Utilizing
a riding fastball and a hard, hard breaking ball, Frascatore limited
opposing hitters to a .193 batting average in his 32 post-All
Star game appearances.
|
|||
There are lots of questions about the righthanders in the Cardinals bullpen.
Last year's closer, Dennis Eckersley, is wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform.
Last year's set-up man, T.J. Mathews, and last year's spring training bullpen hopeful, Eric Ludwick, were sent packing in the Mark McGwire trade.
Brought in to serve as the 1998 closer?
Jeff Brantley, the 1996 National League Fireman-of-the-Year winner.
But Brantley picked up but one save in '97 before his season ended in June when he underwent shoulder surgery,.
The back-up closer?
Whispers that second-year pro Braden Looper is up to the task seem a tad unrealistic for the hard-throwing former first-round draft choice...
Curtis King?
His 1997 maiden big league effort, while successful, was one in which he allowed 38 hits in 29 innings.
Mark Petkovsek?
His arm and versatility make him most suited for long relief and occasional fill-in work as a starter.
Ken Bottenfield?
Kind of a Petkovsek clone...but the fact that Bottenfield called Wrigley Field home in 1997 should be enough to send shudders through the average Redbird booster.
Which leaves John Frascatore.
Utilizing
a riding fastball and a hard, hard breaking ball, Frascatore limited
opposing hitters to a .193 batting average in his 32 post-All
Star game appearances.
Long the owner of one of the most prized arms in the Cardinals organization, all but one of Frascatore's first 80 appearances as a Cardinal minor leaguer (1991 in Hamilton, and 1992 in Savannah) were in relief.
Then, in 1993 and 1994, all but two of Frascatore's appearances (at Springfield, Arkansas, Louisville, and St. Louis) came as a starting pitcher.
Evidently, those in charge of pitchers in the Cardinals organization just couldn't make up their minds about how best to use Frascatore's skills, because in 1995 and 1996, in 64 appearances at Louisville (AAA), he made 31 starts.
And in '95, of Frascatore's 14 major league appearances, four came as a starter.
But in 1997, all 59 of John Frascatore's appearances came in relief.
Frascatore has just over one year of big league service, yet his 1997 season was so impressive that you can put money on it that Tony La Russa is going to look to Frascatore early and often for important relief appearances in 1998.
"Oh no. I don't want to start any more. I've been through all of that," Frascatore said last month.
Not to worry, John.
|
||||||||||
