Nash Howard has progressed nicely through the Atlanta farm system. This prospect acquired two years ago for veterans Ernie Woodson and Vince Terrell (the Tartans also obtained AAA DH Jack Pierre) is on the brink of cracking the bigs.
Howard has steadily climbed from LoA to AAA amassing a 3.35 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and an 84% save conversion rate. More impressively he has 17/18 last season with a 2.83 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP in AA. He likely has little more to develop by having a stint in AAA, but Atlanta management is fearful of having too many players become arbitration eligible three seasons from now. And with Julius Rocker, Fergie Perry, and Don Lawrence all seeing promotions this season Nash Howard is stuck waiting.
Howard has excellent control and is highly effective against lefties and righties. While he tops out at 91 mph his fastball has unbelievable movement. He is a flyball pitcher that will find a dramatic difference between pitching in Atlanta's pitchers heaven of AAA and the homerun risk of Turner Field.
Either way, Atlanta needs a closer immediately after the departure of Pedro Quinones, lost through free-agency.
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(This area of the blog will be used to record key insights learned in the Branch Rickey World.)
In no specific order:
1.) Don't under estimate the value of a good coaching staff, they can turn a dud into a competitive squad, etc.
2.) Pitching settings are one of the most important controls in the game: particularly the Call Bullpen setting, which can dramatically improve any pitchers performance (use it to reward good ERAs/WHIPs and improve bad ones).
3.) Pick a strategy that is unique and one that you can live with. (If you are in for the long haul then consider going young early, or you want to earn a free season get big league talent, just make sure you won't have regrets when your minor league system sucks.)
In no specific order:
1.) Don't under estimate the value of a good coaching staff, they can turn a dud into a competitive squad, etc.
2.) Pitching settings are one of the most important controls in the game: particularly the Call Bullpen setting, which can dramatically improve any pitchers performance (use it to reward good ERAs/WHIPs and improve bad ones).
3.) Pick a strategy that is unique and one that you can live with. (If you are in for the long haul then consider going young early, or you want to earn a free season get big league talent, just make sure you won't have regrets when your minor league system sucks.)
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