Where does Scott Richmond fit in?
In 2008, a relatively unknown 27 year old journeyman by the name of Scott Richmond clawed his way through the Toronto Blue Jays farm system to make his major league debut on July 30th, 2008.
Nearly two years later, Richmond is making that trek through the ranks of the minor leagues once again.
The gents over at Mop Up Duty posted a great article last week on Scott Richmond’s return back to the majors. Richmond has been successful through three rehab starts in Dunedin, tossing 15.2 innings and giving up only three earned runs total.
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Following last night’s start in Dunedin, Richmond will pack his bags and will be on his way to New Hampshire to join the Fisher Cats for a few more rehab starts in Double A.
Barring any setbacks in New Hampshire, Scotty will then make his way back to Triple A Las Vegas and will enter the Blue Jays Battle Royale for any roster spot that opens up in Toronto.
Scott Richmond will be competing with the likes of Brad Mills, Bobby Ray, Marc Rzepcyznski, Zack Jackson for one of those coveted spots in the Blue Jays starting rotation.
Perhaps he might be better suited for a return to the bullpen though. Ever since his first stint on the disabled list last summer, many have suggested that Richmond could be a vital asset as a relief pitcher.
With so many starting pitchers lined up ready and waiting, moving Richmond to the bullpen might not actually be a bad idea. Heck, if it’s working for David Purcey, why not Scott Richmond?
If we’re trying to define a new role for Richmond on the roster, I guess he could be the right-handed equivalent of a LOOGY, but more like Shawn Camp circa 2009 and less like Jesse Carlson circa 2009. He could probably also work very well against sections of right-handed heavy lineups.
If a starter goes down early in the game, Scotty could come and toss two or three innings in relief and keep the hitters off balance with his wicked curveball.
So what do you think: once Scott Richmond finishes his rehab assignment, where does he fit in on the Blue Jays roster?
Mentioned this on Twitter: Wilner said Monday night that Richmond's slider against RHP reminded him of Dave Stieb's. DAVE MOTHER FUCKING STEIB'S!!!1 Clearly, that's a stretch, and I found it odd coming from Wilner.
But it led me to look up Richmond's numbers against RHP, and they're solid.
Put him in the 'pen as a righty specialist, and that's fine by me. He can take Frasor's spot, once Frasor is traded. (That's if anyone wants him anymore, damn Sausage King.)
Brian Tallet owns lefties this year; he should never face a righty again. Let's give everyone in the pen a role, so as to make it so that not even Cito can fuck it up.
I saw/heard about that. Those are definitely pretty high accolades about Richmond's slider.
Tallet (2010) vs. LHB: .125
Richmond (2009) vs. RHB: .233
Now if only be could clone Tallet's stats versus lefties and Richmond's stats versus righties and we'd have the perfect reliever.
I'd like to see him back with the Jays, but as of now the only available spot is in the bullpen- if there's a spot there. Hopefully a trade happens soon to net some solid future for one of our soon to be gone 'pen arms and Richmond takes that spot.
In theory, Richmond could be used as a ROOGIE but Cito doesn't use his relievers situationally so we will just have to wait until 2011 to see it. Right now, I don't see much of a role for Scott with the big club unless it's to provide a slight upgrade over Casey Janssen in the mop-up role.
Mattt, you and eyeB make a good point – if they do trade Downs, Frasor and even Camp, the Jays will need to fill those holes and Richmond would certainly be up to the task. I have a feeling AA isn't going to dilly-dally, hopefully he swings some deals sooner rather than later.
Noisyflowers, I was thinking that exact same thing. He would restrict Tallet just to lefties or Richmond specifically to righties, but maybe the next manager will do so. I hope we see him at some point this year, maybe during September call-ups or earlier?
Scott Richmond just seems like filler to me. Why put him in the bullpen at all? You might as well keep him in Vegas to bring up in case anyone else in the rotation gets hurt. His numbers against righties are good, but he doesn't have elite level stuff in the pen, does he? He's also already 30 or close to it, meaning he's probably not going to be a part of the next Jays playoff team.
Steve, I'm definitely not opposed to keeping Richmond in Vegas for a while. Roster spots right now are very tough to come by, so it probably would serve him well to rack up some innings in Las Vegas.
hes going to be a starter soon
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