Here is speculation by the San Jose Mercury News Giants beat writer about Dan Runzler in a blog.
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http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extrabaggs/2009/08/25/postgame-notes-making-sense-of-the-aftermath-sandoval-update-miller-has-words-with-torrealba-etc/
-The staff began discussing September callups. I wouldn't assume everyone on the 40-man is coming up. There might be a surprising omission or two. Also, if you haven't heard of Dan Runzler, you might want to study up.
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In order for Runzler to be the next UCR Major Leaguer in 7-10 days, he would need to get added to the 40-man roster before a call-up. The Giants would need to cut a player from the 40-man or put someone on the 60-day DL which makes such a move difficult, but not impossible. The Giants only have one lefty in their bullpen...so maybe. Also here is an article from Baseball America from the same writer about Runzler and his big turnaround this year. He is putting up great numbers.
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Finding His Role
Runzler making the most of his power fastball
SAN FRANCISCO-A lefthanded reliever doesn't need an overpowering fastball to pitch a decade in the major leagues. Steve Kline is proof of that. But it never hurts, either.
Kline, a first-year pitching coach, found a pretty good lefthanded protégé to tutor when he arrived at Augusta in the low class A South Atlantic League. Dan Runzler, a 6-foot-4 lefthander, was so dominant as Augusta's closer that he was promoted to high Class A San Jose after just 19 games.
"Good kid. Hard worker. I enjoyed my time with him," Kline said. "I hope I don't see him again till he's on TV."
Runzler is on his way to a prime time role in the Giants' bullpen. A ninth-round pick in the 2007 draft out of UC Riverside, Runzler had a 5.47 ERA in 20 games at Augusta after a midseason promotion last year. But Kline got him to focus less on his mechanics and more on competing with hitters. Augusta manager Dave Machemer said Runzler's mound presence improved and he began to trust his stuff.
That stuff is worth trusting. With his upper-90s fastball, he dominated the same Sally League hitters that knocked him around last year. He posted a 0.68 ERA and allowed just eight hits while striking out 45 in 26 innings.
"We started putting him in tight games and he was getting people out with the fastball," Kline said. "He was throwing breaking balls just for fun. That's when you know he's ready to leave this level."
Runzler was having just as much fun at San Jose. Through 18 games, he had a 0.44 ERA and allowed six hits in 20 innings. He had 25 strikeouts and just four walks.
Perhaps there's a reason the 24-year-old pitcher wasn't intimidated by Cal League competition. He remembered something Kline told him every day.
"Don't ever give the hitter too much credit," Kline said.
=================================
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extrabaggs/2009/08/25/postgame-notes-making-sense-of-the-aftermath-sandoval-update-miller-has-words-with-torrealba-etc/
-The staff began discussing September callups. I wouldn't assume everyone on the 40-man is coming up. There might be a surprising omission or two. Also, if you haven't heard of Dan Runzler, you might want to study up.
=================================
In order for Runzler to be the next UCR Major Leaguer in 7-10 days, he would need to get added to the 40-man roster before a call-up. The Giants would need to cut a player from the 40-man or put someone on the 60-day DL which makes such a move difficult, but not impossible. The Giants only have one lefty in their bullpen...so maybe. Also here is an article from Baseball America from the same writer about Runzler and his big turnaround this year. He is putting up great numbers.
=================================
Finding His Role
Runzler making the most of his power fastball
SAN FRANCISCO-A lefthanded reliever doesn't need an overpowering fastball to pitch a decade in the major leagues. Steve Kline is proof of that. But it never hurts, either.
Kline, a first-year pitching coach, found a pretty good lefthanded protégé to tutor when he arrived at Augusta in the low class A South Atlantic League. Dan Runzler, a 6-foot-4 lefthander, was so dominant as Augusta's closer that he was promoted to high Class A San Jose after just 19 games.
"Good kid. Hard worker. I enjoyed my time with him," Kline said. "I hope I don't see him again till he's on TV."
Runzler is on his way to a prime time role in the Giants' bullpen. A ninth-round pick in the 2007 draft out of UC Riverside, Runzler had a 5.47 ERA in 20 games at Augusta after a midseason promotion last year. But Kline got him to focus less on his mechanics and more on competing with hitters. Augusta manager Dave Machemer said Runzler's mound presence improved and he began to trust his stuff.
That stuff is worth trusting. With his upper-90s fastball, he dominated the same Sally League hitters that knocked him around last year. He posted a 0.68 ERA and allowed just eight hits while striking out 45 in 26 innings.
"We started putting him in tight games and he was getting people out with the fastball," Kline said. "He was throwing breaking balls just for fun. That's when you know he's ready to leave this level."
Runzler was having just as much fun at San Jose. Through 18 games, he had a 0.44 ERA and allowed six hits in 20 innings. He had 25 strikeouts and just four walks.
Perhaps there's a reason the 24-year-old pitcher wasn't intimidated by Cal League competition. He remembered something Kline told him every day.
"Don't ever give the hitter too much credit," Kline said.
