Statistical Analysis: Bullpen Usage

So clearly, the way the bullpen has been used this season has become somewhat of a theme here.

Currently, the bullpen has six pitchers in it.  Four of them have been with the Thunder all season.  All in all, the team has used nine different relievers this year, and that doesn’t count Mark Melancon’s presence on the roster.

As for the guys who are here, here’s a glance at how they’ve been used…

#34 Anthony Claggett - RHP

Claggett was called up to the Thunder on May 2nd.  Starting on May 3rd, he has pitched every five days.

Games Used/Games Available: 3/11
Innings Pitched/Total Bullpen Innings: 6.0/29.2*
Stats: 3 GP, 1-0, 0 SV, 1.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 2 BB, 5 K

#30 Michael Gardner - RHP

After being returned to the Yankees organization by the Padres, Gardner was assigned to the Thunder to start the season and has been with the team since Opening Day.  Prior to his appearance yesterday, he had made three appearances in a span of eight days before not pitching between May 10th and May 13th.

Games Used/Games Available: 13/39
Innings Pitched/Total Bullpen Innings: 23.1/121.2
Stats: 13 GP, 2-3, 4 SV, 3.09 ERA, 23.1 IP, 18 BB, 26 K

#45 Zach Kroenke - LHP

Kroenke returned to Trenton for the start of the season after an inauspicious start to his Double-A career in 2007.  He’s been with the team all season and has been used three times over the past 11 days.

Games Used/Games Available: 13/39
Innings Pitched/Total Bullpen Innings: 13.1/121.2
Stats: 13 GP, 2-0, 0 SV, 3.38 ERA, 13.1 IP, 7 BB, 16 K

Mark Melancon - RHP

Melancon was called up to the Thunder on May 13th.

Games Used/Games Available: 0/2
Innings Pitched/Total Bullpen Innings: 0.0/9.0*
Stats: N/A

#41 Josh Schmidt - RHP

Schmidt threw an inning for Triple-A Scranton in the April 1st exhibition game, but has been in a Thunder uniform ever since.  Has been used in two of the last five games after not pitching for 11 days.

Games Used/Games Available: 8/39
Innings Pitched/Total Bullpen Innings: 11.2/121.2
Stats: 8 GP, 1-1, 0 SV, 3.09 ERA, 11.2 IP, 7 BB, 8 K

#50 Eric Wordekemper - RHP

Wordekemper, the Florida State League’s Most Valuable Pitcher in 2007, has been in the Thunder bullpen for the entire season.  After being used on back-to-back days starting on April 26th, he had not pitched for seven days before pitching on May 5th, and then sat out another eight days before pitching two innings yesterday.

Games Used/Games Available: 13/39
Innings Pitched/Total Bullpen Innings: 15.1/121.2
Stats: 13 GP, 1-1, 5 SV, 4.11 ERA, 15.1 IP, 10 BB, 13 K

–

Courtesy of the Thunder Game Notes, I can tell you that coming into yesterday afternoon’s game, the Thunder bullpen had pitched a total of 117.2 innings.  They were 7-5 with a 2.91 ERA, allowing 38 earned runs and 52 walks over those innings.  They also struck out 128 and gave up five bombs. 

If you add the four innings that Gardy and Wordy threw yesterday, that’s a total of 121.2 bullpen innings available this year.  Percentage wise, of the guys who are still here, here’s a look at how they’ve been used in comparison to total bullpen innings available.

–

Michael Gardner: 23.1/121.2 (19.18%)
Eric Wordekemper: 15.1/121.2  (12.60%)
Zach Kroenke: 13.1/121.2 (10.96%)
Josh Schmidt: 11.2/121.2 (9.59%)

–

For Claggett, his six innings out of the 121.2 total are good for a 4.93% share of the total load.  However, not all of those innings were available to him considering he’s only been here for less than two weeks.

Since May 2nd, the team has needed 29.2 innings out of their bullpen.  If you’re looking at Claggett’s share based on that number, then he’s pitched the highest percentage of the innings available to him of any reliever currently on the staff, participating in 20.22% of the bullpen’s total innings since he joined the team.

Regardless, it’s still interesting that in three games, Claggett has pitched more than half as many innings as a reliever — Josh Schmidt — who’s been with the team the whole season.

Mark Melancon, who is highly likely to debut tonight, has had nine bullpen innings available during his two game stay in Mercer County, and has yet to throw a pitch.

–

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Video Killed The Writer

I know that I need to get some videos posted of Reegie Corona, Chris Malec, Mark Melancon and Eladio Rodriguez to have all the active players represented on the list of video links on the right side of the page.

But outside of that, what kind of videos would you guys like? I figure that if I’m there two out of the next three days, I should be able to get some good stuff…but perhaps I could try to fill a request or two.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Game 39: Portland @ Trenton

Game 39 - Portland Sea Dogs @ Trenton Thunder
May 14, 2008
Waterfront Park - Trenton, NJ

Pitching Matchup: TRE Phil Coke (2-1, 4.26) vs. POR Kris Johnson (3-1, 3.41)

Starting Lineups:

Portland

1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -

Trenton

1 - Russo
2 - Jackson
3 - Curtis
4 - Gonzalez
5 - Tabata
6 - Malec
7 - Mendoza
8 - Muich
9 - Corona

Pre-Game Notes: Justin Masterson, who made a spot start for the Red Sox earlier this year, is scheduled to start for Portland tomorrow night. He’ll face the undefeated Jason Jones.

Radio Links: Click here for the links to each team’s broadcast.

Live Box Score: The MILB.com direct link is here.

Around the Eastern League: For scores from around the EL, go here.

Final Score: 10-6, Sea Dogs

Post-Game Notes: Same criticism today as there was the other day…Eric Wordekemper hadn’t pitched since May 5th, so it’s hard to expect him to do any better than what he did today.

Thunder Thoughts: I will be at the ballpark again on Thursday, and likely Saturday as well.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Thunder Thoughts Tuesday Power Rankings

Is there a new number one in the power rankings?  And where does newly added Mark Melancon fall on the list?

Of course, feel free to discuss these rankings in the comments…considering, you know…they have no actual significance and are pretty much for the sole purpose of discussion.

1 - Chase Wright, SP (4)

Consistency gets Wright the #1 spot this week.  He’s won his last five decisions, and hasn’t allowed more than nine baserunners in a single start.  He isn’t the guy who’s going to blow you away with his numbers, but you know exactly what you’re getting every time he starts.

2 - Dan McCutchen, SP (1)

Cutch falls a spot after a rough start tonight.  He still has the best WHIP (1.06) and strikeout total (46) of any Thunder starter, and will likely rebound with a strong showing on Sunday afternoon now that he’s back to going on a regular amount of rest.

3 - P.J. Pilittere, C (2)

Pilittere is hitting a solid .311, and is making an impact at exactly the right time, considering the backlog of catching the Yankees organization now seems to have.

4 - Jason Jones, SP (5)

It’s like you could write the exact same thing about Jason Jones that you do about Chase Wright, except Jones does it with slightly less fanfare.  His 2.36 ERA is the best of the Trenton starters, but his lack of strikeouts and somewhat high K/BB ratio as a result prevents him from being any higher.

5 - Colin Curtis, OF (3)

Of the “Outfield of Dreams” trio, it was Curtis who came in with the least amount of fanfare.  But he’s had the best production, hitting .307 and driving in 20 runs.

6 - Austin Jackson, OF (6)

The top 5 were pretty easy, but this was where it started to get difficult.  A-Jack comes in sixth for the second consecutive week, but the same things that I wrote last week apply this week as well…he’s now gone 143 at-bats without a home run, and only has six RBI on the season.

7 - George Kontos, SP (9)

Oddly, despite not having allowed more than three earned runs in any start, Kontos is 1-4 so far this year.  It seems like he’s really starting to come around, walking only two and striking out 19 in his last two starts, despite going a combined 12 innings over the two outings.

8 - Anthony Claggett, RP (16)

Has only made three appearances so far since his call-up, but he’s been solid so far.  He’ll need to be, considering the Scranton Yankees have now plucked four relievers out of the Thunder bullpen (Hall, Jackson, Robertson, Cox).

9 - Kevin Russo, INF (15)

Has half as many at-bats as the everyday guys do, but it’s hard to argue with an .824 OPS.

10 - Ramiro Pena, INF (10)

While he’s cooled off from his relatively hot start offensively, Pena has still been able to hit consistently throughout the season.

11 - Cody Ehlers, 1B (7)

Ehlers leads the team with six home runs and may be the only legitimate power threat they have in the lineup.  His average sits at .234 however, and it’s hovered around there for the past two or three weeks now.

12 - Carlos Mendoza, INF (23)

Mendoza has only been able to get into ten games this season, but he’s made the most of his time, hitting .333 and posting an OPS of nearly .900

13 - Phil Coke, SP (12)

Coke has walked just one batter and struck out 18 in his last two starts, including a rain-shortened complete game win in Erie.

14 - Mark Melancon, RP (NR)

Literally hasn’t done anything in a Thunder uniform…yet.  Everything you read on the guy screams “see him while you can,” but nobody’s seen him do anything up here just yet.

15 - Edwar Gonzalez, OF (24)

I’m a little surprised at the amount of playing time he’s managed to receive during his short stint with the Thunder.  More or less, he’s done pretty well…but when/if Matt Carson is eventually sent back down, he’s bound to be the odd man out.

16 - Chris Malec, INF (18 )

In 100 at-bats, Malec has 25 hits.  You know what that makes his average, right?  If he hits .250 for the season, I’ll take it… 

17 - Zach Kroenke, RP (8 )

The resident bullpen lefty is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in 13 appearances this year.

18 - Jose Tabata, OF (13)

There would appear to be a fire lit under the rear of one Jose Tabata after his little incident.  His been one of the best players on the field ever since his involuntary vacation.

19 - Michael Gardner, RP (21)

Second on the team in walks with 16.  Were this not the case, he clearly has the stuff to be a candidate to become the fifth reliever headed to Scranton.

20 - Eric Wordekemper, RP (14)

Wordy hasn’t pitched in a while — not since May 5th, actually.  His stats remain the same since the last time I broke out the power rankings, and that’s not a good thing…

21 - Josh Schmidt, RP (19)

After being packed away in moth balls for a week or so, Schmidt returned to action and has struggled a little bit.

22 - Reegie Corona, INF (22)

Dear Thunder promotions department: Please have a giveaway of “Reegie Bars” sometime in the near future.  Thanks.

23 - Joe Muich, C (20)

I never know what to write about this guy.  I hide it well, though…

24 - Eladio Rodriguez, C (NR)

A catcher who converted to pitcher, then back to catcher for last year’s Israel Baseball League season.  Currently serving as the team’s third catcher…highly unlikely to see anything resembling significant playing time.

–

NEW ON THE BOARD: Mark Melancon, who has yet to throw a pitch in a Thunder uniform after being promoted from Single-A Tampa before Tuesday’s game.

Eladio Rodriguez, who will probably collect some dust as the team’s third catcher….

OFF THE BOARD: J.B. Cox, who was promoted to Triple-A Scranton

–

Week 1 Power Rankings
Week 2 Power Rankings
Week 3 Power Rankings
Week 4 Power Rankings
Week 5 Power Rankings

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Game 38: Portland @ Trenton

NEWS: Mark Melancon has been called up to Trenton, while J.B. Cox is headed to Scranton.

Game 38 - Portland Sea Dogs @ Trenton Thunder
May 13, 2008
Waterfront Park - Trenton, NJ

Pitching Matchup: TRE Dan McCutchen (4-2, 2.15) vs. POR Michael Bowden (2-3, 2.68 )

Starting Lineups:

Portland

1 - Corsaletti
2 - Suarez
3 - Daeges
4 - Wagner
5 - Otness
6 - Bates
7 - Khoury
8 - Hall
9 - Granadillo

Trenton

1 - Pena
2 - Jackson
3 - Curtis
4 - Gonzalez
5 - Ehlers
6 - Tabata
7 - Pilittere
8 - Malec
9 - Corona

Pre-Game Notes: Melancon was 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in 13 appearances for Tampa.

Radio Links: Click here for the links to each team’s broadcast.

Live Box Score: The MILB.com direct link is here.

Around the Eastern League: For scores from around the EL, go here.

Final Score: 7-1, Sea Dogs.

Post-Game Notes: A pretty disappointing start from Dan McCutchen.  He only lasted four innings, giving up six hits while walking five.  Good to see Jose Tabata showed up last night, looks like he was the only guy in the lineup who did, though.

Anthony Claggett, Zach Kroenke and Josh Schmidt each gave up at least one run in relief.  For Schmidt…in one breath, you can say he can’t pitch like that (six baserunners, six outs) and expect a regular chance, but in the next…how can you expect him to do any better if he isn’t getting regular action?

Thunder Thoughts: I will be at the ballpark again on Thursday…

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Trenton’s Off, And So Am I

The Thunder have the day off, and I’m taking the day off as well.  I’ll be back tomorrow, as the Thunder return home for a three-game series against the Sea Dogs.  It’s not looking like I’ll be at the ballpark until Thursday, but we’ll see how it goes…

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Futures Isn’t The Present For McCutchen

I recently asked Dan McCutchen about his thoughts on the possibility of pitching in the Futures Game, to be held this season at Yankee Stadium.

“(It) has not ever come into my mind,” McCutchen said.

“I don’t think I’d get invited. But it would be sweet.”

At 25, McCutchen would certainly be one of the older participants in the game. But to say that he doesn’t have the potential to be a future star at the highest level would be silly.

My guess is you’d see him and possibly Austin Jackson as the Yankees representatives. Each organization can have no more than two players in the game, but with the Yankees hosting the event, it would be shocking if they didn’t get the full allotment.

Game 38 (RAINED OUT): Trenton @ Akron

Game 38 - Trenton Thunder @ Akron Aeros
May 11, 2008
Canal Park - Akron, OH

Pitching Matchup: TRE Dan McCutchen (4-2, 2.15) vs. AKR Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.51)

Starting Lineups:

Trenton

1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -

Akron

1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -

Pre-Game Notes: The numbers may not be there for Lofgren, but this may be one of the better pitching matchups you see all year. According to Baseball America, Cutch is the Yankees 14th best prospect (no way he isn’t in the top 5 in 2009, by the way) and Lofgren is the Indians second best.

Radio Links: Click here for the links to each team’s broadcast.

Live Box Score: The MILB.com direct link is here.

Around the Eastern League: For scores from around the EL, go here.

Final Score:

Post-Game Notes:

Thunder Thoughts: Keep in mind that the Thunder have an off day tomorrow before coming back to Waterfront Park for a six-game homestand against Portland and New Hampshire.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Claggett Talks Trade

Everything changed for Thunder reliever Anthony Claggett when he was dealt from the Tigers to the Yankees on November 10, 2006.

In the deal, Claggett, Kevin Whelan and Humberto Sanchez were all sent to the Bronx in exchange for controversial future Hall of Famer Gary Sheffield.

Whelan is on the disabled list after a sub-par 2007 season, and Sanchez has still yet to throw a pitch under the Yankees vast umbrella of farm teams.

It’s Claggett who’s carrying their collective flag, marching on to Double-A after spending the first four weeks of the season on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

“That trade, I don’t know if it’s turned out too well so far,” said Claggett after a recent game.

“The other guys, they’re still rehabbing and I’m sure they’re going to come back strong.  They’re itching to come back.”

Despite being involved in such a high profile trade, the 23-year-old has never let it go to his head.

“There’s not any more pressure,” Claggett said.

“When it happened, I came over and they said they were happy to have me and everything.  I wouldn’t say there’s more pressure, but they might look at you a little different.  But they treat you like anybody else.”

If anything, the trade may have come at the perfect time for the righty, considering that only over the past several seasons have the Yankees been promoting from within and focusing on developing their farm system.

“When I got traded, I heard a lot of things about how they don’t bring guys up from the minor leagues,” Claggett admitted.

“But now that’s changing, and it’s good to be with them right now.  I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Game 37: Trenton @ Akron

Game 37 - Trenton Thunder @ Akron Aeros
May 10, 2008
Canal Park - Akron, OH

Pitching Matchup: TRE George Kontos (1-3, 3.79) vs. AKR Kevin Dixon (0-3, 5.97)

Starting Lineups:

Trenton

1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -

Akron

1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -

Pre-Game Notes: Sean Henn was claimed on waivers by the San Diego Padres.

The pitching matchup tomorrow is: TRE Dan McCutchen (4-2, 2.15) vs. AKR Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.51)

Radio Links: Click here for the links to each team’s broadcast.

Live Box Score: The MILB.com direct link is here.

Around the Eastern League: For scores from around the EL, go here.

Final Score: 3-1, Aeros 

Post-Game Notes:

Thunder Thoughts:

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com