Comments on: Now or never for J.P. Howell http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/ Tampa Bay Rays Blog and News - Rays of Light Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:33:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jake http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/comment-page-1/#comment-6554 Jake Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:51:52 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/#comment-6554 Let the record show that not only did I predict the Rays to finish above .500 but I also think they'll finish 3rd. Of course I was shouted down by the other writers and had to list them 4th in our preview. Let the record show that not only did I predict the Rays to finish above .500 but I also think they’ll finish 3rd. Of course I was shouted down by the other writers and had to list them 4th in our preview.

]]> By: Sean http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/comment-page-1/#comment-6539 Sean Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:03:02 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/#comment-6539 yeah I enjoyes the reading but disagree with you in refering to Ejax yeah I enjoyes the reading but disagree with you in refering to Ejax

]]> By: JZ http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/comment-page-1/#comment-6538 JZ Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:47:46 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/#comment-6538 Scott, I enjoyed the read on Howell and he is a really fascinating case to study. I am still in the camp that he just does not have the stuff to succeed at the Major League level. It is amazing that his numbers have been so strong in Durham, but I just can't see him sticking in the league as a starter. I am not really that high on him as a loogy either, so I guess put me in the AAAA camp. I guess me and A.J. agree that EJAX has so much more potential than Howell that you have to go down with him. Now, Edwin has to cash in on that potential eventually, and I think he started to do that in the second half of last season. We shall see how it shakes out. Scott,

I enjoyed the read on Howell and he is a really fascinating case to study. I am still in the camp that he just does not have the stuff to succeed at the Major League level. It is amazing that his numbers have been so strong in Durham, but I just can’t see him sticking in the league as a starter. I am not really that high on him as a loogy either, so I guess put me in the AAAA camp.

I guess me and A.J. agree that EJAX has so much more potential than Howell that you have to go down with him. Now, Edwin has to cash in on that potential eventually, and I think he started to do that in the second half of last season. We shall see how it shakes out.

]]> By: John S http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/comment-page-1/#comment-6536 John S Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:48:02 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/#comment-6536 Hey Scott, have been looking over the Rays projected line-ups over various blogs and was suddenly reminded of the mid-90's Indians rosters (don't ask me why). Lot's of talent on the field, though the power is shifted a bit. Now if we could just go on the run they experienced, that would be something. LOL Hey Scott, have been looking over the Rays projected line-ups over various blogs and was suddenly reminded of the mid-90’s Indians rosters (don’t ask me why). Lot’s of talent on the field, though the power is shifted a bit. Now if we could just go on the run they experienced, that would be something. LOL

]]> By: A.J. http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/comment-page-1/#comment-6535 A.J. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:25:50 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/raysoflight/2008/03/06/now-or-never-for-jp-howell/#comment-6535 Howell has been given plenty of opportunities to make this squad. Jackson and him threw great last spring, and they went with Jackson because he was out of options. Howell went on to throw well in the minors and was given his opportunity to start in the majors several times. He failed in just about every single outting. Jackson, on the other hand, struggled mightily in the 1st half of the season, and then it all clicked in the 2nd half. He has at least shown flashes of brilliance, whereas Howell simply hasn't. I don't know what you guys see in Howell, and why you think he'll be better than Jackson. Jackson has long been considered a guy who could be a great pitcher in the majors. The same really hasn't been said of Howell. I'm not saying the guy doesn't deserve a chance, but if he gets another opportunity and blows it all away again, then everyone needs to finally give up on the guy. Howell doesn't scare any big league hitter when they step into the box, and he probably never will. I have said for a long time that if Howell would find his fastball that he had in college, he would be much more successful. Then, he at least was throwing 86-88 MPH. Now, he tops out at about 84. You can't have success in the majors if you don't have at least 10-12 MPH differential between your fastball and changeup, and right now, he only has about 6-7 MPH differential between the 2 pitches. I don't see him making this team this Spring, but I could see him being the 1st guy to get the call when a pitcher goes down at some point. Mostly because of the fact that he'll be so dominating in Durham that we'd have to give him the chance again. But he'll probably just fail again, and somehow you guys will make an excuse for him to be given another opportunity. Howell has been given plenty of opportunities to make this squad. Jackson and him threw great last spring, and they went with Jackson because he was out of options. Howell went on to throw well in the minors and was given his opportunity to start in the majors several times. He failed in just about every single outting. Jackson, on the other hand, struggled mightily in the 1st half of the season, and then it all clicked in the 2nd half. He has at least shown flashes of brilliance, whereas Howell simply hasn’t. I don’t know what you guys see in Howell, and why you think he’ll be better than Jackson. Jackson has long been considered a guy who could be a great pitcher in the majors. The same really hasn’t been said of Howell. I’m not saying the guy doesn’t deserve a chance, but if he gets another opportunity and blows it all away again, then everyone needs to finally give up on the guy. Howell doesn’t scare any big league hitter when they step into the box, and he probably never will. I have said for a long time that if Howell would find his fastball that he had in college, he would be much more successful. Then, he at least was throwing 86-88 MPH. Now, he tops out at about 84. You can’t have success in the majors if you don’t have at least 10-12 MPH differential between your fastball and changeup, and right now, he only has about 6-7 MPH differential between the 2 pitches. I don’t see him making this team this Spring, but I could see him being the 1st guy to get the call when a pitcher goes down at some point. Mostly because of the fact that he’ll be so dominating in Durham that we’d have to give him the chance again. But he’ll probably just fail again, and somehow you guys will make an excuse for him to be given another opportunity.

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