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Matthew Cerrone

Quote: Keith Law on Jon Niese
By Matthew Cerrone - Sep 3, 2008 1:50 pm

In a recent chat for ESPN.com, Keith Law had the following to say when asked about Jon Niese’s future, despite last night’s outing:

“Four-pitch, left-handed with a potentially plus-plus curveball.  I’d have to say number three starter with a chance to be number two if his command really comes along.  He looked like a nervous wreck last night, though.”

Before joining ESPN, Law spent four years with the Blue Jays as a Special Assistant to the General Manager.

thanks to John K for the quote and link

37 Responses to “Quote: Keith Law on Jon Niese”

  1. NickA33 says:

    Given that he’s only 21, I’d say I’m content with last night’s game. I actually started to feel bad for him for a minute last night b/c he looked so damn nervous. It was pretty evident.

    But, with that being said, he does have good upside and I’m hoping he can develop into a solid, middle of the rotation kind of guy.

  2. patrick says:

    I am just going to say, I did not see the “nerves” I saw disappointment and frustration when his pitches were not landing where he intended, not surprising for a kid.

    • NickA33 says:

      That first inning is the inning I was referring to. His pitches were all over the place, hence the nerves.

    • curiojeff says:

      What about that shot of him in the dugout before the game started, with his head buried between his knees? I’d like to think he was just getting focused, but it looked like he wanted to yak.

  3. Kevin Elster says:

    Yeah, like Jerry said you have to throw this one out. He was clearly nervous, as any one would be. As we learned with Mike Pelfrey pitchers need time to develop, will be no different with Jon.

  4. Gina says:

    What are his four pitches? I’ve heard about the plus curve and obviously a fastball but what are the other two.

    • JINBK says:

      He threw a change with mixed success last night, predominantly to rightys, he missed outside with it for the most part but it appeared he hid it well enough.

      As far a 4th pitch, I don’t know if he got that far last night!

      • BigWillie says:

        I’m going to have to disagree. It was painful at times to watch him throw the changeup. His whole motion noticeably slowed. Will get slammed he keeps that up

    • Prismo says:

      He has two different curves. I couldn’t explain it in more detail than that though!

    • kidfromqueens says:

      I think he also has a splitter that he uses sparingly. I also believe that he throws both a two- and a four-seamer, so technically, you could argue that he has five pitches…

    • NickA33 says:

      Neise throw’s a splitter, 12-6 curve, change up and fast ball (2 and 4 Seam).

      His pitching strengths are in that order as well…

  5. Gina says:

    Also for what it’s worth, I’ll take anything from ESPN with a grain of salt, I’d rather hear a scouts opinion. I mean Steve Philips was a gm before he joined ESPN too.

  6. Tidewater says:

    Klaw also says that Parnell has the potential to be a pretty good reliever.

    • Gina says:

      I believe that, but it seems like the front office wants him to be a starter. I think, at least as far as the near future, he’d help more in the bullpen.

    • Boscov says:

      Clearly Keith Law is awesome because he likes the Mets prospects – if he bashed the Mets prospects he would not be awesome.

      • LongJohnMaine says:

        Um, actually, no. He doesn’t like Kunz, he’s not sure if Murphy isn’t a fourth OF, and he criticizes the Mets for drafting relievers with low upside (Smith, Kunz), and he criticizes the Mets for refusing to go above slot and not flexing their financial muscle.

  7. slanginsanjuan says:

    ha. i so thought you were full of it perry. didn’t catch that the game was on now. i’m watching thanks.

  8. Ryn05 says:

    Nice to see Keith Law reads my mind.

  9. Peter says:

    this MLB audio feed is especially awful today.

  10. gowrightgo says:

    I read the above comment about Niese looking nervous and it was especially apparent after the homerun on his 2nd ML pitch. It clearly rattled him and he was plain lucky to get out of that first inning with only the 1 run against. Most his balls were crushed. It was like the hitters simply guessed Fastball or Curve and waited for it. He threw em where they caught way too much plate.

    I’d say I liked what I saw alot but that he needs time to learn to pitch to his spots. He cannot groove a FB or CB and let it over the meat of the plate and expect to get guys out too frequently. But with a bit of refining.. and some more time….I’d say he has a chance to be a ML pitcher either late next year or the following year as a 23 yr old.

    He is still so young.. There is plenty of time for him to reach his potential. Plus he is lefty which says he has a career as a reliever regardless of his starting pitcher status

  11. PAPDOG67 says:

    Any update on Burgos? Do we know if he’s alive?

  12. nostradamus says:

    was koosman ever a #1?

  13. Necciai27 says:

    Ruddy Lugo got DFA’ed. Any word as to who is going to replace him on the 40-man roster?

  14. I was never a special a$$istant to a General Manager, but Law’s analysis is dead on, in my book. I know he pitched poorly, but what can you expect? He may not be great this year, but I expect, and I think the organization will too, big things from Niese next year. They’ve had him on the fast track, so hopefully he’ll develop a bit quicker than Pelfrey did. But, if he can be as good as Pelfrey, I’m certainly willing to wait. No need to rush him into the rotation next year if we don’t have to, and I think we’d be able to find someone else to take his (penciled in) spot in the rotation if he needs more time in the minors.

    I look forward to watching Jonathon Niese pitch in the bigs, he looks like he could be a real treat to watch someday.

  15. PhillyMet says:

    Keith on Church’s homerun:

    “Right down broadway
    and down
    …and into the wheelhouse
    and over the fence.”

    How funny is that!