2011 Stats (AA Akron/ AAA Columbus): 6-4, 2.79, 1.10 WHIP, .212 OBA, 2.8 BB/9, 9.8 K/9
2011 Stats (MLB Indians): 1-0, 4.09, 0.91 WHIP, .118 OBA, 4.9 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
It took Nick awhile to arrive, but he is certainly here now. After years of bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen, this piece of the 2009 Victor Martinez trade has found himself as a lefty set-up man. Hagadone's arsenal includes a 96 MPH heater with good movement, a plus slider (devastating to lefties, .127 @ AAA), and an effective straight change. In addition to the gaudy strikeout numbers, Nick also induces a good number of ground balls (1.01 GO/AO @ AAA) such that fly balls account for just 32% of his outs. Although his control improved dramatically last season (career 4.7 BB/9), the adrenaline of The Show brought out some hitches in his giddy-up. Just 3 years removed from Tommy John surgery, Hagadone can be pardoned the lapse, especially because left-handers managed just one single in 14 trips against him at the big league level. Nick was eased back in cautiously from the surgery and has shown no side effects to his stamina, pitching 80+ innings in each of the past two seasons, including 55 appearances in 2011. Now, if the Tribe's left-handed relief tandem of Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez had not been so effective last season (or if they had traded one, learn the Kelly Shoppach lesson and sell high!), then Hagadone would be all but guaranteed a spot on the opening day roster. I still say that Nick has a spot to lose. Assuming that he does not blow up in spring camp, expect him there against the Jays.
Up Next: #2 - SS Tony Wolters
