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Greg Holland threw to hitters today, will pitch in Palm @GoPBCardinals opener on Thursday, if all goes well will do so again on Saturday. If that also goes well, will join the #STLCards on Monday…
— Brian Stull (@StullySTL) April 2, 2018
The Cardinal Nation's team of reporters cover all 7 #stlcards minors affiliates locally. Our Ryan Finkelstein filed his report on Greg Holland's @GoPBCardinals debut last night, including pitch offerings and velo. (free) https://t.co/5sFGqgaTKA pic.twitter.com/xycnCkEMjw
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) April 6, 2018
Holland officially activated. Mayers optioned to Memphis.
Something looked wrong about Holland. I thought he threw harder than what he showed last night, and he threw a ton of sliders. He threw 90-92.
Two singles and an RBI ground out were not nearly as a bad as you keep making it out to be.
It would be a lot more meaningful if you had noted concern before his first MLB game, rather than after. Second-guessing is much easier now.
Personally, I had no issue with the timing of Holland’s arrival. My concern was with when he was used in his first game and most importantly, how long Matheny stayed with him.
Brian you remind me of Al Hrabosky and that’s not a good thing. He, like you, ignores performances.
Its interesting he had a shaky inning in Palm Beach and then falls apart in his next game. That can’t be correlated at all…all is fine…nothing to worry about.
GO back and check the MILB threads,Brian, because I did note my concern. THis isn’t me Monday morning quarterbacking. Go back and check the threads before criticizing me.
Holland’s problem in his StL debut was throwing strikes.
In his two rehab games, 16 of his 26 pitches went for strikes. Hitters batted just .182 (2-for-11) against him (both singles), he gave up no walks and struck out two.
That is far more data than has been offered on the other side of the argument, so I do not understand the “ignoring performances” assertion.
Nothing in this suggests much concern, IMO.
P.S. I did go back and check the minor league thread. You said that his second outing was not as sharp as his first, which was true. You also wondered if he should be called up, so you were on record about that. I stand corrected.
On a general point, if you like to make hot takes, you have to be ready to deal with some questioning about them. But please do not digress into personal digs. Keep the discussion on baseball and all will be good.
It is way too early to freak out about Holland. He basically had zero spring training. Let’s give him a minute to get his footing. Hopefully MM will utilize him in a setup role for awhile until he is ready for the 9th. Let’s leave the high leverage situations to Hicks and Norris for now.
I said basically the same thing as far as easing Holland in but was told that if he is on the roster Matheny should be able to use him right away. I suggested Norris as well. So Holland is the closer and if he is not ready that’s too bad Matheny will use him as the closer if he fails that’s on him.
That was what I said and Holland has had years of experience and should know what it takes to be effective.
My point was that Holland threw more sliders than fastballs, which shows an alarming lack of confidence in his fastball. And his velocity was down from last year. As far as using him that night, I don’t have a problem with that.
Holland has always had a penchant for throwing his slider ~ 40% of the time, 50% last year.
However, he still sat 92 MPH with his fastball yesterday. He trusted it a lot more than the last time out though so that’s a positive. Still, that velocity needs to tick up for him to be effective. He sits at 95 MPH for his career.
I must say that I love our bullpen this year. We’ve always had the depth and a good mix, but this year we have some elite arms.
Columnist Ortiz wants Holland to go down to the minors.
Bikemike, you saw Holland in Colorado. Did he have trouble in the cold weather with them?
Ortiz: Cardinals must ask Holland to consider return to minors https://t.co/bCiODoIBLc via @stltoday #STLCards
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) April 18, 2018
It is time for Holland to develop an “injury” so he can go on a rehab assignment. I assume that is the only way he can go to the minors correct?
He can accept being optioned but it can’t be forced on him. He is not obligated to accept a rehab assignment either.
Well if he doesn’t go to the minors I wouldn’t let him pitch any later than the 6th inning until he proves he is ready. That way if he gives up 3 runs in the 6th we still have time to recover.
Holland’s pitches had a lot of sharp, late movement, and they weren’t wild, just a few inches too low.
I’m guessing that he doesn’t need to go back to the Minors to correct that.There’s too much of a track record for Holland suggesting that he’ll get things turned around. The nice thing is that the bullpen has enough arms that it isn’t imperative that he does. Still, it would be good to have him get back to career norms and be the “closer.” Then use the best arms to get us to the 9th, hopefully without needing a lot of Bowman.
Am i correct or incorrect in assuming that holland got simulated game experience in the FA spring camp in fort myers? ( or wherever it was?)
Or was his rehab in west palm his first experience this year?
I think sending him down would be foolish, i admittedly didnt have time to read the article but we need the pen help and his leash should be long
A long leash? How many games should we let him blow while we are waiting for him to get it together? Losses in April still count. I would have him on an extremely short leash until he proves he is ready.
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