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March 18, 2007

Prospectus Q&A

Jeremy Bonderman

by David Laurila

A first-round pick by Oakland in the 2001 draft, Jeremy Bonderman has been trying to prove Billy Beane wrong ever since. So far, he's doing a pretty good job. As readers of Moneyball are well aware, Beane was highly critical of his scouting director selecting a high school pitcher as the team's top pick. A year later, he traded Bonderman to Detroit. Rushed to the big leagues at the age of 20, Bonderman struggled, losing 19 games in 2003 while posting an ERA of 5.56. He has improved steadily since that time, and last season helped pitch the Tigers to the World Series by going 14-8 while finishing second in the American League with 202 strikeouts in a team-high 214 innings.

David Laurila sat down with Bonderman for Baseball Prospectus to talk about how he throws his power slider, his developing changeup, and not being given a chance in Oakland.

Baseball Prospectus: When you look at your statistics, which are the most meaningful to you?

Jeremy Bonderman: I'd say it's my innings and how many hits and walks I give up per inning. The other is my ERA--if my ERA is down, I have a shot to win a lot of games, and that's what I'm out there to do.

BP: Would you rather be on the mound with your best fastball and so-so breaking stuff, or with a so-so fastball and your best breaking stuff?

JB: I want my fastball. That's what sets everything else up, especially if you're locating it well. A good breaking ball isn't going to get it done if you're trying to run a fastball in on a hitter and it doesn't have any life. Those are going to get hit. But if you're spotting a good fastball, hitters are going to have trouble with your breaking pitches even if you don't have your best one going.