Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

[mgoblue]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ApZtUTNoIKc4MOaBLfQBS485nYcB?slug=jp-kelly071209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Dumb question, but why does it really have to be one or the other. Wouldn't it be awesome to have a starting pitcher who could also play regularly in the field? Just that he ends up pitching every 5 games? I know that baseball is slowly neutering pitchers (less and less pitches, less and less innings, becoming more specialized), but shouldn't it be possible to be both a pitcher and a position player?

Couldn't you do all the defensive practice required for both? I dunno, I'm probably just crazy and wanting to get too much out of my players.

[pfunk880]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

With the mental preparation required for a start, I don't think it could work with him doing both full-time, especially in the modern era. Plus you are throwing side sessions and such on off days as a starting pitcher.

You'd have to scout both opposing hitters and pitchers as well.

[p_rushing]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

Yes it can be done. Plenty of guys do it in college. He could DH on days before or after pitching if he needs some rest. Throwing side sessions are more to keep your arm loose than anything else and playing SS will help him keep it loose. Playing SS will also keep him in the game and he should be able to chart pitches in his head and get live experience watching the hitters.

Plus most guys don't get to the park until around 2PM anyways. He has plenty of time for film study as long as he doesn't go out partying a lot.

[pfunk880]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

Yes it can be done. Plenty of guys do it in college. He could DH on days before or after pitching if he needs some rest. Throwing side sessions are more to keep your arm loose than anything else and playing SS will help him keep it loose. Playing SS will also keep him in the game and he should be able to chart pitches in his head and get live experience watching the hitters.

Plus most guys don't get to the park until around 2PM anyways. He has plenty of time for film study as long as he doesn't go out partying a lot.

MLB season is much longer than college, though.

[Misfit]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

I think clubs just like to monitor the workload of pitchers and do not want them taking part in the same workouts a hitter/fielder would. I didn't read the article, but I would assume in this case the club is unsure of where the player fits best so they'll let him continue in this fashion until something is determined. If they thought he was a sure thing to be an effective major league pitcher this wouldn't be happening.

[rsox]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

As interesting as it would be to have a two-way player that could pitch and play another position, at some point they are going to have to choose one or the other. Having to concentrate on learning how to throw different pitches, controll and command, plus learning how to play a premium defensive position and having to focus on being at least somewhat productive offensively is one heck of a work load.

[Cryolemon]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

I don't see why it couldn't work if he has the work ethic.

[CMH]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

Milwaukee Brewers RP/OF Brooks Kieschnick was the last player I remember doing it.

He was an ineffective reliever and decent hitting outfielder back in 2003.

In 2004, the Brewers used him primarily in the bullpen and he was much more effective.

[snepp]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

He was an ineffective reliever and decent hitting outfielder back in 2003.

In 2004, the Brewers used him primarily in the bullpen and he was much more effective.

Plate appearances
2003 - 76
2004 - 68

FIP
2003 - 3.86
2004 - 4.47

[CMH]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

He was used as a pinch hitter and rare starter in 2003.

His plate appearnces in 2004 were as a pitcher. Unless stats are lying to me because I see zero innings in the outfield in 04.

[CMH]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

Ok, now thinking about it, I guess he could have pinch hit and then stepped on the mound.

Either way, he didn't have to play the field. Unless I read the stats wrong. Now I need to double check...

[CMH]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

I checked and he only played six games in the field in 03. So, really not much different. I thought he played more out there but he was mostly a pinch hitter and pitcher.

Hardly the type of player we're looking for then.

[pfunk880]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

I checked and he only played six games in the field in 03. So, really not much different. I thought he played more out there but he was mostly a pinch hitter and pitcher.

Hardly the type of player we're looking for then.

Yeah, it's not exactly the same situation. Keischnick was basically an average-at-best middle reliever who could hit a little during his time in Milwaukee.

[CMH]

Re: Red Sox giving Kelly a shot at pitcher and shortstop

Rumor has it he had amazing power.

He was nearly signed by the Brockton Rox of the then Northeast League (now the CanAm League) in 2003.

They had a workout at my school and rumor has it he hit a homerun out of the field (which was about 370 in the gap if I remember correctly) and across to our Sports Complex which was another 150 feet at least from the field.

Not bad for a guy that needed the Independent Leagues to catch on again. That workout apparently got him back to the Majors because he spurned the Rox to play MLB ball that year.