Sonnanstine trying to work his way back
RHP Andy Sonnanstine appears to be taking being optioned to Triple-A Durham in stride.
Sonnanstine, who lost his spot in the rotation last Friday when Scott Kazmir returned from the disabled list, made his first start for the Bulls Thursday, picking up a win in giving up just two runs in six innings.
Sonnanstine had acknowledged in spring training that despite his strong 2008 season, he’d have to fight to stay in the big leagues. And he is willing to work on his stuff in order to get back up.
“My initial reaction was that I was disappointed,” Sonnanstine said in a phone interview Friday. “But, as I said earlier, I’m more than willing to do whatever to get this organization winning. If that means me coming down here, that’s what needs to happen.”
Sonnanstine said he plans to use his time in the minors to sharpen his slider and work on throwing inside more effectively to right-handed hitters, who are hitting .370 against him this year.
“I can only control what I do,” he said. “I’m just going to keep working in between starts and work on the things I need to work on.”
- JOE SMITH
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and James Shields, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
Noleriff you couldn't hit 80 if your life depended on it. I laugh at all the people that watch this game that think they can play it. Noleriff's post about not having heat and staying in the majors is really accurate - that's why guys like Peavy, Maddox, Moyer all had very short careers huh? Sonannstine's is simply too accurate - he throws strikes and can't find the black. Once he develops a slider he'll be back - with the Rays or somebody else.
Posted by: TriplePlay | July 05, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Sonnanstine reminds me of JP Howll when he was a starter, and once he got to the bullpen he became a dominant pitcher for a few outs. Sonnasntine may have a future as a setup man, or 1 inning relief guy, and we all know that position is extremely valuable. With Davis on the rise, and Possibly Jake Mcgee getting healthy, and Hellickson, the Rays have lots of starting pitching. Sonny might have no choice. He can be effective if he just stopped giving up those one or two bad hits a game that cost most of his runs. Others have proven in this league, you can pitch without a 95 MPH fastball, look at Moyer, etc. Hope Sonny gets it fixed, and makes it even more depth for the Rays..Go Rays..
Posted by: joemaddonsucks.com | July 04, 2009 at 09:41 PM
Let's be honest guys...Sonnanstine throws an 86 mph fastball. I can actually do that, and so can most kids on the high school level. The trick for that lack of speed is "complete pitch control"; and Sonny doesn't have it. Unless you're somebody like Wakefield, you just can't throw that slow in the Majors and make a living at it. His off-speed stuff isn't all that good, and he doesn't have consistent accuracy. He managed to get through last year because most of the league didn't know about him and hadn't faced him. He's a perrenial minor leaguer at best.
Posted by: noleriff | July 04, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Hey MF: relax, you'll live longer. The news is for the fans and Sonnanstine still has fans here. I enjoyed the update. He kept us on top of the division last year at the end of the season with a string of quality starts. we're talking about a human being, not a junk car to be thrown on the scrap heap. Try to imagine your employer's customers spewing crap about you if you screwed up on the job . . . that is if you do work at all. Happy 4th and Go Rays!
Posted by: SC-Carl | July 04, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Save us from the Sonnanstine updates!! Who really cares,other than the delusional Sonny lovers.When,and IF he ever makes it back,he will be pitching in mid/long relief.Wade Davis is nearly ready and should be next in line if another starter is needed this year.
Posted by: MarkFidrych | July 04, 2009 at 06:07 AM