I’m sad to say, I missed most of the game yesterday, but I did happen to catch Carrasco’s inning. His fastball looked good, he was adding and subtracting from it, throwing it anywhere from 89-95, and it had good movement on it. The one mistake he made was to Jay Bruce, but he just challenged him with a high fastball and Bruce turned it around….that happens from time to time. His changeup looked good, as did his curve, though it appeared a bit loopy at times. He could probably get by in the majors for a little while with just his fastball and changeup, but in the long run, he’ll need for his curveball to become at least a major league average pitch. It’s going to be really interesting to see how the Phillies handle him going forward. His last appearance in Reading was solid, going 4 innings and allowing only 1 hit and no runs. With all of the injuries right now, I wouldn’t be shocked if they brought him up. I think if they do bring him up, they need to stick with him for the rest of the season. Carrasco had confidence issues two years ago, and I’d hate to see him get brought up for a start or two, then get sent down and it set him back. He has a phenomenal arm, and I think the coaching at the top level could help him, but it’s a tough situation and certainly a difficult decision for Gillick.
So, what did you think of his performance? What do you think the Phillies should do with him for the rest of this season?
Phuture Phillies 
Number one wish-
They dont trade him unless something unpassable like Cabrera is involved.
Number 2 wish-
wait until September to call him up at the very earliest
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I saw his one inning at the Futures Game and came away fairly impressed; his fastball looked pretty darn good indeed. He grooved one after falling behind Bruce 2-0, and then seemed to get a little shaky in walking the next batter, but got the strikeout when he needed it to escape the inning unharmed.
I didn’t know that he’d dealt with confidence problems before… This kinda makes me feel that they shouldn’t risk throwing him into a pennant race. I think they should wait ’till they’re out of it – and my uber-pessimistic inner Phillies fan is telling me that it might not take all that long – and then call him up when they’ve got nothing to lose and there isn’t as much pressure.
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In 2005, they tried him at Lakewood at age 18, and he bombed. He went to Batavia and really struggled there, and the organization has basically admitted they rushed him and he wasn’t ready for full season ball. He obviously had a fantastic 2006, and he’s been good this year so far.
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Do not bring him in up at all this year.Keep him in Reading all year.
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I agree. As much as I WANT to see him, honing his skills a little long on the pharm is a good idea.
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The only way I bring him up this year is if he puts together another half dozen solid starts combined with continued disaster at the major league level. The preference would be to not bring him up and let him make his debut in the middle of next season.
His fastball looked pretty good. He was a little loose with repeating his mechanics, but the velocity looked pretty easy for him in the low 90s. Changeup was good. Curveball needs a little work as others have said. This was a solid outing even if he grooved a 2-0 pitch and was certainly a good experience for him in front of a large crowd.
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I dunno, what with the new policies n all, honing his skills on the pharm seems a little risky…
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If they are at all considering him for this year, I would prefer to see him have at least 6 more starts @ AA or AAA. Then, if “really needed” & if they believe that his psyche was able to handle a promotion and possible demotion, then bring him up.
They must be sure that they do not set him back a year or two. The future of a top prospect is the most important consideration.
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I agree w AndyB and others who would like to see him do well in several more outings before considering whether to bring him up. Right now–IMO–it is too early…BUT IMO there should be little or no hesitation in bringing him up in August if he’s done well until then.
If/when they do bring him up, we should be prepared for some settling in time….since his history is to need to accomodate himself to the new level of play before he gets comfortable.
Yet, we need to realize that the ’08 team will need an influx of “new” arms since at least two and maybe three guys will be missing from the rotation that started ’07. Thus, bringing him up in August–assuming he shows well in Reading–will not only seek help for ’07s waning days,. but also give him a taste of ML ball in preparation for ’08.
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Carrasco had a good inning and Cardenas didn’t get much time to really do anything expect a lucky single. I was really impressed by the MVP Hu, who looked solid. Carrasco will be a Phillies pitcher unless like the first comment said, he is in a great trade opportunity
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Leave him down but invite him to spring training next year. I wouldn’t waste a top prospect on a marginal contender.
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AA rest of the year. Start in AAA next year. Bring him up to get his feet wet at the tail end of 2008.
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I disagree that his curve isn’t an average major league curve. I think the problem is simply throwing it consistently. It seemed like the break was sharp and tight whenever he threw it down and on the inner half of the plate, but his troubles with it arose when it drifted up in the strike zone. Looks like he surely needs to work on throwing it more consistently, but with his fastball-changeup combination being almost untouchable he’ll have time to tweak things. If we take the time with him that we should, I think he’ll have that curveball much improved.
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That’s the thing though. It has the potential to be average at the next level, but it isn’t right now. He threw a ton of curveballs last year, and he still doesn’t seem to have it to the point where he can throw it where he wants it yet. I think he’ll get there.
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Logic and reason suggest to me that he needs more
seasoning in the minors, but who knows what the
Braintrust will do in their infinite wisdom.
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