Will Machado hit for power?

[Fired-Up]

Fine. Show us one report that says Machado doesn't have at least plus bat speed. Alternatively, do your eyes and expertise outweigh every report and analysis of his game that are out there after watching one game?

I form my opinions from what I see.

[Icterus galbula]

I form my opinions from what I see.

I'm really done this time. You are an expert whose eyes and opinions are ironclad.

[furryburres]

Well, he has eviscerated both WAR and the pythag in the last week. He's the Jacques Derrida of baseball analysis.

I'm okay with people CHOOSING to focus on the game of baseball over the stats like WAR and pythag, because the stats may (for them) lessen the fun. They do for me, so I choose to watch the game while keeping an eye on the stats to help inform me what's really going on.

But if that's the point, don't speak as someone educated about both sides of baseball analysis, statistic and visual! Don't find faults with the stats based off of incorrect understanding, and don't find faults with the players based off of no scouting knowledge!

[furryburres]

I form my opinions from what I see.

So what were you watching when he hit that gap-power triple into the right-center gap?

[Lucky Jim]

I'm okay with people CHOOSING to focus on the game of baseball over the stats like WAR and pythag, because the stats may (for them) lessen the fun. They do for me, so I choose to watch the game while keeping an eye on the stats to help inform me what's really going on.

But if that's the point, don't speak as someone educated about both sides of baseball analysis, statistic and visual! Don't find faults with the stats based off of incorrect understanding, and don't find faults with the players based off of no scouting knowledge!

Hey, I get it. I watch as much or more baseball than anyone I know. I even get why folks wouldn't enjoy statistical analysis. I use stats to tell me what I can't see (i.e., summarize huge pools of data that moment-by-moment watching and bounded rationality don't allow.)

Scouting is vitally important. Game-worn analysis, too.

This is neither. This is about a poster who likes calling attention to himself and nothing more. There's not an iota of analysis or any evidence of even comprehension of what he's talking about in his posts.

[Fired-Up]

So what were you watching when he hit that gap-power triple into the right-center gap?

I want the guy to hit home runs. I like Machado. I'm pumped for his career. But what's so special about a triple in the gap? I like home runs. The home run is my favorite play in baseball.

[crissfan172]

Hitters tend to generate power in two ways. It's either the Curtis Granderson way, a little guy who has a lightning quick bat. Or it's either a huge massive guy like Cabrera who uses his brute strength.

[furryburres]

Hey, I get it. I watch as much or more baseball than anyone I know. I use stats to tell me what I can't see (i.e., summarize huge pools of data that moment-by-moment watching and bounded rationality don't allow.)

Scouting is vitally important. Game-worn analysis, too.

This is neither. This is about a poster who likes calling attention to himself and nothing more. There's not an iota of analysis or any evidence of even comprehension of what he's talking about in his posts.

Yeah, I wasn't addressing you. I agree with you.

And Fired-Up, you asked in your original post "Will Machado ever hit homeruns?" The triple in the gap helps answer that, because, as is BASIC scouting knowledge, gap power at age 20 turns into seat power by age 25. I'm sorry if you expected a 20 year old to have Pujols like power the moment he got up here.

[mattman0182]

I want the guy to hit home runs. I like Machado. I'm pumped for his career. But what's so special about a triple in the gap? I like home runs. The home run is my favorite play in baseball.

Wow, you must really hate Ichiro (one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game.) You must also have a low opinion of Cal Ripken because he was never really what you would call

a "power hitter."

I trust those who actually know how to assess talent when they say Machado is one of the best talents in baseball.

[Fired-Up]

Yeah, I wasn't addressing you. I agree with you.

And Fired-Up, you asked in your original post "Will Machado ever hit homeruns?" The triple in the gap helps answer that, because, as is BASIC scouting knowledge, gap power at age 20 turns into seat power by age 25. I'm sorry if you expected a 20 year old to have Pujols like power the moment he got up here.

Like I said. Men are done growing anywhere from age 21-25. Players get better due to experience not physical development.

[Flash- bd]

Well, he has eviscerated both WAR and the pythag in the last week. He's the Jacques Derrida of baseball analysis.

Hey, no need to bring Jacques into this! Plus, that comp. is a huge compliment to Fired-Up. That's the baseball equivalent of comparing Justin Smoak to Mark Reynolds just cause they both strike out a lot. Actually, no, that isn't even a good analogy. Jacques Derrida just shouldn't be in the same sentence with Fired-Up any more than the crazy guy wandering aimlessly in circles on the city block should be in the same sentence with the president.

EDIT: Then again, they could be talking about welfare, or murders of the homeless, or bath salts, or universal health care....so I guess they can be in the same sentence. Compared? Not so much.)

[furryburres]

Like I said. Men are done growing anywhere from age 21-25. Players get better due to experience not physical development.

You're exactly right. But they gain the physical ability to hit for power (which you've complained he doesn't have over and over again in this thread) with physical development. If his bat speed was good enough to hit a triple, how can you say it won't be good enough to hit a homerun when he's physically strong and developed enough to hit those same pitches farther?

[El Gordo]

Like I said. Men are done growing anywhere from age 21-25. Players get better due to experience not physical development.

Attention. Me likey.

[Spoonless]

I'm really surprised people are indulging this. Basic child psychology, folks: extinction is the best policy.

I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[Orioles4Life21]

Like I said. Men are done growing anywhere from age 21-25. Players get better due to experience not physical development.

So what do steroids do? They help one get more physically developed quicker don't they? So I guess you don't think steroids had any effect on the game?