2009 Player Preview: Francisco Rodriguez

by Sam Page on Mar 16, 2009 8:00 AM EDT

K-Rod's 62 save record masked the worst season of his career in 2008. Due to declining fastball velocity, he induced fewer swinging strikes, and accordingly, fewer strikeouts. Francisco claims he sacrificed the velocity to work on his changeup (whatever that means), but he'd be better off trading those chaneups in for more heaters and sliders.

Whether or not his velocity rebounds in 2009 will likely determine his relative success, but even the 2008 version of Frankie would be miles ahead of anyone the Mets used last year (post-Wagner). Even though he likely won't face many pitchers, it will also be interesting to see how he pitches in the weaker league. While control has never been a strong suite, Rodriguez is one of the few pitchers who can absolutely blow hitters away:

via www.fangraphs.com

As a bonus, he likes to yell and celebrate extravagantly, which should give the Phillies and the people who cover them more of nothing to complain about.

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FRANKIE, JJ ADVANTAGE BEING OVERLOOKED

PLAYERS WHO CHANGE LEAGUES NEED ACCLAIMATION, IN THE CASE OF HITTERS SUCH AS RAUL IBANEZ & OTHERS NOT NAMED MANNY, THEY ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE FORCED TO FACE UNFANILIAR PITCHERS NEARLY EVERY AB. TAPE DOESN’T ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT EVERY PITCHER’S NUANCE IN DELIVERY & MOVEMENT/SPEED. WHILE HITTERS ARE DISADVANTAGED, PITCHERS CONVERSELY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE THAT USUALLY CAN LAST 2 IOR 3 ABs Vs A PARTICULAR HITTER. FOR SP THAT ADVANTAGE MAY BE GONE AFTER JUST 1G, LONG/MID RELIEVERS PITCHING MUTIPLE INNINGS SLIGHTLY LONGER BASED ON USE. SETUP/CLOSER TYPES RETAIN THEIR ADVANTAGE THE LONGEST DUETO POSSIBLY ONLY BEING FACED BY THE SAME BATTERS ONCE IN AN ENTIRE SERIES. BOTH JJ & K-ROD FALL INTO THAT LAST CATEGORY. THEIR “STRANGENESS” TO THE MAJORITY OF BATTERS FACED WILL BE A DEFINITE ADVANTAGE FAR OUTWEIGHING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A COUPLE OF FEET ON A FASTBALL. THIS ADVANTAGE COULD POSSIBLY LAST THE ENTIRE SEASON AND EVEN WHEN LOST THEIR MANO Y MANO SKILLS SHOULD PREVAIL ESP IN THE LIGHTER LEAGUE.

by METS62FAN on Mar 16, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

Caps lock

It’s your friend. Use it.

by Lunkwill Fook on Mar 16, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Normally I'd agree

but he clarified the caps lock in a previous comment.

by Eric Simon on Mar 16, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Ahhh, then ignore me.

by Lunkwill Fook on Mar 16, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

i'd like a blanket exemption

for paperman as well. whom do i lobby for that?

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on Mar 16, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't understand why this is in caps

But I do think you have a valid point.

by Gina on Mar 16, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

mostly agree

That’s why a good changeup would be really good for him. If he gets an additional plus pitch, hitters might not see one of them in the first or second series. Then he could maintain his novelty advantage longer.

I would like to see some kind of study on the effect of tape, and especially the pitching machines that include tape, on a batter facing a pitcher for the first time or at the beginning of a season. It seems like spending all winter batting in a simulator that has your divisional opponents loaded up and staring at an ipod with all their deliveries on every bus ride would help. But on the other hand, it’s just a pitching machine and TV. I can hardly hit a softball off a tee, so I can’t really judge what the difference is.

by hotspur on Mar 16, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I think I've seen

that his velocity has been up a bit in the WBC. Of course, I’m not thrilled that he’s having to ramp it up so early.

by Mount17 on Mar 16, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah in his last two starts

Pitch f/x has him averaging 93ish mph.

by Gina on Mar 16, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

KRod

I thought he looked good against the Netherlands. Change-up working well, fastball had some late life but no gun showings. If he’s 93 right now he might have another 1-2 in him.

by whynot on Mar 16, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

CAPALOCK CLARIFICATION

SINCE MOST SEEM TO CONCENTRATE ON THE ‘CASE’ USED INSTEAD F THE ‘CASE’ MADE, LET ME EXPLAIN MY USE OF CAPSLOCK AS AN ACCOMODATION TO A DISABILITY INCURRED BY SUFFERING A POST-SURGICAL STROKE 17 YRS AGO MAKING 2 HANDED TYPING IMPOSSIBLE. COMBINED WITH THE ANAL RENTENTIVNESS RE PROPER CAPITALIZATION DRUMMED INTO ME BY YRS OF PAROCHIAL SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. MY USE OF CAPSLOCK EXCLUSIVLY IS AN BURDEN I HUMBLY ASK YOU TO BEAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE CONSIDERATION.

by METS62FAN on Mar 17, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions