Daniel Bard throws wicked hard — but the Yankees have their own version, too
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 04, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
The much-heralded Daniel Bard of the Red Sox:
38 appearances, 42.1 innings, 33 hits, 16 earned runs, 18 walks, 56 strikeouts, 4 home runs. Very impressive for the 24-year-old.
Then we have this 24-year-old player:
41 appearances, 40 innings, 34 hits, 15 earned runs, 21 walks, 60 strikeouts, 4 home runs.
Who might that be? Do not sleep on Dave Robertson, folks.
————–
Thanks to loyal reader Ross for pointing that out to me.
Wicked hard ? I thought this was a New York forum.
So now do we need to come up with our own stupid rhyme for Robertson?
8^)
What about inherited runners scored? How do the two compare?
Numbers don’t lie.
I like this David Robertson. The only thing he hasn’t got is a hype machine.
Adam, good point. Inherited runners (at least earlier in the season) and walks have been his only downfall. Once he gets those under control, I think he’s going to be very valuable.
benfica-
SS the Captain, my MVP
LF Erica’s PBF
1B Tex
3B A-rod
DH Godzilla
C Posada
2B Cano
LF Swishy
CF Melky
someone has to go w/ the regular line up!
thanks
Daniel Baaahhhhd throws wicked haaaaahd?
Bard may be the only minor leaguer the sox touted that has actually showed promise, besides buchholz i guess.
I keep waiting for someone to point out that 3 of buchholz’s 4 wins come vs. toronto. Can he beat anyone else?
The difference: the around the clock PR propaganda by ESPN casting Bard as the next Goose Gossage.
Great comparison.
What’s amazing about Robertson is, he’s throwing harder than he was earlier in the year with more downward plane on his fastball.
Pete, perhaps you can talk to Dave Eiland and find out if this is something they have worked on with him.
I saw him pitch a few years ago when he was a draft and follow guy in the Cape and he sat 93-95 for most of that season.
As a pro, he usually sat 91-92. He has more jump on the fastball now.
I’ve had ML players tell me the difference between a guy throwing 91-92 to 94-95 is more than just a few MPH.
Its a feeling that the ball “jumps” as it heads toward the plate when the velocity has that uptick to it.
For a relief pitcher, its the difference between a strikeout and a ball that’s either fouled back or put in play.
SJ44 i have a question for you regarding your nephew..
has/have there been any discussions with the pirates about what their plans are in next years draft? They currently have the 3rd worst record in baseball – and have an outside chance at either the second or maybe even the first pick – so Bryce Harper may be very much available when they pick..
i know we are talking about a guy that is 5 or 6 years away from even sniffing the majors but does that come into play concerning your nephews future with the porates in case they do get harper? (of couse i’m not saying harper is or may become better than your nephew but from what i’ve read ALL the tools are their for superstardom)
Aaaaahh.. I was going to scold you for hyping Dunn with nary a major league appearance!
Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
Not a big Bard fan because he’s un-Joba and un-Phil like out of the pen.
And I underappreciated Robertson early in the season. But those K numbers are attention worthy, even though he doesn’t throw wicked hard like Bard.
I think Robertson lost velo when they were switching him from slider to curveball. I think after throwing all those curveballs, it took him a lot of regular work to get his old fastball back. Now it’s back and he’s still got the curve.
Homeruns Bard has given up this year:
Longoria
Damon
Tex
Swish
Doesn’t seem to pitch as well against the rivals.
No, the Pirates haven’t even talked about next year’s draft.
At this point, all teams are doing right now are compiling lists for next year and going over their summer scouting reports on players.
Teams aren’t that far along thinking about the 2010 Draft.
I would say the Pirates chances of drafting Bryce Harper, and dealing with Scott Boras again, are practically nil.
They went down that road with Pedro Alvarez. They won’t consider traveling down that road again.
My nephew has the Carolina League playoffs and one Instructional League session (Sept 29-Oct 17) left on his calendar for this season.
After that, its off-season until ST in Bradenton in February.
Bard’s numbers were much more immpressive until he hit a wall since last month.. He gave 3 homeruns within a span of a week or so.. Bard gets more attention because ESPN and their mouthpiece peter gammons keep mentioning him all the time whereas no one other than the yanks fans know about Robertson.. I hope he changes that in the playoffs..
Checking out the wiki entry on ‘Murderers’ Row’ I came across this bit:
“In a July series against the Washington Senators, the Yankees beat their opponents 21-1 in one game and prompted Senators’ first baseman Joe Judge to say, “Those fellows not only beat you but they tear your heart out. I wish the season was over.””
That, to me, could have just as easily come from the 2009 Yankees. This year’s team is a player shredder.
Nice Pete.
Saw him interviewed for the first time last night. Wondered why the girls don’t go Ga Ga over him.
Anyone see that Football game last night!
Robertson is > than Bard.
I’m fine with no one talking about Robertson. Let him go pitch without the hype and wipe the floor with Bard and co.
I like Bard and I think he’s going to end up being the Sox closer in 2010 or 2011 because I don’t think Papelbon will be there for the long term.
What’s interesting about Bard is his first year as a pro mirrored Brackman’s year this year. He was awful and couldn’t find the plate. They made some adjustments with him and he became a fast mover through the system.
It will be interesting to see if Brackman can do the same next year.
Brackman is a future reliever. Not going to start for the Yankees.
hardwired,
Did you see Phil Hughes’ strikeout of Luke Scott in the 10-2 “save”?
About 10 different emotions flashed across his face. Looked like he couldn’t get to the dugout fast enough.
Another reason why Robertson’s under the radar, well 2 reasons, really. First, there’s Joba & Phil. Second, he wasn’t a big-time prospect like Bard was.
But I’m glad he’s found his comfort zone. And SJ is right about Robertson being sneaky fast. Singleton made the comment recently about how the ball is right on top of the players before they know it.
I can’t wait until the Red Sox head back home, and the entire place can stare at the standings board in left.
this late in the season, a lead this large is a gut punch.
Robertson is just one of a litany of Yankee players that have stepped up to embody pivotal roles when little was expected from them at the start of the season.
The Yankee pleasant surprise team:
Brett Gardner
Melky Cabrera
Alfredo Aceves
Phil Hughes
Ramiro Pena
David Robertson
Francisco Cervelli
Nick Swisher
Phil Coke
Add to that above average or career years from Damon, Rivera, Jeter,Sabathia, Teixera, Posada, Pettitte, Cano and you have yourself one hell of a ballclub.
Mo
Phil
Ace
Robertson,
Coke, Bruney, Marte
Home
Inbox Sent
0 more result since you started searching. Refresh to see them.
Jerry_Remy#RedSox & Buchholz picked good time to take series in Tampa-with 29 gms left & 7.5 behind Yanks wild card is greatest invention ever!-Jerry
___
Is it bad i actually like jerry Remy?
Papelbon gets dealt over the winter and Bard takes over as the closer.
SJ, congrats! I’m happy to hear Tony is moving up. Good luck to him!
And that was a great story about you meeting Mrs. Gehrig while you were in college.
We think Brackman’s going to be a reliever now?
Often, when Hughes dominates out of the pen, posters here comment, “If Hughes goes into the rotation in 2010, who is gonna do what he does?” Could be D. Rob. If he gets his BB under control a bit he could be the EIG.
Interesting comparison of Bard and Brackman.
Also worth noting that Brackman has been MUCH more effective lately, pitching out of the bullpen, than he’d been as a starter.
I think the prediction about Bard replacing Papelbon as closer is right on. We might even see that pretty soon. If the Bosox don’t make the WS this year (and I don’t think they will), I’m not going to be surprised to see them trade Papelbon in the off-season and promote Bard.
“Is it bad i actually like jerry Remy?”
It’s not IMO. I think he’s one of the 3 or 4 best in the game. One of the few color guys who doesn’t mind taking shots at the home team when warranted.
Sickels needs to open his eyes and watch Robertson. His latest ratings clearly shows he missed the boat on David Robertson and other Yankee prospects.
1 hr left of GTLU
“Saw him interviewed for the first time last night. Wondered why the girls don’t go Ga Ga over him.”
My 14 year old daughter took notice last night.
I think Robertson would have shot up the draft board had he gone back to college for his junior year. That was a great signing. He had some great hitters look silly on the Cape.
I’m going to be heretical here–I think Papelbon hits free agency after 2011. If Mo is ready to hang it up then, I wouldn’t be opposed
And another thing. About Hughes moving back into the rotation, folks should remember Mark Melancon.
Many see Melancon as a future closer. Some see him as a set-up guy. No one sees him flaming out. He’s got great stuff and a great attitude. He was a little bit up-and-down in his performances this year, but it’s also his first year after TJ surgery. I see good things for him in the future. He’s got a +heater and a ++curve, and two other pitches he can throw for strikes.
Hughes should be moved back into the rotation for 2010, giving the Yanks a potentially lethal starting rotation of CC, AJ, Hughes, Pettitte, Joba. Robertson+Melancon in the bullpen along with a healthy Marte, and Mo.
Not bad at all.
m,
that was pretty sweet watching Phil toy w/Luke Scott. I understand the thought process that puts him back in the rotation, but while it lasts this run in the bullpen is a thing of beauty. Phil Hughes is just nasty when he can give max effort on every pitch.
I gotta say, I’m a fan of Jerry Remy too.
“My 14 year old daughter took notice last night.”
I have a 15 year old neice that would never let on that she cares about that stuff.
seems like a good kid.
I hope he gets some attention now – as opposed to playoff time when it may be overwheling to him.
I thought this post was about Brackman.
Joe is Hell bent on fixing Brunney.
K-Rob
Uncle Ellsworth (#2 needs 8 to tie #4)
Joe is Hell bent on fixing Bruney.
___
It’s not possible.
Billy, SIckels did not do new ratings. Those are his PRESEASON ratings with new comments.
Richie
September 4th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Uncle Ellsworth (#2 needs 8 to tie #4)
Joe is Hell bent on fixing Bruney.
___
It’s not possible.
–
Anything is possible. The sun will come out tomorrow the glass is half full in the the best of all possible worlds.
I thought one of the most annoying things Gammons ever said/wrote was how “Bard” is a perfect name for Boston.
Last time I checked Shakespeare, the “bard” I think Gammons was referencing was from England, not Boston.
This comparison with Robertsen is another example of how the media make Boston prospects/players out to be “all that’s right and good in the game”.
Now that Pete posted this comparison, let’s see Gammons run it and give the Yankees credit for a very talented homegrown reliever.
Dave’s done a great job this season and had to earn his role since Girardi honestly didn’t trust him at first. He had more faith in Edwar, Veras and Alby at one point.
I think I saw the difference in Robertsen when Hughes started thriving as a reliever. I think he emulated Hughes approach and began attacking it’s paid off.
Joe is Hell bent on fixing Brunney.
___
Bruney can be fixed. In April, he was lights out. The talent is there, he just needs to trust his arm and trust he can get people out on the plate.
Being up this much allows Girardi to keep playing him. I dont mind if it helps him fix it come october.
Uncle Ellsworth (#2 needs 8 to tie #4)
Bruney = Farnsworth (massively inconsistent, and a tease when he pitches well)
“Sickels needs to open his eyes and watch Robertson. His latest ratings clearly shows he missed the boat on David Robertson and other Yankee prospects.”
He hasn’t updated his rankings since December 2008. His latest Yankees article has those preseason rankings and grades with comments about how each players has performed this year. He clearly states this several times in the article. Might want to get your eyes checked.
For all intents and purposes, the Rays appear to be waving a white flag.
Their ownership being budget conscious, may consider dealing Carl Crawford in the offseason or wait until next year’s 7/31 trading deadline.
They have 2 Grade A outfield prospects in Desmond Jennings and Fernando Perez under cost control for several years.
They’ve started clearing salary space already by dealing Scott Kazmir.
My Line Up:
Jeter
Damon
Tex
A-Rod
Matsui
Cano
Swisher
Cervelli
Damon LF
Swisher RF
Teixeria 1B
Rodriguez
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera RF
Pena SS
Jeter DH
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
ARod 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Pena SS
cousin bob, i need postitions
cousin bob, i need postitions
Damon LF
Swisher RF
Teixeria 1B
ARod 3B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera RF
Pena SS
No, I don’t want to see that loser Papelbon on this team. He is a big mouth know nothing.
“Bard” sounds like “bad” with a thick Boston accent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bard
Richie: fair enough. Yanks have the luxury to find out this month.
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Tex 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Hinske LF
Melky CF
Ok Reno, my eyes are good enough to read the O’Neill banner.
“Bruney = Farnsworth (massively inconsistent, and a tease when he pitches well)”
Sounds about right. Perhaps more injury prone than Farnsworth, but the occasional flashes of brilliance combined with baffling inconsistency is what he’s been all about.
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Teixeria 1b
A-Rod 3B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Hairston 3B
Cabrera CF
Brackman hasn’t walked anyone in his last 3 appearances out of the BP. If he can maintain his control, & his health, I could see him as a Sept. call up next season out of our bullpen.
It is amazing how hyped up Bard gets. No doubt he has a great arm. But Robertson is having a great year and doing it pretty much under the radar.
Dave Robertson is having a break through year. His fastball has been electric he was always known for the great curve ball but now his fastball is a plus pitch. He has gotten a ton of strikeouts on his fastball. Once he cuts down on the walks he will become one of the better setup man in the league.
Its is funnny that Edwar and Albaledejo made the team out of the spring over Robertson. I bet Girardi/Cashman wont make that mistake again next year.
Why are so many people putting Damon leadoff? Do they know something we don’t?
did girardi decide to go back to damon first and jeter second?
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
A-rod 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Melky CF
nevermind i am an idiot, we are projecting jeter sitting tonight. its been a long day.
“Brackman hasn’t walked anyone in his last 3 appearances out of the BP. If he can maintain his control, & his health, I could see him as a Sept. call up next season out of our bullpen.”
Nardi has said he will be a starter for Tampa next year. They clearly want to try him as a starter first and foremost. It’s easy to pan him after looking at his starts but this is the first time he’s pitched in a long time.
Boston’s farm team is terribly overrated, Bard is decent but what else do they have. On that note I would say Theo is as well. Anyone notice how “white” the sox are. dont think they have more than five black/hispanic players.
My Line Up:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
A-Rod 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cervelli C
Sorry for the omission, benfica356
“They have 2 Grade A outfield prospects in Desmond Jennings and Fernando Perez under cost control for several years.”
Perez is definitly NOT a “Grade A outfield prospect”
perez is basically a slightly older gardner clone…
is brett a “Grade A outfield prosepct?”..no
Gardner’s minor league career line: .290/.389/.385 154 sb out of 185 chances
Perez: .289/.375/.402 199 stolen bases out of 267 chances
plus gardner has performed well in the majors..
RISP stats
Dan Bard
.151/.273/.226 (68 PA)
David Robertson
.235/.328/.373 (58 PA)
RISP w/ 2 outs
Dan Bard
.115/.324/.231 (34 PA)
David Robertson
.300/.417/.467 (36 PA)
Let’s not go crazy folks. They are two completely different pitchers with men on base.
Billy
September 4th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
“Brackman hasn’t walked anyone in his last 3 appearances out of the BP. If he can maintain his control, & his health, I could see him as a Sept. call up next season out of our bullpen.”
Nardi has said he will be a starter for Tampa next year. They clearly want to try him as a starter first and foremost. It’s easy to pan him after looking at his starts but this is the first time he’s pitched in a long time.
===
Yes, I read that Ashmore update, too. With his stuff, of course they project him as a starter, so no surprise there. That does not preclude him from being a Sept. callup and coming out of our pen, in fact, bank on it if all goes well. He’s on the 40-man and there’s no way he won’t see some BP time. He certainly won’t come up in 2010 as a starter – way too soon.
Melancon, Robertson, and Albaladejo will all have their chances to make the team out of Spring Training next year. Hopefully they do well in the post-season to give them a taste of that atmosphere. If they do well, they stand a great chance.
If the Rays dangle Crawford due to financial concerns, I’d hope the Yankees grab him for LF in a heartbeat. We have enough catching talent and pitching talent in the minors to entice Tampa Bay. However, it would factor into whether I keep Damon and/or Matsui, as well as what to do with the trio of Gardner, Melky, and A-Jax.
Saint
^^^Another thing about Brackman: although he essentially has a 2, a 4 and two types of CBs, he has best command of his 2 and his tighter curve. To be a starter, he’s going to have to have better command. He has great, great stuff, but really doesn’t have a true 3rd pitch.
Brackman, actually, long range, projects far more appropriately as a reliever than Joba, with his 4 plus arsenal, ever did.
Now, his command can improve, and some of his issues might be chalked up to arm fatigue. It’s so early in his development. Throwing 100 mph, however, and being on the 40-man, however, bode very well for him appearing out of our BP next season.
Heck, that was discussed by Contreras for this season, before he showed just how raw he was in terms of his progress.
You really think he’s going to make that jump? You are talking about him as if the Yankees will be desperate for bullpen arms. They have a lot of depth in the pen. Brackman can work on trying to throw strikes in Charleston or Tampa before even thinking about any higher levels. As for throwing 100, I saw him this year struggling to break 90. He’s a great talent for sure. The Yankees have been patient and don’t look for that to change next year.
“RISP stats
Dan Bard
.151/.273/.226 (68 PA)
David Robertson
.235/.328/.373 (58 PA)
RISP w/ 2 outs
Dan Bard
.115/.324/.231 (34 PA)
David Robertson
.300/.417/.467 (36 PA)
Let’s not go crazy folks. They are two completely different pitchers with men on base.”
Holy small sample sizes, Batman!
seeing what the rays bullpen has done all year and especially the last 3 games vs the redsox i would think 3 bullpen arms (coke, melancon, albaladejo or bruney) and ajax should be enough to get crawford and his 10 million dollar contract….
the players they got for kazmir didn’t knock anyone’s socks off – and did you see the trop wasn’t even half full last night – this against the team they are chasing for the WC in the middle of a playoff race…saving that 10 million and getting decent players back is what they would be looking at more than anything else – unlike the bluejays who will get nothing for rios and halladay the way JP ricciardi rolls..
How fast do Dunn’s and Robertson’s fastballs top out at?
Daniel Bard = Kyle Farnsworth. 100mph of straight fastball. Daniel Bardsworth if you will.
“Holy small sample sizes, Batman!”
Well, they both have SSS. So it’s not really unfair to Robertson, whom I guess you are defending.
ANSKY
September 4th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
How fast do Dunn’s and Robertson’s fastballs top out at?
—————————————–
Robertson fastball topped out at 95 mph. His fastball hit 95 three times yesterday according to gameday. Dunn has topped out at 97 mph.
Not that I believe those RISP (SSS) are indicative of future production. I’m just stating some more numbers that you look at when judging relievers that PA failed to mention.
Small difference between Bard and Robertson – velocity as in 100 vs. 93. Oh, lets not forget where the innings came from: Bard – 7th and 8th; Robertson – mop up time. A better comparison would be with Hughes.