Jammer7
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Posts posted by Jammer7
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On 10/13/2023 at 12:55 PM, Jim'sKid26 said:
Connor Norby has a bit of a Jeff Kent feel to me.
I was thinking the same thing. Not as big as Kent, but a similar player. I’m not sure he ver plays much at 2B as an Oriole. With Westburg, Gunnar, Mayo, Ortiz and Holliday around, it doesn’t seem likely. But I would like to see his bat stick around.
Could Norby platoon with maybe Cowser next year in LF? Should they move Hays? I’m warming up to it. Hays just does not bring enough offense, though his defense in our OF is mostly very good.
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I didn’t see any evidence of significant weight gain. Catchers wear down as others have written here. He clearly wore down at times and we were blessed to have McCann.
The biggest thing I did not like about his year was that he batted lead off far too much. I get all of the reasons they gave for putting him there. I know his batting eye, OBP, etc…, and I don’t agree with it. This is the loudest thing I disagree with Hyde/Elias on. (Maybe the bigger question is who should have batted lead off?) Adley responded well at the end of the season when he was moved down to #2.
He should be in a run-producing situation on a good offensive team. The bottom of the lineup that preceded him after the first inning did not get on base and let his ability to drive in runs work often enough. He is an elite hitter, and the two strike approach he employed was too picky quite often. He struck out looking far too often. IMHO, I want him looking to do damage. I don’t want him to expand the zone often, but there are times he should be more aggressive with runners on base. Watching him in college, he had an uncanny ability to get big hits to drive in runs. That was a long time ago, Yes, but that is the type of hitter he is.
The only other negative thing I have to say is I sometimes question his pitch calling. In fairness, I wonder how much of that is dictated by analytics staffers, and how much discretion is he given. In several instances, we got hurt this year when Adley called the same pitch and location four consecutive pitches.
He is an outstanding player, and by all accounts, a great teammate and face of the franchise. But for goodness sakes Adley, stop skipping leg day!
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7 hours ago, Tony-OH said:
This kid of confirms that Ciolek was more of an administrator than a typical "Scouting Director." I'm honestly not sure how involved he was in the selection process and feel Elias was definitely the guy who made the final calls on the top picks at the very least.
I always thought his title "Director of Draft Operations" suggested he was more on the administrative side of preparing the information for the draft team, which includes Sig and of course Elias.
I've always was under the opinion that Elias was the quasi scouting director in that he helped shaped the final board and philosophy.
https://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2023/07/08/orioles-contending-elias-less-involvement-teams-draft/
I agree Elias was involved a great deal in the upper echelon picks, but according to this article and many others near the draft this year, he said he took a step back. Ciolek did a great job getting depth down in the draft. The pitching drafts until this year were not of much substance, so be it.
I think Ciolek is a bit of a loss as he has done a very good job since Elias elevated him. It is a good sign when other organizations poach our guys. They want our guys and our processes that have been successful. He is replaceable, sure.
I would not be surprised to see Matt Blood go elsewhere. I also think he is very good at his job. I think he would be a bit more of a loss. He has been instrumental in finding the outstanding coaches we have had in the minors. Apparently has a vast network of contacts that he developed at Team USA.
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On 9/28/2023 at 10:32 AM, MurphDogg said:
Zimmermann also is not arbitration eligible and has options remaining, but hasn't pitched as well this year in Baltimore or Norfolk, so his roster spot is at risk with additions, but no need to non-tender him until we need the space since he won't make more than the minimum.
Good post. One nitpick. I’m pretty sure Zimm has used three option years. Maybe he sticks until Spring training, but I don’t see a role for him on the big club with no options.
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I know he is struggling, and he might not belong in the playoff roster, or at least in a prominent high leverage role. But 101 is 101. There is stuff there. I am curious if they re-sign him and work with him. Give him some “secret sauce.” It’s a legit arm.
His mental make-up is certainly in question, as his confidence runs hot and cold. Did I mention he throws 101?
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On 9/15/2023 at 2:09 PM, Sports Guy said:
I have no idea how anyone can listed to Locked on Orioles. Not that I have actually listened to him but I see his takes on Twitter and he is just awful 90% of the time.
I know he has a good following and he deserves credit for that but god he’s terrible.
He’s 23-24 years old. Has some knowledge, but has had way too many terrible takes. I think he has had the Orioles DFA about 1/3 of the current roster. Has no understanding of how the ebb and flow a season can take. Called out Elias as though he was some kind of authority. Makes a fool of himself regularly. And he injects his personal political views into things way too often. I listen on occasion, but only in the background in the morning.
I enjoy On The Verge, but it has its limitations as well. They are what they are.
I listen to the MLB Pipeline pod, and some of the BA pods.
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23 minutes ago, Frobby said:
There were those who didn’t want the O’s to activate Hicks when he was ready, but he’s been on fire since returning, .429/.520/.619 with a homer and 8 RBI in 25 PA.
Yep, he’s been huge for us. I am one who was willing to DFA him, if it was a choice between McKenna and Hicks. The reason being his fragility. If he finishes the season healthy, I will be pleasantly surprised.
There is no denying what he can bring this team when he is healthy.
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33 minutes ago, joelala said:
Ely De La Cruz does it as well. It also disconcerts me a bit as it would seem it’s easier to get out of sync with such a large moving part. Also for as good as De La Cruz is, he’s striking out a TON. Granted he’s a 21 year old kid still so some of that’s to be expected.
Yeah, and that is the concern. If you recognize spin, and other pitches, well, then the concern is less. If the hitter simply uses a “reach step” and does not “gain ground” with the hips moving forward much laterally, I have always thought a leg kick is fine. Kjerstad stays on his back side well, so I have no reason to think it should be an issue. Once he lands, it’s a simple twist and a bang. Heston’s hands are soooo good.
I think he is still very underrated here on this board. Particularly as a defender in RF. I will be absolutely shocked if he is not in the major leagues, somewhere, to start 2024.
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On 9/5/2023 at 7:55 PM, Hallas said:
I know very little about the mechanics of hitting a major league baseball, but Kjerstad's leg kick is a bit unnerving to me. It feels like he's standing on one leg forever on every pitch.
It doesn’t work for everyone, but he makes it work. It’s just simply about his timing, his trigger. Getting his body in motion to pull the trigger by landing and firing the hands and hips.
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On 6/17/2023 at 3:41 PM, Billy F-Face3 said:
To be honest I would have a hard time cheering for anyone named Yamamoto, considering the history of Pearl Harbor.
Uh, wow. Shallow end of the pool, huh?
FYI, I have as much reason to dislike what happened at Pearl as anyone. My grandfather was on the deck of the Arizona when she was hit. He was blown overboard, and survived. He told me the stories of his shipmates suffering and dying. I still have no malice toward someone who had nothing to do with it. You do you, brother, but wow.
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17 hours ago, Malike said:
Whenever they ask him on TV he keeps saying no shift is a big reason for his success. Seems odd that that is always in his head.
I thought this was a solid pick up before the season when you look at his exit velos and the spray charts. He hit a lot of hard shots to short to medium right field and the 2B made those into outs.
As far as to why it is an issue to him now, when it seems he uses the entire field, is because of approach in an at bat. A LH batter, particularly a power hitter like Ryan, wants to know that if they get a ball on the inner half that can barrel with their true swing and have a good chance of success. The approach is to look outside and react inside by getting the barrel out in front. If you do that today, it is likely a positive outcome. Before 2023, those guys either hit it out or made an out. So, just speculation, but I would think that added feeling of comfort allows him to stay on the outside pitch and know that he can handle the inner half as well. He wants to produce and win. It’s a results based business, and he is 30 years old. He knows this is his time do it or get forgotten. A truly inspirational story for me this year.
The sad part is that Kjerstad, Cowser and others may make him expendable this off season. That’s the business, but I really like Ryan as a player.
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2 minutes ago, Bahama O's Fan said:
Does he have to be on the 26 man or does he have options?
No options
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I thought this might happen in the offseason, but now? Hyde and Holt are Lopez whisperers, I guess. I hope he can find his confidence, and quickly.
So, he cannot compete in the playoffs for us, right?
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Lopez and Grichuk would interest me if I’m Elias. Have not seen much of Grichuk the past two years, but with the health of some OF’s in question, Grichuk might give Hays a brief spell in the IL. DFA him when Hays comes back.
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1 hour ago, banks703 said:
I think that it's completely possible that when Hicks comes off of the IL that he does in fact get DFA'd. I'm not advocating for it and I don't actually think that they will do it but given that both McKenna (and I shudder to write this) and ROH have performed admirably, perhaps they can get by without that fifth outfielder. I don't see them bringing back Cowser to burn his rookie status and service time and I don't see them adding HK as it requires a 40 man move.
Hicks's value is definitely that he hits from both sides of the plate but he also gets on base. Let's not overlook that. Plus, he works counts better than anyone (this includes Adley) so I think there's still value in a guy like Hicks but it certainly has its limit, especially if he can't stay healthy.
I forgot about Cowser’s rookie status. That may well be a factor, though it probably should not.
The thing with Hicks, is just the injuries and the frequency of them. I agree with everything you wrote on him, but what good is it if he is always hurt? If we get into a good rhythm as a team and he goes down again in the playoffs, then we have to call someone up again who maybe has not been playing. I like what Hicks can do, absolutely. He just cannot stay on the field to do it.
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1 hour ago, rm5678 said:
I completely agree with you that McKenna would be more valuable than Hicks during the stretch run. I'm sure others on here feel differently, but McKenna has shown the past 2 nights exactly what he is capable of (timely late-game hits, stolen bases, defense, etc.).
Yeah, I always thought McKenna could hit in this role. A simple swing, doesn’t try to do too much. The past two games have shown that ability. It’s hard to play a part time role and produce.
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With Hicks injuries happening, and his slumping since his hit start, I’d like to DFA Hicks. McKenna fits this team much better.
Maybe it is Kjerstad time, but they can go back to Cowser. They need an OF to help Hays, Mullins and Santander get a little rest. They are all banged up.
As far as a pitcher addition, for me it’s Means. I do not necessarily think Wells is a lock to come back. Voth is actually pitching very well, and is apparently healthy, which was an issue for much of the season.
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10 minutes ago, Bemorewins said:
Who said anything about crying and rolling over and “showing your belling and dying” whatever that might mean?
I was stated an obvious fact that we will try to replace Felix with someone who is not as good and hope for the best. It doesn’t mean that our season is over but it is a major blow.
Ok, the tone of your post was just a bit more…apocalyptic and dramatic. It definitely will be a blow, but it’s an opportunity for someone to step forward.
When an animal gives up the fight and submits, it rolls over and shows it’s belly. They’re not done.
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20 minutes ago, BRobinsonfan said:
Right! Was it over after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
But if it's all the same to you I'm gonna feel a little disappointed at this turn of events.
Ha! I almost posted the same thing.
And yes, we should all be a little disappointed with Felix being injured. He is a tough guy to face in the 9th. He is a distinct advantage for us. However, he blew six saves this year. The next guys will blow some too. That is the game. It is a long season, and we have to move on.
I just don’t see why we should wallow in this so much. We don’t know yet what the injury is. So, I’d hope they stay focused on what the goal is here. LFG!
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46 minutes ago, Morgan423 said:
Baumann has been collapsing in leverage situations the last several weeks. Hard pass.
No, he had a couple. Before that, he has been really progressing. They have been giving him more higher leverage situations for exactly this reason. He had a few stumbles, yes. They sent him down to reset because of work load, not because they do not believe in him. How many saves has Bautista blown this year? Six, I think. His stuff is right there with anyone else that is left, except maybe DL. That slider is a weapon.
I still think it is Cano or Webb. I may choose Webb because of his mental toughness. The guy is durable and a bulldog out there.
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DL Hall and Mike Baumann could be wildcards here. Many of us point to Cano, Webb, Wells and Coloumbe, but I think DL has the best stuff of all of them. And Baumann had been getting higher leverage outs before they decided to back off him for a bit of a reset.
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Wells FB has to have great command, or it gets hit really hard. His FB could tick up to 96 or so, but it is still straight. A closer has to be available on back to back nights, and generally often. Wells’ shoulder history makes me cringe in this, just a little.
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Just now, maybenxtyr said:
WTH are you talking about "Journeyman"? He's pretty much been in the O's organization from the beginning, and outside of bouts of wildness he's always had the velo. It was always a matter of getting some type of control down. I remember in Salisbury when he was closing, that little stadium would be rockin. He's no different than any other pitcher... he'll get fixed up, regardless of what this is and he'll be back.
He was with the Marlins first. I don’t know if I would call him a journeyman either. Long time minor leaguer, yes.
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10 hours ago, Pickles said:
It's not going to be for a bit.
Maybe so. They all break. It sucks. So be it, that’s baseball.
Bautista was not the mountain before he got an opportunity. This is an opportunity for someone. We’ll see how it goes.
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Who significantly steps up their game in 2024?
in Orioles Talk
Posted
He has a lot of power to RCF. He has a good approach for Camden Yards.