Otter

Exactly, completely different eras. And I've never seen a pitcher with the combination of elite control, command, and movement that Maddux had. It's crazy to go back and watch some old videos and see the movement and command he had of his two seam fastball.

Good points. As for Fabian, good defense but I'm not sold on the bat skills translating against major league pitching. And although Cowser has looked so much better defensively this year, I don't think he's a full-time CF at the major league level. Although I'm comfortable with him filling in at CF.

What you say is certainly possible, but using one of the best pitchers of all time (and a true unicorn) as the exception to disprove the rule isn't a great argument IMO.

True. But I was looking more at majors and minors depth combined, so we have Mateo/Urias/Holliday/Westburg/Norby that can all play 2B, but mostly just Mullins and Bradfield as legit CFs ahead of him right now.

Nice summary. I wonder why he's playing 2B this year instead of OF. It seems all the scouting reports were high on his outfield defense, and we are much deeper at 2B than CF.

I don't think Elias will do this, but if Holliday goes down I'd like to see Norby brought up and given an opportunity to start 60-70% of time at 2B. I know OF is probably his long term home if he stays in the organization, but as long as he can play a mediocre 2B I'd like to see how his bat plays in the majors. However, even if Elias brings him up I suspect he sits on the bench in favor of Mateo/Urias.

Interesting to see how big he looks jogging the bases compared to the other team's infielders...

Yes, it's an interesting pattern. But I also suspect it stands out to us since we've become a little spoiled with the fast-moving and precocious prospects we've had fly through our system in the past few years.

Agreed on both counts: that he's getting close to a promotion based on previous handling of similar levels of prospects, and that the outfield at AAA is already crowded. And this brings up one minor beef I have with Elias regarding prospect promotions.....he often is very aggressive in promoting well-performing prospects up through the lower levels, but then is very conservative in promoting well-performing prospects from AAA to the majors. As a result, we may always have a logjam of prospects at AAA which can force prospects into playing off their natural positions, taking turns at DH instead of getting reps at their positions, or even spending time on the bench. I wonder if Elias will change a bit now that AAA is already crowded and slow down the promotions at lower levels.

And that was an easy stand up triple...looked like he was just cruising...

Very interesting. Will be interesting to track if this is just a rare occurrence or they are getting him some legit time there. I would have thought Kjerstad would be a much better option for 1B than Beavers, but maybe they tried it and Kjerstad was brutal there.

Partially agree, but not for the reasons stated. The old left field was way too short and unfair to pitchers. However, Elias overcompensated and now the left field wall is way too long and unfair to hitters. And I do find it strange that Elias hasn't tried to draft or acquire more LHP to mitigate left-handed power hitters taking advantage of the only short porch left in the current configuration.

Agreed. O'Hearn is just a below average outfielder and should be relegated to 1B/DH only. It's also ironic for all the talk from Elias and Mansolino about the importance of defense and having plus defenders at every position they put O'Hearn in the outfield. Is O'Hearn better defensively at RF than Holliday is at 2B??

Great reports, but Norby is blocked by multiple players at either 2B or LF and Mayo is still working on a position. Too bad we can't get all these glowing reports on some starting pitcher prospects...I know it's just the first game but looks like McDermott is still having serious control/command issues. At some point all the coaching, metrics, tinkering have been exhausted and a pitcher is who he is. I'd guess he has a full year to improve control/command, and if he doesn't then he's in the bullpen next year.

Do you think the pitchers are trying to walk batters? Do you think a silly rule will stop them from walking batters?