Fans shouldn't jump to conclusions about the struggles of young Blue Jays pitcher Kyle Drabek.
The same patience needed from fans in regards to when Brett Lawrie finally makes his Blue Jays debut will be required in regards to Kyle Drabek and his control issues. Not that Drabek is likely to join Brett Cecil in Las Vegas, although you would have to think that it's a possibility.
Of late, Drabek has been plagued by wildness. He couldn't get out of the first inning in his last start, with six of eight batters reaching base. I'd give him a half-mulligan on his performance because of the fact he was pitching on a very windy night, causing his fastball to drift out of the strike zone. But Indians starter Josh Tomlin wasn't affected by the conditions, so the point is likely moot.
Look, Drabek is what he is: an extremely talented young pitcher, still learning the nuances of life in the big leagues. Pitches that were swung at last season in Double-A are now being taken in the Majors. And after great success during his rapid ascension through the minors, he's getting a taste of failure for the first time, causing him to lose his cool on occasion.
As it stands right now, Drabek has surrendered a Major League-high 45 walks in just 63 1/3 innings of work, and has more walks than strikeouts (43). Would a trip back to the minors help his confidence and rediscover the strike zone? That has to be a question being pondered, especially with Brett Cecil finally getting his fastball back over the 90 mph hump. Or is it best to keep Drabek under the watchful eyes of John Farrell, Bruce Walton and Pat Hentgen in Toronto?
The former players who share the broadcast booth with me certainly feel that it is the latter. But for everyone involved -- fans, teammates, and decision-makers in the front office -- a patient approach certainly is the best course of action.
LIND BACK, LAWRIE NEXT?
Not that they need it, having hit .326 as a team (.406 RISP) over their last seven games, but the offence got a boost with the re-insertion of Adam Lind into the lineup following a stint on the disabled list due to a wonky back. It looks like Lind and Juan Rivera will be putting in equal time at first and at DH, which certainly strengthens the middle of the batting order.
Now the wait is on for Brett Lawrie who was poised to make his MLB debut but was held back after getting hit on the left hand on Tuesday. It was only a bruise but there was swelling so the call-up was put on hold. With Alex Anthopoulos' preference for his top prospects to make their debuts on the road, that means Lawrie might meet the team in Kansas City, or in Cincinnati when the Jays return to the Interleague portion of the schedule.
POSEY DEBATE IS LAUGHABLE
I really don't see what all the fuss is about. Giants catcher Buster Posey is out for the season after breaking his left fibula and injuring his ankle in a home plate collision with Florida's Scott Cousins. Calls have started for the rules to be changed, but plays like this have been going on for decades. Buck Martinez and Alan Ashby, both former catchers turned broadcasters, who were on the bad end of several home plate collisions during their careers, saw nothing wrong with what happened. Now, Johnny Bench, arguably the greatest catcher to play the game and a member of the Hall of Fame, brought some sanity to the debate, saying that Posey was at fault for putting himself in a bad position. End of story.
CATCH THE MLB DRAFT ON SPORTSNET
Starting Monday at 6 pm ET, the 2011 First Year Player Draft will be broadcasted on Sportsnet ONE.. You can also take part in an online chat on sportsnet.ca. The Blue Jays will select at No. 21 and have seven picks in the first 78, due to compensation from losing free agents last winter. In mock drafts, the Jays have been linked to Texas prep school outfielder Josh Bell, Georgia Tech left-handed pitcher Jed Bradley and University of North Carolina shortstop Levi Michael.
