Jump to content

More Smoak and Mirrors on Free Agency

smootharch

By smootharch
in Orioles Talk

Recommended Posts

Can_of_corn Hangout Grand Counsel

Can_of_corn

Posted
Posted
No where in my post did I say that scouts hit on more players than they miss. That is obvious. Once again, you're conflating two different concepts. I said scouts are very good at identifying players with tools that will play at the major league level, whether those tools are excellent hand eye coordination, brute power, speed, etc. Simply because a player has a tool does not mean the player can utilize that tool effectively enough to be a major league baseball player, just like me having a bandsaw in my hand but does not make me a carpenter.

I'm not trying to be insulting, but this really isn't very complicated or sophisticated stuff.

I am not talking about missing. I am talking about a college hitter whom ESPN's draft preview stated had a "slider speed bat" putting up a 537 OPS as a CI in the Sal league. That is a good bit past just missing. It certainly appears that the O's scouts thought Espositio had "tools that will play at the major league level". His performance last season suggests they were wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 87
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Dark Helmet Hangout Grand Counsel

Dark Helmet

Posted
Posted
I don't disagree with any of this. It isn't a refutation of anything I've said.

My point was, scouts usually expect a high pick like Smoak to have a pretty high chance of being an impact player. College player's ike Smoak are usually expected to have a fast track to the majors. Like I said, i'm sure scout's did't think Smoak would be puttng up a sub .700 OPS at 26, after 1200+ major league AB's. You could say scout's missed on Smoak. That's all i'm really getting at.

I used Weiters as an example. He was supposed to be a stud bat with a great arm, and ok behind the plate. Going by scout's, he was called a bust. How disappointed would O's fan's be with Wieters, if his defense didn't make him an AS catcher?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
crowmst3k! All-Star

crowmst3k!

Posted
Posted

Britton for Smoak is a fair trade. It's damaged goods for a disappointing development. Matusz has stuff that works out of the bullpen, at least. I'm not sure if Zach's shoulder issues will ever be back to normal. At least with Matusz, he can get guys out in short appearances. I'd love to see Smoak's potential with a fresh start. Worst come to worst, it doesn't pan out and you non-tender him. The loss of a Zach Britton is not going to cripple this club.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
scOtt Hangout Grand Counsel

scOtt

Posted
Posted
That's a good point. In your opinion then, has the minor league development been more of the problem with the O's then their scouting?

Imo it's been both. The scouting has been the better half but our minors were where prospects went to die. Somehow we messed up some pretty promising players.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • backwardsk
      Commanders Draft 2024

      By backwardsk · Posted

      Definitely want Maye. But I’m excited about the staff that has been put together to help a QB succeed. Lots of coaching that has worked with first round and high end talent: Mahomes, Mayfield, Murray, Herbert, Hurts. A lot of time when a QB “busts” the drafting organization is partly to blame. So whomever they decide to take is theoretically in a good environment to maximize their talent. I’d stick at 2 though. The exciting part about Thursday is whether or not they trade back into the first to take a tackle.
    • .500_OR_BETTER
      Kjerstad Joining Team

      By .500_OR_BETTER · Posted

      I'd be fine with Kjerstad taking some playing time (OF & DH) away from Santander.  I don't think there would be any drop off in our offense productivity and especially with our young guys (Cowser and Westburg) starting to breakout
    • backwardsk
      Jackson Holliday 2024

      By backwardsk · Posted

      Sending him down gives the team control of age 26 season, no?
    • Tony-OH
      Kjerstad Joining Team

      By Tony-OH · Posted

      I agree that 1B would be his last positional option, just saying that he "could" play there if needed. But I agree, he will probably DH or play RF mostly.
    • Frobby
      Albert Suarez 2024

      By Frobby · Posted

      My guess is, teams will figure out Suárez eventually.  But I’m going to enjoy the ride in the meantime.   And I’d gladly see him in the bullpen in place of Baumann.  This guy at least knows how to pitch.  
    • Bemorewins
      Kjerstad Joining Team

      By Bemorewins · Posted

      With O’Hearn, Mountcastle, and Santander I don’t really see much of a need to play Kjerstad at 1B.  If this is more than a short term thing, I would hope that they make his transition as easy as possible, and DH mostly while allowing a few starts in RF. That is to say, let him focus for the most part on his hitting instead of trying to grasp a position (first base) that he still doesn’t seem comfortable with.
    • Warehouse
      2024 Ongoing Lineup Thread

      By Warehouse · Posted

      But not if they bring in lefty and Rutchman and Santander switch sides. That being said, their only lefty relief options are Jose Suarez, who has thrown 53 pitches between yesterday and Saturday and also isn’t very good, and Matt Moore, who is a bona fide reverse splits guy.   Still, I think Westburg bats 6th so he isn’t back-to-back with Tony. Cowser or Mullins would bat 5th, with the other batting 7th.

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...