- CRAIG KIMBREL PITCHING REPERTOIRE PROFESSIONAL
- CRAIG KIMBREL PITCHING REPERTOIRE SERIES
- CRAIG KIMBREL PITCHING REPERTOIRE FREE
Were he to further reduce his BB/9 ratio in the direction of Kimbrel (who is 2 and 1/2 years older than Rondon) without compromising his power arsenal, he would no doubt become an elite closer.
CRAIG KIMBREL PITCHING REPERTOIRE FREE
Of course the Tigers would like to see Rondon’s free passes continue to trend downwards, but his progress in 2013, if maintained, is more than acceptable for a power pitcher of his ilk.
By 2013, Kimbrel’s BB/9 had dropped to 2.69, while Chapman’s was 4.10. For comparison purposes, Craig Kimbrel, the elite Atlanta Braves’ power-pitching closer, had a BB/9 ratio of 6.97 in his first year in the majors (2010). This is more in line with an effective power pitcher’s profile. That number was reduced to a still high combined 4.41 BB/9 at three minor league stops in 2012.Įncouragingly, Rondon continued to progress with his control in 2013, and posted a 3.70 BB/9 ratio in a combined 58 innings pitched with Toledo and Detroit. In 2011, at Class A West Michigan, he yielded an eye-popping 7.65 BB/9.
CRAIG KIMBREL PITCHING REPERTOIRE PROFESSIONAL
The good news for Tiger fans is Rondon has been cleared to resume throwing as of December and his elbow problem, at least at this point, appears to be in the rear-view mirror.įor one, as a professional he has shown a lack of control.Īlthough this is not unusual for young fireballers, it’s clear to become an effective MLB reliever, Rondon will have to reduce his historical BB/9 ratio.
CRAIG KIMBREL PITCHING REPERTOIRE SERIES
With that the Tiger prospects for a return to the World Series took a direct hit. Though there were rumblings regarding his prospective return during the playoffs, they never materialized. He returned with a vengeance in late September, where in one inning of work he whiffed three middle-of-order Minnesota Twins hitters in his most impressive appearance of the year.įollowing that outing, though, Rondon’s elbow tightness returned and he was wisely shut down for the season. Unfortunately, Rondon experienced elbow soreness following that outing and was shelved for the following three weeks.
His effectiveness extended into early September, highlighted by a dramatic strikeout of David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox on September 2nd. Rondon pitched well that month and even better in August. He began the season in Toledo, and did not log meaningful innings for the big club until July. Rondon got off to a shaky start in 2013, as he was unable to secure the closer’s job in spring training due to control issues. He is a bona fide flamethrower, as reflected in his combined 12 K/9 rate at Toledo and Detroit last year. Aside from the Cincinnati Reds’ Aroldis Chapman, no one consistently maintains such high velocity. A product of the sometimes maligned Tiger farm system, the Venezuelan was signed in 2007 and possesses one of the finest pure arms in baseball.įrequently piercing the century mark with his scalding fastball, Rondon pitches in rarefied air. If there is reason for optimism in the Tiger bullpen (aside from Joe Nathan), it is personified by Bruce Rondon. That slider can be especially devastating for hitters, who naturally have to start their swing earlier than usual to give themselves half a chance to catch up with Rondon’s heater. (You know you have outlier stuff when the speed of your 90 mph change-up exceeds that of your 88 mph slider). It averages 98-99 mph, and tops out at 103. Rondon’s primary pitch is a four-seam fastball, which he throws about two thirds of the time. Let’s take a look at Rondon’s 2013 numbers, his repertoire, and his strengths and weaknesses. Though Tiger hopes are high that Rondon can own the eighth inning and turn the game over to new closer Joe Nathan, that part hasn’t been established yet. However, to qualify as an authentic right hand man, he must be dependable. In his brief major league career, he has also shown the ability to help the Tigers with their work, as he flashed brilliance last year as a rookie. Twenty three year-old Detroit Tiger flamethrower Bruce Rondon certainly meets the first qualification, as he launches his 100+ mph fastballs from the right side. The dictionary defines a right hand man as “someone who helps you with your work and who you can depend on”. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Minneapolis, MN, USA Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Bruce Rondon (43) delivers a pitch in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
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