This is going to be a series of articles that I am going to write as a guide for you Spring Training dogs out there – someone to learn more about while you are out at the games. Yes, a “fish eye”. Gives a wider picture.
What to watch for: Closer or relief.
Why: 100mph “Swedish” fastball. Nuff said.
Basics: Swedish descent, grew up in Idaho. Mormon, completed two year service in Sweden, going door to door preaching and teaching for The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. In Swedish.
Today, we are focusing on Matt Lindstrom, acquired from the Mets (along with Henry Owens) in a trade (for Adam Bostick and Jason Vargas). He has some hype coming along with him. As one Marlins official remarked, he could throw a marshmallow through a battleship.
He has topped the 100 mph speed limit several times, most notably in Puerto Rico in winter ball where he was clocked at 102. He throws several pitches, a two seam fastball, a four seam fastball, a slider which tops out around 85-88 mph and is now working on a slurve which moves like a sinker.
What is more compelling is that he is refining his game, he is not just a fireballer who has no control. “Last year, I maintained my velocity every time I went out,” he said. “I was throwing 97-100 every time out. Now I can drive the ball down in the zone.” That last part, keeping the ball down, is a key thing for his success in the bigs, not just a key component for him to grab a job on this pitching staff. Rich Kranitz, the Marlins pitching coach, lists arguably as priority #1 for his pitchers to keep the ball down in the zone.
As for his priorities, he has them right. “I’m concerned about making the team first,” he said. “I think slowly but surely I could develop into a closer.”
Mike Jacobs, who played with Lindstrom in their Mets farm days, likes Lindstrom’s stuff. “The biggest thing for him is if he can get his mind right as far as being that bulldog kind of guy you need to be as a closer,” Jacobs said. “If he can get that mentality, he has a real good shot.”
Dan Uggla faced Lindstrom and gives a ringing endorsement, “His fastball explodes,” Uggla said. “It’s one of those things you can’t teach. If you aren’t cheating or ready for it, you aren’t going to hit it.”
And it seems this is the perfect place for Lindstrom with the brash, young talent that is on this roster. When asked if he was going to go back to Sweden, he said, “I’m going to go after we make the playoffs and the World Series.”
So, here’s to the Swedish meatball, and if Lindstrom is tossing it, at least it will be clocked at 100mph. Hopefully, he doesn’t toss any meatballs up to the plate.
Loading ...
In my opinion: Put down the talking Chihuahua
This was originally written by M. Festa, aka Moneyball:
No one threatens the future of the Florida Marlins more than this man. No, I’m not talking about the state Legislature, Manny Diaz, Wayne Huizenga, or even team owner Jeffrey Loria. I am referring to the talking chihuahua named David Samson, who just so happens to be team president. The loudest and most obnoxious (Don’t forget the shortest!) team president in professional sports is at the helm of our beloved baseball team.
At one time or another he has said something to alienate segments of the population — the fans, media, city officials, county officials, state officials, and now possibly the greatest player to ever wear a Marlins jersey, Miguel Cabrera. Oh, and by the way, that’s just in Florida; this doesn’t include those in the national media and in Montreal where he earned the moniker “Little Napoleon” amongst those in the Expos’ front office.
This past weekend he publicly criticized Cabrera after he was a no-show at Fan Fest, further showing what a flawed, cancerous, hateable, and inept individual and team president he can be. Souring the relationship with the best player on the team and the biggest marketing tool in the Hispanic community is completely asinine. When/if a ballpark deal is secured, signing Cabrera and Willis to long-term deals will be the first step in showing the fans that star players and their contracts will be handled differently. Because of Samson’s mouth, those possible deals may be in jeopardy.
The impact of losing Miguel Cabrera can be equaled to that of a firesale. He is that important to the team’s future, on and off the field. He has the potential to be South Florida’s Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, or (insert other baseball legends here).
But wait! This isn’t the first time Mr. Samson has threatened the future of the franchise. Samson’s and former Miami city manager Joe Arriola’s unique negotiating skills deserve credit for killing the Ballpark at the Orange Bowl plan. As a result of that plan falling apart, the team underwent the “market correction” and Samson took his show on the road, looking for someone to build the team a ballpark. The “correction” and relocation talks once again soured the team’s relationship with the fans, an area where the team had made serious strides over the prior two seasons.
See, there is a reason why Major League Baseball is keeping Samson and his unique people skills out of the current ballpark negotiations.
The Florida Marlins are entering a second renaissance. A cancerous individual like Samson (Hell, Loria too, but that’s for another time.) should in no way be a part of that renaissance.