Forecasting 2015 Fisher Cats Bullpen

Mandatory Credit: SportsLogo.net (http://news.sportslogos.net/2015/02/26/u-s-historical-figures-on-sports-logos/new-hampshire-fisher-cats-uncle-sam-logo/)

Dunedin Arms

Arik Sikula RHP

Sikula has a fan club forming among Jays Journal readers and writers alike, so you might imagine we’ll all be cheering for him in 2015. Primarily used to finish games in Vancouver, Lansing and Dunedin, he could have a new role in 2015. With the Fisher Cats Sikula will be used in the late innings and could find a new role as a set-up man. Go get them Arik.

Chad Girodo LHP

The 24 year-old side arm reliever will turn heads in 2015. Showed good control (2.35 BB/9 and solid strike out numbers (9.51 K/9). He doesn’t throw hard but has good movement on his pitches. Chad has done an amazing job of keeping the ball in the park with 2HR in 100.1IP over Low-A and High-A ball. Girodo has LOOGY written all over him.

Wil Browning RHP

Quit simply, Browning is Girodo from the right side and with more mhp. Browning has used his side arm to dominate RHB (.181/.235/.225) and has done a good job with runners on base (84 LOB%). He did get 6IP in NH last year and struggled, but that sample size is way too small to pass judgement. He hasn’t posted a FIP higher than 2.43, that’s excluding his rough 6IP in Double-A removed. The 26-year-old will look to continue his development with the Fisher Cats in 2015.

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Lansing Arms

Scott Silverstein LHP

So far in his professional career, Scott has always been about 2 years older than his competition. After a decent year with the Lansing Lugnuts Silverstein could be pushed up to NH to start 2015. Scott has done a good job keeping the ball on the ground (1.52 GO/AO) and in the park (4HR over 107.1IP).

Brady Dragmire RHP

The 22 year-old received Lansing’s Reliever of the Year award in 2014. Brady shows good control, and is very efficient with his pitches. He doesn’t strike out too many batters, but he is a worm killer (2.17 GO/AO in 2014). Brady held opp BA to .234, .270 BABIP and generated a solid 1.02 WHIP . After pitching 77IP in Lansing he definitely heading for Dunedin and will need to figure out how to get LHB out if he hopes to progress (309BA with 5BB and 7K in 23IP).

Jimmy Cordero RHP

Cordero is a flame thrower who can consistently hits 100mph…..enough said. Really excited to see what Vince Horseman can do with Jimmy, because if he can get the 23-year-old to sharpen up his delivery then Cordero could really move up the depth charts. He’ll give up a hit an inning, tougher against RHB than LHB, and is god for about 5BB/9 and 9K/9. I find hard thrower tend to need more time in the development process. They need to learn to repeat their delivery, stop over throwing and relying only on the fastball.

Good luck to all the candidates.