I know he has had weight and alcohol issues, but Rick Anderson should be able to straighten him out and players on the Twins always seem to behave, SO lmk if you know anything about him, have watched him extensively in the past, etc. I am really not looking for "Ponson Sucks" type of answers. If you think he will suck tell me why?
2007-01-03 14:52:00 · 15 answers · asked by Eho 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Sorry to say, but I wouldn't expect anything. I think Sidney is done. He was awful for St. Louis, and even worse with the Yankees, who dropped him after just a few horrible outings. He used to have great stuff, but it looks like he now has lost it. He just hasn't taken care of himself, and has gotten too out of shape. Dave Duncan is a great pitching coach, and even he couldn't turn Ponso around. I think the Twins know he doesn't have much left, and are maybe just seeing if they can use him somehow as a fifth starter type. The Twins have a great bullpen and some good young pitchers, so I have no idea why they are wasting their time with Ponson.
2007-01-03 15:04:30 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They needed somebody and Sidney is a decent guy to use as a starter. I watched him pitch when he was with the Cardinals last season. When Ponson is pitching well, his fastball can reach 92-94 MPH, but he often works in the 90-92 range. One reason for the drop in velocity as you said is a lack of conditioning that also affects his stamina. The key to his 2003 success was an improved slider. When he's able to throw a sharp slider with good command, it helps set up his other pitches. He's not afraid to throw inside to keep hitters off the plate. Without the velocity he once had, he needs to keep the ball down in the strike zone to stay out of trouble. Poor control and pitches high in the zone were a problem in 2004, 2005, and 2006. However if you look statistically he has shown much better numbers in the first half of the season than in the second half of the season. Because of his large frame, he tends to ware down by the time the all-star break rolls around....hopefully by this time for the Twins sake their kids (Bonser, Garza, and Perkins) will have gained some major league experience. If I were you I would expect a decent couple of months but I really don't see him as part of the Twins rotation come August and September, Garza and Perkins are both too good and should be able to put up numbers that will give them the opportunity to start.
2007-01-03 23:06:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow; Really? Why would they do that? This guy had one good year in 2003 when he was 14 and 6 (3.77 ERA) with Baltimore before flying the coup to the G'ints going 3 and 6 with a 3.71 ERA. He hadn't done anything before or after so 2003 might have been a fluke. I'm guessing this guy is a one-year wonder - if Dave Duncan couldn't figure him out and the Cards gave up on him - I don't know, Ponson may be Poison.
and Ponson was born in in Noord, Aruba and is a cousin of Radhames Dykhoff!!! lmas :)
Good Luck!
2007-01-03 23:02:44 · answer #3 · answered by kjbopp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Cardinals' fan, and he didn't do well for us. He kind of fell apart. He's also know for his love of alcohol, which probably doesn't help his game. Either way, be cautious. He might not even make the rotation anyway. He's like a Jason Marquis, unpredictable. He may turn it around, but the Cardinals and Yankees couldn't figure it out. Good luck.
Trivia Bit: Sidney Ponson is the only current MLB player from Aruba.
2007-01-03 22:57:40 · answer #4 · answered by jesus_mysuperhero 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's done, but signing him to a minor league is a no lose proposition. If he sticks as a 5th starter, he'd eat some innings and be no worse than Steve Trashheap, who's probably going to get a few mil from some cellar dwelling team. If he doesn't make it, he simply gets cut and doesn't cost much more than the spring training per diem (which most likely would have gone to buying a 6 pack and hanging out on the Ft Myers beaches).
2007-01-03 23:29:01 · answer #5 · answered by nymetsking 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats Sir Sidney to you. Expect 50 more lbs, 4 DL stints, 13 benders, 4 drunk in publics and 2 DUIs.
Final sats
3-12 5.46 ERA
Besides the alcohol problems, hitter have him figured out. One great season in Baltimore is something GMs are having trouble forgetting.
2007-01-04 01:16:20 · answer #6 · answered by Roland T. Fackfizer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His battles off the field have robbed Ponson of his once great potential on the mound. He has lost zip and movement on his fastball, and command (never a strong suit) has been a huge question mark. He had a competitive edge earlier in his career and, that too, has left him. He will continue to tease you occasionally, but if you're expecting him to be more than a 4 or 5th startet on your pitching staff, than you have a lot of faith my friend.
2007-01-03 23:19:07 · answer #7 · answered by JohnnyO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's a hard worker who will give you 6 innings per start, but will receive 4 runs. With the Twins bullpen, he should win at least 12-14 games. Not bad for a fourth or fifth starter.
2007-01-03 23:02:10 · answer #8 · answered by ljjahn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Coming from a Cards fan... I would not expect anything!!! He pitched all right for us at the begging of the season but then fell apart by May. Don't expect him to be in the line-up by June.
2007-01-04 01:20:11 · answer #9 · answered by Robert R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they only signed hm because of the experience but honestly at bes Ponson will maybe have 11-8 record. Because he is usually solid for only 4 innings then lineups catch on to his limited pitches. sry man i like the twinkies to but you also have to be honest
2007-01-03 23:04:10 · answer #10 · answered by Smooth Move EX-LAX 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋