Is Gio ready?

[Palehose13]

I don't know much about the guys in the Sox minor league system. I keep hearing from a lot of yous guys that Gio is "can't miss". I have also seen that a lot of people are worried about the rotation now that Garland is gone. So, is Gio ready to give the majors a go? If not, when do you think he will he be ready?

[SABRSox]

2009 at the latest. I think he'll probably see time in 2008, though. I'm not really as informed about him as some other people might be, but from what I've seen and heard, he could probably start next season if he had a good spring training.

[Diabhal]

Gio has never pitched above AA but will pitch AAA Charlotte this season so as of right now I would say no he isnt ready but that doesnt mean he couldnt be ready sometime during the 08 season.

My guess is with Broadway and Floyd ahead of him on the depth chart Gio doesnt find a spot til the 09 season. He's only 22 so theres no need to rush him as long as the Sox rotation can stay healthy.

[SABRSox]

Pitchers skip AAA all the time.

[MeanFish]

2009 at the latest. I think he'll probably see time in 2008, though. I'm not really as informed about him as some other people might be, but from what I've seen and heard, he could probably start next season if he had a good spring training.

From what I've heard, he throws a low-90s fastball with good location, and a devastating breaking ball. The only slight against him is his stature, which makes people question his durability.

Everything I hear reminds me of Roy Oswalt, but I'm not terribly informed. This would be a fantastic spot for Maurice to chime in. :cool:

[SABRSox]

I heard Buehrle with better K numbers. Because of that, I'm very, very hesitant to trade him.

[MeanFish]

I heard Buehrle with better K numbers. Because of that, I'm very, very hesitant to trade him.

Obviously with the little I know, I'm VERY hesitant to do so as well. Another knock is that he "only projects to a #2", but how many of those guys are there really?

This guy could start for us for a very, very long time.

[SABRSox]

He probably is a #2. A #1 pitcher ought to strike out around 200 guys a year. I don't think Gio is capable of that.

[MeanFish]

He probably is a #2. A #1 pitcher ought to strike out around 200 guys a year. I don't think Gio is capable of that.

That's alright though, we're really just looking for a good pitcher and not a world beater. If Gio simply becomes a reliable starting pitcher, that's what we really need.

[Diabhal]

Pitchers skip AAA all the time.

I would'nt say all the time. The last Sox pitcher to make that jump was Buehrle.

I know it happens but why rush him when we already have Floyd and Broadway ready? If the Sox need Gio he'll be there at Charlotte waiting but until then he's better off at Charlotte where he can continue to develope his Change Up more and be a complete 3 pitch pitcher.

Lat I read on Gio he had a good fastball, devastating curve and an average change.

[SABRSox]

Because Gio is better than Floyd and Broadway.

[Diabhal]

Because Gio is better than Floyd and Broadway.

If thats true then why was Gio at AA last season?

Floyd pitched at Charlotte and started a handfull of games for the Sox...

Broadway pitched a full season at Charlotte and got a call up in September ...

but you say Gio is better? I think Gio has more upside but as of right now he isnt better. Let's see how Gio does at Charlotte this year against better hitters.

[SABRSox]

Probably because the Sox didn't want to start the clock on Gio.

Floyd and Broadway are 4 or 5 starters at best. Gio is already beyond them, and the only reason you'd hold him back would be to limit his innings, but I think you can do that just as effectively in the majors. Limit him to 90 pitches in his first year, 100 the next, much like the did with Felix Hernandez in Seattle.

[Diabhal]

Probably because the Sox didn't want to start the clock on Gio.

Floyd and Broadway are 4 or 5 starters at best. Gio is already beyond them, and the only reason you'd hold him back would be to limit his innings, but I think you can do that just as effectively in the majors. Limit him to 90 pitches in his first year, 100 the next, much like the did with Felix Hernandez in Seattle.

How can you say Gio is beyond them when he hasnt pitched above AA?

Thats your opinion and I have no problem with that but it's not a fact either.

Gio was at AA last season cause he needed to work on his change and he had an average 06 season at AA.

Gio has made great strides over the 07 season but he needs to face better hitters like Brandon Wood at the AAA level before it can be determined if he;s ready or not.

I will say that if he can out perform Broadway, Floyd and Egbert in ST 08 then yes he should be considered. I just dont want the kid rushed into action is all.

Im high on him too and believe in time will be better than Danks. Call me crazy. :D

[Prope]

So SABR do you think Gio should start at AA and get called up if needed (or just because he's wrecking shit)?

I think starting him in AAA seems alright, I have pretty low expectations in Gavin Floyd so it could between Gio and Broadway for the 5th spot. :shrug:

[maurice]

From what I've heard, he throws a low-90s fastball with good location, and a devastating breaking ball. The only slight against him is his stature, which makes people question his durability.
Yes.

I heard Buehrle with better K numbers.
No.

I wouldn't compare him much to Buehrle from what I know. He throws harder and has better stuff.
Yes. Buehrle is more reliant on locating the ball and mixing up his pitches. Gonzalez can dominate with only 2 or sometimes 3.

I would'nt say all the time. The last Sox pitcher to make that jump was Buehrle.
No. There have been others since then for the Sox (albeit with limited success) and many, many others for other teams.

Which reminds me of a story Buehrle tells . . .
Cub Fan: "You suck! Go back to AAA!"
Buehrle: "I never played at AAA, dumbass!"

I know it happens but why rush him when we already have Floyd and Broadway ready?
They won't rush him. Floyd will get the first crack with Broadway, Egbert, and Gonzalez in reserve in case he craps the bed.

Think of it this way: Gonzalez will be this Spring's version of Danks. He probably could benefit from additional seasoning, but he'll get an outside shot at making the rotation. Remember, Danks entered last Spring behind Floyd, Haeger, and some other older pitchers.

If the Sox need Gio he'll be there at Charlotte waiting
Exactly.

[Diabhal]

Maurice good job on the Buehrle story. I forgot about that one and Im still laughing.

The problem with Gio making the rotation is if he beats out Floyd and Floyd does'nt make the team then he becomes a free agent. I supposed Gio could beat Danks out for a job but the Sox seem to be pretty high on him so I guess he would have to flop pretty bad to lose his spot in the rotation.

Im not sold on Floyd but he could turn into something...:shrug:

[itsnotrequired]

He probably is a #2. A #1 pitcher ought to strike out around 200 guys a year. I don't think Gio is capable of that.

I hate that benchmark. By that definition, there are only 8 or 9 #1 guys in all the majors at any given time.

[SABRSox]

That sounds about right to me, or at least, there are only 8 or 9 aces in the majors at any given time. There's also your anomalies like Buehrle who have unreal pitch command, but I'd say for the most part, power pitchers tend to be #1's.

[MeanFish]

Maurice good job on the Buehrle story. I forgot about that one and Im still laughing.

The problem with Gio making the rotation is if he beats out Floyd and Floyd does'nt make the team then he becomes a free agent. I supposed Gio could beat Danks out for a job but the Sox seem to be pretty high on him so I guess he would have to flop pretty bad to lose his spot in the rotation.

Im not sold on Floyd but he could turn into something...:shrug:

There is nothing about Gavin Floyd's pitching that can be helped by AAA. It all seems to be between his ears at this point, in terms of how he approaches opposing hitters. Having said that, he really seemed to turn a corner at the end of last season, so let's hope he can keep it up.