Fan Graphs: Grayson Rodriguez on His Changeup, Which Isn’t a Screwball (Or Is It?)

[LookinUp]

11 hours ago, thiscat41 said:

Not wearing orange-colored glasses, but I have a strong feeling our MLB pitching is going to be very, VERY good soon.

I kind of agree, but it is actually the definition of orange colored glasses.

Beyond Grayson, who else profiles as ?very, VERY good?"

[Explosivo]

Well, DL Hall for one. With Grayson we have what looks to be a bonafide number 1. With DL you’ve got all the makings of a 2-3, Dylan Kremer looks to be a 2-3, Akin looks to be a 2-3, then you’ve got much much more waiting in the wings. I’m very excited about Kevin Smith, well, we could list names for days. 
 

I think we need to be thinking of this team as the 70s Oakland A’s. Young, immensely talented and with it, a window of opportunity for 5 years. I think we make the playoffs in less than 3 years and have a shot at winning it all.

Edited February 20, 2021 by Explosivo

[Can_of_corn]

12 minutes ago, Explosivo said:

Well, DL Hall for one. With Grayson we have what looks to be a bonafide number 1. With DL you’ve got all the makings of a 2-3, Dylan Kremer looks to be a 2-3, Akin looks to be a 2-3, then you’ve got much much more waiting in the wings. I’m very excited about Kevin Smith, well, we could list names for days. 
 

I think we need to be thinking of this team as the 70s Oakland A’s. Young, immensely talented and with it, a window of opportunity for 5 years. I think we make the playoffs in less than 3 years and have a shot at winning it all.

If Grayson continues to have the issue with missing bats that he reportedly had last summer he won't be a bonafide #1.

[Explosivo]

He’s young. No need to be negative and bearish on the kid’s talent. High high ceiling low low floor on this guy.

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Explosivo said:

He’s young. No need to be negative and bearish on the kid’s talent. High high ceiling low low floor on this guy.

Saying he doesn't currently project as a "bonafide #1" isn't being all that negative.  Not many of those guys walking around.  He can have a heckin great career and not qualify as a bonafide #1.

If you can't miss bats at an elite rate it limits your ceiling in today's game.  That isn't being negative, it's being realistic.

[Explosivo]

Good point. I just believe he has what it takes but we do have to see it, you’re right.

[Just Regular]

Even more than Baumann's regular health, just a look at whatever Rodriguez has become will tell us some of how improved our development practices have been.   Everyone of course, but the most at stake with him

If no double jump to Bowie, I think he has a shot to flat out embarrass Carolina League hitters.

On not missing bats, I heard Longenhangen on a podcast after his list talk about alternate sites in the context of, "You all know about the Third Time Through The Order Penalty, but can you imagine getting your eight PA a day against the same eight guys two solid months?".

[LookinUp]

On 2/20/2021 at 10:26 AM, Explosivo said:

Well, DL Hall for one. With Grayson we have what looks to be a bonafide number 1. With DL you’ve got all the makings of a 2-3, Dylan Kremer looks to be a 2-3, Akin looks to be a 2-3, then you’ve got much much more waiting in the wings. I’m very excited about Kevin Smith, well, we could list names for days. 
 

I think we need to be thinking of this team as the 70s Oakland A’s. Young, immensely talented and with it, a window of opportunity for 5 years. I think we make the playoffs in less than 3 years and have a shot at winning it all.

Hall certainly has great upside. His profile has taken a knock for a couple of years because of control concerns. Hopefully he can harness that stuff because he has probably the best swing and miss stuff in the system.

The other guys are being over rated by you though, I think. I think Kremer/Akin might have #3 stretches, but really don't profile as #3 types. Kremer has a shot. Akin does not, IMO.

If there's another guy with great upside that we know about, it's probably Baumann. His arm talent is next level.

Several of the other guys, though I like them, kind of have to hit the Dallas Keuchel-like inside straight. Not impossible, but not highly probable.

[Explosivo]

Akin had the best stuff of any oriole pitcher last year. I expect him to get better as time progresses. These guys are special, young and more are on the way. The numbers don’t lie and I have full faith in Chris Holt when it comes to Hall. Look at the transformation of Scott. Expect great things for the future. Super bullish for multiple playoff runs. Be positive and trust the numbers.

[Frobby]

4 hours ago, Explosivo said:

Akin had the best stuff of any oriole pitcher last year. I expect him to get better as time progresses. These guys are special, young and more are on the way. The numbers don’t lie and I have full faith in Chris Holt when it comes to Hall. Look at the transformation of Scott. Expect great things for the future. Super bullish for multiple playoff runs. Be positive and trust the numbers.

Not everyone is going to hit their max potential, and honestly, they don’t all have to.   It would be nice if 1-2 did.   

I’m wary of pigeonholing young pitchers too much anyway.   Look at Means — he’s vastly better than anyone expected him to be.    There are going to be disappointments and there are going to be pleasant surprises.   Hopefully we get enough of the latter plus a few highly touted guys coming somewhere near their expectations that we can have a good young rotation in a year or two.   
 

[Frobby]

Fangraphs republished this article today as one of its best in 2021.