Comments on: Joe Kelly Is a Serviceable No. 5 Starter

By: Gerryt

Gerryt — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:34:52 +0000

Not sure Buchholz, ERod and Porcello deserve to be called 4’s and 5’s. Buchholz, with all the rated caveats, is an easy #2 when healthy, even a #1a. Historically, Porcello pitched like a #3 with #2 potential, as was the guy who finally showed up in Aug-Sept after his DL stint and a return to his dominant sinker. He is likely to be an above average #3, but average would be fine, and give around 200IP. Finally, ERod will start the hear as #4. As as a young sophomore he may actually pitch that way as he learns his craft at this level. But most are betting he will be pitching like a #2 by year end. This may not be the beat rotation in baseball, but with that offense and bullpen it doesn’t need to be. But it is a good rotation from Price to Kelly, and with more upside than most and, with Elias, Owens, Johnson, Cuevas and Wright, among the deepest. And would you want to face Kimbrel, Koji, Taz and Smith late in the game? Pitching is starti g to look like a strength.

By: Gord

Gord — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:09:41 +0000

I guess the question though isn’t whether Kelly is a serviceable number 5 which he very well might be. The question is whether the Sox, beyond Price, have much of a rotation at all….seems to me they have a number 1 with a bunch of number 4 and 5s….the rotation is neither deep nor dependable at this point ad Kelly may just be a number of mediocre to serviceable back end guys…

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:39:40 +0000

Finally, a rational view of Joe Kelly. Even with the inconsistency his numbers were perfectly serviceable, and his profile is exactly the type of #5 I want in the rotation. Young, durable, hard throwing and cheap? Sign me up. I’m extraordinarily appreciative of everything Wakefield did for us, but I am so so glad the days of him being our #5 are over. Give me the young hard throwing starter that is still trying to figure it out over a mediocre albeit consistent veteran every single day.