Smoltz's routine this ST; Not A Good Thing?

[SamtheBravesFan]

I know I've done this "message board jumping" thing with questionable results before, but I'm just trying to get a feel for what most people who care to post about it think about this.

Smoltz has been throwing on the side to minor leaguers so far this spring, trying to add a curveball and change-up to his arsenal.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080308&content_id=2413133&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb

Smoltz debut set for next Saturday: John Smoltz will make one more appearance in a Minor League game on Monday and then make his Grapefruit League debut against the Rays at Disney next Saturday.

Smoltz has been pleased with the results he's realized while pitching simulated games on the days he'd have been scheduled to pitch in the rotation. The Braves' 41-year-old veteran has been able to work at his pace in a relaxed setting where he's been able to work on many of the offspeed pitches that might have plagued him in previous seasons.

"This has been one of the best Spring Trainings ever," Smoltz said. "It couldn't have worked out any better."

Apparently, this is a bad thing because:

1. Smoltz is putting himself above the team
2. His pitches won't be effective because he hasn't been pitching against major leaguers

Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing.

[TheJourneyman]

I know I've done this "message board jumping" thing with questionable results before, but I'm just trying to get a feel for what most people who care to post about it think about this.

Smoltz has been throwing on the side to minor leaguers so far this spring, trying to add a curveball and change-up to his arsenal.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080308&content_id=2413133&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb

Apparently, this is a bad thing because:

1. Smoltz is putting himself above the team
2. His pitches won't be effective because he hasn't been pitching against major leaguers

Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing.

I don't understand the two arguments against it.
He is trying to help the team by making himself a better pitcher so how is that putting himself above the team?
Also a pitches effectiveness has little to do with who you are throwing it against. He has to be able to throw the pitches for strikes and with movement or he gets pounded by any pro hitter. He needs to practice it more in game situations and if he pitches longer vs the big leaguers he is probably taking away from other young kids that need to be seen and/or need the experience more.
He is also sending a positive message to the younger kids in that you have to keep working at your kraft to continue becoming the best pitcher you can be.

Like you said much to do about nothing.

[SamtheBravesFan]

He is trying to help the team by making himself a better pitcher so how is that putting himself above the team?

Also a pitches effectiveness has little to do with who you are throwing it against. He has to be able to throw the pitches for strikes and with movement or he gets pounded by any pro hitter. He needs to practice it more in game situations and if he pitches longer vs the big leaguers he is probably taking away from other young kids that need to be seen and/or need the experience more.

He is also sending a positive message to the younger kids in that you have to keep working at your craft to continue becoming the best pitcher you can be.

Like you said much to do about nothing.

My guess is that they believe that he is putting himself above the team because he is going by his own program and not what the team is doing, as if his program is better than theirs, and he doesn't have to listen to them.

He will be pitching in "game situations" later this month.

[Los Bravos]

John knows what he's doing and has earned the right to some leeway about fifty times over. Show me someone who really believes that he's selfish and I'll show you someone who hasn't paid any attention to him over the years and quite obviously doesn't know jack about who he is or what he's meant to the franchise.

[SamtheBravesFan]

John knows what he's doing and has earned the right to some leeway about fifty times over. Show me someone who really believes that he's selfish and I'll show you someone who hasn't paid any attention to him over the years and quite obviously doesn't know jack about who he is or what he's meant to the franchise.

Well, the two people that I know who have said this are pretty knowledgeable guys. However, I think in this situation, they've gotten their briefs in a wad over nothing. There are much more pressing issues, like the availability of Soriano, Moylan, James and Hampton and since there isn't anything that can be complained about that, they target Smoltz for some reason.

[chip&smoltz95]

John knows what he's doing and has earned the right to some leeway about fifty times over. Show me someone who really believes that he's selfish and I'll show you someone who hasn't paid any attention to him over the years and quite obviously doesn't know jack about who he is or what he's meant to the franchise.

I couldn't agree more. I have no doubt that smoltie is a team guy and a brave to the core. He will be ready to take a big load of the pitching again this season and if he wants to add pitches to do that, more power to him!

150+ saves and 200+ game winner. I would think would get the benefit of the doubt. it's not like he does this every year or something,right?

[PureBaseballFan]

This is nothing to me. Smoltz knows what it takes for him to get ready far better then some people on a forum. Pitching to your teammates in a simulated game is just as good in my opinion then pitching against 3 starters and minor leaguers on another team.

[xholdourownx]

This is nothing to me. Smoltz knows what it takes for him to get ready far better then some people on a forum. Pitching to your teammates in a simulated game is just as good in my opinion then pitching against 3 starters and minor leaguers on another team.

I would definitely have to agree with this. Not only is Smoltz smart enough to know what he needs to do to get ready, but he is also pitching to some guys that the Braves want to see major league pitching. I read that Jordan Schafer is one of the guys getting to see pitches from Smoltz. What better way to see pitches than from a future HOFer?

[PureBaseballFan]

Also during todays Braves broadcast the guys on Sports South said Smoltz in his last simulated game he threw over 70 pitches and in his first Spring Training game is already planning on going 5 innings in.

[SamtheBravesFan]

And the counterpoints started up again. Not only did Smoltz do that throwing in a "relaxed" setting, so his pitches will not be effective when he's "not relaxed", apparently, but he's also setting a bad example for the young players by doing his own program!

I am not kidding you people on this. I'm reading this stuff.

[xholdourownx]

And the counterpoints started up again. Not only did Smoltz do that throwing in a "relaxed" setting, so his pitches will not be effective when he's "not relaxed", apparently, but he's also setting a bad example for the young players by doing his own program!

I am not kidding you people on this. I'm reading this stuff.

Nothing at all against what you are saying. But I believe Smoltz has played long enough to be able to duplicate serious settings in his head. I think what he is doing sets a great example by saying I know that need to work on something and I am taking the initiative to make it great. Maybe it's just me. What does everyone else think?


On another note, what about the Braves 4th inning surge tonight?

[SamtheBravesFan]

On another note, what about the Braves 4th inning surge tonight?

Spring training. Well, still, it's nice to see a nine-spot on the board.

[BravesBatman]

i don't see this as a bad thing at all. I think Smoltz is just trying to be a better pitcher...while at the same time, giving the minor leaguers a chance to get better as well, by being able to face some major league pitching.

More power to Smoltzie...it's a great thing he is doing!