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In his last 7.1 innings pitched, dating back to August 25, Aaron Heilman has not allowed a run to score and opponents are batting .179 against him.
Willie Randolph, on Heilman’s recent success, while talking to reporters after last night’s win over the Braves…
“When he’s locating his pitches, and keeping the ball down, it’s tough to pick up his change-up and he’s got enough fastball and enough velocity to jam you and get in to your kitchen…the key is location for him. It’s always been location for him. He’s done a great job for us, lately.”
…gotta love the “lately” part of willie’s quote…the thing is, it’s true, heilman has shown at times to be dominate, which is usually followed by a handful of appearances where he seems to lose confidence…i do trust heilman, but i’ll admit i am concerned about his propensity to allow homeruns in big spots…
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with all the talk about aaron whining about being a starter does anyone get the feeling he’ll eventually resign with the mets when its time? to me he just seems too smart of a guy to leave a guy like rick peterson. maybe its just me.
Heilman is hurt when Mota pitches in front of him, too similar. It seems batters get a taste of that style and even though Heilman is better, the hitters are better prepared.
Thats a great point…Mota’s got the hard fastball/changeup combo too. He’s got the splitter too, but your point is def. valid
I think you just have to roll the dice with Heilman as I don’t think he’s going to change in his career. Much like Mota, because his key out pitch is a change, if he doesn’t locate, it gets creamed. This is even more true late in the season when bats are a little tired, as the change speeds up the bathead.
That said, his natural movement on both his fastball and change are terrific, so, as we saw last year with one glaring exception, he can really pile up the outs when he’s on.
I feel as good with Feliciano, Heilman, and Wagner for the 8th and 8th as I do about just about anyone.
That said, I would love to see the Mets using Joe Smith a bit. Given the start he had, wouldn’t he be a perfect situational right hander if he’s gotten over his tired arm?
Do homeruns against primary setup relievers ever come in spots that aren’t big?
I remember earlier this season Heilman was reviled by some on this site who wanted to trade him for a bag of balls. I can’t remember who it was, but one person argued that Heilman was mentally scarred from that HR in the playoffs last year — that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. They pointed to his high HR rate this year as proof. I pointed out how other top relievers such as F-Rod had in some years given up more HRs than Heilman. And right now, Mota has given up as many HRs in 20 less innings pitched.
I still don’t think Heilman is “scarred.” He just didn’t have a great first half. He’s a second half pitcher as he’s shown in the past. Wouldn’t you rather have that than a first half pitcher?
If Omar doesn’t trade Aaron this winter, I do think he will opt for free agency when he can and try to become a starter elsewhere. He needs to get it out of his system.
the mota comparison is interesting bc it shows how important it is to have a good head on your shoulders if youre a pitcher and questions what motas workin with between his ears, considering they have virtually identical stuff (94-96 mph fastballs, with a nasty change and a slider show pitch) yet heilman has been much more effective during the time in which both have been on the team.
I wish Heilman would “locate” to another team.
Heilman has been better of late, but let’s not forget that out of those 7.1 “scoreless” innings mentioned in this post, he has allowed inherited runners to score twice (out of the 2 outings were there were inherited runners) and has one blown save.
Heilman looked really good last night. He fastball had some movement on it, I liked what I saw.
I’m hoping Heilman keeps it up and pitches this way throughout the postseason. Even Mota is looking better. Despite the homerun he gave up the other day his fastball has the zip it had last year…
I like Heilman and don’t want to see him move … I especially don’t want to see the Yankees sign him. If they did, they would probably make him a starter … and he would probably thrive.