Comments on: Hirsh Now Relieving for Sky Sox

By: Agbayani

Agbayani — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:15:12 +0000

Hirsh’s stuff was never considered good enough to make him a blue chip prospect, despite his steadily excellent performances in the minors. We wouldn’t have gotten him (and Taveras and Buchholz) for Jennings if he had been. I had viewed him as a potential Chris Young type — very tall with that high delivery that created a difficult plane for hitters. And I think that’s the track he was on until injuries derailed him.

By: Matt F.

Matt F. — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:21:51 +0000

Did he make any of those top 10 lists based on his stuff, or did he make them based on the numbers he put up? Thank You.

By: Redhawk

Redhawk — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:29:17 +0000

Did he ever have that type of stuff/ceiling?

I recall him being a top 10 prospect according to some sources. Yes he was big time when the Rockies got him. no, His K rates weren’t that outstanding.

By: Reader f/k/a Mike

Reader f/k/a Mike — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:48:07 +0000

Back to back minor league pitcher of the year made him as big a pitching prospect as one could be.

That description makes it seem like he was a Kershaw type prospect. Did he ever have that type of stuff/ceiling? His strikeout rates in AAA were never that good, and I don’t think he compensated by having a great sinker. He also didn’t appear to have A class stuff when he pitched for Colorado in 2007.

By: Redhawk

Redhawk — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:11:44 +0000

Hirsh had a terrible shoulder injury that was as close to a torn rotator cuff as you can have, with out actually tearing it. It’s sad he’s not recovered. Back to back minor league pitcher of the year made him as big a pitching prospect as one could be.

And now he’s about done. Truly sad.

By: Reader f/k/a Mike

Reader f/k/a Mike — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:46:22 +0000

Surprised he has lost so much speed and command since his broken leg.

I think a subsequent shoulder injury is what did the damage.

It’s too bad. Despite his minor league awards, I don’t think he he had that top of the rotation potential due to the descriptions of his stuff. He probably could have been another Jeff Francis type, though, and that would have helped quite a bit.

By: Jack Etkin

Jack Etkin — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:20:57 +0000

Marc,

Greg Smith is doing fine. At this point, he just needs to stay healthy, make his turn consistently and accumulate innings, having missed so many earlier in the season.

By: Agbayani

Agbayani — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:15:58 +0000

I didn’t know that Hirsh had cleared waivers. I guess that’s what happens when you’re 27 years old and still struggling mightily at AAA. Shows how fine the line is between success and failure. Right now he looks like he’s nearing the end of the line. An 88 mph fastball without pinpoint control is not a recipe for a major league career. Too bad.

By: Marc

Marc — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:41:17 +0000

Jack – any updates Greg Smith’s progress? Looks like he has 3 consecutive starts under his belt in July and the numbers look ok.

By: Trip

Trip — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:11:05 +0000

Bad news about Hirsch. I thought he was going to make in the bigs. Surprised he has lost so much speed and command since his broken leg. Hopefully he can figure out the cause and get it corrected.