Jordan Milbrath a Bullpen Longshot

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Tue Feb 27, 2018 11:51 pm

Milbrath pitched another scoreless inning today. I am hoping he makes the team mainly because he pitches more sidearm rather than over the top. It would be good to have a pitcher having a different angle coming in from the bullpen.

BucsFaninGA · Post by **BucsFaninGA** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:24 pm

Last Pirate sidearmer to my memory that was a tough pitcher was Teke-Kent Tekulve...Does anyone else recall a Bucco hurler who threw sidearm that was effective? Rooting for Milbrath to have some success. A sidearmer, let along a lefty sidearmer is a tough pitcher to hit!

Beat'em Bucs

mouse · Post by **mouse** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:32 pm

How is he against right-handed hitters? He might end up a LOOGY if the splits aren't too good. But I agree - a lefty side-armer would be tough on left-handers for sure.

Ecbucs · Post by **Ecbucs** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:50 pm

2A28323422470 wrote: How is he against right-handed hitters? He might end up a LOOGY if the splits aren't too good. But I agree - a lefty side-armer would be tough on left-handers for sure.

He is a righty. Here are his stats (only last year as a sidearmer)

https://www.baseball-reference.com/regi ... lbra000jor

mouse · Post by **mouse** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:51 pm

Ah, okay. Still, I like the idea of different styles so teams don't get locked in on one particular look.

Ecbucs · Post by **Ecbucs** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:15 pm

54564C4A5C390 wrote: Ah, okay. Still, I like the idea of different styles so teams don't get locked in on one particular look.

I agree, he throws hard, from the side and was great against righthanders last year.

I can see why he was rule 5 available since he didn't pitch much in AA.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:28 pm

Milbrath pitches today, and I hope he pitches a clean inning. He has an uphill battle to make the club, but I hope he makes it. As of now my guess for the 7 relief pitchers are : Rivero, Kontos, Feliz, Crick, Glasnow, Brault and Siegrist. So there may not be room for Milbrath.

Quail · Post by **Quail** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 5:30 pm

1E293F2F1A3D3235321B1D5C0 wrote: Last Pirate sidearmer to my memory that was a tough pitcher was Teke-Kent Tekulve...Does anyone else recall a Bucco hurler who threw sidearm that was effective? Rooting for Milbrath to have some success. A sidearmer, let along a lefty sidearmer is a tough pitcher to hit!

Beat'em Bucs

Bruce Kison used to come sidearm consistently. IIRC his nickname was "The Whip". Always had right handed hitters bailing out of the box.

BucsFaninGA · Post by **BucsFaninGA** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 6:43 pm

Quail, Dang, I should have recalled Bruce Kison. He was very valuable to the Pirates WS run in 1971...Came up from Charleston Charlies and pitched in 18 games. Went 6-5 in 71....Yep, the Whip was a tough pitcher indeed...

Beat'em Bucs

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 8:23 pm

7E495F4F7A5D5255527B7D3C0 wrote: Quail, Dang, I should have recalled Bruce Kison. He was very valuable to the Pirates WS run in 1971...Came up from Charleston Charlies and pitched in 18 games. Went 6-5 in 71....Yep, the Whip was a tough pitcher indeed...

Beat'em Bucs
I recall reading a sports illustrated article about Kison at Waterbury (AA) in 1970. The story focused on how he was being tutored by veteran minor league catcher Woody Huyke. A year later Kison was in the big leagues. Huyke later managed in the Pirates' system and is credited with changing Tim Wakefield from a 1Bman to a knuckleball pitcher.