You're Waiting For a Train...

Friday, October 28, 2011

Cardinals 6, Rangers 2

Unreal. Analysis to come on one of baseball's most unlikely champions ever.

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #34 RHP Matt Langwell

6'2" 225 lbs, 25 in 2012

2011 Stats (Akron - AA/ Columbus - AAA): 5-1, 3.01 ERA, 3 SV, 1.31 WHIP, .237 OBA, 3.7 BB/9, 9.3 K/9

So, I bet that you're asking "Why is Langwell ahead of Cory Burns?" Thanks to his gaudy saves numbers, you might have heard of Burns, while Langwell is a virtual unknown. Then, taking a look at the statisitcs, Burns beats Langwell across the board, yet I consider Matt a better prospect. Let me explain why.

(1) True MLB stuff - Burns has been incredibly successful as a finesse/deception pitcher. This does not often translate to the bigs. Langwell, on the other hand, has a solid low 90's fastball, which he can consistently command in a variety of situations. Even more importantly, Matt possesses a true plus pitch: his heavy slider. In the minors this repertoire yielded a bunch of strikeouts and a 1.10 GB/FB rate. While 1.10 does not seem a large number, when you pair it with his K's, Langwell allowed just 35% flyballs in 2011. As he progresses towards the majors, more and more hitters wil make contact with his best pitch, but the swinging strikes will likely translate to grounders, keeping that flyball rate down and encouraging success out of the pen.

(2) Body/Delivery - Although Burns' 6'1" 180 lb frame is not a hinderance, Langwell's physique projects much better to the next level. Combine this with the more conventional delivery that Matt utilizes and concern for injury is much lower.

(3) Head/Mentality - I have already stated that it is unlikely that Burns will close for the Indians. Over this past year, it had become painfully evident that there is a stark contrast between the mindset of closing and that of setting-up. Langwell has a head start in this respect, having two full season of 7th and 8th inning work under his belt. Thereby, he is better mentally prepared for the role he would likely serve in the big leagues.

All of this being said, there is a rather low ceiling for Matt Langwell. While he could spend several years at the Major League level, sliding into a middle reliever spot, he just as easily might come up shy altogether. And he will turn 26 in May, so time is a-wastin. I do not expect him to challenge for a opening day roster spot.

Up Next: #33 - RHP Steven Wright

Pretty Girl Update! - Rose Byrne

This chick is friggin' everywhere. In house, custom screen caps btw. Don't say I never did anything for you. ;-j

Suicide Squeeze - Why We Love Soccer Girls

Cardinals 10, Rangers 9 (11 innings)

The Cards became the first team in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th and 10th innings. Oh, and the 11th. Win to Jake Westbrook, forever an Indian in my heart.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 10.28.11 - Brie Larson

Not that I have any interest in the Golden Gate, but there's something so damn sexy about a chick open to anything. Don't know wtf I'm talking about? You should probably watch The League.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pretty Girl Update! - Lindsay Lohan

Okay, so this is more of a prequel than a sequel, but old school Lindsay is way better than new.

Jade Bile

The hazy shade is the deepest hue that confronts me, while the words remain unintelligible. Every pool of water is slick with poison, another arsenic gumdrop teetering off of the never-ending ledge. I can no longer smell the sunshine, only the deep decay of a thousand still-born aspirations. The more houses fall, the more severe their concrete children rise.

Once upon a grey moon, all of this seemed entirely too convenient. All of my wishes granted in the most horrible manner possible. "Be careful," I was always told. The bright curtains burned, sheer blue-green flames of artificial nightmare. I got it, more what I asked than what we all deserved. To deny the entirety of existence, to refute the everything of everyone and to do so without impaling one's own self, is to invite a lifetime of agony. While bones may not break and organs may not fail, the absolute absence of commonality is beyond all conception of despair.

Take a memo: "Fuck off. I don't care."

Dictated, but not read.