Greg Pappas
-
Posts
5384 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
13
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by Greg Pappas
-
-
28 minutes ago, Gatoriole said:
Bumping this thread.
I tried this last year and it worked. I'm now getting emails from MLBPAA that they are offering the same deal again. I recommend it.
You make a $25 payment to MLBPAA and they give you a 50% discount code for MLBTV. MLBTV normally costs $150, so you save $75 (or $50 if you include the payment to MLBPAA). To get the Orioles-only plan from MLBTV, it is $130 for the year; so you are still saving money and you get all MLB and minor league games (excluding any games that are blacked out where you live).
I was curious about this, as I was unable to see many games as part of the MLB.tv package last year. If I could watch every game, I'd do it. Maybe I missed something?
-
1 hour ago, 24fps said:
Imagine this:
Your competitive window is wide open and you just signed pitcher X to a 7/175 contract. Do you really want an in-house facility dedicated to helping him screw around finding new and more effective ways to add unnatural stress to his elbow and shoulder? And how often is learning a new pitch the answer to a pitcher’s struggles, especially the closer they get to the majors?
I have a hard time believing that the existing team programs aren’t already trying to provide everything a pitcher needs to maintain optimum performance. Sure, there’s always the question of effectiveness but I don’t see a system-wide hole that demands immediate filling.
I think the offseason academies like Driveline can serve a useful purpose, but if I were GM I would want as much control as I could get over who attends and why.
First, thank you for making me realize I had typed over the very important part of the OP that specifies this would only be intended for struggling guys, either at the big league level or even in the minors. Maybe not even struggling per se, but perhaps some guys that just feel something new would raise their game to a new level. So, I was confused at first when you mentioned a 7/175 pitcher. I've updated the OP. Again, thank you for getting me to fix it.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, turtlebowl said:
I agree that a personal mentor type is an important part of the overall process. If you have someone that has "been there, done that" it likely gives more credibility and I could see where new information may be better received. One thing though, just because you have the technology doesn't mean a player has the physical ability to replicate. A Greg Olson curve or a Zach Britton sinker is just god given talent.
Yes, the odds of a pitcher being able to throw a specific new pitch nearly as well as the best guys, is remote. The thought is trying to present something new to them, or at least taught in a different way.
-
10 minutes ago, emmett16 said:
You think a guy that pitchers 5,10, 20 years ago knows what finger, what angle of that finger, came off the ball first, second, and third and with how much pressure was applied to each?
If they could get the former pitcher in the lab to see exactly how he was creating the effect (assuming he still could) maybe that would be beneficial.
What we are talking about right now is precisely why MLB coaching staffs have been turned over in the last 10 years with new & younger coaches who have never played.
A former player could tell you exactly how they did something and be completely wrong and not even realize it. All while causing more damage than good under the premise of good intentions.
Again, I understand the major changes that have taken place in coaching, analytics, and the use of video and other technologies, and they've been super effective. We agree on that. It's your dismissal of hands on teaching from the type of guys I mentioned that I disagree with. No need to continue the back and forth. I honestly do, however, appreciate your thoughts on this. You make some good points.
-
1
-
-
Just now, emmett16 said:
It’s what they are doing at “the pitching lab” in Bel Air. I think there have been some articles on it.
Problem with conveyed experience is you are bringing in emotion, ego, and subjectivity. It’s a lot more effective and efficient to work with accurate non-biased data when you are trying to solve a physics problem.
I do like the current technologies that are really helping guys to be better. Yet, to just outright dismiss a personal touch, and hands on learning of high quality conveyed experience, as problematic, seems way off-base.
-
9 minutes ago, emmett16 said:
Problem is, the old guys could show you the grip, but even they don’t know exactly how the ball came out of there hand. With the new cameras you can “spy” on a guy with similar spin, velocity, arm slot, and release angle, who has an exceptional pitch, and see precisely what he’s doing to get that effect. Thats a lot easier, inexpensive, accurate, and repeatable.
How can you know what the older guys know? That seems presumptive. Maybe you're right, I don't know, but you say it as if it is a truth, rather than speculation. Maybe both things can be helpful to getting the desired results. It shouldn't have to be an either/or. Again, just a concept that seems worthwhile to explore. I could be wrong.
-
13 hours ago, emmett16 said:
They don’t need to do that. They have images from edgertronic cameras of the best pitchers in the league throwing their best pitches and can study the exact grip and sequence it comes off their fingers. But you have to match the release, arm angle, spin & velocity profiles first before the grip even comes in to play. Rest assured they are doing this on a regular basis.
Some players use third party training facilities, but the Orioles are doing similar stuff. https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2017/04/basics-pitch-design-using-rapsodo/
I appreciate this, though I suspect there are real differences between watching videos of current major leaguers and learning first hand from the best guys how to throw a particular pitch. It just seems like such a good idea, in general. I'd LOVE to chat with Elias about such things to hear what he thinks.
-
1 hour ago, Aristotelian said:
I would guess they already do this, we just don't hear about it and it might not be famous guys.
That's certainly possible, but I'd think we'd have read about something like this throughout the years.
-
I've brought this topic up once before, but after doing a search could not locate it.
I think it would be interesting to explore creating an off-season teaching environment where struggling/stalled pitchers that could use a new grip or pitch to improve their odds of success, from big leaguers to minor leaguers making their way up, could get help from outstanding retired veterans or pitching coaches. These are just examples, but imagine learning a knuckle ball from Tim Wakefield, or a knuckle-curve from Mike Mussina, or a curveball from Gregg Olson, or a slider from John Smoltz, or a changeup from Tom Glavine/Trevor Hoffman. Naturally we'd have to pay these type of guys to teach, but learning that new pitch can be potentially career altering. More often than not it won't work, but you're not creating this for the failures, but for the ones that become better. That makes it all worth it. I don't know who to mention regarding grips, but maybe some guys are known as great teachers of a specific grip. Bring them in if you're able. And, BTW, this is not meant to discount what our pitching coaches do, but to potentially have even more refined experts available.Having this as an official thing we do every Winter may intrigue certain guys to give it a try, that otherwise would not look much into it.
I know all pitchers work on improving their crafts and specifically their weaknesses to try to stick, and I do hear on occasion that Pitcher X is working on a new pitch or grip, but the latter is not as often as I'd suspect.
Naturally there are cases where a pitcher's stuff is not the issue, but rather control (capable of throwing strikes when wanted) and/or command (placing the ball more precisely where you want). In those cases a new grip or pitch may not be a solution. Yet if I had average or better stuff ( FB, CH, CB, SL, etc...) and could throw strikes with decent command, but was just not getting to that goal of being an established, quality big leaguer, then something new may be what the doctor ordered. We've seen successes before, but most often that pitcher cannot quite make it work. But, again, we would only need a success or two to really make this work.
Do you like the concept? What are your thoughts?
-
2
-
-
Dillon Tate (29.9 on OD) seems like he should be 35+, as it feels like he's been here forever. Yet, he's younger than Cano (30.1).
-
I was going to add Irvin as a lock, but decided to see if others felt the same. If Tate is healthy and looks good, he probably makes it as well. I did mention in another thread that I felt Heasley would make it, but unless he looks phenomenal this Spring (new pitch or new... something LOL), I think he'll head to Norfolk.
-
Posters assume the following:
- The staff begins the year as Burnes, Bradish, GRod, *Means, and Kremer
- The pen begins with five locks, in Kimbrel, *Coulombe, Cano, *Perez, and Wells
- No other pitchers are acquired before the start of the season.
Predict the other three bullpen pieces (multiple choice) that will begin the season in Baltimore. Lefties are noted with an * asterisk.
-
1
-
1 hour ago, Say O! said:
That is what WAR inherently attempts to do with positional adjustments embedded into the composite metric
Ahhhh thank you for that. I understand now. So a 5.0 WAR Rutschman would be slightly more valuable than Gunnar at 4.8. While WAR doesn't account for everything, it's still a solid at-a-glance way of measuring players in comparison to one another.
-
IF Holliday does indeed make the team, where in the lineup would you speculate he'd get most of his AB's? Would batting lead-off be too much, too soon? Would you ease him into this by batting him in the bottom third of the order? I think it's a matter of time before he finds his way to batting lead off.
-
https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-elias-on-jackson-holliday-orioles-spring-training
Elias discussing Holliday this Spring, “I see Jackson being able to bounce back and forth between second and short, depending on the day’s alignment,” Elias said. “I think you’re going to see him at second base a lot during Spring Training, and I know [manager] Brandon Hyde is going to try to put the kid in a position to make the team and give him a real shot for that.”
Based on his words, Tony's scouting report, and Gunnar's outstanding play at SS, I imagine Elias sees Holliday as a better option at 2B, and capable of playing short as needed. Again, just speculation on my part, as it's very early in Holliday's career and he may yet become a strong defender at SS, giving Hyde even more flexibility. With Holliday and many other intriguing things to see unfold, it'll be a very exciting Spring.
-
3 hours ago, Frobby said:
This thread is slightly premature, but I figure this is going to be the dominant topic this spring by a wide margin. So, we may as well start now! Please post any salient articles and speculation here.
I’ll kick this off by noting that in a small sample size, Jackson hit .429/.556/.500 last spring in 18 PA, so I guess he gave us a taste of the amazing season that was to follow. The guys who got “long looks” generally got 45+ PA, so I’ll be watching for Jackson to top that number this spring.
On today's episode of As the O's Turn, we'll take a look at Jackson Holliday. With varying opinions on his abilities at SS, we'll be intently watching to see how he looks there. With another off-season of physical maturity, could he have improved his range and arm strength to be a strong option at SS, or will he be pegged for now as our future 2B? Check back tomorrow for another episode of As the O's Turn!
Good topic, btw.
-
1
-
1
-
-
Hit a paltry .670 OPS over six minor league seasons. Only 23, seems like a depth addition.
-
1 minute ago, Sports Guy said:
I wouldn’t take too much from that. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t engaged in things and that things don’t change quickly.
That said, he also said this in his Burnes press conference and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to go into ST and see what he has before making any other moves. Maybe there is something about a guy like Heasley that they love and think he could make a big leap?
I like Heasley's upside and have him making the pen on OD. Could be a Cano surprise or wash out, but something in between is likeliest. I'd be happy with him just being solid.
-
3 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:
How do you define moving forward?
Just a general question... can be replied to in regards to this season and/or in the years to come.
-
What are your expectations for our payroll, whether this season or in the years to come?
The current MLB payroll list courtesy of Spotrac.
1 New York Yankees $304,691,666
2 New York Mets $295,351,859
3 Houston Astros $253,473,141
4 Philadelphia Phillies $238,812,617
5 Atlanta Braves $232,575,000
6 Texas Rangers $225,590,000
7 Los Angeles Dodgers $214,131,666
8 Toronto Blue Jays $212,191,784
9 Chicago Cubs $204,920,000
10 Boston Red Sox $180,023,181
11 St. Louis Cardinals $175,011,667
12 Los Angeles Angels $173,858,094
LEAGUE AVERAGE = $160,343,266
13 San Diego Padres $156,815,453
14 Arizona Diamondbacks $147,751,716
15 Colorado Rockies $147,555,000
16 San Francisco Giants $144,343,333
17 Seattle Mariners $143,408,333
18 Chicago White Sox $141,333,333
19 Minnesota Twins $128,471,190
20 Kansas City Royals $121,654,570
21 Detroit Tigers $113,603,333
22 Washington Nationals $110,191,429
23 Milwaukee Brewers $106,694,960
24 Cleveland Guardians $102,913,928
25 Cincinnati Reds $100,868,333
26 Baltimore Orioles $100,598,668-
3
-
-
6 hours ago, Moose Milligan said:
Never claimed the lease negotiations were that, did I?
Check and mate.
Moose you romantic fool...
-
-
With him under contract through the end of 2025, I see no current reason to extend him. We'll be better served waiting to see how things develop with Cowser, Kjerstad and others.
-
Here's something I've posted in another thread that may be of interest:
"I've now seen Markakis remarked upon as a decent offensive comp, and I can see that. Here are Nick's average stats per 162 games during his nine-year career in Baltimore: .290 BA / .358 OBP / .435 SLG / .793 OPS, with 16 HR, 35 2B, 73 RBI, and 7/10 SB."
Debating if MLB.tv package is worth it. Does it have old Oriole archive games? How many? Does it work on your Tv or just computers?
in Orioles Talk
Posted
Yes. I lived in Frederick the past three years until moving back to Harford County in August. Again, must have misunderstood. My brother suggested I use a VPN. Might be a good idea.