What kind of SP is Daniel Gutierrez?

by psugator on Sep 23, 2008 5:40 PM EDT

Was wondering if you can tell me how he profiles.............a #3-#4? Back end? Just wondering whether i should sign him to my fantasy team and i can't seem to find much info. what does his fastball top out at? does he have any other pitches?

it seemed BA's jim callis really liked him but he went under the radar a bit this year. what can i expect from this guy? your help would be appreciated

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For future reference, this kind of thing would probably be better as a fanshot

From Doublestix’s Royal Tower site

Daniel Gutierrez, RHP
Ht: 6’ 1" | Wt: 180 | Bats: R | Throws: R
Team: Burlington Bees | Age: 21
2008 Stats: 1-1, 2.43 ERA, 8 starts, 37 IP, 49/9 K/BB, 1.61 GB/FB

It has been a bumpy road for Gutierrez as a pro up to this point, but it looks like he has finally settled in and is quickly rising up charts. He has been through a lot after being drafted and signed as a 33rd round selection, including missing part of the 2007 season due to some trouble. Despite missing nearly a month of action, the 21-year-old has had some truly dominant outings thus far, even if his innings have been limited. Gutierrez has a fastball that regularly hits the low-90’s, and touches higher than that, and mixes it with a curveball that flashes plus. The changeup is coming around too, and if that can become an above-average pitch, we are looking at a guy who could start to fly through the system.

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

by Scott McKinney on Sep 23, 2008 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

is that sort of control normal for a good minor league pitcher?

Or is he that good?

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on Sep 23, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

The Midwest League is an extreme pitcher's league

Gutierrez finished with 2.5 BB/9, which would not put him among the top 20 in that league (among pitchers with at least 90 IP). His K rate (10.4 K/9), however, tied for 2nd in the league, and his K to BB rate (4.16 K/BB) put him in the top 10.

by Gopherballs on Sep 23, 2008 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

It is excellent control, but...

From the beginning of his season (which officially started a little late because he was kept in extended spring training for a while before being assigned to Burlington, IA), it was clear that he was too good for that level (low-A). When you are too good for a level, all you really have to do is throw strikes, because the hitters at that level can’t handle your stuff. There’s no need to nibble, because there’s no reason to worry that the batters are going get many hits. So, he showed excellent control but, as with any prospect, it remains to be seen if he’s good enough to throw just about every pitch in the strike zone when he goes up to a level more commensurate with his talent. I’m optimistic, but you never know.

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

by Scott McKinney on Sep 24, 2008 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions

On the flip side

Pitchers that pound the zone with the fastball, get ahead early, and work off the plate after they get ahead using the fastball to set up the breaking ball tend to have success at every level. When they get scared and nibble is when they start struggling.

Example in the last week. Kyle Davies. Gil Meche. Zack Grienke.

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

by 306008 on Sep 24, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions