The Angels promoted lefty reliever Robert Fish to AA Arkansas yesterday (hat tip, Stephen Smith at www.futureangels,com). In a little over a month with the Quakes, Fish threw 16 innings while yielding only 7 hits and 2 earned runs with a 25 to 8 K/BB ratio. Lefties hit .190 and righties hit .094 against him. Here's some video from his April 20 outing.
Fish throws a fastball, a curve, and a change-up...
He can dial the heater up to 95 mph in relief, and Abe Flores credits his 2010 success to improvements in commanding the pitch. Baseball America graded both of his offspeed offerings as average in 2009, but they are playing up out of the bullpen. In the video above, watch Fish work to get a feel for his curve while warming up. Once he was out on the mound, it was unhittable.
Fish was selected by the Angels in the sixth round of the 2006 draft out of Miller High School in Fontana. He posted some very nice numbers in rookie ball, but found the going a little rougher in A and High A as a starter. Command was a problem for him -- his mechanics have never been very smooth, and while that's contributed to his ability to deceive hitters, it's also hurt his ability to hit his spots. Eddie Bane picked him as a sleeper in the bullpen entering 2010. Obviously, he knew what he was talking about.
0 recs | 13 comments
Will Fish and Trout
follow in the footsteps of Salmon or what kind of tracks does a marine animal leave?
Rev Halofan - May 14, 2010
In this case
I think it’s more apt to hope that they will follow in Salmon’s wake.
rspencer - May 14, 2010
Saw him in spring training
He looked raw, no command on the mound. Undercooked Fish can be hazardous to consume. But he’s obviously done very well for himself at Rancho. Heat slowly, add some Salt (Lake) during the preparation, and we could have ourselves a nice lefty specialist in a year or 2.
RallyMonkey5 - May 14, 2010
WELL DONE
Sethy - May 14, 2010
Rare (at least ahi)
red floyd - May 14, 2010
I'm in full support of any aquatic vertebrate joining the Angels roster (fresh or salt water)
From their common ancestor, Salmon, will rise a diverse group of species to fill every niche in our roster.
We just need dolphins to develop opposable thumbs to go with their brainpower. Just imgaine: 2 clicks – steal, click and squeak – squeeze, etc. We’d be unstoppable.
Commander_Nate - May 14, 2010
I'm not going to insert a school of puns in my comment.
Nevertheless, I feel like some poster are trying to hard to fish for complements for this guy. An argument without sea legs is pretty much rudderless and dead in the water.
As he migrates through our system let’s just hope he spawns into the trophy catch we know he might be. In my opinion he’s still wet behind the gills and would likely flounder in a pressure situation.
RexTookMyStash - May 14, 2010
So you think he'll get stuck on a reef and left high and dry by the tide?
Commander_Nate - May 14, 2010
You should be ashamed of yourself
~MMP~ - May 14, 2010
Fish has some serious whipping action going on there
To me, doesn’t look like there’s enough of a push off with his lower body. However, he’s able to consistently repeat his mechanics. I’m glad he converted to a releiver, it suits him much better.
Halowood - May 14, 2010
There's nothing average about that curve to me
It looks excellent, if he can keep it down and counter it with a 95 MPH heater he could be effective.
Halowood - May 14, 2010
I think we also have a kid named...
bass
thejd - May 14, 2010 via mobile
Yep
~MMP~ - May 14, 2010
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