Pelfrey catches some praise

Joel Sherman, in his 3 UP for the day, quotes a major league scout on Mike Pelfrey's start yesterday:

His slider is nearing major league average and his changeup is becoming passable. I know that doesn’t sound great, but two years ago his slider was total garbage and his changeup was non-existent. I see growth on both pitches, so to me that means the ability to grow and adapt. Plus, that sinking fastball is such a bat-breaking pitch that if he can spot it to both sides of the plate then the other stuff just has to be good, not great.

I'm glad to see Pelfrey finally getting some recognition, albeit, the scout is not saying he's a bona fide pitcher yet. With Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez manning the front end of the Mets rotation, and two players in John Maine and Oliver Perez who are coming off 15-win seasons in your 3 and 4 spots, I think a guy like Pelfrey can sit nicely in the 5th hole, gain some invaluable experience, and work his way to being a better pitcher.