SO
5 BB
1.04 WHIP

i don't know about the rest of you, but if these stats translate over to the regular season...i will be very happy with Tim Hudson

[KB 34]

My sense is that Hudson's pathetic performance last year is driving him crazy. If he had put up decent numbers the gap between the wild card and the Braves would have been tiny and he knows it. He was a #5 starter last year, maybe a #4 starter. If he puts up those kind of numbers again this year, he will become trade bait the same way Mike Hampton was trade bait after a terrible year in Colorado. Likewise, no one in the NL seems to have pitching these days and he has a chance to make himself a top 3 starter by returning to form.

[Hobbes]

6 G/GS
1 W
1 L
2.16 ERA
25.0 IP
21 H
8 R
6 ER
1 HR
15 SO
5 BB
1.04 WHIP

i don't know about the rest of you, but if these stats translate over to the regular season...i will be very happy with Tim Hudson
No, I will not be happy with those.

[McCarroll21]

No, I will not be happy with those.
Me neither. I demand a sub 2 ERA and a sub 1 WHIP. He also needs a few more wins than 1 per 6 starts. :D

[Chief Knockahoma]

Me neither. I demand a sub 2 ERA and a sub 1 WHIP. He also needs a few more wins than 1 per 6 starts. :D

HA

i knew...i KNEW someone would comment on the 1 win in 6 starts.