Il BuonO

Yeah, I like Von Eyk. You’re right about transferring weight to add velocity. I might have him drop a little more at foot strike, but he’s close already. The CU and CH look like plus pitches. Love the arm speed you mention at the same rate when he throws the CH. I like that Detmers has already been on the big stage with Team USA. I think his superior command is linked to the poise he displays on the mound. A couple added ticks definitely increases his profile. I like the HS kid, Abel, too. My philosophy on HS picks has evolved somewhat. So, not sure I’m willing to roll the dice on one as easily unless they’re advanced.

Now, only if that were true.

Watching the young guys and players I never expected to amount to anything is part of the fun. Yes, fun. Means and Alberto are in the latter category. Santander, Stewart and Harvey are in the former. Nine innings of looking for a diamond in the rough is what I’d call it. Perspective changes a lot.

I do see a couple things that concern me with Hancock. I’ve watched significant video and especially from the home plate camera looking out at the mound (granted, there’s much more video available of him from behind the mound) he has an almost violent delivery and plenty of recoil with his arm upon release. Now, obviously his stuff is plus, but it’s not the lowest risk mechanics I’ve seen.

Man, he’s doughy. I’m not sure I see what all the hype is about.

This kid has a compact, repeatable delivery. Armside run on the FB, with average command and good depth and break with the slider.

Because Davis has no shame?

Well, I’m not one of them, but it was within the realm of possibility after the AS break. I still think at his rate of production up to that point he would have been a good candidate to tender a two year deal below his current rate. He has made adjustments in his swing and added value. Currently, he’s more valuable than Mancini and will likely cost a little more than was expected. Certainly, paying the raise in arbitration would be reasonable considering his overall production, but if they want him even as a placeholder he’s going to cost a little more than what people thought. A lot of cost cutting maneuvers happening, too.

Yes, again. Better command of the CH. Left one slider up and fat, in the middle of the plate that was tagged for a HR. Much more efficient.

Interesting, Pujols is on the list. Although, the writer notes he can be thrown out because his SO rate is much lower than Nunez. The wOBA is rather close though, Pujols .333, Nunez .328.

I’m pretty sure with the Orioles running out guys like Ty Blach or Tom Eshelman they’re still in the hunt. Eshelman is coming back to stabilize the rotation, right?

Sounds about right.

I advocated his position should be similarly that for a couple years. At the time, I thought even Head of Strength and Conditioning,. Or, whatever got him out of the baseball ops arena.

So, there’s a....

Let alone pronounce.

I’ve referenced this before. Big difference is that Meche, even though he was bad the year before he decided to retire, was productive for two years of the contract. “This isn’t about being a hero — that’s not even close to what it’s about,” Meche said this week. “It’s just me getting back to a point in my life where I’m comfortable. Making that amount of money from a team that’s already given me over $40 million for my life and for my kids, it just wasn’t the right thing to do.” Meche told the Royals’ general manager, Dayton Moore, that he did not want any of the paycheck due him. No settlement, no buyout, no strings. The Royals had been roundly criticized for signing Meche in the first place — he was 55-44 with a 4.65 earned run average in six seasons for the Mariners — and Meche believed they had already paid him enough. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/sports/baseball/27meche.html

Is the NBC piece wrong? Because the article states the Nats were asking for $475 mil. I don’t know, I’m just asking.

Fairly accurate take here. I do think he’s a candidate for a reasonable two year deal as a placeholder. Heck, I wanted Iglesias at SS I’m the offseason and he signed a MiL deal.

Stewart has the better pedigree. Well, unless you’re talking about bloodlines.

Also, nailed a guy at the plate with a perfect one-hop throw from RF.

He’s starting to come around at the plate, but he’s not this bad defensively. Don’t hold me to that if it continues. ?

Yes. I like his aggressive approach on the base paths, but he’s prone to these kinds of mistakes. As Palmer noted, he’s fast enough to score from 2B with two outs on almost any ball hit to the OF. Also, it’s a gift to the catcher when anyone tries to steal 3B with a LHB up. With a LHB the catcher has a clear view of 3B. The few split seconds it takes to step in front of a RHB on an attempted steal of third is probably enough for Villar to be safe on that play. But again, with two outs (unless you have a pitcher who’s wild) there’s no good reason for the attempt.

His last start was similar and his sequencing has improved. He seems to be making more of a conscious effort to pitch backwards instead of establishing and featuring the FB. Doesn’t hurt he’s had better command of his secondaries recently. Also, encouraging his velocity has ticked up in the middle to later innings.

Sounds like you haven’t given up.

I promoted the idea last year, but there was no chance Buck was sitting him. He doesn’t deserve a roster spot, so if he does have a spot it doesn’t mean he has to play except sparingly.