Millwood: "I stink in spring training"
Kevin Millwood broke the news to Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz after tonight's start. Just a little heads-up, in case Kranitz was wondering.
The numbers aren't going to be pretty. Look past them.
Kranitz didn't need the warning. This isn't his first rodeo.
"I stink in spring training. I'm not a good spring training pitcher," Millwood said after allowing five runs in 2 2/3 innings. "I don't try to win any awards in spring training. I try to get myself ready, and so far it's worked pretty good for me. That's what I'm doing.
"I told Kranny tonight, 'I just wanted to let you know I stink in spring training, so don't think too much into it.' And he sees the same things I see. It's getting a little bit better every day and I'm right on track."
The results will matter more to Millwood as we draw closer to Opening Day.
"Late in spring, especially the last start, you want to be ready to go, you want everything to be where you want it," he said. "I want my fastball, my slider and my curveball to be where I want it, and if my changeup's close behind, I'll be happy.
"First couple years, you don't have the luxury of working on things. You've got to make the team and it's a little more stressful and you have to get people out every time. Now it's a little bit different. I'm pretty sure I'm going to make the team.
"I just want to get myself ready where I give this team the best chance to win come Opening Day."
Comparing tonight's start to his first one, Millwood said, "I felt better. Physically I've been fine both times out. Mechanically I felt like I gained some ground today, and that's really all I'm looking for right now, just to get a little bit better every time out and get my pitch count up."
Millwood checked all his pitches tonight to see what he needed to work on, "and everything seemed to be a little better than last time," he said. "My location was a little bit better. I didn't throw many breaking balls last time, but the sliders I threw today were good. I threw a couple good curveballs, a couple not so good. All in all, I feel good about where I am compared to last time."
Fans won't feel good about that 29.70 ERA.
"I'm not trying to win any awards down here," he said. "I'm not worried about my numbers. I'm worried about getting better every day, and I feel like that's what's happening.
"I hope they won't read too much into it, and if they do, hopefully I can change their mind come Opening Day."
Meanwhile, Koji Uehara struck out two in another perfect inning, but David Hernandez allowed a run in the seventh. The Twins have runners on second and third with one out and are looking to build on a 6-1 lead as it starts to rain again.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
points for honesty...
I have to admit, at this point I'm a little more befuddled by the lack of offense. If you take out the first game, the O's O has been O-full.
Roch-
I get it. Sort of. But, your pitches are still getting hit all over the place. Does he mean like, he is going out there and ONLY throwing fastballs or curves? Like, in the regular season he would throw a different pitch in those counts or whatever?
Like, my point is, if Tillman wanted to work on the 12-6 CB, and he only threw that, he still wouldn't get hit like that. Right?
I'm not worried. I'm just curious.
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There are times he would throw a different pitch. He said he threw some sliders tonight. Wasn't just fastballs and curves. - Roch
Looking forward to seeing Kevin in good form on opening day. Roch, are you aware of a database that has a history of spring training statistics? Something where we can see how a player has performed in spring training throughout his career?
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Not aware of one. - Roch
Roch-
Also, are you interested in any names on the "out of options" list?
I see 2. Brandon Wood, obviously. I just think if he gets consistent playing time, he will hit in the bigs. It takes every day play, just some teams don't have that luxury.
Second, Penn has thrown well.
FYI, I saw on a blog someone put up that Millwood had an era of 13.5 last spring training and 9.15 2 seasons ago. I don't know if thats accurate, just relaying it. So, take from that what you want.
You gotta smile at a veterean pitcher that comes up with these remarks about himself after his 2nd blow out ST start..talk about confidence..that is to funny. Uehara sounds really ready...Hernandez again seems destined for AAA...raining here at Ft Myers Beach too.
I did some research to verify that. Here is the accurate stuff.
http://wap.mlb.com/player/119154/stats/?type=st&season=all
At least Millwood is being brutely honest about his performance. Since he is a veteran he gets to do his thing to get ready for the opening bell. When you start to worry is if it continues into the first couple of weeks of the season.
Had I only known. I could have saved the trip to Lakeland where he gave up 6 runs in the first.
Barry said:
Looking forward to seeing Kevin in good form on opening day. Roch, are you aware of a database that has a history of spring training statistics? Something where we can see how a player has performed in spring training throughout his career?
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Another guy on the OH dug these up...
Millwood's ST ERA's
2009 - 6.48
2008 - Stats not available
2007 - 9.34
2006 - 6.00
2005 - 6.00 (Ranked 6th for the Cy Young in the regular season)
2004 - 10.13
2003 - 3.86
2002 - 5.21
Ryan and ScOtt--Guys, thanks a lot.
It looks like that with the exception of 2003 (3.86 ERA) and 2008 (0.00, 5 innings) that Kevin Millwood has approached spring training with the attitude that here's the tee, guys enjoy it.
On opening day in Tampa, I don't think we'll see the tee.
I'm not worried about Millwood. He will have at least 3-4 starts, maybe more to get it ironed out. I must say that it sounds like Koji is throwing the ball well. Any chance he challenges Gonzo for the closers job in ST? I'm sure after throwing the money at Gonzo it's his job to lose, just curious. If Gonzo struggles, Koji may not be a bad fit to close and keep JJ in the setup roll....where he's been good.
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Not unless Gonzo is hurt. - Roch
Time to move Millwood's locker away from the kids.
-- there are some great stories involving Jim Palmer trying to develop a straight change and just getting hammered at spring training. Then he goes out and wins 20. We haven't reached the Weaver-Ross Grimsley (I think it was him) spring training conversation on the mound in the late 70s/early 80s after Grimsley was getting lit up for about the fifth time. It went something like this:
Earl: "Do you know how to cheat?"
Grimsley: "No."
Earl: "Maybe it's time you started."