Awkward, uncomfortable, nervous, uneasy. Each of these words hold equal precedence while describing Francisco Liriano’s first major league start in exactly 19 months. Many expected him to show up throwing 97 mph darts like he used to, but it’s clear that he isn’t the same pitcher that he once was, and he may never be again.One thing was clear. He is no longer immortal, not like he once was.
There’s a very good chance that he could once again be one of the elite, it just might take some time, and a new philosophy to get hitters out. Even if he does get his heat back, which he eventually will, at least most of it, his mind state is altered. He doesn’t have that same confidence in his stuff. He’s thinking about each and every motion, which is not good. Not for a power pitcher.
Will he get past that? Can he be the same pitcher as he once was? I’m not sure. He very well could turn back the clock and reclaim his crown, or he could just as easily wash out of the league in a few years. His elbow is fine, it might even be stronger than it was before, he just needs to get his mind right. Which is no small task.
The most important thing is that the first one is over. Or is it? As far as his confidence is concerned, this game could have set his mental state back. After watching him find his way through the first four plus innings, I wonder if he was rushed up too quickly. His minor league stats suggest that it was way too soon. In two starts with Triple-A Rochester, Liriano posted a 6.75 ERA with 11 strikeouts and five walks over 9 1/3 innings. Not exactly screaming major league ready and his performance today only echoed that.
I’m sure the Twins were hoping for more than this, we all we’re. But, it also could have been worst. He didn’t get knocked out of the game, but then again, giving up four runs with six hits, five walks, while only striking out four doesn’t exactly give you a chance to win either. His velocity was way down, he hit 93 once, but throughout the afternoon his fastball hovered between 89-91. His change-up is still among the most devastating in the league, which was one of the bright spots of the afternoon, but that was offset by the inefficiency of his slider, once his most devastating pitch. He threw it only three times, twice putting it in the dirt. In 2006 he used to thow that pitch an average of 30 times a contest.
The expectations surrounding this performance we’re probably a little high, but it’s hard not to expect something amazing from a guy that went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA during his rookie season, and made Johan Santana look like the number two guy on the staff.
The most important thing is that this game is over. He just had to get on the mound, take the ball, and just remember what it feels like to be a major leaguer. Tommy John Surgery is hardly a death sentence anymore, so he will be effective again, it’s just a question of how effective. A guy like this, that was great because he had the confidence to just go out there and let it rip, may never be the same.
Only time can tell.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
One More Dying Quail 04.13.08 at 1:18 pm
I think Liriano’s success or failure depends on how well he adapts to a necessary change in his arsenal of pitches. I remember reading somewhere that in the past, his slider was phenomenal but he threw a TON of them, putting a ridiculous amount of strain on his arm. If he can figure out how to locate his fastball and changeup, then mix in the slider a few times a game, he will be successful.
In the long run, I think you’re right, though: he needs to have the confidence to cut loose and throw the heat. Trust your arm, trust your rehab, let it go.
For now, I don’t see how the Twins can be too disappointed. He wasn’t great, but he did last nearly five innings against major league hitters. Their primary concern at this point is probably that he doesn’t feel an unusual amount of pain in the elbow over the next couple of days.
Nick Underhill 04.13.08 at 1:34 pm
30 Times a game actually, that’ how many times he threw his slider. It’s definately going to hurt to lose that, the team wants him to cut back on it, so we’ll see. That’s all we can do.
John 04.13.08 at 2:14 pm
he did look bad, and I have doubts as a Minnesota fan. It was sold to us all winter that this guy was 100% and that he would seamlessly fill in the void left by johan
Nick Underhill 04.13.08 at 2:20 pm
It’s tough, but I wouldn’t write him off yet. Remember who this guy was. All he has to do is get his head right, and that may not sound like much, but that’s the biggest obstacle here. His arm is fine, he worked it all winter. His rehab went really slow, and he had major doubts throughout the process, once stating that he thought his career was going to be over. So, once he realizes that he can rear back and let it rip, without his arm ripping, he’ll be good to go. He was clearly out of shape, his arm was dragging by the fifth inning, and that is in large part because he lost most of the spring due to Visa issues. This guy has had setback after setback, he’ll get there, but it may take a good four, five, six starts before he starts to feel comfortable again.