CHIP
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The YoYo of the Norfolk Tide's second half continues. But my son and I watched Adam Sandler's remake of The Longest Yard this past weekend and he said that Godoy is Brucie's spirit animal.
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1 hour ago, Sports Guy said:
Sofa King stupid
If they were going to Canada... they could send him on City Airlines
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I was raised that if you don't have anything nice to say... don't say anything at all. So I have been silent. Then I remember those rules really don't apply to this board. Fantasy mixed with reality rule the day here.
With that being said... The best thing I can point out after last week's 1-5 trip down in Jacksonville is that the O's DFA'd Mychal Givens and hopefully the success on Sunday carries over against the Memphis Redbirds this week and that 6th plate appearance for Kjerstad got him his single... so everybody hits going into a travel day.
The buzz around the Tides has gone quiet with no more exciting moves. McCann has played well of late and the team is winning more than losing still. Unless you are a pitcher (or Bemboom and Godoy for the travel squad) it seems like the travel bus and flights for the west coast trip are few and far between.
The feel of the team is much more of a minor league feeder system/rehab facility/innings and reps mood than a group of guys wanting to win a AAA championship.
There are 6 weeks left in the season. This week and week5 at home (of remaining 6) are vs. Memphis who are 17-22 and 7.5 games back of 1st. This is only 4 games back of Norfolk.
Durham (home) is 23-16, then Worcester (away) is 24-14 then Jacksonville(home) again sitting at 23-16. Final week of season is up in Buffalo who is 20-18.
With 9 teams within 3.5 games of 1st place, the final 6 weeks will be interesting.
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On 5/2/2023 at 1:33 PM, Frobby said:
This year’s Baysox look like a pretty dull group. Following this morning’s loss, their record is 6-14, tied for worst in the Eastern League. Going into play today, the Baysox ranked last in runs/game (3.53) and OPS (.637). Their pitchers ranked a decent 4th/12 in ERA (3.65) but 7th in runs allowed/game (4.37). As you might surmise, their defense has been shoddy, with the second worst fielding percentage in the EL (.966), the second most unearned runs and an okay CS% (22%}.
The offense has two good prospects, Heston Kjerstad (.992 OPS after today’s game) and Coby Mayo (.863). Cesar Prieto has looked okay (.833) and maybe he could carve out a Hanser Alberto-type career for some team, but probably not the O’s with all our IF depth. Zach Watson is in his third stint with Bowie, and while he’s doing better this time around (.736), I think his prospect days are behind him. Second-tier prospects Johnny Rhodes (.601) and Dont’a Williams (.599) have not impressed.
On the pitching side, Justin Armbruester leads the starters with a 1.40 ERA in 19.1 innings. Chayce McDermott, who pitched today, has a 2.86 ERA in 20.1 innings with 12.0 K/9. Highly regarded Cade Povich is at 3.71 in 17.1 innings with 14.3 K/9. Carlos Tavera has been disappointing so far, 6.30 ERA in 10 innings.
Overall, there are pockets of good talent here but it’s a pretty thin team, especially when you look at all the talent that passed through Bowie last year. Here’s hoping that Beavers, Fabian and Holliday can play well enough to get promoted to Bowie and make things more interesting later this year.
This tweet aged quite well actually...
Kjerstad, Mayo, Prieto were all promoted to AAA and Prieto was traded.
Watson was released
Armbruester, McDermott, Povich also promoted to AAA
Beavers, Fabian and Holliday are all in AA now. Fabian has struggled a fair share.
But the Defensive metric of 22% Caught Stealing... As of today, Rodriguez has caught 5 of 40, Susnara has 1 of 32. The defensive bright spot was Pavolony being 7-15 but he was moved to the Dev List after being injured and hitting 2-34 (0.059). So.. the catching bar is set pretty low for Ardoin to do better than his current catcher mates 8% Caught Stealing rate.
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5 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:
What roster move needs to happen after Ortiz? The outcry after every loss isn’t going to stop. It’s never “we just had a bad game”, it’s always some injustice. Before it was Westburg and Cowser. The only other spot it can go is to Maverick Handley for McCann. Or Vespi for Perez.
I'm all aboard that Handley train getting a chance. I understand the need to keep Handley in AAA because no one is going to take Bemboom when he is bounced down every time. But as we approach the end of season when the rosters can be expanded... If the O's want that 3rd catching option do they want the defense of Handley and his speed? Handley could pinch run better than Bemboom. From a defensive perspective, he has the elite framing and blocking skills Adley had last year and his POP times are elite. The Durham Bulls announcer was saying is numbers were in the 1.85 range. I haven't seen data as AAA doesn't post the POP times, etc. I just don't think there would be much drop off from McCann to Handley and if Handley can't hang, he is dropped from the 40 man before the Rule 5 and if he can hang then he stays on the 40 man. Then worry about the $4 million the O's owe for McCann's 2024 salary.
I checked Handley's numbers since he returned from the IL. 26 games since he got back to Norfolk on June 13th. Nearly two full months. Over those 26 games, .282/.411/.410 which is good for a two month stretch. If we want to give him 10 days to get his timing back, the last 20 games he is at .304/.451/464 with 13BB/14K.
If I wanted to be a smartass and justify his promotion based on a single month, during the month of August, he has a 1.167 OPS with 2 stolen bases and only 1 K. THAT DESERVES A PROMOTION
It's not like the O's are asking him to see if he can play 1B or a corner outfield spot.
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26 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:
There are no catching prospects at Bowie and this was most likely to promote away the 3rd catcher at Aberdeen. Ardoin can handle the defensive requirements so why not? Now Basallo and Willems can rotate between C, 1B and DH.
Completely agree. Elias & Co promoted Ardoin because Basallo made them create a spot in Aberdeen.
When Ardoin was drafted he was praised as a defensive equal to Handley with an advanced bat. The organization did get Ardoin a lot more game time in Aberdeen a lot faster than Handley. But if I recall, Handley was off and on IL the 2nd half of 2021.
Defensively in Aberdeen in 453 innings, Ardoin had 34 assists, 6 errors, 3 PB and 20/69 CS 29%. Handley had 427 innings, 51 assists, 4 errors, 3 PB, and 28/60 CS 47%. Offensively Ardoin had 214 ABs in 68 games to Handley's 199 in 60 games. Each had 5 HR, Ardoin had 86K vs. 71K. Ardoin did walk more. Handley stole 12 of 14 while Ardoin stole 4 of 9. Looking at the DOB's Ardoin is 18 months younger than Handley currently but 6 months older while at the same level of Aberdeen.
Overall, I think Ardoin's July helped justify the move but Elias & Co didn't move Ardoin because of July... it was because of Basallo.
With the youth of Willems and Basallo and their respective offensive upsides, Ardoin can feel the breath of each over his shoulder. I don't think Handley is having anyone breathing down his neck but looking for an opportunity or a breath of fresh air.
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David Hall, a writer for the Virginia Pilot, seems to have the need to create a story where the is none and shouldn't be one. It appears that people who make their living writing 'stories' have to create something where there is nothing. I didn't know David Hall's writing style enough to judge before, but I consider this AMBUSH journalism. He ambushed Mayo and those he interviewed. If I were the Tides Manager and staff, I would caution ALL OF MY PLAYER AND STAFF to give this guy 100% canned responses from here on out. I would also block him from speaking with players and staff before or during a game. These are my thoughts on the writer and not the subject. I don't believe the subject/focus of the article (and it isn't Mayo) should be a thread on this board.
His article this morning, "Before he was a top Orioles prospect, Coby Mayo survived Parkland shooting." The story literally begins, "If asked, Coby Mayo is willing to talk about the day that changed his life and the lives of those in his hometown forever. But he’s not likely to bring it up, and his willingness has its limits."
He then blindsides Handley: Asked whether he had knowledge of what Mayo had experienced in high school, Handley, understandably, took the question a completely different way. “I actually don’t really know what he experienced in high school,” Handley said. “Credit to him. Keep the yearbook closed. I’m sure he had tons of accolades.” Told of the shooting, Handley said, simply, “I did not know that. Well, dang.”
Handley didn't take the bait, so David Hall moves on to Buck Britton: Norfolk’s staff is aware of the unimaginable weight Mayo quietly carries, which only he can fully understand. If he ever discusses the mass shooting with his manager, it will likely be because Mayo brought it up. “He doesn’t really talk about it,” Britton said. “We know what, kind of, he’s been through. “That’s kind of a dark place that I really don’t want to go with him. If he feels like that’s something that he wants to open up about, we’re more than willing to be there and listen."
HUGE RESPECT to Coby Mayo in shutting down David Hall's injection of politics into sports: Asked on a recent afternoon where he was that day in relation to the violence, Mayo showed where his line is when it comes to discussing it. “I would rather not talk about the actual day,” he said. “It happened, but it’s a tough situation to talk about before a game. “You want to stay representing the individuals, but you don’t want to always hold on to it and talk about it every day. You kind of just want to let that be in the past.”
Seriously, WTF is this writer thinking about interviewing the players and staff about this before a game let alone at all when Coby Mayo is choosing not to do it in the first place.
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3 hours ago, Tony-OH said:
Perez is probably a good comp size wise for him eventually so that is a good example of a guy that big who has continued to catch at the big league level deep into his career.
I think a potential comp to what others have said about starting behind the dish and moving, along with his size considerations and unknowns, is Joe Mauer of the Twins.
Started for Twins at 6-5, 225# at the age of 21 and at age of 27 he was 6-5 235# when he made his move to 1B with a massive contract and massive increase in power production. The contract was for the bat over the catching defense.
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2 hours ago, Tony-OH said:
As a former big leaguer, he probably should look like a man vs boys. I'm sure once he's considered fully ready they will move him up to AAA.
If that is (or could be the plan) that would make for a very full AAA catcher pool. Bemboom, Handley, Godoy, & Viloria.
With that being said they can easily drop one of these 'lucky' chaps onto the Taxi Squad or Developmental List... OR:
A) One of the catchers is going to be included in a trade this week
B) One will be promoted to O's when the roster expands to 28
C) One will be transitioned to develop as a 1B like Kjerstad, Mayo, and further thin the 1B AB's for Diaz and Josh (Welcome back from the DFA since no one else wanted him cause he isn't hitting like he did the first 6 weeks) Lester
D) One will be sent to accompany Glendinning to Australia this winter... damn.. there I go again looking too far in advance
E) One will be kept for pitching depth in case of the Tides being blown out in games in the 2nd half as they try to rehab the O's pitching
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2 hours ago, Hank Scorpio said:
Very nice outing today from McDermott (assuming he's done, of course):
5ip (in relief)
7K
2 hits
2BB
0 runs
It would have been his normal start day. Voth was doing his rehab and didn't get out of the first (33/21) because of an error by Prieto. The new (old) guy McFarland finished the 1st and 2nd (22/11) but had 2 BBs. So then McDermott got his 'start' in the 3rd inning.
Looking at BaseballSavant, McDermott was 93 topping 94. This seems a tick below last start but last start he walked 6. So maybe control first velo 2nd is his current recipe for success
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On 7/26/2023 at 11:00 AM, interloper said:
Hm, that's pretty disappointing to hear. What's been going wrong for him at 1B?
Glad I went back a message to see what @Tony-OH said about Kjerstad's defense issues in the OF. I had witnessed and even asked a couple guys that know a lot more than I do. The kid 'rakes' as my son and his friends say but to me, he is a defensive liability. They say if you can hit, they will find a position for you somewhere. It feels like they really are trying to find a position. Ultimately, as a fan, it kills me to watch him cost games in Norfolk but at the same time the Minors are about winning games for the O's.
It is my personal perspective that Norby is the same with respect to 2B or 3B but he does have more potential defensively at Kjerstad but for Norby his offense is a tick behind Kjerstad.
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On 7/13/2023 at 9:39 AM, interloper said:
Wandisson Charles. He's only pitched 5 innings at AAA, and they haven't gone well (9.00 ERA). However, his strikeout numbers have carried over from AA at 12.6/9. Whatever went wrong with his AA stint for Oakland went extremely right with his AA stint for Baltimore. The O's made the right call to challenge him at AAA and see if he can be the next flamethrowing reliever they sort out in the mold of Lopez, Perez, Bautista, and Cano.
Who you got?
I think this breakout pick may become a throw away pick sooner than later. In AA with Texas he had a 2.57 Whip over 37 innings. He has the exact same 2.57 after7 innings in AAA. AA with TX he had 38/34 BB/K and and with AAA he has 11/11. 98 will strike out AA early but not going to intimidate AAA players if you can't hit your spots. And I am being generous to average his games over his 8 relief appearances in AAA.
Charles first 3 games in June with Norfolk I was really impressed. Like Dr Jekyll impressed. 3.0 innings, 0 runs, 1 Hit, 0 walks, 3 K. 0.30 whip. This is the stuff that says maybe he can help the club in Baltimore.
His last 5 games in July with Norfolk out came the 'Hyde' and not the manager kind. 3.2 innings, 6 H, 11 BB, 11K, 24.55 ERA, 4.64 Whip.
More importantly to me is the body language. I can almost see the physical cues of 'please get me the hell off this mound' as I don't want to lose this game for us... again.
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9 hours ago, Ohfan67 said:
Kjerstad played first today and Sunday. Didn’t look farther back, but when I checked about two weeks ago Mayo had played very few games at first despite what some posters seem to think is happening.
Kjerstad 'played' first today (Yesterday) is a very kind wording for what it actually looked like. If anyone else on this board actually watches the MILB.tv broadcasts, or goes back to watch the archived games that are free following the live broadcasts... if you can actually make it thru how poorly played the game was in pitching and defense... it will become obvious that if Kjerstad is not cut out for first base. 5th inning, 0 outs. 2-2 Count and Denoyer bounced a pitch that Peyton Henry of the Sounds swung at. It rolled all the way to the corner and Handley got there threw the ball right over the 1B bag. Kjerstad positioned himself completely wrong and didn't know hot to move to receive the ball ultimately bailing from making the catch resulting in the scorer hitting Handley with an Error for the throw. There were at least two other plays that he looked awful.
I imagine the last time Kjerstad was asked to play 1B was at 4 or 5 playing T-ball because he likely was one of the 2 or 3 boys on that team that could catch 50% of the balls. At least that was my fuzzy flashback thought of position vs. experience.
After yesterday I think he is actually prone to being injured if they continue to play him at 1B.
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18 minutes ago, OriolesMagic83 said:
I live in Richmond and am working out of town in the mountains of North Carolina. Is western North Carolina part of the O's home market and thus blocked out on MLB TV? I assume Richmond, VA is considered part of the O's market and O's games are blocked out. Is that just home games or road games too? Trying to figure out if MLB TV will allow me to watch O's games. Not really interested in non O's baseball games.
https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/mlb-tv-blackout-workaround-vpn/
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well... I may have read somewhere to set up a VPN outside of the blackout area as a potential resolution.
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The MLB Trade Deadline is TUESDAY, Aug 1 @ 6:00 PM EST. 8 days (6 games) of the potential for an emotional roller coaster for some players and fans.
Last week, Easton Lucas was traded to Oakland, Lester was DFA'd, TJ McFarland was signed, Bemboom moved to Taxi and Jose Godoy recalled from Taxi.
Last week was the most sporadic week of watching the Tides play... and somehow after going 5-5 over the last 10 they are only 1 game out of first place in the International League (20 teams).
With the O's having moved 2 games into first place and the marginal/fringe players picking up their performance, we aren't likely going to see any moves (outside of minor relief pitching ups/downs) that impact our roster. But the 'focus' and cohesiveness of the group in Norfolk has been the most unsteady all season.
My opinions (not facts)
Prieto seems focused in the box but unfocused/pressured/stressed on defense. He has been playing 'selfish' on offense with base running most often being a detriment to the team. Really noticeable in the 1 run loses.
Norby was doing well as lead off until O's sent McKenna down and put into lead off. Now Norby has fluctuated. I have never been a fan of his infield defense and if I can see that he doesn't have a defensive home so can the other teams.
Stowers seems to have stabilized but the problem is I can't seem to figure out when he is over swinging vs. under control.
Mayo is figuring himself out but hasn't figured out when to use the challenges for strike zone. I don't think he has won one challenge.
Since the All Star break the last 9 games... 5-0 with Handley catching and 0-4 with Bemboom and Godoy. If anyone else on this board actually watches the games vs. the stat box, there is just a different vibe or energy.
Relief pitching has been downfall... I don't know how management can decide which of the relievers to move up and down based on their play. Maybe that in itself is a factor to the play.
Really... The team and fans can still celebrate the 1st half win and playoff guarantee. That team played cohesive and as a team. But since the play seems to be more individualized than normal, distracted, and.... average. You can still see/tell there is talent on the team but it is now 'feels' truly more like a 'Junior Varsity' high school team.
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So there is a lot of chatter about McCann's 'bunt' yesterday. So here is Tweet that I am still shaking my head at and I am going to address a few different ideas:
1) The person quoting Codify's tweet of the bunt should have a participation trophy and/or ribbon as their profile image.
2) Scottish Orioles is literally the poster child for, "Tell me you never played baseball withouth telling me you never played baseball"
3) In the post game interview, McCann just mentions that bunting is a skill and he is proud of his skill. Then I remember that my papa used to say, "Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every not and then". Yes he went with the intent to bunt but this was 99% luck and 1% skill.
4) Willing to bet the conversation with Mrs. McCann, after she saw the highlight, wasn't so smooth.
5) The Top of 9 in hits and 'bunt' turned the story a complete 180 from what it would have been. Luck is not a measurable anything in the Statcast or sabermetrics era... but maybe it should be?
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The primary beat writers, Roch, Rich and Steve, all repeated the same gaslighting or propaganda by the Orioles PR machine. That Basallo left the game with a muscle spasm. I copied a link to the game and at 47:45 into the archived game, he pops up to foul of 3B and immediately puts his left hand on his left hip. As he hobbled around and walked back to dugout, he continued to press the upper area of where the thigh comes into the hip.
I earned my WWW.MD degree thru Google, and I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night, so I have a feeling this is a bit more than a muscle spasm and more likely a Hip Flexor strain. Which as a catcher, and the shear violence involved in a baseball swing, hydrating with Gatorade isn't going to fix this.
I hope my bed was lumpy and that my miss spelled something in my medical research... but that walk and urgency from the training staff wasn't over a spasm.
https://www.milb.com/live-stream-games/g728114
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Handley went 0-3 yesterday in the 2nd half of the double header vs. Gwinett but he was a difference maker limiting the potential damage from McDermott's 6 walks in 5 innings. Norfolk tweeted Handley's pick of Park at 1B and I had to rewatch the AB to see how he was set up to be sleeping. (Norfolk's social media person is the worst of all the minors in my opinion by the way... I don't even know if they understand the game... but I digress)
Gwinett is the 2nd most aggressive running team in the International league and had also snagged 2 steals in game 1.
With a 1-2 count, Handley called for McDermott to pick to 1B twice in a row. Basically goading Park to take a bigger lead. So much so Handley called for a pitch out and looks to have had the choice of going down to 2B but ultimately got him at 1B. Handley's transfer time has to be one of his best tools. The accuracy of the snap throw made this successful.
Kept the 'tide' from turning (and I will not be apologizing from my Puns anymore)
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7 hours ago, RZNJ said:
Chayce with 99k’s in 76 IP on the year. At Norfolk today, 6 walks and 9 strikeouts in 5 IP and only 1 hit.... It all comes down to command (51 walks in 76 innings) and he’s not as scattershot as the numbers look. He’s had starts where he went 4-5 innings and walked only 1.
I watched the 2nd game of Norfolk's double header yesterday and Gwinett was throwing mostly sliders and the announcer was quoting the manager talking about keeping the ball away from the Norfolk hitters. 3 of the 4 hits were HRs. So when the ball didn't miss the zone, it was smashed.
RZNJ I believe did hit the strength and weakness of McDermott pretty well. Electric stuff but control issues. 6 walks in 5 innings was all the foot traffic by Gwinnett until the bottom of the 9th. Norfolk was up 2-0 in 4th and Chayce's two walks that inning scored on that bloop single by Park.
He did seem bothered by the humidity. I am curious if someone with more time could look at the weather during his high walk games vs. low walk games. How much do game time conditions impact his control?
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I updated the Catcher depth stats yesterday... but then read this.
There are Handley supports/fans (I am one admittedly and repeatedly) and there are others on the other side of the coin.
David Hall's article in the Virginia Pilot yesterday (Link to full article at the very bottom). He questioned Norby, Britton, and Handley. Seems like no one knows what is going to happen but they all want to play and play in the MLB. Doesn't really matter who provides that opportunity.
Tides catcher Maverick Handley, a former star at Stanford, has gotten to know Rutschman since being picked in the sixth round of the 2019 draft.
Ask Handley about Rutschman, a first-time All-Star this season, and he’s nothing but complimentary.
He’d prefer to someday be complementary.
“He’s going to be the guy,” Handley said. “I think you always need two catchers. I’m a big believer in that. I like to think that I can make it up here with the Orioles, especially as a guy that has relationships with the pitchers.”
Still, Handley and others realize that opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. It’s not at all uncommon for players to debut in the big leagues with organizations other than those by which they were drafted.
“At the end of the day, every guy in here and every guy that plays professional baseball, their goal is to play in the big leagues and to stay in the big leagues and play for a long time,” Norby said. “That is the ultimate, No. 1 goal. And that is something that I will say forever. That is the No. 1 goal, is to play in the big leagues. But you never know. Whatever happens, happens. But I’m not looking to that yet. I need to focus on myself and focus on my play.”
And that seems to be the prevailing attitude. The Orioles are in an enviable position, which puts their minor league prospects into one of provocative uncertainty.
“I think if I play good enough and they see the trade value in it, if I get shipped, I get shipped,” Handley said. “But I don’t really try thinking about it too much. I’m staying in the moment, staying present and going out and competing. Whoever notices, notices.
“Honestly, there’s really not that much talk about trades in the locker room. Nobody knows what Mike’s thinking. But you know whatever he’s thinking is probably going to be the best thing for the club.”
His answers are very baseball politically correct. But what happens after this season? Handley is Rule 5 Eligible this year and a MiLB free agent after next year. I don't think anyone wants to be on a team stuck behind someone their entire career. Assuming Adley stays healthy, that is the Handley's future with the O's. My personal belief watching Adley's throw downs is that there is something wrong with his throwing arm. I have no proof or conversations/reports to suggest as such, just going off of a gut instinct based on watching his throw downs. This may be why his contract has not been rewritten (if it is not an Adley decision to not extend)
But... here is the big BUT... If you are Handley (or his advisors/agents) and he is NOT traded or protected from the RULE 5 draft... do you have conversations (are you allowed to have conversations) with certain teams where his skill set and/or his profile fits their team/ball park? How hard would it be to tell a team that you will refund your first TWO weeks of pay if you cannot stay on their 26 man roster past the first two weeks of the year and the Orioles take you back if offered. Here is my logic: $100,000K to the Orioles from the Rule5 drafting team. If he doesn't stick after Spring Training and 14 days, he will have earned $50,000. Drafting team gets $50K from O's and $50K from Handley. So for a team not happy with catcher #1 or #2... you could get all $100K back?
Even if he doesn't stay he gets a hefty pay bump back in AAA and one more call up to 26 man and he is at a minimum of $120K. More importantly, he is with a team that wants to give him the opportunity at MLB level.
Maybe Handley is more patient than I am, and perhaps the bump in AAA pay helps, but I would be trying to get out of a shadow especially when a team won't even let you see the MLB sunlight except from the Taxi Squad bench
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8 minutes ago, btdart20 said:
What's the deal with the taxi guys? I know they're insurance policies basically, but do they get paid more than AAA guys? I would think so because they aren't traditional prospect types in general.
My understanding is they make the same as their normal minor league salary but get an additional Per Diem for food. In 2020 it was $110 but that may have gone up with recent contract changes. Bemboom likely has a pretty decent AAA contract to keep accepting DFAs and Reassignments. Godoy would likely still earn a decent AAA salary because of his history of 2 times on 26 man. The AAA contracts are public anywhere I have found.
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Trying to move past the 12 walk and 2 error implosion yesterday at Gwinnett (somehow still only losing by 1):
A lot can still happen until the Trade deadline to not only the O's roster but Norfolk's roster. Lost Easton Lucas yesterday to the A's in the trade. What are they going to do with Lester/Diaz/Mayo to get Mayo his AB's and his time at 1B if that is what they want to develop. Lester's HR on Tuesday was is 1st in almost 2 months. Neither Lester or Diaz are a trade chip.
Players on both teams still need to stay healthy. So this post is with the assumption that THEY STAY HEALTHY.
Rosters in September can expand from 26 players to 28 players while keeping 40 man at 40. That is 2 players from Tides up to O's during that time. Relief Pitchers most likely?
Maybe a 3rd catcher (which would entail adding 1 to 40 man as well? Do they move Handley as he is out performing Bemboom now? Handley has above average speed and not just for a catcher which really opens up options and his defense has been considered MLB ready but the bat was having to catch up (No pun intended).
So... as a TIDES fan you hope our roster is as strong as possible come playoffs but as an Os fan, I want the best available on that roster to finish strong... especially if we are still in the lead or in a hunt for the playoffs.
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Update after 35 days
AAA - NORFOLK
Handley: Since coming back from Bowie on the IL around Mid June, played 10 games in June and 9 in July. Hitting .294/.368/.382 in June and .292/.485/.583 in July. So taking the 19 game average over the past 5 weeks of .293/.423/.466 equating to .898 OPS. That is over 58 ABs with 2 HR's, 4 doubles. These are the numbers that start to get opportunities.
Bemboom: Looking at his stats... Started hot in April with only 11 ABs with 5 hits. May was high use with 58 ABs but only 15 hits. Hitting .259 in May with .397 slugging. 0-3 in June and 1-8 in May. Overall his avg continues to drop to .263 with a .707 OPS. Bemboom is truly the O's back and forth and I wouldn't be surprised if he goes back on Taxi Squad sooner than later. He isn't helping Tides at all.
Godoy: Hasn't played since July 1. Has been on Taxi Squad. 3 week Taxi rotation with Bemboom is maybe about due?
AA - BOWIE
Rodriguez: Was reactivated about a month ago from IL. Has bounced between AA and AAA. Hitting .260/.375/.452 in AA with .381 in limited action at AAA but 0 walks in 21 ABs. He has spurts of offense but in AA is 4-31 in CS and in AAA is 0-3. His defense is almost non existent to make up for average offense.
Susnara: Had one solid week from 6/23 to 6/30 going 6-15 and then 2 HR on 7/4 to boost his OPS. But barely above Mendoza line at .207 and only 1-26 runners caught. Hasn't played since Pavolony back from IL
Pavolony: Returned from IL and went 1-13 in FCL, 0-8 in Delmarva, and is 0-10 in Bowie.
Opinion: One of the last two listed is not going to get many more chances.
A+ ABERDEEN
Ardoin: 19 games since last post getting 62 more ABs getting 15 hits (.242) during that stretch. But went 11-16 in a 5 game stretch 6/29-7/5 with 3 HR. Currently sitting at .215/.366/.330. Maintaining the 30% caught stealing with 20-67
Willems: 33G in A+ and hitting .242/.317/.444 with 7HR at this level. Last week left a game after striking out. I wondered why he was pulled and during his last AB he was really shaking his left arm out. Hasn't been placed on IL yet but he wasn't acting like it was minor. CS% has improved to 33% from 27% but can he stay healthy enough to stay behind the dish?
Retzbach: OUT FOR THE YEAR on IL
A- DELMARVA
Basallo: Hitting has gone up .013 points with OPS rising .107. So he is sitting at .293/.372/.498 thru 74 games with 283 ABs. 18 YO that was just added to BA100. 6'3" 180lb. CS rate dropped a small amount but still above 32%. With signing of Cole Urman out of Cal State Fullerton... does this let Basallo move to Aberdeen sooner than later?
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Maverick Handley 2023
in Minors
Posted
Handley seemed to be having a good couple months from when he returned from IL on June 13th to Aug 13th. A full 2 months, 30 games hitting .280/.396/.430 for OPS of 0.827 This brought his season AVG up 27 pts to .259/.397/.358 with OPS of .755 (96 pt raise)
The past couple weeks (last 6 games) Handley has gone 3-20 .150/.227/.300 for OPS of .527. SO Handley is currently sitting at .241/.377/.342 (.719 OPS). I was watching a few of these games and even though his numbers were down, he was making a lot of hard contact and swinging at strikes vs chasing. So the results don't show but the balls could start dropping.
(In comparison, McCann went thru a 10 game hot streak where he was 14/32 with a .438 AVG raising his season AVG up 50 pts to .245 followed by a 6 game streak of 3-22 dropping him back to .229. Which is not 'acceptable' for a back up catcher.
There are 3 weeks + playoffs for the Norfolk Tide.
The last I saw or heard of Handley was in September 1 where it was reported he was removed as a precaution after a collision with Yu Chang at 1st. I watched that video but nothing of it was really shared online until I googled it and several Chinese papers referenced a Facebook fan page of Chang. Looks to me like Handley avoided some pretty serious injury and likely hasn't played because of some whiplash type aches and pains. I didn't see any head trauma otherwise.
https://fb.watch/mT5JUdvQKS/