Washington Nationals call up Tom Milone to make his major league debut this evening versus the Mets, looking at his minor league numbers, this guy is solid.
I realize AAA ball isn't quite the show, but this season at Syracuse, pitching in the big boy minor league International League, Milone posted a 12-6 record with a 3.22 earned run average, but here's the eye popping numbers 1.031 WH/IP ratio (1 base runner per inning) and an outstanding 155 K's in 148 I/P, more than a K an inning.
Like I mentioned, the International League, while being the creme of the crops of minor league divisions isn't the big show, don't kid yourself, those kids in that league can rake, he's been getting it done against all the other major league September call ups.
He faces the Mets today, I think (I'll post his scouting report below) he can handle his coming out party today and get it done.
Washington Nationals -105 (pick) versus NY Mets
Fastball: An average fastball, but added a cutter in midseason, which seems to explain his ERA dropping from 3.89 to 2.91 over his last 10 starts.
Curveball: Good separation in speed from his fastball/cutter, typically in the mid-70s
Change: Arguably his best pitch, especially with his outstanding command
Control: Terrific control, which has been his hallmark since his days at USC — 2.14/9IP in the Carolina League last season
Strengths: Mixes pitches well and can hit his spots seemingly at will and generally keeps the ball down to prevent HRs (just 9 last season)
Milone is an under-the-radar kind of prospect because his best assets are between his ears. His champions will compare him to Cliff Lee.
I realize AAA ball isn't quite the show, but this season at Syracuse, pitching in the big boy minor league International League, Milone posted a 12-6 record with a 3.22 earned run average, but here's the eye popping numbers 1.031 WH/IP ratio (1 base runner per inning) and an outstanding 155 K's in 148 I/P, more than a K an inning.
Like I mentioned, the International League, while being the creme of the crops of minor league divisions isn't the big show, don't kid yourself, those kids in that league can rake, he's been getting it done against all the other major league September call ups.
He faces the Mets today, I think (I'll post his scouting report below) he can handle his coming out party today and get it done.
Washington Nationals -105 (pick) versus NY Mets
Fastball: An average fastball, but added a cutter in midseason, which seems to explain his ERA dropping from 3.89 to 2.91 over his last 10 starts.
Curveball: Good separation in speed from his fastball/cutter, typically in the mid-70s
Change: Arguably his best pitch, especially with his outstanding command
Control: Terrific control, which has been his hallmark since his days at USC — 2.14/9IP in the Carolina League last season
Strengths: Mixes pitches well and can hit his spots seemingly at will and generally keeps the ball down to prevent HRs (just 9 last season)
Milone is an under-the-radar kind of prospect because his best assets are between his ears. His champions will compare him to Cliff Lee.