Reading pitching coach Steve Shrenk had some interesting comments yesterday about several pitchers on the RPHILS staff.
On Joe Savery’s last start–”Joe could have went 7 innings…he did a great job, his command was much better, it was the first time he was really aggressive with his fastball, down in the zone with it…He has been working hard, making adjustments. Obviously, you dont want to walk guys and he has had some games when he has done that but last night he went after guys and made pitches….He threw some good change ups and sliders as well, his arm spped was good , and he caused some bad swings…The big thing for Joe is to have fun and be aggressive, enjoy what he is doing, enjoy the game and not put too much pressure on himself.”
On Kyle Drabek’s last start–”Kyle made pitches when he had to. I told him, ‘you dont have it tonight’, but in those games you have to find a way to keep your team in the game and he did that, giving us 5 innings…He has the stuff to get himself out of jams, He is going to have to learn that at the higher levels you cant walk as many batters as he did and get the results that he had, but he got away with it, and hopefully he will continue to get better.”
On Mike Zagurksi–”He is getting a much better feel for it, his arm strength is much better, he has been out there more often. AT first we had to baby him a little bit, coming off Tommy John surgery, but he has shown me in the last few outings that his arm, the velocity on his fastball has improved, his slider is getting better, and he is getting back to where he needs to be, and hopefully he will help out the big league team this year. Right now he does not think that he can be beat, and it shows out there on the mound.”
(Source: Podcast, Reading Phillies website)
Good Report!
Ahhh Savery the forgotten man. Let’s hope Joe can put it all together, his season at AA has been better than his one at High A thus far and hopefully he can get back to being the man.
Taking a trip to Reading soon for a few games and the opportunity to see this staff in person.
Off-Topic: Anyone familiar enough with the area to suggest some can’t miss places to eat with the family?
I haven’t been beyond chain restaurants, but the Reading Public Museum is well worth a visit if you are in the area for a few days.
Savery is pretty quietly putting together a decent season. Although from what I remember, some of his peripherals aren’t that great. Still, he seems to be have handled the jump to AA pretty well. I think his stock might have slipped a bit this year, but that is more because some guys (Worley, Knapp) have seen their stock increase.
- Jeff
one of the best italian restaurants in the country is in reading. i believe its called tony,s. a family place affordable.
one of the best italian restaurants in the country? and you’re recommending it and don’t know the name of it? you are easily the most entertaining poster on this site.
Anonymous, a nice place to eat in reading is chef alans on the fifth st highway in temple just north of the stadium about 1 mile. Another is Andalis, an italian res. on rt 61 in leesport about 12 minutes north of stadium, not special buy nice little place with good food.
nothing special BUT good food
Savery has too many walks to translate yet. Is Drabek pitching this weekend?
wow! was excited to read 10 comments about reading pitchers and more than half of them were about restaraunts.
hahahaha. yeah, true markymark. hope drabeks walks don’t continue.
reading site shows drabek throwing today at 1
He’s going after the completetion of the Suspended game from last night.
Morning Person – Savery went 6 shutout w/ 1 hit already this morning.
Maybe Joe is just one of those lefties that take a while. If he cuts the walks hmmm. After all he is now 8-1. Even if not spectacular he is getting it done.
With Roth and Cisco back ,Savery showing off all we need is
Carrasco it get hot tonight.
another great start by Kyle 8 shutout innings.
What about Chapman he is really dominating opponents, and what about the strikeout numbers!
chapman has quietly been putting together another solid year with a terrific ERA (2.74) at Reading. 6-1 we know is not a true picture of a relief pitcher (but it is better than being 1-6) but his ERA and K’s to BB ration is good. Don’t think “Roadie” is using him enough.