Henry Urrutia (DFA)

[BohKnowsBmore]

I think the key part of what Buck said is the part you didn't bold. If you include it as one statement, it seems that Buck is saying that Urrutia is maintaining the same work ethic. If you cut out the first part of the statement, it sounds negative. The full context is immensely important.

Yep. It sounds to me like he's saying he put in some really good work up here. It's a shame he had to be sent down. The "challenge" part is more of a don't get discouraged rather than an attempted kick in the ass bases on my reading.

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[Redskins Rick]

Henry hit a 3-run homer in the AAA game today. Nice to see him flashing some power.

They said he looks stronger and has bulked up, which is a good thing for his power.

Not being the fastest guy on the field, I wonder how this will impact his ability to cover ground in the OF.

[DrungoHazewood]

Well, with de aza and possibly Pearce gone after this season, Urrutia and Alvarez could both be in consideration for bigger roles in 2016, even with limited at bats at the ML level in 2015.

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Maybe, but he's 28 now, and if he gets limited ABs this year he'll be 29 with very limited MLB exposure going into 2016. An average player is as good at Urrutia's age (right now) as they'll ever be.

[Beef Supreme]

Maybe, but he's 28 now, and if he gets limited ABs this year he'll be 29 with very limited MLB exposure going into 2016. An average player is as good at Urrutia's age (right now) as they'll ever be.

Fans of Nelson Cruz may have a different opinion. Urrutia got a late start and was injured subsequently. I think we shouldn't dismiss his potential on his age in the same way we would most other 28 year old minor-leaguers.

[DrungoHazewood]

Fans of Nelson Cruz may have a different opinion. Urrutia got a late start and was injured subsequently. I think we shouldn't dismiss his potential on his age in the same way we would most other 28 year old minor-leaguers.

Maybe. But it's still true that one's physical ability to play baseball begins to decline in the mid 20s, for most everyone. Knowledge and experience makes up for that (or even overcomes that for a time), to a point. Urrutia may still be gaining in the knowledge and experience part, especially concerning high-level professional baseball. But he's almost certainly plateauing or declining in physical skill and almost nothing (well, legally) can be done to prevent that.

[Beef Supreme]

Maybe. But it's still true that one's physical ability to play baseball begins to decline in the mid 20s, for most everyone. Knowledge and experience makes up for that (or even overcomes that for a time), to a point. Urrutia may still be gaining in the knowledge and experience part, especially concerning high-level professional baseball. But he's almost certainly plateauing or declining in physical skill and almost nothing (well, legally) can be done to prevent that.

I get what you are saying. Though mid-20s to ''begin the decline'' seems a bit early.

I have heard it argued that certain players who have endured injury, such as Reimold, could be a ''young 31'' because of not playing much over the past few years. He's suffered some injuries that can be career-ending for many. Maybe there is some truth to that; I'm not sure I'm a believer.

As for Urrutia, had he been in the US all these years, I'd probably hold little to no hope for him at 28 y.o. But, with his special circumstances, I think he has a better chance than many of actually being a ''young 28''. I am unwilling to relegate the possibility of a major league career to the scrap heap yet. Heck, Ichiro didn't start his MLB career until he was 27 ( aka his late-20s)...and went on for nine years as one of the league's top performers. It's possible that Henry might have a nice 5 - 6 year run from the age 29 through 34. Or at least I am rooting for him to do that. Time, as they say, will tell.

[Redskins Rick]

I get what you are saying. Though mid-20s to ''begin the decline'' seems a bit early.

I have heard it argued that certain players who have endured injury, such as Reimold, could be a ''young 31'' because of not playing much over the past few years. He's suffered some injuries that can be career-ending for many. Maybe there is some truth to that; I'm not sure I'm a believer.

As for Urrutia, had he been in the US all these years, I'd probably hold little to no hope for him at 28 y.o. But, with his special circumstances, I think he has a better chance than many of actually being a ''young 28''. I am unwilling to relegate the possibility of a major league career to the scrap heap yet. Heck, Ichiro didn't start his MLB career until he was 27...and went on for nine years as one of the league's top performers. It's possible that Henry might have a nice 5 - 6 year run from the age 29 through 34. Or at least I am rooting for him to do that. Time, as they say, will tell.

The same used to be said of ball players who left the game for a couple of years, and doing military service, they claimed, it allowed their body to rest from playing ball.

[DrungoHazewood]

The same used to be said of ball players who left the game for a couple of years, and doing military service, they claimed, it allowed their body to rest from playing ball.

People often say Bob Feller would have won well over 300 games if not for the war. I think there's at least an equally good chance that his arm would come off at the shoulder about 1943 from pitching 320-370 innings a year without the break the war gave his arm.

[DrungoHazewood]

I get what you are saying. Though mid-20s to ''begin the decline'' seems a bit early.

Things like fielding range and running speed, the parts of the game that are more tied to physical ability, peak in one's early-to-mid 20s. A player is probably never faster than the day of his MLB debut. Experience and reps against high-level opponents are what allows a player's overall peak to be as late as 27. In other sports that are more physical-tool based (football non-QB positions, soccer, many Olympic sports like track) I think the peak is years earlier than baseball's 27.

[Redskins Rick]

People often say Bob Feller would have won well over 300 games if not for the war. I think there's at least an equally good chance that his arm would come off at the shoulder about 1943 from pitching 320-370 innings a year without the break the war gave his arm.

I find it interesting that Verlender was quoted the other day and said that pictures are too coddled.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/20/justin-verlander-thinks-pitcher-injuries-come-from-being-coddled/

[Redskins Rick]

I wondering if Henry isn't in a lot of ways like Hoes.

A starting on a last place team like the Astros.

Maybe a 4th OF on a mid-range team.

In AAA for a playoff contender.

[Beef Supreme]

Things like fielding range and running speed, the parts of the game that are more tied to physical ability, peak in one's early-to-mid 20s. A player is probably never faster than the day of his MLB debut. Experience and reps against high-level opponents are what allows a player's overall peak to be as late as 27. In other sports that are more physical-tool based (football non-QB positions, soccer, many Olympic sports like track) I think the peak is years earlier than baseball's 27.

That's likely true and makes sense, especially with wear-and-tear.

I'm thinking early-20s = 20, 21, 22. Mid-20s = 23, 24, 25, 26. Late-20's = 27, 28, 29. Most men finally grow into their bodies at 25. Then there is the learning curve. Overall peak production seems more like 28-30, rather than 24 or 25. And I think the majority of players remain at or near their full-speed through their late-20s. In other words, peak physical ability may not 100% translate to peak MLB production. There are a lot of guys that don't even get the opportunity to play MLB in their mid-20s, getting their shot in their late-20s. David Lough, for example. He's a year older than Urrutia and I haven't seen anyone -- supporters and non-supporters alike -- say that Lough is years past his peak. And he at least had the chance to play MLB between 23 - 26, while Urrutia only started in the minors at 26. Some guys, like Lough, are said to be "late-bloomers." Some guys are "ageless wonders." Many get derailed by injury along the way. Point is that one size doesn't fit all.

[Beef Supreme]

I wondering if Henry isn't in a lot of ways like Hoes. A starting on a last place team like the Astros. Maybe a 4th OF on a mid-range team. In AAA for a playoff contender.

Hard to say. The minor league numbers look a lot different. But how predictive are Cuban stats?

[Beef Supreme]

People often say Bob Feller would have won well over 300 games if not for the war. I think there's at least an equally good chance that his arm would come off at the shoulder about 1943 from pitching 320-370 innings a year without the break the war gave his arm.

Considering the numerous examples of legends who blew out their arms by age 30, your point is valid. Feller >300 wins...we'll never know.

[Redskins Rick]

Considering the numerous examples of legends who blew out their arms by age 30, your point is valid. Feller >300 wins...we'll never know.

Too many innings throw before the age of 25, and the arm muscles are still maturing.

Of course, like Ben McDonald, being crazy and closing games, after throwing 9 innings the day before, wasn't exactly the best decision to make.