Hirsh tonight

[Phil_in_CS]

Didn't get to see the game; from the box score it looks like Hirsh was bumping along and then got popped a bit. How was he pitching? Good pitches getting whacked, too nervous, or what?

[Frobie]

I was there so I didn't have the benefit of a good view of the strike zone or instant replay.  That being said...

Don't know if it was nerves or what, but he seemed to lack command.  Threw a lot of pitches--his pitch count was in the 70s or 80s after 4 innings IIRC (actually 87 according to ESPN)--and seemed to go to full or near-full counts on most batters, even though he "only" walked 2.  I'd be curious to hear what others thought of the dinger-fest.  It looked to me like he just left the ball over the plate.  From where I was sitting, they didn't seem to be great pitches.

Stuff-wise, he reminded me a lot of Springer (with the addition of a change).

Edited to add:  just noticed that pravata's (excellent, as usual) recap is up already.  Some useful thoughts about Hirsh if you haven't seen it yet.

[Jacksonian]

Quote:
I was there so I didn't have the benefit of a good view of the strike zone or instant replay.  That being said...

Don't know if it was nerves or what, but he seemed to lack command.  Threw a lot of pitches--his pitch count was in the 70s or 80s after 4 innings IIRC (actually 87 according to ESPN)--and seemed to go to full or near-full counts on most batters, even though he "only" walked 2.  I'd be curious to hear what others thought of the dinger-fest.  It looked to me like he just left the ball over the plate.  From where I was sitting, they didn't seem to be great pitches.

Stuff-wise, he reminded me a lot of Springer (with the addition of a change).

Edited to add:  just noticed that pravata's (excellent, as usual) recap is up already.  Some useful thoughts about Hirsh if you haven't seen it yet.

I didn't see the game, but it sounds like he did exactly what I'd expect he'd do in his first mlb game.  I assume he was nervous and trying too hard to impress. I've seen him in that mode, and his fastball ends up being thrown too hard and left up in the zone. His off-speed stuff ends up flat, and he lacks control.

[astro pete]

Hirsh really only threw one pitch consistently for strikes: his fastball.  It wasn't a very impressive debut.

[MikeyBoy]

Quote:
I didn't see the game, but it sounds like he did exactly what I'd expect he'd do in his first mlb game.  I assume he was nervous and trying too hard to impress. I've seen him in that mode, and his fastball ends up being thrown too hard and left up in the zone. His off-speed stuff ends up flat, and he lacks control.

You nailed it, Jacksonian. He was throwing his fastball at 94, to which JD pointed out that the scouting reports showed him to be more around the 90-91 range. He was definitely trying too hard, and although I wasn't there, I'm sure somewhat similar to his Spring performances.