emmett16

Thanks. It’s a good discussion. There definitely are some exceptions. The former players that understand all the new analytics (and there will be even more with the new generations coming up now). The right former player can pay dividends.

I do agree at first it’s counter intuitive. The personal touch comes from the analyst figuring out exactly what a player does that makes him effective and then coaches acting as go betweens to make sure the player understands the recommendations. I posted a few pages from a book I’m reading in the Minor League Coach new hire thread than explains the change going on with coaching staffs.

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.

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.

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.

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 thought it was kind of odd his pitch mix is cutter and slider. I saw that as well and wondered what might be driving the dip in missed bats. Looks the contact he gives up is consistently very week. He doesn't walk a lot, so it might help him to throw out of the zone a tough more as well.

MLB Network radio guys suggested the O's match up well with Cleveland for an Emanuel Clase trade. Looks like he had a pretty decent year last year and really good years in 2022 & 2021. His k/9 #s dropped off from previous years and his h/9 #s increased a bit. The statcast numbers look pretty good. He has a live arm and doesn't walk a lot of people. He's a two-pitch pitcher (cutter & slider) I wonder with a slight change in approach or another pitch to play off his two similar pitches could unlock some more Ks. What are your thoughts? What would it take to land him? Emmanuel Clase Stats: Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | baseballsavant.com (mlb.com) Emmanuel Clase Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com

Not sure. Tried the google machine but couldn't find anything. Nothing was mentioned in the book. It wouldn't suprise me if that was the case, though.

Let’s Go!

It’s all about translating the data to a palatable version for the players to absorb/digest. “Conduits” of information and improvement best practices & efficiencies for every aspect of the game. Crazy how organizations have completely transformed in the last 5-10 years. But it makes sense, the players are the biggest assets to the org so an investment in that asset pays dividends. It’s a lot cheaper than going out and buying the talent at market price. I

I know your down in Bethesda/DC area, if you havnt been to 2 Amy’s yet, go. Best Pizza in DC. Awesome apps, cocktails, and boutique wine list as well.

Yes sir. My salty delight is precooked bacon and green olives. Soooo good. The original had crust almost like a pastry, super unique. The one in Fulton, near my dad’s house, is good. The new college park one isn’t bad. They are all slightly different. I realize it’s pretty polarizing, some live it some hate it.

The Dodgers spent on players close to what Rubenstein et all paid for the O’s this off-season. Crazy town.

Hasn’t been the same since. Those ovens were magic.

I heard on an MLB Network interview with Eias that Holliday would 'be playing some short stop and A LOT of 2b in spring training".

I get it and it does make sense. I just thought there was a chance he'd get the complimentary invite as the #1 pick. I don't know if it's anything to read into, but it does make me curious if they thought it would potentially hamper his development playing against that caliber of player or if it was, like you said, a numbers thing with all the OFers.

I'm a little surprised Bradfield didn't get the invite.

Was just about to type that. I look for them to draft a SS with one of their first picks. And as @RZNJ said, we have quite a few international shortstops with high-end upside.

I I’ve said it 100 time now and I’ll say it again. There’s no chance Holliday isn’t on the OD roster. He’s too good.

Yea. Enough non-Burnes in this thread. Maybe a Service Time thread is a better location. Back to Burnes.

I get that and not saying he’s upset about it at all. I was just trying to make a point that “gaming” service time isn’t as evil as some make it out to be. And that the pre-arb extensions are almost always even less player friendly than gaming their service time. The only time it’s good for the player is when they suck and fall on their face, and make more than they would have going through their 6 years.

Sure. But hes drastically underpaid. Had they gamed his service time a little and he played out his 6 years, he’d be a FA after this year, would have made the same amount (or more) money to date and be in line for a 300+MM contract next year.