TimesDispatch.com | Betemit batters Pawsox
No, not the headline. (Though it’s surprising that Betemit is finally hitting.) Trey Hodges was supposed to start last night, but instead the Braves sold his contract to a Japanese team.
I’m outraged. It’s not like Hodges was ever going to be a star, but the Braves are sitting here with a bullpen where two pitchers, both of whom are possible free agents after the season, have been effective at all. They have Reitsma and Smith having a contest to see who can give up the longest home run, and Gryboski trying to see if he can set the major league record for walking the bases loaded. Juan Cruz is reportedly still in the bullpen, but sightings of him are so few and far between that they can’t be confirmed. And Hodges, a guy with less than one year’s major league service time, and who’s shown that he can be at least sporatically effective in the bullpen, is shipped to Japan? I can’t even blame Time-Warner for this one, it’s all the baseball guys’ problem. Sheesh.
Via NoPepper.
I wasn’t sure how to feel about this until I checked his stats. It’s funny because he and Travis Smith have almost identical lines for IP/K/BB lines. But the big difference is with HRs. Travis “Longball” Smith gave up 2, Hodges has gave up 9. Last year in majors he averaged 1.6 HRs per inning pitched, which is better than Smith’s current line but not good. My guess is that they are holding out hope that he can get his HRs under control in Japan…of course Korea didn’t seem to help Smith.
Hodges has been hurt. I assume that the Japanese didn’t take him if he was truly damaged goods, but I wouldn’t take what he’s done so far this year as certain proof of his ability. But mainly, I don’t see why the Braves couldn’t have given him a shot as a middle reliever — a role he pitched well in early last season before he wore down.
Hodges outpitched Base12 in the spring yet he ended up Richmond. Now to the land of the rising sun. I agree with Mac, I thought that he had potential to be at least what Juan Cruz is now for the minimum.
Word has it that McConnell has been called up, Almanza sent down. Want to see something spooky.
Pitcher: IP/K/BB/HR (in Richmond)
McConnell: 79/47/19/8
Hodges: 52/41/18/9
Smith: 51/42/13/2
McConnell is a lefty starter. I suspect he will only face lefties, which should cut down on HRs.