When it comes to rookies making their pro debuts, I view their performances on a different scale than I would an established MLB player. Expecting a prospect to come up and dominate in his first run through the majors is a bad approach, even if that prospect is expected to dominate in the future. What I look for in a pro debut is how a guy’s stuff plays, and whether he actually looks the part.
Chad Kuhl looked ready, despite poor stats that led to three earned runs on four hits and four walks in five innings. Steven Brault looked ready, despite only going four innings.