Last night was Tillman’s 4th 2010 start for the Birds, and the second time he did not get out of the 2nd inning.
5/29: 5.2 innings, 6 hits, 2 er, 2 bb’s, 3 k’s
6/4: 1.1 innings, 5 hits, 4 er, 2 bb’s, 2 k’s
6/9: 6 innings, 8 hits, 2 er, 3 bb’s, 1 k
6/14: 2 innings, 6 hits, 6 er, 1 bb, 1 k
That is 25 hits in just 15 innings, with 8 walks, and just 7 k’s. He has also allowed 3 homers in 15 innings of work.
According to Pitch F/X, Tillman threw just 21 fastballs out of his 44 total pitches. (7 changeups, 16 curves). His fastball ranged from 87 to 93, but sat most consistently at 90.
Fastballs in the 1st inning:
1) 87mph
2) 87mph
3) 88mph
4) 87mph
5) 90mph
6) 87mph
7) 90mph
8) 90mph
Fastballs in the 2nd inning:
1) 90mph
2) 90mph
3) 90mph
4) 91mph
5) 89mph
6) 89mph
7) 89mph
8) 91mph
9) 92mph
10) 93mph
11) 89mph
12) 91mph
13) 93mph
I think it has to be a priority of Tillman’s and Kranitz and Wieters behind the plate to have Tillman pitching off his fastball. What I’ve read about Tillman is that even though he did not grow-up in the game (as he spent most of his youth surfing in California), he has been very intense on the mound in the Minors. When challenged, he has shown that bulldog type temperament. It is hard to be an attack-dog if you are not challenging hitters. You simply can not challenge hitters if you are throwing your fastball less than 1/2 the time.
The team, and Tillman also needs to address what causes him to not have his full velocity at the start of games. If that means extra throwing (not necessarily pitching) before the game, so be it.
I agree with the idea that is out there, that you can have all the Minor League stats you want, but you still have to show up in the bigs. However, I don’t think you can just dismiss Minor League numbers either.
2009 AAA: 8-6, 2.70 era, 18 starts, 96.2 innings, 85 hits, 29 er, 5 homers, 26 walks, 99 k’s, .98 G/F, .232 average against
2010 AAA: 5-4, 3.12 era, 10 starts, 57.2 innings, 55 hits, 20 er, 4 homers, 12 walks, 47 k’s, .67 G/F, .250 average against
Combined: 13-10, 154.1 innings, 2.86 era, 140 hits, 49 er, 9 homers, 38 walks, 146 k’s
Those numbers are not accomplished at Tillman’s age by accident. I just fail to see how going back to AAA and doing that again is going to help him.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.