King Felix

[freezeframe]

Do they call him King Felix because of King County or is there some other reason?

[Coug00]

Nope, nothing to do with King County. He was given the nickname from USS Mariner while he was still in the minors due to his projection as being a dominant MLB player and expected savior of the franchise.

[bkrich83]

One day he may live up to that nickname.

[ChubbyBanana]

Well you learn something new everyday!

[spit_bubble]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

One day he may live up to that nickname.

Heh... I've never liked the nickname... He's really been more of a prince...

But this year he is looking like he might actually fulfill all of that ridiculously high potential. The main difference is his composure, which he seems to be keeping. They gave him the ball opening day to be the #1 guy (as opposed to Bedard last year) and he seems to have embraced the roll with a sense of responsibility.

The only thing I wonder is how he'll react after a few 1-0 or 2-1 losses... Because the Mariners' offense is brutal. Low run support will likely keep his win total down, and I just hope he stays focused. He clearly has some of the best stuff in the league... Just needs to learn how to battle.

[Coug00]

Quote: Originally Posted by koshi

Heh... I've never liked the nickname... He's really been more of a prince... But this year he is looking like he might actually fulfill all of that ridiculously high potential. The main difference is his composure, which he seems to be keeping. They gave him the ball opening day to be the #1 guy (as opposed to Bedard last year) and he seems to have embraced the roll with a sense of responsibility. The only thing I wonder is how he'll react after a few 1-0 or 2-1 losses... Because the Mariners' offense is brutal. Low run support will likely keep his win total down, and I just hope he stays focused. He clearly has some of the best stuff in the league... Just needs to learn how to battle.

Yeah, mentally he's matured so much compared to where he was when he came up. I was happy with the way he bounced back after giving up a 3-run lead to the Tigers and shut them down afterwards. He's toned down his velocity a little bit and is hitting his spots more often. He's becoming a pitcher and not a thrower. And he's been pitching on a sprained ankle for all but about 2 innings this year.

What most critics of him forget is that he just turned 23 a couple weeks ago...he's light years ahead of most MLB pitchers at his age.

[ryan36]

He's the one pitcher we have who can work out of a jam, Morrow could...but now he's a reliever. He'll give us one good inning for Lincecum's every 8. But mental toughness is something Silva n Washburn don't have.

Felix if he stays healthy will be great...he seems to get a freak injury every month

[snepp]

Quote: Originally Posted by pitchingcoach36

But mental toughness is something Silva n Washburn don't have.

They're also missing that little thing known as talent.