GCL Astros - Tanner Bushue

The final starting pitcher with five starts for the GCL Astros is the injured Tanner Bushue. Back on August 6, Bushue was shut down for the season with stress fractures in his back. But that didn't stop him from being listed as the 9th-best prospect in the GCL. Is 22.1 innings pitched enough to make any sort of comment? Absolutely not! Has that ever stopped the blogosphere? Keep reading...

Tanner Bushue
How did he get here?: Drafted 2nd round, 2009 draft
Stats: 6'4", 180 lbs, Throws: Right
Age as of April 1, 2010: 18

On the season: 5 starts, 1-0, 2.42 ERA/1.03 WHIP, 19K:5BB, .220 against, 2HR

Splits:
vs. LHB (7.1IP): 1.23 ERA/0.55 WHIP, 5K:0BB, .160 BAA,
vs. RHB (15IP): 3.00 ERA/1.27 WHIP, 14K:5BB, .246 BAA, 2HR

Home (12.1IP): 2.19 ERA/0.97 WHIP, 9K:2BB, .227 BAA, 1HR
Away (10IP): 2.70 ERA/1.10 WHIP, 10K:3BB, .211 BAA, 1HR

Bases Empty (13.2IP): 1.17 WHIP, 13K:4BB, .226 BAA, 2HR
Runners on (8.2IP): 0.81 WHIP, 6K:1BB, .207 BAA, 0HR
w/RISP (5.1IP): 0.75 WHIP, 4K:1BB, .167 BAA, 0HR

June (1 start, 2.2IP): 3.38 ERA/1.50 WHIP, 0K:1BB
July (4 starts, 19.2IP): 2.29 ERA/0.97 WHIP, 13K:4BB

K/9 Rate: 7.7
BB/9 Rate: 2.0
Groundout/Flyout Rate: 0.96
K:BB Ratio: 3.80

What can we learn here? Not much, but what little we can discern is encouraging. We really only got one month of starts to look at, but in those starts, we see a WHIP under 1.00. Also encouraing is the locking down of baserunners as the situation gets more tenuous. WHIPs running from 1.17 with the bases empty, 0.81 with runners on, and 0.75 with runners in scoring position.

But what to make of these stress fractures? Physioroom says that a full recovery can be made, but that he'll have to be real careful:

Sporting activities should be practiced on grass if possible. Compared to Astroturf and concrete, grass has some degree of 'give' in it that reduces the forces that are transmitted through the spine. Competitive games should be limited to 30 each season and practice sessions should be monitored and extended gradually in frequency, duration and intensity. It is important that adequate rest periods are taken between training sessions and matches, and practices should not be overdone, particularly when participating in activities such as taking throw-ins in football and fast bowling in cricket.

So there you go.