Badenhop Called Up, Will Join Team In Washington

[Ralph]

Based on how he performed this spring, Burke Badenhop positioned himself for a quick promotion when the need for starting pitching arose. Nobody expected the need to arise this quickly.

After the second of two disappointing starts Sunday, the Marlins optioned right-hander Rick VandenHurk to Double-A Carolina and will select Badenhop.

One of six players acquired from the Tigers in the Miguel Cabrera- Dontrelle Willis deal, Badenhop will join the club in Washington today.

Badenhop started and won the Mudcats' opener Thursday, allowing one unearned run over 6 1/3 innings without walking a batter.

VandenHurk's turn in the rotation comes up again Friday at Houston. Badenhop or Ricky Nolasco will make that start. The one who doesn't will pitch the series finale next Sunday, when the Marlins need a fifth starter for the first time.

Source

[Ramp]

I hope I'm totally wrong but I saw him (OMG SAMPLE SIZE ALERT) pitch in ST and he wasn't fooling anyone (and this was the Dodgers F team, besides Russ Martin)

Would have been much happier with someone like Weaver, Wells (but that requires money), or Waechter who I have heard good things about.

The most important thing here is that Hurk is back where he belongs

[BeefWillingham]

Yes, Id like Waechter up here as well.

[markotsay7]

The won who doesn't

Don't these places have proofreaders?

[BeefWillingham]

Can we fix the title? Baden shop....

[Juanky]

What I don't understand is - why call the starter up already? Don't we have a pen arm we can toss into the lot for three games before making the move?

I realize that's micromanaging for such an early point in the season, but the pen has been taxed as much as it has already (still only one start at 6+ IP and 0 QS) and we get frequent flyer miles to Dr. Andrews as it is. Run up some guy to take a couple of appearances off of the arms of Pinto, Lindstrom, Miller, and Gardner.

[Benched]

Originally Posted by Ramp I hope I'm totally wrong but I saw him (OMG SAMPLE SIZE ALERT) pitch in ST and he wasn't fooling anyone (and this was the Dodgers F team, besides Russ Martin) Would have been much happier with someone like Weaver, Wells (but that requires money), or Waechter who I have heard good things about. The most important thing here is that Hurk is back where he belongs

The guy's done everything right. We were gonna see him sooner or later this year. If it means getting rid of RVH, why not sooner?

[mbaamin08]

Originally Posted by Benched The guy's done everything right. We were gonna see him sooner or later this year. If it means getting rid of RVH, why not sooner?

I see Badenhop as this year's VandenHurk. It doesn't matter whether he's ready for the majors or not. He's a stop-gap to protect the better prospects (namely Volstad and the rest of the Mudcats rotation).

[Ramp]

Originally Posted by mbaamin08 I see Badenhop as this year's VandenHurk. It doesn't matter whether he's ready for the majors or not. He's a stop-gap to protect the better prospects (namely Volstad and the rest of the Mudcats rotation).

ehh horrible comparison, expect for the stop-gap part I hope

I think Barone/Seddon is a better comparison in this regard

[BeefWillingham]

Originally Posted by Ramp ehh horrible comparison, expect for the stop-gap part I hope I think Barone/Seddon is a better comparison in this regard

Except at least Badenhop nearly made the team out of Spring due to his performance. Barone/Seddon arent major leaguers and shouldnt be ever again.

[!NICK!]

Originally Posted by Ramp ehh horrible comparison, expect for the stop-gap part I hope I think Barone/Seddon is a better comparison in this regard

I think that's an even worse comparison. Yeah Badenhop doesn't have great stuff, but something has to be said for putting up great stats in the minors. Seddon and Barone have been mediocre wherever they've been. Badenhop's put up terrific numbers wherever he's been.

I don't think Badenhop will dazzle here in the majors, but I do believe he'll be able to give us 5-6 innings every time out and I think that's the most important thing for our starting pitchers at this point.

[Ramp]

ha...

sorry, I'm an ass and should clarify

I was strictly speaking out stop gaps. Nothing to do with talent or stats. Just that all are somewhat young and don't appear to have a long term future with us.

But you guys are right that otherwise it's a terrible comparison. I just don't think his stuff translates well, but it would be nice to be very wrong.

[Sashimi]

Originally Posted by mbaamin08 I see Badenhop as this year's VandenHurk. It doesn't matter whether he's ready for the majors or not. He's a stop-gap to protect the better prospects (namely Volstad and the rest of the Mudcats rotation).

I see the similarity in terms of role they are having to fill. At least Badenhop is more experienced at this point in his career than VandenHurk was when he was called up. Another good thing about Badenhop is that he throws strikes, albeit without getting many strikeouts. At this point, we need someone to just challenge hitters and not run up absurd pitch counts.

[BeefWillingham]

Originally Posted by Ramp ha... I was strictly speaking out stop gaps.

I definitely thought that might be the case when I saw the name Barone.... (cant find throwup face to the right).... Just wanted to clarify. I jump to conclusions when I see the name Barone especially if compared to anything that might not suck in every way baseball related.

[mbaamin08]

Originally Posted by Sashimi I see the similarity in terms of role they are having to fill. At least Badenhop is more experienced at this point in his career than VandenHurk was when he was called up. Another good thing about Badenhop is that he throws strikes, albeit without getting many strikeouts. At this point, we need someone to just challenge hitters and not run up absurd pitch counts.

The role he's filling is what I was referring to. Badenhop is older and has more experience than VandenHurk was when he was called up but Badenhop has still only made 4 starts in AA. That's an extremely small sample size, which is why I compared this move to VandenHurk. You are throwing out a guy with no major league experience (and very little above A ball) to protect your better pitchers that have brighter futures.

It's just in terms of experience. I think VandenHurk has improved his status from last year when he was in this role and is now a pitcher the Marlins want to protect or they would have sent him to AAA.