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We talk about Libby, Oviedo, Thompson, Rondon, etc., but Jake kind of flies under the radar. He was the starting pitcher in the 2019 AAA All Star game and was a post season All Star on at least one rating service. Is he developing into a decent back if the rotation starter?
Is he developing into a decent back if the rotation starter?
His ERA has been around 5 and WHIP around 1.500 all year vs AAA hitters, so I would say no, not really. But he is a better option than whatever else we have in Memphis right now.
My personal opinion of Woodford is that he’s like the backup QB who throws a couple TDs against the second team opponent, or the position player who looks great in 300 PAs against ideally handed pitchers. He’s probably fine as a fill in starter from time to time or as a long man, but as a full time starter he’s not going to be good. And that’s ok…having depth that is usable in case of injury is fine. I’d call him a poor man’s John Gant.
Sometimes players develop a new pitch, or decide to change the grip on existing pitches and show marked improvement.
I didn’t see him pitch last night. What did he do well to keep opposing batters off stride?Woodford has been with the organization for a good while and I have always wondered about what they see in him.
Not that there is nothing to see, but rather, the sort of thing the organization seems to want to see from the teenage pitching recruit types has never been there. That being the ultra high strike out rate through the lower levels of the system.
He has always had a pretty pedestrian K rate and allowed too much traffic on the bases. More like what they get from later round fringy college pitchers, not a first round high schooler.
But the fact that he is not cut from the usual cloth does give me some hope for him.
I like Woodford, and would like to see him slotted as a regular starter the rest of the way to see how he performs.
We are more-or-less out of the post season hunt – not mathematically, but us and the Phillies are probably the two worst of the four teams competing. San Diego should run away from the pack, but have not done as well as expected, and are in a tough division.
Still, I would give Woody the ball and have him audition for 2022.
Last night Woodford was spotting the ball really well while staying within the strike zone. I thought his changeup was his best pitch. But I don’t think he has a true out pitch.
Jake will be a solid starter in MLB. He needs more starts and innings. His stuff is getting better all the time as he is a tireless worker. For most of his career he was mainly a sinker ball pitcher, only recently has he mixed in a good 4 seam and curveball. He can ramp up to 95-96, but sits around 90-93 which increases his control, which we all know is crucial to any pitcher; has proven in his last outing.
I have been a fan of Woodford for a few years now. I have consistently ranked him in the top 15 or maybe even top 10 in our prospect rankings. I once compared him to Lance Lynn. Now that may have been a tad optimistic but I still think he could be a solid number 4 starter in the big leagues. I don’t know if he will earn a rotation spot out of ST next year but if not he should be on the short list to step in in case of an injury.
Woodford looked pretty good, again, vs one of the top teams in MLB..!!!
Gaining confidence with his off speed stuff!Similar to Ponce and Gomber really… not much love but kept pushing and providing results that people coudln’t deny
MLB pitcher no doubt….the “fringy 5 starter” or “long man” or “piggy backer” or “opener” or whatever it is being called is becoming an ever-increasing and important role in baseball.
Woodford has talent and his willingness to embrace what roles he is given and the yoyo-ing potentially inherent can make him not just an MLB pitcher but perhaps even an important and valuable one
Woodford is again, flying under the radar… and has done well again in the first month this year.
But because he sits 92-94 with his fastball, thats not good enough for the metrics people of the world. I thought it came down to getting outs and limiting runs.? His repertoire is that of a starter with average or above avg. pitches: 4 seam, sinker, curveball, change and slider.
He simply needs more innings to stay sharp. His lack of use does not make any sense. If you want to see guys pitch, or want to ramp someone up..thats what AAA is for, not during games that count! Woodford needs a concrete position, whatever it is, he will embrace it and have success.
Just my opinion.I agree, Lee. He just needs a role to settle into, whether that be as a starter or long reliever. Why they’ve given innings to Brooks, Wittgren, Naughton, and VerHagen without giving more to Woodford is a real mystery. Maybe he’s asked to be traded and they’re shopping him.
Woodford is controllable for many more years, while the veterans are not. I’d guess that’s the reasoning. He must have had some slight injury to not get the outings lately though.
Agree with that, 25, but the other guys haven’t been very effective. And do they expect Woodford to remain effective if he doesn’t get the work?
I too would like to see Woody get more opportunities. The organization is always all ga-ga over Jordan Hicks and his 100 mph tosses, but the guy has had trouble staying on the field.
Throw Woody out there more often and see what he can do. Seems to do well most of the few chances he gets.
Woodford is really good. But like others have said, he is under utilized. I don’t know if he will ever be more than a 4th or 5th starter but either would be a fine role. Though there isnt anything wrong with the long relief role either, but those guys need some work in between those occurrences to be at the top of their game.
I like Woodford a lot, too. He’s made himself a much better pitcher than he was when the Cardinals drafted him. I’m guessing that the reason Brooks, Wittgren, Naughton, and VerHagan are getting innings is so that Marmol can figure out which two of them are going to be sent down on May 1. I don’t think they’re considering sending Woodford down at this point.
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