murph

Was there any reports on if his velocity was up in the spring, like last year? Wouldn't that separate him from back of the rotation and mid rotation or better type starter? Assuming he doesn't lose anything else he had, command, great change up, etc...

I am not arguing anything and I also usually stay out of these conversations as well and this is why. The OP (IMO) clearly was stating there were 4k deaths directly related to the vaccine. Just wanted to quickly check and clarify that, is all.

I know we are not supposed to go down this road but this looks likes misinformation. Quickly checking myself, these deaths are anyone who passed after getting the vaccine as a matter of record. Not deaths because of the vaccine. CDC explanation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html

Not to derail, but I saw Steve Martin live a few years ago playing the ukulele and adding a bit of comedy of course. Was a fantastic show. Martin in an incredible performer. To Leblanc, all I can say is hope we never have to bring someone like him again when we are competitive again.

I think someone already posted this somewhere else on here but Bundy and Gausman both getting the opening day nod. I am sure Gausman will pitch a no hitter with little Yaz hitting a grand slam and robbing a HR.

I wish he was out because he had a constant allergic reaction to black and white stripes, never like to see I player I like be hurt, but also do like that it hurts the Yankees.

Good guess. I've been wondering if MLB players were getting access to vaccination. But even if MLB is not providing it, I am sure some players are getting themselves signed up and I can for one attest to the next day knock down. I was at work in the morning exactly 24 hours after my second shot and quickly started to feel like a truck hit me. I also quickly went home. Completely better the next day.

Try introductory fast pitch softball with middle school girls. The games were only about passed balls, missed third strikes and stealing. Was painful to coach and watch. And that is no slight to the girls at all, like anything first learning mechanics of a sport is just tough. And the pitching mechanics of girls fast pitch was something I could not help with at all. Tried all season to do it myself and couldn't do it, just terrified the girls who stood in there box while I tried (didn't help that I was terrified of hitting any of them, so everything went waayyy outside or wayyyy over everyone's head).

I really want another pitcher to rise up and be a top prospect like Rodriguez, Hall and Baumann. It sounds like Wells and Lowther just don't have the stuff to be that kind of a pitcher (but hopefully continue to produce good results in the minors) and some already said Rom, so I will go with Kyle Bradish.

Keith Moreland! How can anyone forget that!?!

I bet if some study was done (maybe use BMI, not really sure how to measure that), that the durability of a starter would be spread across all body types. Obviously this is a completely subjective judgment and I am about to present a SSS of a sample of two players. Greg Maddux (school teacher slight, but unbelievably durable and did throw hardish for his time) and David Wells (not so slight and pitched on a replaced UCL for most of his career without much in the way of DL/IL trips over said career and if Babe Ruth had been around the same time, he may have even said during a night out together, Dave, dude, I can't hang anymore, I gotta go some sleep!). Honestly, it would be an interesting study. But, back to Akin, I don't see why he can't make a full season of starts unless like Tony says command becomes such an issue he needs some time in the bullpen or back down in the minors.

Tommy John surgery: "missing all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery and a slow return" https://birdswatcher.com/2019/04/13/baltimore-orioles-gray-fenter-arm/

Along of the lines of being that type of guy, this is from the Athletic article today (hope is a small enough blurb to post): Markakis never drew attention to himself, preferring the lowest of big-league profiles. He never participated in social media and, through much of his career, didn’t have a working email account. There was never going to be a big retirement announcement from Markakis. https://theathletic.com/2444753/2021/03/12/nick-markakis-retiring/?source=dailyemail

I know it was only one game and two plate appearances and no TV, but did anyone who did see him (reporter or otherwise) describe what he was doing differently?

But what did he hit? From looking at his walk rate, it could have been the mascot, the guy in the on deck circle, possibly the mezzanine.... Seriously though, it was a very interesting interview, I caught on the Fan yesterday. I bet radio hosts would like to have more of that type of interaction for player interviews.

I am following the box score. Looks like Mean's is out after 2/3rd's of an inning. Hope its not an injury and just a pitch count (he did allow 3 hits and a run).

Defense will adjust. Slow runner in front (like Camden said), becoming the out which would have been in scoring position. Pitchers will adjust and throw more pitches which are hard to put down for a bunt. Just a few thoughts why not to do it to too much. But I do think it should be a regular part of his attack. Would be great if he can balance bunting with even a little power, make it tougher for the defense and pitching to adapt.

I think Corn is confused because no one “saw” the game today. Wasn’t on tv. I was happy Mancini got a hit!

Wait, like the technology was flawed and now it’s more accurate (completely understandable) but are you also saying pitchers may have thrown harder in the 80’s than measured? Honestly curious and unsure of your meaning.

Agreed, but at the respective time. I am so hoping that in 10 years they will be writing an Astroball type book on this organization from this rebuild.

And it worries me that pitchers are aiming for that 100 mark, heard on the Fan recently that DL Hall has hit 100 and 101 (and sounded like he was pushing himself to do so), my first thought was to wonder if TJ will come in the spring or summer for him. I understand pitchers do need to throw hard these days, but this chasing the absolute max velocity can't be good for the arm. I also understand human nature (well a bit anyway) that, that is not going to change. You are probably right, I bet we hear about a phenom high school-er hitting 100 his freshman year or something in the near future.

Kumar Rocker had a nice debut as well. Striking out 8 in 4 innings. No idea on velocity, but guessing it was good. https://wsuraiders.com/sports/baseball/stats/2021/vanderbilt/boxscore/6857

I would have thought Snider hung up the cleats quite a while ago, but he has actually been playing in the minors since 2015 and has had a couple decent offensive years in AAA. Braves signed OF Travis Snider to a minor league contract. The deal doesn't include an invite to major league camp. Snider turned 33 earlier this month and hasn't played in the majors since 2015. He's strictly organizational depth at this point in his career. Source: David O'Brien on Twitter Feb 23, 2021, 12:56 PM ET https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/snidetr01.shtml

Brach landed in KC. Royals signed RHP Brad Brach to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Brach quickly found a new home after being cut loose by the Mets last week. The veteran reliever struggled last year with a 5.84 ERA and 1.78 WHIP over 12 1/3 innings, but he has a strong track record and makes for useful depth in camp.