Good news about Urrutia

[Tony-OH]

One of the biggest concerns about Henry Urrutia by some scouts, including myself, was that Urrutia didn't have a ton of bat speed and that would limit him at the major league level. So it was good to read that Jim Presely has seen a difference already after and offseason in teh weight room.

"When he showed up here this time last year, he probably hadn't eaten very well, hadn't been in the weight room," Presley said. "Now, he's got 10 months of being able to do that and I think it's helped him. He's put on 20 pounds of muscle himself. He looks really good. It looks like he's stronger. It looks like he can handle the bat a little bit more. He's got more bat speed, so good for him."

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2014/02/presley-talks-about-schoop-urrutia-and-reimold.html

Now it's spring training and coaches always seem to gush over players in the spring, but it'll be interesting to see if Urrutia changes his approach due more strength and possibly more bat speed.

If he starts driving good fastballs to right field, he will quickly add to his ceiling and could be a true option for full-time right field next year if his defense improves as well (assuming the Orioles don't pick up Markakis' option).

[canonfaz]

Great to hear. It would be huge for the team if he turned into an everyday player. That would free up some resources and enable us to maybe extend Davis.

[LookinUp]

"20 lbs of muscle"

And Tony trolls his own board. lol

[Tony-OH]

"20 lbs of muscle"

And Tony trolls his own board. lol

Not sure I get this, but glad to hear he put on some muscle.

[LookinUp]

Not sure I get this, but glad to hear he put on some muscle.

There are a few posters in other threads who are apoplectic about the frequent mentions of Markakis, Urrutia, etc. putting on x lbs of muscle. They say it's impossible, and it probably is. Urrutia probably gained 20 lbs and transformed his body to a large extent, but it's not technically 20 lbs of muscle.

You're a troll. Just admit it.

[srock]

There are a few posters in other threads who are apoplectic about the frequent mentions of Markakis, Urrutia, etc. putting on x lbs of muscle. They say it's impossible, and it probably is. Urrutia probably gained 20 lbs and transformed his body to a large extent, but it's not technically 20 lbs of muscle.

You're a troll. Just admit it.

In Urrutia's case I'd say it is possible given he was underweight due his predicament.

On the other hand, all anyone can really know is what the scale says. 20 pounds is 20 pounds. Stronger is stronger. Doesn't mean he gained 20 pounds of muscle, it means he gained 20 lbs and he is stronger; therefore, a good amount of that 20 lbs is muscle mass.

Nitpick over.

[hoosiers]

We'll see how it translates in his results, but it is nice to hear Urrutia is at a much better place physically than he was when he dominated the minors.

Nice to hear about Schoop as well. Interesting to hear the comments about changing Schoop's stance after he's been in the organization for so long.

[jabba72]

Even without the Cruz signing I would have been comfortable with Urrutia at DH and Lough in LF. Hopefully Cruz will show he was worth the cost, but I think Urrutia has some untapped potential.

[NedFromYork]

Interesting. To me it seemed like he had a lot of bat speed, just swung at the last possible moment.

[Frobby]

I really liked Urrutia's plate coverage last year, and he seems to track pitches very well and not get fooled very often. The extra muscle is going to help him a lot.

[epic]

I am a big fan of Urrutia. I like his approach at the plate and I think the added weight in the offseason will help him out a lot. I'm not sure how much of an opportunity he will get this year but I'm hoping he gets a legitimate shot at a starting corner OF spot next season.

[OFFNY]

I am a big fan of Urrutia.

I'm also a big fan of Urrutia.

Which is why I am very happy that he just saved a bunch of money on his car insurance at GEICO.

[sportsfan8703]

Urrutia just needs consistent AB's. There is no reason for him to be the 4th OF'er on this team. He either needs to win the LF job or go to AAA. However if both Lough and Henry look solid I could see them both on the major league team but let's face it, Henry as to have a hot spring with the bat because of Lough's defense.

[LookitsPuck]

I don't know what everyone's obsession with claiming that 20 pounds of lean muscle isn't possible in 10 months. That's 2 pounds a month. Entirely possible without "help". Good grief, people.

[Winter]

I don't know what everyone's obsession with claiming that 20 pounds of lean muscle isn't possible in 10 months. That's 2 pounds a month. Entirely possible without "help". Good grief, people.

right? Sounds like a buncha Stalins are judging him