Ian Gardeck and Stephen Johnson are like two peas in a pod they are so similar as prospects. Hard throwing RHP's whose FB's have been clocked in triple digits and who kicked around a bit in college but got drafted for their velocity and upside. Both pitched at Low A Augusta last year with similar levels of success.
Ian Gardeck, RHP. 6'2", 215 lbs. DOB 11/12/1990.
Low A: 4-3, 3.21, 56 IP, 40 BB, 66 K, GO/AO- 1.71, 1 Save.
Gardeck had his ups and downs and as you can see, continued to have control issues. He did turn in a 1.35 ERA over his last 10 appearances but still had 8 BB's against 12 K's in that stretch. It's probably enough to get him promoted to San Jose for 2014 where I would expect him to continue pitching out of the bullpen trying to hone his game. Still very much a project.
Stephen Johnson, RHP. 6'4", 205 lbs. DOB 2/21/1991.
Low A: 5-1, 3.61, 52.1 IP, 30 BB, 71 K, GO/AO= 1.52, 8 Saves.
Johnson also had his ups and downs but seemed to settle in late in the season as he moved into a closer role when Tyler Mizenko faltered. He started off the season strong allowing 0 ER in 10 appearances in April but his ERA ballooned to 11.37 in May. It came back down to a manageable 4.15 in June and 3.24 in July. He finished up with a flourish going 3-0, 0.00, 12.2 IP, 6 BB, 15 K over his last 11 appearances in August and September. Looking over both stat lines again, Johnson's finish to the season seems a bit stronger so I probably should have ranked him ahead of Gardeck, but they are very similar in tools, current level of development and future ceiling. I also would expect Johnson to graduate to San Jose next year where he should team up with Gardeck, Tyler Mizenko and Dan Slania to a powerful right side of the bullpen.
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Usually, the Giants would have them try to ease back a bit on velocity to gain better control.
ReplyDeleteAnd better off speed pitches.
Easier said then done, I guess. But that's why they play the game...in order to get better and take control of their own careers by altering the stats-projected trajectories.
Johnson is the guy I like here. His late season performance really caught my attention, and looked good as the Greenjackets' closer. In his late-season Augusta rankings, David Lee called Johnson's slider arguably the best pitch on the staff. Even if he's not pumping the 98-99 mph fastball like he was known for in college anymore, that slider could really help him get moving. Although I will say, Lee's assessment of Gardeck wasn't too far off... but he ranked Johnson just behind the starters and Duffy, while Gardeck was the #11 honorable mention... for whatever that's worth.
ReplyDeleteJohnson had a 7.33 H/9 and batters slashed 220/338/328.
ReplyDeleteGardeck had a 7.07 H/9 and batters slashed 222/367/308
Both these guys cut those walks out, they have a bright future. That's tough.
What was the story about Mizenko? He started on fire, but then he faltered.
ReplyDeleteNot sure. I assume he got a tired arm or else the league developed a scouting report on him.
DeleteFrom David Lee, re: Mizenko at the end of the season: ."..he ran into bad luck, mental blocks and a need for rest down the stretch, which threw some of his second half out the window."
ReplyDelete