DocJJ

He was awful last night, no question. I only go to 1-2 games a year and I had to sit through this absolute steamer.... And they ran out of bucket hats and I missed out even though I got there 40 minutes early! My concerns- Lost velocity- fastest pitch timed at 93 MPH on the stadium gun- don't know if this is accurate but many fastballs in the very hittable 90-91 range. Poor command- behind every hitter, walking leadoff batters, bouncing a lot of pitches in the dirt. He seemed to know he didn't have it last night- body language was sagging from the first inning. I certainly don't think he's tradeable... And who else can we start? I hear he's a super nice guy- I'll be rooting for him to turn it around...

Andrew Abbott is a very good pitcher. Tough assignment for Gunnar hitting cleanup- his OPS is only .544 against lefties this year.... Not sure why he's in the lineup, let alone cleanup spot? I'd be inclined to let him sit against Abbott. Play Urias at 3B, Mateo SS, Westburg 2B...

Hick's hot streak is certainly quite welcome. His last 4 seasons with the Yankees were awful, and the first part of this season too... Did we make any corrections/adjustments? Or is he just on a random hot streak?

1. Ace/TOR Starter. 2. Solid reliable middle relief 3. Solid reliable setup relief 4. MOB masher bat

Maybe package him with DL Hall for someone?

What a frustrating player to watch. He has such lightning quick hands and power potential, but terrible plate discipline and his defense at any position has become intolerable... Do you hold on to him and hope he can improve? Could he be part of a trade package? or does not have any real trade value at this point?

Ok, but the bottom .01% of guys who played in the majors.... (kidding... sort of...)

Is anyone else amused that someone is bent out of shape over the fact that I quoted his career MLB average at .229 when it is actually .231? I'm guessing they must be related to Aaron?

His career batting average of .229 over 10 MLB seasons should tell you everything you need to know.... I want to know how on earth he hung on for 10 MLB seasons????

And Baltimore is a City. Not many "Country Boys" to be found there.... If the song was titled, "Thank God I'm a City Boy" that would make more sense. I like Centerfield by Fogerty, though this might be overdone.... Born to Run by the Boss might work. Although admittedly it would be completely corny, I'll say Bust a Move by Young MC.

I still think they're pretty bad.... yet I want one anyway? Can someone explain this psychological phenomenon?

Amazing we were able to win with a gaping 0-15 in the heart of our order today.... Tells you the team has some depth and can get contributions from multiple different guys in the lineup- the mark of a good team.

Is there anything we can do, as a fanbase, to protest the stupidly simple ugly design? We should somehow boycott this and make sure no one buys a single one. Then insist they try to do this over again and this time actually hire a designer...

Obviously it's wayyy early and lots of things can change in the years ahead, but at this point in time I'm thrilled we chose Jackson at #1 instead of Druw Jones Jr, Brooks Lee, Jace Jung, Termarr Johnson and Elijah Greene!

40 steals? Did we know he had wheels? I know catchers in the minors sometimes aren't very adept at catching runners but that number is eye popping....

His numbers are like video-game numbers.... If you projected his current season's stats over a full year: .390 25 HR 130 RBI 40 steals. That's mind-boggling. Maybe he's just riding a serious hot streak and will come down to earth a bit? Or maybe he's just really that good and should go to Bowie soon...

I'm not worried about him in the long term- I think he'll be a solid to star level player at some point. I am worried about him for right now- he just seemed "off" during spring training and that same "off" seems to still be present now. Last night he swung right through back-to-back 93 MPH fastballs in the middle of the zone before flying out to CF. Neither pitch looked particularly overpowering or hard to hit, and he didn't even make contact at all. Something just doesn't seem right. I'm not a hitting coach or anything and I could be totally off base.... Sometimes guys do need a "reset" in the minors. Jared Kelenic comes to mind.... Maybe have him try to work on his stroke at Norfolk and have give Westburg a trial for a bit at 3B?

Not that Urias, Mateo, Frazier, or Vavra are all really that bad... and we don't know if the aforementioned guys would end up being any better.... but I'd be in favor of it...

He went 4-5 today raising his average on the season to .398. You do not trade that. His defense at 2nd is only average but you could bat him in the leadoff position and get a lot of on base there....

He is absolutely mashing Double A right now. I guess he might be blocked at Norfolk by Norby, Westburg, and Ortiz, but he's hitting .387 and launched his 3rd HR today and looks like someone who should see a promotion...

Serious question.

Maybe not quite an Ace, but a "Near-Ace" we should make every effort to obtain: Eduardo Rodriguez. Lefty, playoff experience, having a great year (for a terrible team). Problem is the Tigers probably want a King's ransom for him....

Interesting tidbit- Both starting pitchers tonight are Jewish. I wonder when the last time there was an MLB game where both starters were Jewish? I wonder if that's ever happened before?

That may have been the best he's pitched this season. And that Braves lineup is deadly....

I've seen enough. Let him go back down to the minors and try to get his timing/stroke back... I know he has a lot of walks. At some point you have to freaking hit the ball...