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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
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Wright Said Fled
2007-12-06 08:00
by Jon Weisman

As Dodger Thoughts commenter Canuck Dodger predicted, the Dodgers lost lefthanded pitcher Wesley Wright in the Rule 5 draft this morning, to Houston.

Update: From Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Wright, who turns 23 next month, was a seventh-round pick in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. In 2007, he went 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA at Double-A Jacksonville, then struggled to a 1-2 record with a 9.18 ERA at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Dodgers management wasn't surprised that he was lost, but decided that he was a longshot to stick with any selecting club for the entire 2008 season and expected to regain his rights.

"He's a left-hander with good stuff and needs refinement with his command," said general manager Ned Colletti. "He pitched well at Double-A, but Vegas was a big leap for him, where the ballpark plays like a Little League field. We protected seven players, but took a chance with him." ...

In the Triple-A phase of the draft, the Astros took Dodgers Double-A pitcher Giuseppe Norrito, but the Dodgers then selected Houston Double-A left-handed pitcher Victor Garate. The Dodgers also lost catcher Juan Apodaca to Cincinnati in the Triple-A phase.

Comments
2007-12-06 08:40:24
1.   Sam DC
He was too sexy?
2007-12-06 08:55:06
2.   Eric Stephen
A headline writer's dream! Excellent.
2007-12-06 09:06:31
3.   Daniel Zappala
From BA:

"Wright ranked among the Dodgers' top 30 prospects in the 2007 Prospect Handbook, and was poised to climb near their top 20 this year after another solid season in 2007. Wright, who turns 23 next month, split 2007 between Double-A and Triple-A and finished his season with 16 consecutive scoreless innings out of Double-A Jacksonville's bullpen. He pitches off an 88-91 mph fastball that he has deft command of. His solid-average spike-curveball is his best secondary pitch, but his best attributes are his good feel for pitching and consistency, two things that major league managers covet. As a middle reliever or situational man, his ceiling is modest, but the Astros can use him right away"

What exactly is "feel for pitching"? I've seen this a couple times today. Does this mean choosing the right pitch in the right situation? Or something else?

2007-12-06 09:22:17
4.   al bundy
Interesting. Congrats to CD for nailing this. I had been reading pre-draft analysis looking for mention of Wright as a rumored Rule 5 pick but found none. CD was perhaps the only one talking about Wright.

Daniel, I think you've hit on the meaning of "feel for pitching." Maybe these other possible examples will help flesh out the meaning. Jim Tracy did not have a feel for managing. Ned Colletti does not have a feel for GM'ing.

2007-12-06 09:44:24
5.   dgrimes248
i always enjoy and admire comments posted by Canuck Dodger and i am wondering:
does he have his own blog where i can more of his insight?
thanks,
Butch
2007-12-06 10:02:30
6.   Daniel Zappala
4 But isn't the catcher primarily responsible for choosing the pitches?
2007-12-06 11:06:47
7.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
Re: 6

My impression is that the pitcher always has the final say on pitches--which is why I always found things like catcher's ERA dubious.

WWSH

2007-12-06 11:07:30
8.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
Re: 5

I think Canuck posts a lot on the scout.com board, or at least, used to, but I'm not sure.

WWSH

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