Previewing Holland’s First Start
Tonight will mark the starting debut of highly anticipated Rangers prospect, Derek L. Holland. As many of you know, Holland has already pitched in the bigs this year, seven times, oddly enough he registered his first career blown save before his first major league start. Go figure. So far his strikeout, walk, and homerun ratios have been off, leaving Holland with a 5.65 FIP, higher than most of his minor league career’s FIP combined.
Holland’s fastball has above average velocity and horizontal movement for a left-hander. He featured the pitch prominently in relief work. As for specifics, Holland throws it between 92-94 and generally sees it break in to lefties around eight inches. His slider is registering as breaking in to lefties. It’ll be interesting to see how and if Holland adjusts from throwing his fastball 80% of the time as he transitions back to the rotation.
Opposing Holland will be the Houston Astros. The only offenses in the NL scoring less than Houston are the D-Backs, Giants, and Padres, which tells you just about everything you need to know. The Astros do have some ‘fear’-inducing hitters like Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Miguel Tejada, but the rest of their lineup is lacking at this point. Houston strikes out a ton and doesn’t walk too much, so that bodes well for the youngster.
Two things that may not bode well: his durability and efficiency. Here are each of Holland’s appearances listed with innings and pitches thrown.
2.1 IP 42 P
3 IP 48 P
1 IP 29 P
2 IP 16 P
0.1 IP 3 P
1.2 IP 20 P
2.2 IP 58 P
An average of 16.6 pitches per inning with a max of 58 pitches. It’s been a while since Holland extended beyond 60, and at this rate he would reach that point by the fourth inning. Without a DH, you have to wonder if Holland lasts more than twice through the lineup tomorrow, no matter how well he’s pitching.
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Pudge is still considered a “fear inducing hitter?”
Eh, probably a poor choice to include him.
Does it need to be four? I’m not sure how much fear Miguel Tejada is striking into the hearts of opposing pitchers these days either.
The Astros are good at hitting against southpaws this season, with .883 OPS in 290 ABs, only second to the Mets in NL.
Holland likely will be limited to 85 or fewer during his Friday start.
If Jason Jennings comes from the bullpen as long reliever tomorrow, it would be a disaster. He posted an ugly ERA 7.01 at Minute Maid Park through last 3 seasons.
To be fair, I’m not sure there’s many places Jason Jennings HASN’T posted a 7+ ERA in the last three years. :)
I-Rod induced fear until the hitters realize it’s 2009.
You can put Tejada in there for Pudge….
Pudge is having a nice little season out of mostly the 7 & 8 slot so far with basically even splits home/away… He hasn’t been a feared hitter since his first year in Detroit, but I’d say he has greatly exceeded expectations with his bat so far.