What the Hill?

OOOkay.  Now there are many factors when looking at the stats of spring training pitchers. Are they working on a new pitch? Are they still getting their arm in shape?  Is the desert air affecting the way the ball moves?  Any of these are legitimate questions.  But, even with all these questions, there is no excuse like a performance like we saw on Thursday by Rich Hill.  It what can only be called a disasterous start, Rich Hill faced 11 batters, and walked six of them.  He walked five in the first inning alone, but the Rockies could only score one run.  If it weren't for a double play ball in that inning, he probably wouldn't have made it out of the first.  He had one more walk in the second inning and a throwing error.  Hill only got four batters out, and was pulled the game and went to the bullpen to continue working.  Tim Lahey came into the game and gave up two more runs.  Kerry Wood, who was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday with back spasms, was able to pitch one inning, giving up a run.  Michael Wuertz looked good too.

The offense scored six runs to actually help the Cubs win the game, but even now, the Cubs still don't look like they have their offense clicking. Fukudome was 0-4 with three stike outs.  Let's hope he starts clicking soon.

As far as Hill's performance, Lou still says he is a lock to start the year in the rotation, although every other starter is throwing better than him.  Marquis had a great outing on Tuesday.  Dempster had his best outing on Wednesday in the first half of a split squad game.  Lieber didn't have his best stuff in the night cap on Wednesday, but still gave up only one run on seven hits. Zambrano has been amazing and Lilly has been good.  The only one who can't get it near the strike zone is Hill.  So why is Hill a lock in the rotation?

"First of all, he has good Major League stuff," Piniella said. "Second, last year, for a young pitcher, I thought he handled himself quite well and helped us win a division, and really one of these years, this young man should have a breakout year. We were hoping this would be the year for him. He's got to throw strikes, obviously."

Yes Lou, but last spring Hill didn't walk a single batter in 15 2/3 innings.  This spring, has has 14 walks, and spring training isn't even over yet.  Should Hill still be a lock?  Remember, Hill is not some "kid".  Just because last season was his first full season with the big club, Hill is actually older than Zambrano.  Hill is 28, Z is 27.  There is another big lefty in the rotation, Sean Marshall.  He has been a good pitcher and he is two years younger than Hill.  I know Marshall will start the year in Triple A, if he's not traded, but I wonder how long the Cubs will allow Hill to struggle once the season starts.  They have been working on his mechanics, trying to get him to speed up his delivery so everyone and their grandmothers don't steal bases off Hill.  I hear people saying, "Everyone stole on Maddux too, but he didn't change his delivery".  That is true, everyone could steal against Maddux, but you are talking about one of the best pitchers of our generation, maybe the greatest (especially after the Clemens steroid revelations).  Do you think that Hill is the next Maddux?  I didn't think so, so I would recommend that Hill continue to work on his delievery.

Not just to get down on Hill, but what is with the Cubs and walking people?  Nearly everyone on the team is guilty of this.  It's ok for starters to walk a couple guys over spring, but some of these numbers are ridiculous.  And if you are coming out of the bullpen, you cannot affort to walk people. Period.  But look at our possible starters; Hill-14 waks.  Dempster-8 walks.  Marquis-6 walks. Marshall-4 walks. Luckily, Zambrano, Lilly, and Lieber have been throwing strikes.  This is especiall good news since Zambrano is notorious for walking batters.  He has had a great spring. Look at our relievers too.  Cotts-7.  Lahey-6.  Marmol-6 Eyre-4.  This has got to stop quickly, or we're in a heap of trouble.

More Cuts

The Cubs cut three players from their spring roster on Thursday.  Right-handed pitchers Jose Ascanio and Sean Gallagher have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. In addition, outfielder Josh Kroeger has been re-assigned to Minor League camp. No one expected Ascanio or Kroeger to stay with the team, but the real dagger to the heart has been the performance of Gallagher.  Gallagher was supposed to be one of the key pieces of the Roberts trade, and scouts from Baltimore and many other teams have been at every Cubs game, but Gallagher has had a miserable camp.  He's pitched in 4 games, pitched 6.1 innings, and has given up 4 runs on 5 hits with 5 walks, with an ERA of 5.68.  The Cubs are expected to announce more cuts on Sunday.  What's interesting is that Gallagher was supposed to take Zambrano's spot in Friday's game against the Rockies, but now Marshall will be taking that spot.  Let's see if Marshall is going to make this even more interesting.  Lou should be announcing the rotation this weekend, maybe even today, and by Sunday, we should know who will break camp with the Cubs.  Could a trade finally be coming?  Stay tuned.

Go Cubs!