Cortes toasted in AFL debut

1.2 innings pitched, 7 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 1 bb, 5so and 2 hrs allowed. Current ERA is 27...WOW. Well I guess it can't get much worse for Dan.

8 months ago gordonrules Comment 20 comments 0 recs |

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At least there was only one walk and not 7.

He’ll get better….

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 10, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Heh,

5 Ks in 1.2 IP is pretty impressive, actually.

Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!

by loyal2sdad on Oct 10, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dang, I was hoping that a bunch of guys made toasts to him after a great start

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Oct 10, 2008 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

5 outs, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk

I actually like that. The HR’s aren’t good, but Arizona is high-HR environment.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Oct 10, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

a bit belated to add, but...

…I will say that combined with the increase HR/9 rate Cortes suffered from in Arkansas, I do think this might be cause for a little concern.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 13, 2008 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, I noticed that as well. To be honest though, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The Carolina League (especially Wilmington) favors pitchers pretty dramatically, while the Texas League is much more of a hitters league.

Cortes is a fly ball pitcher. That is fine, but we will probably have to accept that he might be a bit home run prone at least early in his career. Pitching half his games at “The K” should help him a little bit though.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 13, 2008 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it is a major concern

It’s not at all a surprise that his HR/9 went up when he went from a pitcher’s league to more of a neutral league. But his HR/9 at 1.00 was not exactly high. Sure you’d like for it to be lower, but that’s ok. And, that’s something you get from a flyball pitcher. And when he gets to the PCL, he’s going to have to deal with it as well. That’s one of the reasons I don’t think he’s very close to the majors. Some have mentioned him possibly getting to the majors mid-2009. Quite frankly, I think it unlikely that he makes it to the majors in mid-2010. I see him more as a possible 2010 September call up and then making a real splash in the majors in 2011. I think he still has some things to work on in AAA (walks and, to a lesser extent, HR’s)

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Oct 13, 2008 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cortez might get to the majors in 2009, if the Royals suffer a lot of injuries or tired arms.

After the midway point of the season, he will most likely be part of our pitching depth in the same way Duckworth was this year.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Oct 13, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya, i agree

It just depends how much he progresses.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 13, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be against calling Cortes up at any point in 2009 until September

He’s only 21 with one year of AA ball under his belt. I would give him another year of seasoning in the minors before even thinking about calling him up for a cup of coffee, and then give him a shot to make the big league roster in spring training of 2010—assuming all continues to go well.

NYRoyal:

Agreed, the Carolina league is a definite pitcher’s league, and Cortes will have that concern in general as a flyball pitcher. I don’t think it constitutes a red flag, but with his increases in H/9 and BB/9, and slight decrease in K/9, it is something to keep an eye on, that’s all.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 13, 2008 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally, I don't think so

Cortez might get to the majors in 2009, if the Royals suffer a lot of injuries or tired arms.
After the midway point of the season, he will most likely be part of our pitching depth in the same way Duckworth was this year.

I think this could only be true if the Royals were in contention. If, however, the Royals aren’t contending (and they almost certainly won’t be), then Cortes would only get called up if they thought it was best for his development. Given that he’ll only be 22 next year, will be on his first year in AAA, and still has some things to work on in his game, I think that would be rushing him.

So, even if there are some injuries and the Royals need to go 7, 8 or 9 deep in starting pitchers, I think they would avoid using Cortes. There will be some Duckworth-like somewhat experienced schlubs on minor league contracts in Omaha who can be called up to make some starts when the Royals are playing out the string.

My basic point is that short-term needs of the major league team when the team is not contending should not and probably will not lead to Cortes getting to the majors sooner.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Oct 13, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duckworth was starting pitcher depth number 11 to 13 if you count up all the injuries and releases.

Tomko, Bale, Hooch, Tejeda, Hudson, Nunez, and Rosa were all out.

I agree 7-9 most likely not, but if they need 11 to 13, then Cortez will be an option that is looked at.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Oct 13, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

Again, it depends on how much he progresses. If it’s clear he’s made legitimate strides by say, July, and there’s a spot open I would not hold him back. That’s not rushing him, it’s challenging him because he’s obviously too good for a certain level.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 13, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's certainly due for a BABIP

regression to the mean, right?

Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!

by loyal2sdad on Oct 10, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by philofthenorth on Oct 11, 2008 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dickerson hit a home run.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 11, 2008 2:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked the seven hits personally....

That means he probably was getting behind and had to stay with the fastball through all the ABs in the 2nd…. I haven’t looked up play by play… it’d be interesting to see.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 11, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs