Jammer7

Yes, I noticed the same thing. The swing looks great, but he looks to be around 250 pounds, good grief! He’ll be injured shortly if that is how he takes care of himself.

He will. He actually had three yesterday, I believe. That is more than normal for the first game out. These guys are getting lots of back field stuff, sim games and such. Today would be a day off for most guys anyway, being a Sunday and a road game. I would think it will change in a about a week or so.

I think Gutierrez starts at 3B, Urias at 2B, Mateo at SS and Roogie is in there several times a week, depending on match ups. I don’t like Urias at SS everyday. And I think Mateo is guy they should get 400-500 at bats to and see what you get. He is definitely better at SS than anywhere else, for me anyway. He looks more comfortable there. Definitely not a 3B.

To me, they are being cautious with the projected MLB starters for now. The soft tissue injuries can be greatly mitigated by taking the time to properly ramp them up. They usually have a few weeks to get ready to play games. This year, a week. This is a road trip, so in deference to the vets early. Though Hyde did say the vets would travel more than before. Again, to me, this is a sign that they actually have a core group and care about competing this year. Maybe it’s just me.

The former player for the Sawx announcers is Kevin Youkilis. Also, am I the only one that noticed Gutierrez has walked his first four plate appearances?

If he wants to make this team, he had better get comfortable playing some 3B. If Urias shows he can play everyday, which is certainly not a guarantee, Roogie is going to be a UT guy for us, playing 2B and 3B. Either way, he is a placeholder for 2022, at best.

Yeah, it’s a shame he did not work out for Baltimore. I think he is a guy who is at a crossroads, professionally. I hope he does find it, wherever he lands. But to come back to Baltimore at this point, with some of the comments he made about the organization publicly, I doubt it. At this point, he’s less valuable than Conner Greene, another journeyman electric arm. Conner actually stays fairly healthy, though. And I think there is a lot to be said about being available to your manager, versus being on the shelf for years.

Yes, but considering every other team passed, I think this was their plan all along. Could be that they got to see his lack of interest in off season preparation. I’ve been hearing this for years. He’d rather hunt, apparently, so be it. I would pass.

Awesome job! Should be an interesting, but shorter, spring training.

That made me cringe, and then I laughed and went outside to beat on my heavy bag for 20 minutes. Thanks, thanks a lot!

Prieto is interesting, sure. I want to see him drive the ball more than his profile suggests he has in the past. He does not come with a great defensive reputation, and that has to improve. I am interested to see what physicality he gains from proper nutrition and training, and then we’ll see what he can be. From what little we have seen in video clips on twitter and such, I think he has a chance to have an impact in 2023, maybe mid year.

It makes sense to stretch out Wells some, in order to build him up properly. The shoulder inflammation does not concern me as a starter as much as it would in the pen. Especially in the back end role he seemed slotted for. I am curious if they keep him in Baltimore, or place him AAA to get a more structured developmental environment for at least a few months.

Chirinos is strictly a back-up for me at this point. He had some solid production for Texas and Houston in 2018-2019. Severino, for me, was about unfulfilled potential, which he never came close to realizing in Baltimore. He would have been a terrible back-up for Adley, imho.

Agreed. Not worried at all, plenty of waiver wire fodder.

From what I read, Chirinos was only in Houston in 2019, after Elias came to Baltimore. But between Hyde, Cossins, Elias and the people they all know, I am sure they have a good feel for what they are getting.

Good grief, that went ridiculous quickly. So, about the 40 man roster…. Seems that Chirinos would be the 40th man, but there is plenty of room if Correa and another MLB starter want to come aboard.

I do not know how much of a mentor Chirinos is. Maybe he and Adley can develop that kind of relationship, though their time together may or may not last through the year. Chirinos has been around for 10 years in MLB and can certainly teach Adley many of the little things about hitters, handling pitchers, analytical things, etc… He also hablas, which comes in handy sometimes. He is a durable league-average back-up catcher, and the offensive profile is not what is used to be. He is an upgrade to Wynns, Sisco or Severino for the role he is likely to have. His deal is not an expensive one, so it should be a worthwhile deal for both sides. I am curious about Jacob Nottingham though. My hope is that Adley and Chirinos start 2022 in Baltimore, and that Nottingham prospers in Norfolk. Bemboom seems like insurance beyond them in AAA. Maverick Handley has to show he can hit and be more productive this year, and I assume he will be in AA Bowie for the year. Brett Cumberland, Cody Roberts and Ramon Rodriguez round out the depth. Ramon got some props in the AFL, but not much there but journeyman status. I know we have Creed Willems and Samuel Basallo, for now, as young catchers in rookie FCL this year, and Connor Pavolony in low A Delmarva, but catching depth in the system needs a boost.

MLB Network just reported the deal for 900k. I like it, personally.

Yes, you can. You can also see it in statcast and other devices. Some players run a mediocre time as freshmen and get labeled. He showed definite improvement over the years. Time him running to 1B on the bunt I mentioned.

His comments about his running did not surprise me. When they drafted Kjerstad, I said he was sneaky fast and I thought he was a 50 runner. He beat out a bunt early in his junior year, though the defender made a solid play. Most scouting reports said he was a 40 runner, and that was a lazy take.

I am looking forward to what "the new DL" can do. FanGraphs is not alone in their assessment that he has a lot of reliever risk, and I agree. However, I certainly would love to see him stick as a starter. Durability and command are significant issues though for him.

The injury risk is certainly an issue. My concern is what will the physical decline be like at SS. Does he move to 3B in 2-3 years? I am all about acquiring an elite player, and paying him appropriately. But I want elite return for at least 5-6 years out of the 10. Is he an elite 3B offensively, maybe he is. At some point, we need this type of acquisition. And the next playoff team will likely not be all homegrown. I just would not plan on him being at SS more than a few years. And I am sure he will have some kind of “no-trade” clause in his contract.

Let me explain. First, I admit that I have not seen him this year. I said I could see him as a second round, maybe a comp pick if he stays healthy and pitches well. When I say raw, unrefined, I mean that there is more there. Not that he is a poor prospect. Not arguing his good results thus far. I think he has more ceiling and can improve well in an organization like Tampa, Cleveland, Baltimore, etc… Let’s see what he does in SEC play, but Liberty is no slouch. After reading (FanGraphs) Kevin Goldstein’s comments, I am higher on him than Kevin. I don’t see him high pick in round 1 right now, but hey, opinions are allowed to vary…no?

Just looking at his body type, current athleticism level and the normal progression. Like I said, maybe I am wrong, but that is my concern with him. Watch him move now. Not a quick twitchy guy, like say a Kirby Puckett was. His feet and lateral movement are average, at best, right now. The hands and arm are not bad, average or so. Maybe I am wrong, but at 1-1, I go elsewhere if I am picking.

So, an honest question for the board. For me, I have concerns about Termarr Johnson and his body type. He is a thick-legged squatty 5-08, at best, short-levered 2B who will likely get bigger (not taller) and slower. Why should we take that profile at 1-1, even if he is a legit 70 hitter, over a guy like Druw Jones? For me, I favor Druw and his overall profile and ceiling. I look at Johnson and doubt that his speed and athleticism will be a part of his game, based on his body type, into his mid 20’s. So, you have to believe his hit tool and power will carry below average defense at 2B during his arbitration years. Maybe I am wrong to project him in such a way, but that is my concern with him.