David Price.....drool...now 3-0 in AA

by JWallace on Jul 9, 2008 11:36 AM EDT

Wow....David Price is getting no challenge in AA. His third start on Sunday: 7 IP, 4 hits, 1 BB, 6 Ks.

Combined on the two levels, he is 7-0, with a 1.68 ERA and a .210 batting average against. And god bless the lefties who dare step in the box. They are sporting a .136 against him in AA. Ouch.

Could he jump another level this quickly? Or could he be in the Rays' pen by season's end?

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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So in 19 innings at AA ball he's walked 7, in 34.2 IP in High A he walked 7.

Of course he’s almost averaging a K per inning.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 9, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

Well,

BB/9 in A+ – 1.82 K/9 – 9.61
BB/9 in AA – 3.32 K/9 – 8.53

Not bad.

by P Brady on Jul 9, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Not at all.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 9, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Keep in mind

In his first start in AA he walked 4….Since then, it’s 3 BB in 13 innings. I think he’s settling in.

by JWallace on Jul 9, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet he is in AA until at least the end of July, after that...who knows.

Blake
USF--Class of '09

by usfraysfan on Jul 9, 2008 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Way too many stats

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Jul 9, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

It's only one stat

by td32 on Jul 9, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

David Price will get prob get 2 more starts in AA if he owns them

and then the Durham Bulls can welcome him to the team.

by joeybw on Jul 9, 2008 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

Seriously...many will disagree...

But move Price to the bullpen now in the minors for the next 2 weeks, then bring him up so he can help out of the pen THIS season. The guy is clearly good enough to do well at the MLB level. The Rays need one more bullpen arm so Howell, Wheeler, and Balfour’s arms dont fall off from overuse.

This will save Price’s arm from throwing too many innings, and you just use him wisely at the big league level. Not on back to back days, but in high leverage situations.

Honestly, if you think missing 5-7 more starts and moving him to the pen for the remainder of the season will hurt his development, you are only kidding yourself. The Rays are in a serious playoff race, and could use him NOW.

by td32 on Jul 9, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

OR

Instead of trying to groom Price for the ‘pen the Rays could give him a few more starts in AA and then move him into the Rays rotation. In the meantime Kaz will continue to go 5 or less innings in his starts so he will be preparing himself for the bullpen.

Then the Rays have a starter who can work deep into games, a strikeout pitcher coming out the pen, and they can include Hammel in a trade for a RF or simply get rid of Glover.

I’m mostly joking.

by K-Rock on Jul 9, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I know you were joking..

BUt Price cant be a starter through a playoff run because of the number of total innings he will have thrown

by td32 on Jul 9, 2008 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure about that

If he’s a starter for the rest of the season, he’d start around 17 more games. Assuming 6 innings a start, that’s 102 IP. He’s thrown 53, so that’d be 155 IP. Right around 30 more than last year, which is usually the maximum, however, he could probably handle more than that because he threw at least 20 innings the summer before last. His arm has held up. Plus, the #5 starter isn’t starting in the playoffs anyway. He could be moved to the pen for the playoffs, while still being the best option for the team starting during the season.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jul 9, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate the idea of Price as a MR

because then teams don’t wanna change them back

Papelbon = obviously a great closer but he prob would of been a great SP also
Chamberlain = wouldn’t be surprised if he is moved back to the pen eventually, he is too amped up all the time and he can’t last longer than 6 innings.
Zumaya = People probably forget, this guy was a awesome SP spect who has become a MR.

I say keep developing him through all the levels as an SP and bring him up as one.

by joeybw on Jul 9, 2008 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

The Rays know where Price's future is...

And it is as a starter. The Sox and Yankees were loaded with starters, so they had the option to keep the guys in the pen. Price’s value is as a starter. He has 3 quality pitches, 2 of with are elite. The Rays would never keep him as a reliever long term.

by td32 on Jul 9, 2008 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Can Price hit?

by P Brady on Jul 9, 2008 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Bring him up!

This kids special. Price is as close as you can get to a can’t miss prospect as there is. The only thing that can stop Price is injury.

He’s that damn good, he should be in the “show.”

by John 63 on Jul 9, 2008 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

DO NOT PUT A PRIOR CURSE ON HIM

by P Brady on Jul 9, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

It's only one stat.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 9, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

He's no Strasburg

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jul 9, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

At this point I wouldn't question how the R.F.O. handles prospects.

They’ve done pretty well so far.

by floridaroar on Jul 9, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I want him to throw a bunch of innings in the minors

That’s how you develop a pitcher … you don’t develop him by having him throw 6 innings a week in relief.

I absolutely love what J.P. is doing in relief but obviously they aren’t grooming him to become a starter again … I would only be in favor of using Price in relief if he flamed out as a starter.

As a starter he can win a lot of games for us for years in a row.

by Gator80 on Jul 9, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

He is going to be a starter in the Bigs...

There is no question of that. As to being developed, what do you think he needs to develop at this point? He has a plus FB, a plus slider, and a solid change. He has good location as well. He could be pitching in the Bigs right now, but the Rays are playing it safe with him…plus all of our starters ar pitching well so there isnt an overwhelming need.

The point is, Price would be a huge upgrade in the pen RIGHT NOW. He really doesnt need much more time in the minors. He is proving that with every start. So why not help the Rays this seaon out of the pen, and go baack to starting next season?

by td32 on Jul 10, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions