Keith Law takes another shot at the O's

[ChaosLex]

@keithlaw

The O's gave $550K to a 5'9" Korean HS lefty throwing 80-83 with no feel for a breaking ball. Nice use of savings from cutting pro scouting.

Surprise, surprise.

[RVAbird]

Surprise, surprise.

If the money, height, and velocity relayed in the tweet are all correct, the attitude is justified in my opinion. I do think he's a little too bent out of shape about the scouting reassignment, though.

[Roll Tide]

If the money, height, and velocity relayed in the tweet are all correct, the attitude is justified in my opinion. I do think he's a little too bent out of shape about the scouting reassignment, though.

Well ... Im not surprised. Angelos will never get it.

[sangar]

What does height have to do with anything?

[Can_of_corn]

What does height have to do with anything?

From KLaw himself, since you are not the only one to ask

Tough to get plane from 5'9". Trust me, I'm 5'6", there is no "downhill" from here. RT @sogrady: @keithlaw: is the height important?

[theobird]

I can't stand Keith Law. I just despise the guy. But anybody who does not think he is correct in his hammering on the handling of this team.....Especially this offseason, is a Homer. Period. When I read about how people are pleased with DD's performance thus far, I just want to puke. Wilson Betemit is the only legit ML addition to this ballclub all off season long. Wilson freaking Betemit.

[ledzepp8]

From KLaw himself, since you are not the only one to ask

Of course Law ignores the fact that, at 17, the kid may not be done growing.

[Can_of_corn]

Of course Law ignores the fact that, at 17, the kid may not be done growing.

He didn't ignore it he just stated where the kid was at right now.

As a 30-50K flyer I would be ok with this move. If KLaw isn't exaggerating then 550K was too much.

[RVAbird]

What does height have to do with anything?

Aside from the lack of downward plane, as Can of Corn and KLaw pointed out, a small frame (already pretty filled at 180 lbs) gives little room for physical projection. It's not rare to see a tall, lanky, lefty gain 3-6 MPH on his fastball as he leaves his teens and works with pro trainers. A mostly filled 5'9" frame probably doesn't carry much room for growth.

Of course Law ignores the fact that, at 17, the kid may not be done growing.

Sure, he may grow some, but between two poles of hyperbole I'd tend to lean towards Law's scoffing rather than Stockstill's claims that this nearly 18-year-old kid is going to go from 5'10" 180 to 6'1" 195.

[sangar]

From KLaw himself, since you are not the only one to ask

What kind of downhill plane do side armers get?

[Can_of_corn]

What kind of downhill plane do side armers get?

Not much of one which is what generally makes them gimmick specialist pitchers that come out of the pen.

I admit I only know what I am talking about in a general sense with this stuff. Hopefully someone with real knowledge comes along.

[byrdz]

If the money, height, and velocity relayed in the tweet are all correct, the attitude is justified in my opinion. I do think he's a little too bent out of shape about the scouting reassignment, though.

Almost like he knows someone personally that was part of the reassignment.

[allstar1579]

Not much of one which is what generally makes them gimmick specialist pitchers that come out of the pen.

I admit I only know what I am talking about in a general sense with this stuff. Hopefully someone with real knowledge comes along.

Sorry, can't help much on this one. I've seen NOTHING about this kid. Hopefully I can dig up some video.

[Can_of_corn]

Sorry, can't help much on this one. I've seen NOTHING about this kid. Hopefully I can dig up some video.

I am going to go with: forget about him and be pleasantly surprised if he turns into something.

Which isn't a category I like to put >500K kids but it is what it is.

[Eddie_Ripken]

Sorry, can't help much on this one. I've seen NOTHING about this kid. Hopefully I can dig up some video.

I wonder if Keith Law actually has either? Probably just saw the same stats he posted. Height and pitch speed. Don't get me wrong, I have no clue either and 550K seems liek a lot but hey, I'm sure other teams who sign international end up "wasting" a lot of money as well. But we'll never hear about them.