azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Jack Magruder, Tribune
TUCSON - Ask Oscar Villarreal now, and he would make every one of his 86 appearances in 2003 again.
The rolling r’s in his last name — resilient and reliable.
To him, missing most of last season with an elbow injury is an unrelated matter, an unfortunate coincidence that randomly befalls a few of his brethren every year.
"It’s baseball,’’ Villarreal said.
What he did in 2003 also was baseball history, when he set a record that may never be challenged, at least if the society for the preservation of young arms has a say.
At 21, Villarreal was the first pitcher in the major leagues to make four times as many appearances as his age.
He tied for fourth among National League rookies in victories while going 10-7 with a 2.57 ERA in 98 innings, limiting opponents to a .222 batting average. He came through when called upon.
"I felt good. It never hurt,’’ Villarreal said when asked if he thought he was overworked.
"Maybe if I was hurt, I would have said no. But I was never hurt. I want to pitch. I want to throw. I want to play. I like to pitch.’’
D-Backs general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. called the use issue water under the bridge.
"I’m happy he appears to be healthy,’’ he said. "That will be one of the interesting story lines this spring, where he fits into the staff.’’
Not that right-hander Villarreal will give in to a little pain — he made three starts after suffering a fractured right thumb in the first inning of an April 25 start at Class AA El Paso in 2003, throwing his first career complete game while giving up only one run his next time out before the pain and swelling made it impossible to continue.
Villarreal’s arm seems to be back at full strength this spring. He is contending for the final spot in the starting rotation, his roster spot seemingly secure with the bullpen a fall-back position.
It is quite a change from 2004, when he was sore upon arrival in training camp and did not pitch in a game until the final week of spring training.
Villarreal was back on the fast track when the regular season started, however, appearing on opening day and 11 more times in April but landing on the disabled list May 10 with a right flexor strain.
When his velocity did not improve during a rehab assignment at Class AAA Tucson, Villarreal was shelved for the rest of the season, undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery in early August.
Melvin said his only concern this spring is about Villarreal’s conditioning, and Villarreal is doing extra running to get in optimum shape for a return to the rotation.
"His stuff is great right now,’’ Melvin said.
"He’s a real laid-back guy, but when he is on the mound he is not. He is very focused. Mechanically, he is very sound.’’
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=37395
TUCSON - Ask Oscar Villarreal now, and he would make every one of his 86 appearances in 2003 again.
The rolling r’s in his last name — resilient and reliable.
To him, missing most of last season with an elbow injury is an unrelated matter, an unfortunate coincidence that randomly befalls a few of his brethren every year.
"It’s baseball,’’ Villarreal said.
What he did in 2003 also was baseball history, when he set a record that may never be challenged, at least if the society for the preservation of young arms has a say.
At 21, Villarreal was the first pitcher in the major leagues to make four times as many appearances as his age.
He tied for fourth among National League rookies in victories while going 10-7 with a 2.57 ERA in 98 innings, limiting opponents to a .222 batting average. He came through when called upon.
"I felt good. It never hurt,’’ Villarreal said when asked if he thought he was overworked.
"Maybe if I was hurt, I would have said no. But I was never hurt. I want to pitch. I want to throw. I want to play. I like to pitch.’’
D-Backs general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. called the use issue water under the bridge.
"I’m happy he appears to be healthy,’’ he said. "That will be one of the interesting story lines this spring, where he fits into the staff.’’
Not that right-hander Villarreal will give in to a little pain — he made three starts after suffering a fractured right thumb in the first inning of an April 25 start at Class AA El Paso in 2003, throwing his first career complete game while giving up only one run his next time out before the pain and swelling made it impossible to continue.
Villarreal’s arm seems to be back at full strength this spring. He is contending for the final spot in the starting rotation, his roster spot seemingly secure with the bullpen a fall-back position.
It is quite a change from 2004, when he was sore upon arrival in training camp and did not pitch in a game until the final week of spring training.
Villarreal was back on the fast track when the regular season started, however, appearing on opening day and 11 more times in April but landing on the disabled list May 10 with a right flexor strain.
When his velocity did not improve during a rehab assignment at Class AAA Tucson, Villarreal was shelved for the rest of the season, undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery in early August.
Melvin said his only concern this spring is about Villarreal’s conditioning, and Villarreal is doing extra running to get in optimum shape for a return to the rotation.
"His stuff is great right now,’’ Melvin said.
"He’s a real laid-back guy, but when he is on the mound he is not. He is very focused. Mechanically, he is very sound.’’
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=37395
