Wade Davis as Das Wunderkind

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 21, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

I'm not trying to scare anyone with this comparison and I'm not sure they're really all that comparable to begin with. Still, it's a nice reminder that we're dealing with - and will continue to deal with through the end of this season - a really small sample size of Wade Davis performances. He has pitched wonderfully, but let's not confuse it for his expected true talent level.

Anyhow, here's my contribution to the worst month in Rays history:

Davis: 3 GS, 18.2 IP, 29.7% K, 8.1% uBB, 37.8% GB, 76.7% Contact

Pitcher X: 5 GS, 35.1 IP, 19.3% K, 9.63% uBB, 33.7% GB, 75.3% Contact

So far Davis has struck out a few more, walked a few less, induced some more grounders, and has about the same contact rate. The similarities fail to end there.

Both are local, 6'4"-6'5", right-handed power pitchers. Pitcher X's first career start was impressive, much like Davis', as he went 9 innings, allowed two hits, zero runs, walked a pair, and struck out seven in front of family and friends in early September. Pitcher X's fastball also sat in the low-to-mid 90s and he threw a plus slider. Much was made over his maturity and bulldog mentality on the mound as well as his issues with command and need for a better change-up.

All-and-all, Pitcher X would appear in 60 games for the Rays, throwing 315 innings, striking out 177, walking 105, and posting underwhelming statistics before injuries ran him out of town. You may recall him, he goes by the name Doug Waechter.

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Comments

You're exactly right RJ, and it's why most teams are reluctant to trade pitching

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 7:17 AM EDT reply actions

Do you think the team has un-quit?

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 21, 2009 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions

My abalysis? I'm excited about this team hoing forward

I’m glad we’ll rid ourselves of the Gabes, especially the gross one. I’m excited to see Matt Joyce and Seasn Rodriguez play. The rotation is potentially very good. I’d like to see Garza as the #1 SP with Shields moving down. Garza seems to love the challenge of pitching against a formidable team and/or SP

The bullpen will be the key and unfortunately that’s a hard thing to quantify from year to year

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

^analysis

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

How drunk were you when you typed this?

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I think quit is the wrong word

It is more about intensity, focus, and preparation. When a team has less to play for they lose those three things to some degree. It is human nature. It takes a really strong and focused individual to keep their same preparation once a team is totally out of the hunt. That doesn’t mean they’ll lose every game or that they aren’t trying.

Can we get robots for umpires and a computer to make in game strategy decisions? I'm sick of inconsistently bad umpiring and Joe's pitiful in game management. Oh and Navi (and BJ) need some PED's. BenZo, Bartlett, and Pena do not.

by matthan on Sep 21, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree, I said it in jest

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by FreeZorilla on Sep 21, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Wade Davis is my kind of SP

one with the ability to blow a fastball by a hitter for that much needed K

Sorry, strikeout pitchers who rely on the change-up don’t excite me

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

Yep

Johan Santana and Cole Hamles are terrible.

What you think all the guns is for? All purpose war, got the Rottweilers by the door. And I feed 'em gunpowder, so they can devour the criminals, tryin' to drop my decimals.

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Sep 21, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

This.

Everbody's Nobody

by RWRays on Sep 21, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think their numbers are that similar

Davis has 10% higher K percentage

Bring Your Z-Game!

by Sveet on Sep 21, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

I'm making a point on small sample sizes.

The numbers don’t have to be 1:1.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 21, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I was at the game you are referencing for Waechter.

It was against Seattle. It is still one of my favorite (Devil) Rays games I’ve watched. Waechter was on his game that day. I remember leaving there thinking he was really going to be something. Shows how much you can tell from one game I guess.

I definately have higher hopes for Davis, but I suppose there are no guarantees..

by acelion on Sep 21, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

I remember comparing Davis to Waechter a couple years ago

and getting shot down. We’ll see. Davis looks like he should be better than Waechter, but there are some similarities. Who knows what Waechter’s numbers would have looked like in the minors had he not been rushed.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Sep 21, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Or had a good team behind him

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Sep 21, 2009 12:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Their first initials are reversed, and therefore they exist as anti-universe iterations of the same person.

That’s my abalysis.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs

Rec'd for use of the word abalysis

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Bored today?

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm actually swamped since I was out of the office all last week

Please stop making it so easy to cast stones in your direction, so that I can maybe get caught up.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd imagine you are

W-Mart looks like they had many items on special today, so i’d assume you’re busy

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Ninja burn.

He’ll get ya. He’ll fuckin get ya.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I wish I worked in a zero stress environment like that

Unfortunately running a compliance program and doing market research is a little more intense. Good news is I just made my company almost 5K in unpaid assessments. Hows the retired life? Wishing you didn’t have to piss in a bag taped to your thigh?

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I am in charge of a very important division of a global corporation you've all heard of!

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm sure your employer would be happy with the time you spend on DRB

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

The thing is

When you bust your ass you’re given certain privileges. In your next life, try doing more than the bare minimum and bitching all the time. It’s amazing what a little bit of charm can get you.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

My guess is you'd be fairly happy

if you were in my position when you reach my age

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Squatting comfortably in a diaper full of acid-chewed chicken parm?

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh man, thats nasty

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 21, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I would love to be able to retire someday, that is correct

I don’t look forward to not getting a paycheck from other people’s hard work. It would be nice to be able to sit at home bitching about baseball. In fact I might consider that ideal. That said, I’m 26 with a good chunk of money in the bank
no real bills, an education, and a great work ethic. Something tells me I’ll be ok

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

She must've been a looker.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

huh?

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

The girl who broke your heart.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

You could say that

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

dude, i'm in my 50s, so what 'paycheck' from gov't do i get?

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought they gave out disability checks for being legally retarded

I’m sorry if that is not the case, but your people, deserve some sort of hand up.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

With that attitude and self appointed God-like approach, you'll be always the worker, never the guy in charge

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

At least he's in charge of his bladder.

Am I doing this right?????

Selgy

by mittens on Sep 21, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

God-like?

Hardly. If I come across as arrogant it is a surprise to me as I am generally well-liked by my colleagues.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

You've already shopped at Wal Mart today?

Man, you ARE old

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 21, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

My abalysis makes the lay-deez say heeeeey.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

My abalysis brings all the 14 year olds to the yard

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Reported to FBI

Selgy

by mittens on Sep 21, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

It probably went to me since I'm head Female Body Inspector in these parts

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

You're neglecting 14 year old male bodies

Selgy

by mittens on Sep 21, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

No, he just lacks a cheeky acronym.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't see gender, that's sexist

I just see holes

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

You should watch the movie Teeth.

Selgy

by mittens on Sep 21, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

No thanks I got the gist off the back of the box

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Davis has been a nice surprise. Quick question though...

If I recall Davis has been lights out as soon as he moves up a level, but then quiets down considerably. Is this true? If so why do you think this is and should we expect a similar drop off in MLB? Of course he won’t be THIS good, but I’m talking a significant drop.

by matthan on Sep 21, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

I'd assume a 4 H 10 K CG would have some drop off

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

right...this was exactly what i was talking about

Clearly you haven’t been paying attention to Davis prior to him hitting MLB, so why even comment here?

by matthan on Sep 21, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

i've seen enough of him, to know the point is moot

by sternfan1 on Sep 21, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

do you even know what the point is?

by matthan on Sep 21, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

You....really don't know what's going on here, do you?

Selgy

by mittens on Sep 21, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Read Sickels scouting piece fanshot

He had it that Wade used to fatigue noticeably in his younger days. He sees this as something that Wade has overcome of late.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

With the bittersweet prick of a needle.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

in the butt.

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I think everyone should use HGH, look at me I'm 70

-Sylvester Stallone

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 21, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

And I've been legally dead for 19 years.

- Orlando Hernandez

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 21, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Comparing Waecheter To Davis???

That’s an insult to Davis. Waechter was NEVER rated as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball,as Davis has been for the last 2+ years!!

by StefanFl on Sep 21, 2009 7:13 PM EDT reply actions

IWere you all kidding?

Or was that whole cock fight in the middle of the thread serious?

That said, trying to forecast pitching more than a year or two into the future is like trying to see the future in a crystal ball or tarot cards. Anyone who says they can do it reliably is a quack.

That said, I’m not familiar with Waechter’s ascent to the majors nor his status as a prospect as the Rays are my adopted team, (the Cubs are my passion) but doesn’t Davis have at least better stuff? The stats one puts up are great but since the two never pitched in the same conditions you’re comparing apples to peaches. Both may be made in Georgia, but that doesn’t mean they’re alike

by 2883 on Sep 21, 2009 11:29 PM EDT reply actions