Volantis starter or closer -- you choose and why

[david ficken]

Okay.

So, some have stated that Volantis has to be a starter and some want him back as closer. You get the choose and state why. I have said that he was and Schloss liked/loved his makeup as a closer. Both have also stated that he has worked his tail off to be a starter.

Here is a tread for you to put your thoughts on the subject. As I don't know what is the best place for him to be. I like him at either starter or closer.

 

[longhorndon]

Apparently Volantis wants to be a starter. I think he better affects the team as a closer. But if Schloss and Volantis think his best path for the future is a starter, then starter it is.

Also to consider... do we have a 3rd starter for weekend SEC baseball? Cozart has been okay on Tuesdays... Flores doesn't seem to be ready for that role. Sure, I would like to see Volantis be that shutdown closer, but, who pitches on Sundays?

I guess we got spoiled with Volantis results from last year. We do need to find a quality closer to come out of the bullpen. (and someone that can limit the walks and HBP) Like I stated in the game thread, Burns doesn't look comfortable in that role so far. He seemed better as a setup guy.

 

[david ficken]

I didn't start this tread to argue. I would like to read anyone and everyone's thoughts on this. I'll put my out later on Monday.

 

[hookemhorb]

If he wants to be a starter and the coaches agree he could be a good one, then let him give it a try. The jury is still out whether he can be the #3 starter. He doesn't consistently get passed the 6th inning. But he is young and can get stronger.

When it comes to the playoffs you need 5 starters you can count on. Right now I don't see that. Volantis making it as a starter should would help their changes in Omaha.

 

[david ficken]

So, Volantis has had 6 starts. 3 were really good, and 3 that were sub par. Now, will have to see if other teams follow what Auburn did and see as many pitches from him and get the pitch count up early on him. The other issue is that we haven't used Leffew, Higgins, Crossland, Walls, and Burns on a consistent basis. To get a defined role for them. That is a concern especially with Schloss and Weiner being good at trying to get the defined roles for guys early on. But some of that is also do to our offense being really, really good.

Now, I can let him have the starts for now. But once we get to the conference tournament and the playoffs we can see how it goes. If Riojas and Harrison keep doing what they are doing and they want to use Cozart, Flores, and/or Hamilton as starters and move him back I'm fine with it. Or if they want to keep him as a #3 starter as the opening weekend of the road to Omaha we need maybe 4 starters I'm fine we that as well.

Just got a lot of baseball games to go and see what if any (hopefully no more after J. Williams) injuries to deal with. Lots of moving forward with pitchers.

Just remember Volantis and Cozart are probably next year's Friday and Saturday starters.

Now, if someone will tell the pitchers to shave those '70s pornstaches off.

 

[tejasrulz]

So, Volantis has had 6 starts. 3 were really good, and 3 that were sub par. Now, will have to see if other teams follow what Auburn did and see as many pitches from him and get the pitch count up early on him. The other issue is that we haven't used Leffew, Higgins, Crossland, Walls, and Burns on a consistent basis. To get a defined role for them. That is a concern especially with Schloss and Weiner being good at trying to get the defined roles for guys early on. But some of that is also do to our offense being really, really good.

Now, I can let him have the starts for now. But once we get to the conference tournament and the playoffs we can see how it goes. If Riojas and Harrison keep doing what they are doing and they want to use Cozart, Flores, and/or Hamilton as starters and move him back I'm fine with it. Or if they want to keep him as a #3 starter as the opening weekend of the road to Omaha we need maybe 4 starters I'm fine we that as well.

Just got a lot of baseball games to go and see what if any (hopefully no more after J. Williams) injuries to deal with. Lots of moving forward with pitchers.

Just remember Volantis and Cozart are probably next year's Friday and Saturday starters.

Now, if someone will tell the pitchers to shave those '70s pornstaches off.

That last line is hilarious because I thought the same thing!

 

[TB14]

Volantis is the best or 2nd best pitcher on the team. You put him in a spot that allows him to pitch the most amount of innings for your team. And that is by far as a starter. Relievers are not near as valuable as starters due to the amount of innings pitched, and if you don't have a good start then you aren't leading at the end to ever need a closer.

Best best closers make about as much as a #3 starter will in free agency in mlb. Just the value has to match.

 

[hookemhorb]

Volantis is the best or 2nd best pitcher on the team. You put him in a spot that allows him to pitch the most amount of innings for your team. And that is by far as a starter. Relievers are not near as valuable as starters due to the amount of innings pitched, and if you don't have a good start then you aren't leading at the end to ever need a closer.

Best best closers make about as much as a #3 starter will in free agency in mlb. Just the value has to match.

I'm going to disagree with you here. I think finding a closer should be one of your top priorities. If you have 2 good starters and set up men and a closer, you can win 2 out of 3 most of the time. That could mean if your best closer is one of your top 3 starters, even your best starter, you put him in the closing role.

Most starters can't go 9 innings every game. If you have close games and most games will be close, then you need a couple of set up men and a closer.

The goal for starters is to give you 6 strong innings. Then you have set up men for the 7th and 8th innings with your closer coming in the 9th inning.

Juggling a pitching staff is hard, but having a closer can make things easier.

 

[TB14]

I'm going to disagree with you here. I think finding a closer should be one of your top priorities. If you have 2 good starters and set up men and a closer, you can win 2 out of 3 most of the time. That could mean if your best closer is one of your top 3 starters, even your best starter, you put him in the closing role.

Most starters can't go 9 innings every game. If you have close games and most games will be close, then you need a couple of set up men and a closer.

The goal for starters is to give you 6 strong innings. Then you have set up men for the 7th and 8th innings with your closer coming in the 9th inning.

Juggling a pitching staff is hard, but having a closer can make things easier.

That is my point though. If you have him at closer then you're hoping for 2 or 3 innings a week from him. And you may have to waste him in a blowout. Or you may already be losing. If he starts you get 6 innings a week and can be directly responsible for a win. It adds value over the course of the season.