After yet another stellar performance by Cardinals' rookie Michael Wacha, it got me to thinking that a lot of teams and scouts surely missed the boat on this guy.
Baseball America listed him as the 4th best college pitcher in the 2012 draft and the 11th best pitcher overall.
After he was selected 19th overall by the Cardinals in the 2012 draft, MLB TV's John Hart projected him as a "mid-rotation starter with an elite change".
Then, despite a stellar minor league debut last year, in which he struck 40 batters in 21 innings, mostly in relief, scouts still weren't convinced.
In their preseason Cardinals Top 10 prospect list, Baseball America said of Wacha: "It’s easy to project him as a mid-rotation starter, and he could turn into something more if he finds a reliable breaking ball."
John Sickels of Minor League Ball in his scouting report stated that Wacha "projects as a number three starter, possibly more". While most scouts loved he fastball and change, but showed little praise for his curve or slider, Sickels at least felt that that Wacha's breaking pitches were "better than advertised".
Then, after Wacha's impressive spring training in which he hurled 11.2 innings without allowing an earned run, CBS Sports' Danny Knobler relayed one scout's impression of Wacha. According to that scout Wacha "might be a No. 2. He's at least a 3." He went on to say that Wacha's very good, but he's no Matt Harvey or Stephen Strasburg.
So, the consensus was that Wacha was a mid-rotation starter, perhaps as high as a number 2 starter, yet here he is pitching like an ace. In his last 3 games, including 2 starts in the postseason, he has thrown 22.2 innings, giving up only 7 hits, 5 walks and 1 earned run while striking out 26.
Could all the scouts have been wrong or will the league eventually catch up with Wacha and his stuff?
I, for one, am on the Wacha bandwagon and I'm sure many scouts are starting to jump on board too.
I think it may have something to do with Wainwright helping him out. Wainwright has the same body type, and the same downward motion. Wacha is a bit more over-the-top than Wainwright is. But the thing that matters is this: Wacha's curve and slider have gotten better this year. I think Wainwright teaching him and Wacha getting time in the minors to work on it in games helped as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it has a little to do with the scouts not seeing the potential, and a little bit with how much Wainwright has meant to his development. An assist by Molina doesn't hurt either.
You dont think Carpenter would have anything to do with this.......
DeleteI think having veteran pitchers around (and Molina) certainly have helped Wacha and the others.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine how good Wacha could be if he developed a curve like Wainwright's?
Having been a CARDINAL fan for over 60 years I have NEVER seen young talent equal to what the team has at present. St. Louis scouts have done an outstanding job. The minor league coaches and managers have been tremendous. Join this with the current major league staff, Carpenter, Wainwright, and Molina and success has been great!!! I look forward to watching this talent play for the years to come.
ReplyDeleteWacha is excellent but so are ALL the other young pitchers on the staff. Rosenthal blowing away the three hitters faced in the ninth and Seigrist is unbelievable. Miller had an excellent year and the rest that have done much to contribute to a great year!!!
YOU DON'T JUMP FROM COLLEGE BALL TO THE MAJORS.... I DONT CARE HOW MUCH HELP WAINO, CARPENTER, OR ANYONE ELSE GAVE THIS KID... HE HAD THE STUFF AND DID THIS ON HIS OWN
ReplyDeleteMike Leake comes to mind, as does Jim Abbot and Xavier Nady...
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