Dodgers Pitcher Jason Schmidt Lasts 5 in First Outing in ’09
Dodgerspitcher Jason Schmidt, back in the starting rotation after nearly two years away from the game, lasted 5 innings before James McDonald replaced him at the top of the 6th.
Schmidt gave up five hits and three runs, (all earned). He walked three and struck out two, and managed to hit a batter in 91 pitches, 56 of which were strikes.
Overall, Schmidt did OK for someone who hasn’t played in the majors since June 2007. He certainly exuded some measure of control tonight (the hit batter notwidthstanding) and didn’t seem rattled – I think he is ready for prime time but the next several outings will tell the tale.
More importantly, did Schmidt make enough of an impression that the Dodgers will refrain from trading to get more seasoned pitching talent to get them through the second half of the season?
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I’m a huge Jason Schmidt fan (one of the nicest guys in baseball imo) but I don’t think he showed the stuff to continually compete at the big league level. His velocity hovered around the low eighties making it difficult to set up his secondary pitches. I’m pulling for him more than anyone but I’m worried he’ll run into trouble shortly.