Just to be as clear as possible, when they were doing better early in the season, they were swinging more, not less.
4/1 - 6/30: 7.2 BB%, 49.3% swing rate, 29.8% out of zone swing rate, 22.2% whiff rate, .316 OBP
7/1 - 9/30: 8.7 BB%, 47.8% swing rate, 29.0% out of zone swing rate, 22.4% whiff rate, .315 OBP
2023: 8.4 BB%, 47.8% swing rate, 29.9% out of zone swing rate, 23.0% whiff rate, .321 OBP
They took less walks early in the year, they swung more often at both balls and strikes early in the year, and their OBP/whiff rates were essentially identical in both halves.
The notion that they turned into free-swinging hackers in the second half — and that’s why they failed — seems to be pretty commonly held here, but it’s not backed by any data. They were actually more patient at the plate in this season’s second half than they’ve ever been during the Adley era.
It is a foolish hope to expect a full season out of Rodriguez. Kremer is fine, and I’m glad to have him.
Suarez was better in most meaningful stats, but we don’t know what Suarez is going to do. He could possibly be just a flash in the pan.
Povich is trade or depth. We need depth. Our 2025 -ready pitchers all have potential problems.
but now we also need outfielders and infielders
I think we sign one pitcher who is pretty much guaranteed a starting spot, hopefully a strong #1/#2 type, and then sign a couple guys to complete with Povich, Suarez (not sure his contract status) and Rogers for the #5 spot behind Eflin, signee, Grayson and Kremer. With Grayson's injury history, I hope we get a decent arm or two that we can either stash in AAA or in the bullpen who can start when injuries inevitably happen. Povich will be in that mix, but performance will hopefully determine who get is. I'm encourages by his end of the year results, but certainly don't expect big things from him next year.
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