3/26/2009 Nick Adenhart 6.0 IP 1 ER 3 K
"Make up" is a very important term when it comes to evaluating young pitchers. Sometimes it is referred to as an intangible attribute, scouts may mention a pitcher that has the positive aspect of this trait as having great mound presence or they will say that he performs well under pressure. Young arms like Adenhart sometimes never progress past the levels where they cannot rely on pure "stuff" alone.
Wednesday's game was an example of Adenhart progressing as a pitcher by learning how to set up hitters to get ideal results. He managed to dig himself quite the early hole, one that young pitchers do not seem to be able to dig their way out of, before storming back to close the door in the first versus the Indians. A walk to Jamey Carroll followed by a rope single to Mark Derosa had runners on the corner with no outs. This is the make or break point in this particular outing for Adenhart as he proceeds to take care of Victor Martinez, Pronk (Travis Hafner), and Shin Soo Choo, and return to the dugout unscathed.
It is always fun to see a young arm mature. This years crop of young arms seems to be shaping up nicely. I have my eye set on Clayton Kershaw, Nick Adenhart, and Chris Volstad to make major contributions for their team this year. As a bit of a look forward to next year, I may be saying the same things about Tommy Hanson of the Braves, and Rick Porcello of the Detroit Tigers.
Adenhart's poise impresses Scioscia[Lyle Spencer / MLB.com]
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