The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have invited two more players from their Player Development System to Major League Spring Training, right-handed pitchers Zach Putnam and Josh Judy. The addition of these two pitchers brings the total number of internal invites to nine and non-roster spring invitees to 18 for the 2010 Spring Training camp in Goodyear, Arizona.
Judy began last season at High-A Kinston, picking up three saves in five contests (0.00 ERA, 4.2 IP, 4 H, 7 K) before getting promoted to Double-A Akron for the rest of the year. He was 4-3 with 11 saves in 36 games for the Aeros, yielding a 3.10 ERA (49.1 IP, 35 H, 17 ER, 18 BB, 63 K) and limited Eastern League hitters to a .198 avg (35-177). In his final 19 games he allowed only three earned runs going 1-0 with 9 saves to close out the season (1.07 ERA, 25.1 IP, 13 H, 6 BB, 43 K). He pitched for the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League going 2-2 with a 1.59ERA in 11 games (17.0 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 8 BB, 20 K).
Putnam spent the majority of the year with Double-A Akron after starting five games for High-A Kinston to start the year where he went 2-0 with a 4.13 ERA (24.0 IP, 22 H, 11 ER, 5 BB, 23 K). After the call up to Akron he was converted to a reliever where he went 4-2 with 2 saves and a 4.13 ERA (56.2 IP, 59 H, 26 ER, 18 BB, 57 K). He also pitched for the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League going 0-1 with a 8.76 ERA in five starts (12.1 IP, 18 H, 12 ER, 18 K).
NON-ROSTER INVITEES (18)
PITCHERS
20 GOSLING, Mike, LHP
35 GRILLI, Jason, RHP
73 HERRMANN, Frank, RHP
80 JUDY, Josh, RHP
64 PINO, Yohan, RHP
81 PUTNAM, Zach, RHP
27 REYES, Anthony, RHP
56 RIVERA, Saul, RHP
79 WHITE, Alex, RHP
CATCHERS
65 ESPINO, Damaso
INFIELDERS
9 BUSCHER, Brian
76 CHISENHALL, Lonnie
12 GRUDZIELANEK, Mark
78 MILLS, Beau
6 RODRIGUEZ, Luis
74 ROMERO, Niuman
OUTFIELDERS
47 DUNCAN, Shelley
26 KEARNS, Austin
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Putnam, Judy Invited To Big League Camp
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4 comments:
I'm calling it right now. 3 Cy Youngs and 700 innings pitched by Zack Putnam BEFORE he reached arbitration. =)
Any projections as to who might make the roster out of these guys?
How likely is a rotation of Westbrook, Carmona, Masterson, Huff and Laffey exactly? I have a strong feeling that the Tribe will be picking guys to the rotation based on spring training performance, but what are the chances that guys fall off and get replaced?
I will go out on a limb and predict that neither Putnam or Judy leaves ST on the 25. It would not surprise me to see Judy get a call midseason. Tony probably has a better feel for the chances of the other invitees.
I think Westbrook, Carmona and Masterson are locks for the top 3 spots in the rotation if healthy. Huff has to show that he is the pitcher from the last 6 weeks of the season. My guess is Laffey goes to the pen and the 5th starter is between Sowers and Talbot to start the season.
The Indians are likely to be an entirely different team by August. Younger with more upside but it is pure speculation as to who goes where and when.
The only NRI guys who have a shot to make the opening day roster are Grudzielanek, Kearns, and Duncan. Duncan only if LaPorta opens the season on the DL, and Kearns if Brantley or Crowe are hurt. The only guy who has a legit chance as a favorite to make the team is Grudz as if he proves healthy and capable of playing, he should make the team as the utility guy (Bixler opens in Columbus as he has an option).
I agree with Inker in that barring injury that Westbrook, Masterson and Carmona are locks for the top three rotation spots. After that, anything can happen. Huff and Laffey have options remaining, so it is very possible they open in Columbus while the Indians sort things out with Sowers/Talbot....though I think at least one (or both) of Laffey/Huff makes the opening rotation.
Judy and Putnam are part of the next wave of bullpen arms coming.....and both have a chance to see time in Cleveland later in the year. They have jumped the likes of Wright, Wagner, Stiller, Tomlin, etc as more immediate bullpen options.
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