At times the relievers get overlooked because they only throw an inning (or less) in most games in which they appear. Of course we know just how important having a bullpen full of good relievers can be and how much easier it makes things on the team when they know they have a reliable arm to bring out of the bullpen in any given situation. Today we are going to be looking at relievers Brooks Pinckard and Fabian Williamson.
Brooks Pinckard
The right hander began the season with the Bakersfield Blaze, marking his third trip into the California League. He made quick work of the league, posting a 0.66 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched with three walks and eight strikeouts and earned a call up to the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He has kept things going in the right direction, posting a 3.00 ERA in 6.0 innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Pinckard is also a high rate groundball pitcher, with 57% of the balls in play against him being on the ground.
Scouting Report
Pinckard throws a fastball with good armside run in the 89-91 MPH that also shows sinking action. He can touch a tad higher at times with the pitch as well. His main secondary pitch is a breaking ball that is a bit inconsistent, but can be a good pitch that sweeps across the zone with good breaking action.
Fabian Williamson
The left hander has been around, pitching in the Mariners, Red Sox, Athletics, Braves and Reds organizations since being drafted in 2006 and also spent parts of two seasons in independent league baseball. He was signed by the Reds last season out of the independent league American Association. This season he is with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos where he currently has a 5.65 ERA in 14.1 innings with nine walks and 15 strikeouts. Looking through his history he seems to miss bats wherever he goes, but the walk numbers have been higher than you would like to see.
Scouting Report
Williamson has a good fastball that works in the low 90’s range and can touch a tad higher. His main secondary pitch is a good looking curveball with 12-6 break to it that comes in from 75-79 MPH. The lefty will also throw a change up at times in the 82-84 MPH range. Control is a bit of an issue still, with the reliever as he will have a tendency to overthrow at times and let the ball get away from him.
Dan Langfield
While I wrote about Langfield last week, I was able to get some video of him this past week and thought this would be as good of a place to post it as any.