[漁塭] Red Sox Farm Friday: Daniel Bard

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http://www.sportsofboston.com/2008/11/14/red-sox-farm-friday-daniel-bard/

Red Sox Farm Friday: Daniel Bard


Daniel Bard projects as a late inning blow-the-hitter-away relief pitcher. When
you can throw a fastball at 100 mph, batters are going to miss. The question
has been: will it blow away major league hitters? This year Bard has made steps
towards answering that question with a resounding “yes.” With Bard likely
starting the year at AAA, he’ll only be a strong performance away from being
mentioned for a call up.

The Daniel Bard Story:
In 2007, Daniel Bard looked like a 2006 first round bust. As a starter he
struggled finding the strike zone, walking 78 in 75 innings. In the Hawaii
Winter League, the Red Sox converted Bard to a reliever. For the Honolulu
Sharks, he pitched 16.2 IP with a 1.08 ERA. Although he still had control
troubles (8.1 BB/9), this was the start of a turn around for Bard.

In 2008, Bard began at High-A ball in Greenville and absolutely dominated in 15
games. Over 28 innings he struck out 43 batters and only walked 4 while
maintaining a 0.64 ERA. After the performance he earned a promotion to the AA
Portland Sea Dogs.

In AA his control problems reemerged but it didn’t stop him from being
effective over 31 games. With a BB/9 4.71, he managed a 1.99 ERA, largely
helped by his opponent batting average against of .179. Besides his walks he
was exceptional. His K/9 was 11.6 and he had only 3 HRs against in 49.2 IP. The
stellar numbers ended with the Red Sox naming Bard the Minor League pitcher of
the year.

Scouting Report:
Baseball America, who named Bard to the Minor League All-Star 1st Team as a RP,
said, “He was unhittable when his stuff was down in the zone, and he was the
league’s hardest thrower, regularly hitting 99-100 mph. Even with his
velocity, he has to keep his fastball and hard slider down because his delivery
lacks deception.”

Sox Prospects‘ view on Bard:

Live arm with a smooth delivery, although he needs to work on keeping a
consistent release point. His fastball looks effortless, and consistently hits
97-98 with decent command but minimal movement. When he reaches back, he can
apparently hit 101 mph on the gun. Two-seamer shows a bit more break and sits
in the low-to-mid 90s. Secondary pitches are decent, but need a lot of
refinement, including: (1) a high 80s cut fastball; (2) an 84 mph slider; and
(3) a circle change with some downward movement. Previously Bard’s breaking
pitch was a high 70s slurve, but it was converted to a slider with more
velocity in mid-2008. Needs some improvement on keeping all of his pitches down
in the zone. Struggled through major control issues throughout the entire 2007
season, particularly with his slurve Has a strong frame and a mature demeanor,
but has some confidence issues. Bard took well to a bullpen role in the Hawaii
League in 2007, and was converted to a full time reliever in 2008. He changed
his delivery by lowering his arm slot prior to the 2008 season, adding a little
bit of life to his fastball.

Down the Line:
Bard has closer stuff, but not the control to be effective under pressure. He’
ll be a perfect candidate for an opportunity in 2009. Like Masterson, Bard
could be the help the bullpen down the stretch.

If Bard can maintain his walk rate, the sky is the limit. Bard is still just 23
and has room to develop. Luckily, he only needs to work on his control and his
naturally dominant stuff will there.

ETA: Mid-2009
Potential Career Year Numbers: 80 IP, 75 K, 2.85 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

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◆ From: 118.160.65.214
推 richertkk:又一位火球男..真羨慕
→ Belladonaa:Craig Hansen 也是火球男阿 放火的火
推 albertjet:當初Hansen剛Debut的時候球速也都high-90s在跑的
推 alexfun:如果Daniel Bard將來可以變成07'的Delcarmen就賺了
→ alexfun:07'的Delcarmen到底是不是fluke呢?XD讓我們不禁眉頭一皺
推 maxspeed150:Delcarmen其實維持今年水準也算不錯的牛了啦
→ maxspeed150:說錯....是去年 雖然印象中他總是很抖XD
→ Belladonaa:用tRA計算美聯reliever的RAR, Delcarmen is No.3
→ Belladonaa:Papelbon is No.2; Ramon Ramirez is No.4
推 alexfun:光看帳面成績,肉配汁好像強到哭X,可是我連兩年看季後賽
→ alexfun:肉配汁一上來,好像都不是這麼一回事,跟季賽怎麼差這麼多XD