Random Thoughts From My Weekend in Sarasota

[Answerman]

POSITIVE

- John Rhodes...Wow. Dude is built like a linebacker. Hit HRs in consecutive innings against Braves. I realize he's buried behind a long list of potential MLBers, but way to make an impression.

- Really enjoyed watching Urias play defense. So smooth. Perfect throws. Professional habits. 

- Wells was striking out batters and staying mostly in the low 90s. Hoping he creeps up to 95-97.

- Holliday seems to have quite the advanced eye at the plate. Disciplined hitter. Still has a ways to go, obviously, to reach potential, but I can see why the hype.

- Mateo was very smooth in the OF. 

- Mayo had four hits yesterday (but got lucky with a couple bloopers).

- Nice work by Akin and Baumann

- Colton Wong was spraying line drives and flashing legit defense.

NEGATIVE

- I am convinced we cannot win a championship with this pitching staff, and the bullpen cannot bail them out like last year. Burnes was bad, though I trust he will be fine when it counts. Cano got lit up. Kimbrell looked very average. We will miss Felix more than we think. I expect some very tough 9th inning losses. (Please trade Stowers for an arm!).

- While Mateo looked good when I was there, I fear he will get more playing time than his career numbers suggest he should.

- The fact that Cowser and Kjerstad traveled today, and O'Hearn and Mateo started in the corner OF spots, makes me wonder if Hyde wants to keep those platoon-level vets over the hotshot rookies. 

[scarey1999]

That 2nd HR from Rhodes was a tank. By far the loudest contact by any player all day. Even though it was off former position player turned pitcher, Culberson, it darn near left the stadium entirely out to LF.

The bullpen hinges on Kimbrel. If Baumann keeps up his improved stuff and Tate is back to ‘22 form that will help. I think McDermott will be a weapon for us once he’s called upon. 

Im not sure what to make of this positional usage thus far in ST. They said Mateo would get time in CF. Hasn’t really materialized. Mayo was supposed to get looks in RF. Nope. All 3B except for some 1B (including today, playing nearly the whole game along with Holliday, which I found interesting). 

Either way, lots to sort out with a week to go. 

[RZNJ]

1 hour ago, Answerman said:

POSITIVE

- John Rhodes...Wow. Dude is built like a linebacker. Hit HRs in consecutive innings against Braves. I realize he's buried behind a long list of potential MLBers, but way to make an impression.

- Really enjoyed watching Urias play defense. So smooth. Perfect throws. Professional habits. 

- Wells was striking out batters and staying mostly in the low 90s. Hoping he creeps up to 95-97.

- Holliday seems to have quite the advanced eye at the plate. Disciplined hitter. Still has a ways to go, obviously, to reach potential, but I can see why the hype.

- Mateo was very smooth in the OF. 

- Mayo had four hits yesterday (but got lucky with a couple bloopers).

- Nice work by Akin and Baumann

- Colton Wong was spraying line drives and flashing legit defense.

NEGATIVE

- I am convinced we cannot win a championship with this pitching staff, and the bullpen cannot bail them out like last year. Burnes was bad, though I trust he will be fine when it counts. Cano got lit up. Kimbrell looked very average. We will miss Felix more than we think. I expect some very tough 9th inning losses. (Please trade Stowers for an arm!).

- While Mateo looked good when I was there, I fear he will get more playing time than his career numbers suggest he should.

- The fact that Cowser and Kjerstad traveled today, and O'Hearn and Mateo started in the corner OF spots, makes me wonder if Hyde wants to keep those platoon-level vets over the hotshot rookies. 

Thanks but what makes you hopeful Wells can creep up to 95-97?    He averaged 92.5 last year.  93.5 in 2022.  As solely a reliever in 2021he was 95.2 but it seems pretty obvious he can't do that as a starter.

[btdart20]

8 hours ago, Answerman said:

POSITIVE

- John Rhodes...Wow. Dude is built like a linebacker. Hit HRs in consecutive innings against Braves. I realize he's buried behind a long list of potential MLBers, but way to make an impression.

- Really enjoyed watching Urias play defense. So smooth. Perfect throws. Professional habits. 

- Wells was striking out batters and staying mostly in the low 90s. Hoping he creeps up to 95-97.

- Holliday seems to have quite the advanced eye at the plate. Disciplined hitter. Still has a ways to go, obviously, to reach potential, but I can see why the hype.

- Mateo was very smooth in the OF. 

- Mayo had four hits yesterday (but got lucky with a couple bloopers).

- Nice work by Akin and Baumann

- Colton Wong was spraying line drives and flashing legit defense.

NEGATIVE

- I am convinced we cannot win a championship with this pitching staff, and the bullpen cannot bail them out like last year. Burnes was bad, though I trust he will be fine when it counts. Cano got lit up. Kimbrell looked very average. We will miss Felix more than we think. I expect some very tough 9th inning losses. (Please trade Stowers for an arm!).

- While Mateo looked good when I was there, I fear he will get more playing time than his career numbers suggest he should.

- The fact that Cowser and Kjerstad traveled today, and O'Hearn and Mateo started in the corner OF spots, makes me wonder if Hyde wants to keep those platoon-level vets over the hotshot rookies. 

Thanks for sharing.  I share your concern around Mateo's playing time.

For Wells, they’ll want to balance any velo uptick with maintaining the IVB/ride. 

It has beennice to see some BP arms perform well.  Hopefully they continue into the regular season.