Funderburk is NOT just another Sisk

[LonelyseatinMOA]

I'll be honest, when I saw the all of the clamoring for Funderburk on Twins Daily I was reminded of another big lefty in AAA st paul and I thought to myself "look at these fools, this time last year everyone wanted Evan Sisk to be called up. And now look at him, stuck at AAA for KC with a 7 ERA". 

 

Maybe I was wrong...... maybe not. But regardless, congrats to Kody Funderburk and a "job well done" for a great debut relief appearance.

[SwainZag]

Maybe. Maybe not. 

Sisk in 2022 in AAA at age 25:

34.2 IP, 11.16 K/9, 4.67 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 2.08 ERA, 2.93 FIP. 3.74 xFIP

Funderburk in 2023 in AAA at age 26: 

52.0 IP, 12.98 K/9, 3.63 BB/9, 0.17 HR/9, 2.60 ERA, 2.35 FIP, 3.15 xFIP

 

Their numbers aren't THAT different. Obviously Sisk is struggling with his new club this year, but here's hoping Funderburk is just a late bloomer and can be asset in the pen for year's to come.  Having 2 lefties would pay some nice dividends. 

 

 

[4twinsJA]

I don't have stats handy, but if I remember correctly Sisk struggled to get RH batters out, but Funderburk actually has reverse splits-better against RH batters. This would be one of the biggest differences.

[jimbo92107]

Important to note that Cody Funderburk has transitioned from being a hitter/pitcher to just a pitcher, and then from a starter to a reliever. He appears to be a big, athletic guy. Don't be too surprised if he does just fine in a Twins uniform. 

[Dman]

Yeah only one game so far for Kody and Balazovich and others had good starts only to get clobbered once teams had more time to see what they throw and when they throw it.  I have been a big Funderburk backer as he has been good the whole way up.  No elite pitches and a not "fast" fastball are the things that have held him back but the good to great results were always there.

It is sink or swim time, but I believe he is gonna make it. Triple A hitters have killed pitchers this year and he has been rock solid.  Will have to wait and see as MLB is on another level but his debut was excellent and similar to what he did at AAA.  Here's to hoping he can adjust when it comes time to adjust.

[Cap'n Piranha]

1 hour ago, LonelyseatinMOA said:

I'll be honest, when I saw the all of the clamoring for Funderburk on Twins Daily I was reminded of another big lefty in AAA st paul and I thought to myself "look at these fools, this time last year everyone wanted Evan Sisk to be called up. And now look at him, stuck at AAA for KC with a 7 ERA". 

 

Maybe I was wrong...... maybe not. But regardless, congrats to Kody Funderburk and a "job well done" for a great debut relief appearance.

I think being in the KC org might have something to do with Sisk's struggles.  I would only join that organization if I had no other choice.

[LonelyseatinMOA]

1 hour ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

I think being in the KC org might have something to do with Sisk's struggles.  I would only join that organization if I had no other choice.

They fixed Aroldis Chapman..... somehow

[SwainZag]

18 minutes ago, LonelyseatinMOA said:

They fixed Aroldis Chapman..... somehow

I'm not sure they fixed him, but he remembered how to strike people out.  2022 he dropped to 10.7 K/9 which is almost 4 below his career average and 5 from the 2021 when he was very good.  He bounced back this year and was averaging 16.3 with Kansas City.

Could be a blip, could just be a down year, but I doubt the Royals really did anything to "fix" him.