Ruzious

They basically pitch around Mullins, and our #2 and #3 hitters don't make them pay. That's disappointing. At least Hays hit the ball hard.

I looked through the attack last weekend - found my collection of 8 track tapes... have no way of playing them.

No, we are not going to get beaten by a scrubb.

Much appreciated.

You're absolutely right. I shouldn't have said that. I apologize.

Wow, that's really awful.

Ugg, we need another 3rd baseman. I think I could out-run him.

Cowser actually seems like a heckuva prospect - with great speed, power, more walks than K's, but... if the O's pick him, they will get roasted.

Good info Tony. I don't disagree - just wonder if - at age 26 - it's realistic to build up to that 100 pitch mark. Does his excellent size help his chances - as far as being durable?

Was he a breath of fresh air or what? I know Palmer talks about him being a starter, but he's having success as a reliever, and he's not a 21 year old kid (though he looks like he is); he's 26 having success in the Majors - why not keep him in that role - considering he's only once thrown over 92 innings in a season?

Hmm, GruidoSarducci started the thread, and we won - which hasn't happened a lot lately. Just sayin... maybe he should start tonight's thread.

I think the difference is - He's waiting for his pitch. I think he's bought into this approach - so the hitting coach should get some credit. He knows he might strike out looking more using this approach, but he won't roll over swinging at pitcher's pitches, and when he does swing, he's going to make consistently good contact. And listening to Hays after the game last night, he's learning too and is buying in 100% to this approach, so if he stays healthy - expect Hays' numbers to rise.

Tre's a .789 OPS guy with one big season on his resume at 29 - and is a negative on defense. Fair or not, teams don't typically give up much for those kind of players.

Schoop didn't have a lot of range at 2B, but nobody stands in there on double plays like he does, and so far - I've never seen anyone willing to run into him.

I'd have him jump to AA, and if he does well there, skip AAA. The jump from A directly to the Majors is just too much, imo and likely counter-productive. Grayson said there was a big adjustment for him going to Bowie, and he's a phenom, so if it was tough for him, it'll be tough for anyone. Otoh, he's kind dominated at AA. Tbh, he's probably our best pitcher at any level right now - like Adley is our best catcher. If not for contract issues, they probably both should be in the Majors now.

The thing I really miss about JJ was his ability to tag out base-runners. Nobody had better hands - in making the catch and applying the tag. And it's a big deal, because I see our infielders bobble throws and blindly try sweeping tags that are hit or miss attempts rather than fundamentally sound movements. Plays that he would routinely make, they don't come close enough to even make the attempt. It'd also be nice to have a good strong arm at SS.

Yup, and some of that development has to be in the Majors. There's no easy way - unless you're Fernando Tatis.

Yup. Ozuna is an awful defensive OFer - and may never be back - depending on his off-field problems moreso than his injury. Pache (and Waters) is in AAA trying to get his OPS over .700. Braves are relying on journeymen right now in 2 of the OF positions.

Plus a lot. I want the college dominator who won't need multiple years in the minors. Everyone questions his control, but he's got fewer walks than Leiter and a 4.5/1 SO/W ratio. Now watch him get shelled tonight in the huge game. But yes, I am imagining that rotation. And Kumar should be an easy sign - the O's would be his only option.

Yesterday, he not only stole 2 bases, he would have had a 3rd on Hays' homer - he got a tremendous jump - I think that caused the pitcher to lose his concentration - as he threw a big fat hanging slider that Hays crushed.

And Mountcastle drew 2 walks - to go with a homer and a single. Remember earlier in the season, people were suggesting they send him down.

What I didn't get is - Hyde took out Hunter because he gave up a walk, and he puts in Scott - who's problem is walks - in to replace him. Granted, he had no way of knowing how bad Scott would be, but did he not realize the irony/foolishness of his move - particularly against a team that's so good at drawing walks?

Rocker and Leiter continue to dominate. Rocker actually has the slightly better SO/W ratio. Could it be that Rocker has actually become underrated?

Winner

Offensively and defensively, this is what we want to see - Mullins getting 3 hits and 2 steals, Hays homering and stealing a homer, and Mountcastle homering, singling and taking 2 walks. Next year, we'll have a catcher and in infield, and pitching.