The Bard’s Room

bram_app/Flickr.com

An Ace Up Their Sleeve?

By Jay Capron | May 7th, 2008

Do the White Sox have an ace up their sleeve?

It’s beginning to look like that is the case, as young Gavin Floyd came just two outs away from pitching a no-hitter last night. He was just five outs away from a no-hitter earlier in the year against Detroit.

Floyd is emerging as one of baseball’s best young pitchers, and a welcomed surprise to White Sox fans. In six games started, he is 3-1, with a 2.50 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.96. (That’s walks and hits per inning pitched for those who do not play fantasy baseball).

More important then his stats, is his confidence and demeanor on the mound. He looks and acts like the ace of a team. In Philadelphia, and on this club last year, he appeared to lack confidence and command of his pitches. Whatever he did over the off-season, it is working.

I think pitching coach Don Cooper needs to get some credit for the turn around as well. He may be one of the most underrated pitching coaches in baseball. You always hear about Cardinal’s pitching coach Dave Duncan, and former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone, but “Coop” deserves some recognition as well.

The 2005 pitching staff was very well-coached, and became the key to the World Series championship. This year’s club ranks 3rd in all of baseball with a 3.45 ERA, and first in “Batting Average Against”, which is a slim .232.

Cooper has a good handle on the personalities and strengths of each pitcher, and he has proven that he can handle “hot-headed” manager Ozzie Guillen.

Although his name may be unknown to fans across the country, you can be sure that GM’s and owners across the league know who he is. Unfortunately for White Sox fans, he may be managing another club in the near future if that is his goal.

But for now White Sox fans, enjoy him while we have him, and hope that quality pitching translates into another championship.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 6:35 am and is filed under Gavin Floyd. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.