Jammer7
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Posts posted by Jammer7
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2 hours ago, emmett16 said:
I spoke to my friend who is a head coach at a Big 10 school. He’s unsure currently if the school will fund the additional scholarships.
Regardless, I think most mid-major D1 schools will increase at least slightly. The top schools will be completely funded.
There Will also be a trickle down effect from the roster crunch from 40 to 34. A lot of players who would have otherwise gone to a top tier school will be going down a notch and increasing the talent distribution.
All in all it’s great. College baseball is growing and as they find more ways to monetize D1 baseball the scholarship given out should continue to increase.
Yeah, it’s great to see it go from 11.5 scholarships to as many as 34. NIL and the portal have changed the game. A lot more kids out of HS will have to go to a lower division school and potentially transfer up. Almost to a minors/majors relationship.
My hope is that the JUCO schools will rise in prominence again.
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This is a very flawed team, especially the pen. It is further complicated by three big starting pitching injuries, youthful inexperience in abundance and a little bit of trying to fit square pegs into round holes. No team is perfect, not one. Not ever.
We have guys pressing to make up for the warts on this team. We know the recent history of struggles, but it has been all year. Hitters trying to make up for bad pitching, and pitchers trying to throw shutouts because we cannot score, because of pressing and inexperience. We also have guys being celebrated for their first half stardom and perhaps it has gone to their heads a bit. Maybe a bit of selfishness in approaches right now.
This team is a bit divided, absolutely. No, I don’t believe Hyde has lost the team. There has been a major culture shift over the past two years. The old guys are no longer the stars, and they are desperate to hold onto their status. Hays going made this situation better and worse. He asked for a trade, but I know he didn’t want that. He lost his status very quickly, and the competition got to him. Are Ced and Mounty next? IDK, maybe. I do think Urias has to go. Pick up another utility INF, anybody who can also play SS if needed.
The road back is not clear. It starts with guys airing out their grievances to each other. Gunnar’s comments yesterday were thinly veiled about Urias. They need to go into a closed room and be men, not children, about what is happening. They need brutal honest feedback, and they need to be brutally honest with themselves and be humble. It might get worse before it gets better. It is always darkest before the dawn. I believe they will get back to playing good baseball, but to do so they need to come together and be honest and humble.
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39 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:
He does seem like he gets knicked up pretty easily and misses batches of games. That first full season can be tough on players because they're not used to playing everyday over 5-6 months before becoming pro.
It could be that he is banged up, sure. It could also be that they give him days to work on things, and let him focus on that between game reps. If they’re trying to make a swing change, that is one way to get work in without stress.
It could also be that he is being included in a deal and do not want him injured.
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5 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:
Why could you see Tony have a similar aging curve? Cruz was a better BA and OBP guy. He was a better offensive player across the board.
Santander may have a few 500+ slugging seasons in him but he won’t be near the offensive player Cruz was.
You’re right, but isn’t it funny how he and Big Papi seemed to really get stronger and pick up more bat speed as they approached 40, and beyond. What was Cruz at 30 years old? We really can’t compare them, unless Tony taters gets some med intervention.
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I wish Big Mike the best, but he’s just not a good fit for us right now.
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Any Cadyn Grenier comps are not accurate for me. He has much better bat-to-ball traits. A very different body type/athlete as well. I only saw O’Ferrall a few times, but give this one some time. He is the kind of player that grows on you for all of the things he does very well.
This is not a comp, but Bryce Turang comes to mind as a similar game type. It isn’t a sexy pick, no.
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Just now, Malike said:
I'm holding out hope that they draft a ton of college arms in this draft and hit on a couple of them.
Agreed. They could go hitter (Gillen, Dickerson or Tyson Lewis maybe) at 22, and then there are many college guys like Hess, Holman and so on at 32 and in the second round…61? I like the HS bats at 22, but maybe that’s just me. They could draft 15 pitchers in this draft and that would be fine with me.
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2 hours ago, Malike said:
What if you are getting a pitcher back who has shown to be able to get MLB hitters out and has 2 or 3 years of control? I think I say yes to either. Neither of these guys is going to headline a deal, they'd be throw-ins for an MLB pitcher with years of control.
Sure. Depends. What is the health history and durability? McDermott and Povich have been fairly healthy, as far as we know anyway. What’s the net gain? And not just 2024, but 2025 as well.
I don’t look at it per each trade, but what is the sum of the parts at the end of all trades. Is your team better served and more competitive? Did we increase competitive depth in pitching? If yes, then great. I’m sure Elias has a big picture he is operating with. Who to send, who to keep, who to acquire for which needs.
The problem is what upper level depth will we have to fall back on? You cannot make a trade, but you still need to cover innings and remain competitive. If all we have at Norfolk is Zimm, Armbruester and Young, and then a bunch of 33-34 year old retreads, yikes!
Down the road, I like McDermott as a pen arm anyway. Swing and miss stuff, maybe a tick up in the pen. He’s expendable, and so is Povich, as long as it makes us better in 2024 and 2025.
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I chose McDermott to answer the question, but I stand by what I said a few days ago. Do not trade any pitchers who can make a difference for the big club. What if we lose more pitchers to injury after the deadline? Pitching is not a strength to trade from. It’s a hole. If you get more pitchers back that can fill that hole, then maybe.
In the offseason, trade them both if you want. In the middle of the season, I say no.
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I generally do not like beaning anyone. However, it is a way the players police the game at times. It isn’t about “unwritten rules,” or anything else people seem to mock these days. This is about a bully imposing their will on you. Sooner or later, you either stand up for yourself, or roll over and show your belly. Enough is enough.
Holmes hit Kjerstad in the head. Was it intentional? Maybe. I hope he did not hit him in the head intentionally, but his control is very good. He’ll probably say something that “that one got away,” but he stepped right at him. Pretty telling. That is horsebleep!
Why hit Kjerstad? The only thing I can think of is that the Yankees believe that he took out Volpe at 2B? (Sounds like something they would say.) He clearly didn’t, just like Suarez didn’t hit Judge with any intent. Heston’s slide was direct to the base and Volpe landed on him. (I still don’t get the challenge by Boone there.) Why else would they hit him?
You can only turn the other cheek for so long. Pitchers have to pitch inside to be effective. We have been getting Judge out fairly well by pitching inside until last night. We looked afraid to go inside to Judge and Torres. No head-hunting, but a Yankee needs to wear one on the hip or ribs. (Preferably Verdugo. I wish Nestor or Holmes had to hit.) The benches will clear again, punches will be thrown. It’s time. We have to protect our guys. Otherwise, this will continue.
For Hyde to have reacted the way he did, another reason I love Hyder, our dugout has to believe the same as I do.
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Skenes has an impact not only every five days when he starts, but also saves the pen so they can have more impact in other games. He is certainly a dominant force so far.
However, no, not changing my vote. Jackson will play 150 games a year, and he should be a perennial all star. Skenes likely misses 1-2 years for injury at some point. The human body simply cannot sustain that kind of torque on the elbow. Strasberg comes to mind.
To each your own.
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Hopefully, Santander is Tuck’s replacement. He is worthy, and his hard work should be rewarded if there is room.
Kimbrel would have been nice, but Clay Holmes, when rested and healthy, has much better stuff. I know the numbers are poor for him at the moment, but he is nasty. Kimbrel is a gutty vet who used to be incredibly tough. His selection this year would have been about his career and legacy. That is not a popular take on this board, so be it.
Westburg and Mountcastle can use the time off. Both are supposed to be fairly banged up at the moment. O’Hearn is just another guy I would have loved to see make it. A grinder, who exemplifies the blue collar fan base of Baltimore. A great story, but mostly a platoon guy.
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1 hour ago, RZNJ said:
I agree. That’s what I was getting at. Even if you think McDermott becomes a high leverage reliever he shouldn’t be the sticking point in a deal for Skubal.
I have no problem trading McDermott, in the offseason would be better. I am saying that this season, he is needed. Unless they pick up several back end relievers, maybe three.
When we get to August and September, a guy like McDermott could become very important in short stints or matchups. A starter like Skubal spares the pen a bit more, but the pen arms already have a lot of innings. We need upper level depth, and we do not have much that is healthy.
If McDermott is not going to be missed, why would he be a sticking point for the Tigers to not do the deal? We have plenty of lower level pitchers to offer them to replace him.
At the end of the day, I probably would make the listed trade if they insist on him. If you’re all-in, you do this. Skubal would be a coup, and would likely cost a bit more, maybe one of the popular untouchables. They do not need to move him. My only question here was the wisdom about giving up one of the few upper level arms we have, control issues aside.
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7 hours ago, RZNJ said:
Ok. I get that McDermott can be an asset in relief. Skubal can be an asset in the rotation. It’s all hypothetical. If the Tigers, hypothetically, insisted on McDermott, you would pass.
It’s close. And it isn’t that I think McDermott is all that. It’s just that we need more depth as it is, and I don’t think trading a guy like McDermott, who can help, is the best move.
If they made this trade, I’d love to have Skubal. If we lose another starter, then I’d miss McDermott.
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4 hours ago, RZNJ said:
You would pass on that package for Skubal because of McDermott? Either you think he can be a #2 or #3 pitcher pretty quickly or I don’t know.
Not anytime real soon, no. I explained it, how I think his live stuff can be an asset in relief this year. Especially if we sustain more injuries. I don’t see it as wise to trade from an area we do not have much depth in. Trade arms from Bowie or below.
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McDermott is the sticking point for me. I do not think it wise to trade an arm that is on the verge of being able to help this team this year. I could imagine him coming up and coming out of the pen for us in a role similar to DL Hall last year. He has swing and miss stuff.
The rest of the package is fine with me. Maybe the other three with two lower level arms (not named De Leon) in a 5 for 1.
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Any player can be traded in the offseason. During this season, I would not subtract much from the MLB 26 man roster. The chemistry of this team is such a big part of how they win. Urias, Kjerstad and several pen arms could go, depending on the return.
Urias probably has to go so Mayo can come up. Let Westburg focus on 2B.
I think Kjerstad is going to go in a deal. I don’t think he is an integral part of this team. Very good hitter and a better fielder than some think.
I think Norby and Stowers are quite available. I think McDermott and Povich could be had, but we would have to get big arms back so that we have decent pitching depth. Any prospect other than Holliday and Mayo could go at the deadline. Basallo is not untouchable for me, but it would have to be a tremendous deal that makes us WS favorites and controllable assets for years after. Perhaps a Garrett Crochet type deal.
We need at least two reliable legitimate back end pen arms, one who can close sometimes is a must. Kimbrel is no longer good back to back. More legitimate depth would also let Cano and Webb not pitch in every close game.
We need a legit playoff SP, a #2 type. If you “all-in,” then you need to upgrade the pen and rotation dramatically. It will be costly though.
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On 6/27/2024 at 10:19 AM, Jim'sKid26 said:
Does he have the speed to play CF?
Yes, 99th percentile speed with a 6.24 60.
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8 minutes ago, RZNJ said:
I think it shifted last year. It was said at the time that PD was having more input on the draft. Since Blood is in PD I’m thinking not a huge change.
Definitely a shift in 2023 by taking more pitchers, and early. What I am driving at is what we have all come to see as a “type,” as in college hitter, and the athletic upside traits we have come to expect. Do they go with more floor than ceiling, with some earlier picks like rounds 3-5, things like that.
I don’t expect much of a change, other than some subtle things. As Tony has pointed out, the college bat misses in the early rounds are mounting. It is a fair criticism. What adjustments do they make as a result? It would be nice to see them take a few more upside HS guys early, but the bonus demands can be an issue.
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I have been wondering if this draft could be a bit of a shift in how the Elias era Orioles evaluate and select picks. What does Matt Blood do differently, and how does it affect the picks? And at what pick does Elias yield to Blood and his judgement? Or, is this just the same ole same ole, and they pick based on the Mejdal modeling principles? I am curious in the differences between Ciolek and Blood, if any.
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35 minutes ago, RZNJ said:
You thought the arm looked weak in the video? It looked average to me. Tough to say. His actions didn’t scream out SS to me. I think you draft him for is bat but you want some kind of defensive value too. I’ve heard potential CF or 2B which is good enough for me.
That arm action was not great for a SS, for me. The velocity was fine, but as in every showcase, it is max effort. His fielding actions were raw as well. Athletic guy. That video was a year ago, and a lot can change in a year. I like the swing, needs minimal tweaks, but it is fluid and quick.
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16 minutes ago, Three Run Homer said:
Tweet from Jon Heyman on Wednesday: "Word is Judge wants to play tonight (but Yanks may still play it cautiously). A real dislike is brewing here. Yankees people see issue with O’s pitching style."
Ha! If they disliked the Orioles then, they really love them now. Heyman is such a schill for the NY teams. See them soon.
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6 minutes ago, Frobby said:
There were PLENTY of Orioles fans who thought Sabathia hit Markakis intentionally (it was 2012, not 2014). I’m sure if one went back to those threads they’d be full of posters talking about how we needed to retaliate etc.
As to “turning in,” it’s easy to say, harder to do. It’s 0.4 seconds between the time the ball leaves the pitchers’ hand to the time it reaches home plate. And a lot of the HBP are on pitches that break in at the last fraction of a second. The batter meanwhile is ready to be moving his hips and momentum forward, while “turning in” is a backwards move. So if a breaking pitch doesn’t break, or if a FB heads right towards you out of the pitcher’s hand, maybe you have a chance of “turning in,” but lots of times there’s just not enough time to react.
I agree, many fans on both sides thought each one was intentional. They were wrong then, and now. (I may have thought CC hit him intentionally then, but I was emotional and I was wrong.) Two seamers, in particular, do move inside late on arm side batters, RHP on RHB and vice versa. It is tough to move, and hitters are taught to stay in there. This is why I have no problem with the elbow guards. Many still are able to get the hands out of the way, or turn in. When the hitters dive in, it’s really hard to get out of the way. It’s a trade off, and sometimes you have to wear one. But don’t act surprised. Judge should be pitched inside, and he doesn’t like it, tough. The man has no holes, and the pitcher needs the pitch down and away. When Judge can cover that and drive it from as far back as he stands, you have to back him off.
Pitchers MUST pitch inside, and if anyone thinks Suarez hit Judge intentionally, they do not know baseball at all. Mostly, both fanbases were having emotionally filled rants after the fact. It hurts when it’s your best or favorite player. That’s baseball. The best hitters still have to be challenged, and pitchers sometimes put more pressure on themselves to make their best or perfect pitch against the best hitters. They try to be better than they are capable of being, instead of just delivering another pitch. It caused the mechanics to be off in timing, or to simply overthrow.
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Two great wins in New York. It’s June and all, but this was the two best teams in the AL squaring off. The Yanks thought they could intimidate the Orioles, whatever. The look on Grayson Rodriguez’ face when Gunnar got hit tells me he has no problem plunking someone in the ribs if anything else happens. I hope this is over, but I would not doubt the Yankees do this again. Sore losers, and they are getting pounded in the media for losing two games to the Orioles, laughed at for being blown out.
The Judge HBP reminded me of Sabathia hitting Markakis and breaking his hand in 2014, I think. Pitching inside is a necessary thing, and when your star gets hit, it stinks. It was not intentional , in either case. Hitters are all taught to “turn in.” What happened to that basic principal? Or maybe just lift your hands. And Torres, that pitch was maybe an inch off the plate. He dives in, so he can suck it!
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Do the Os have a SS problem?
in Orioles Talk
Posted
Miss Mateo yet?