#10 Prospect - RHP Matt Hobgood

[Tony-OH]

More importantly, it can be expected for a teenager in his first full year of pro ball to struggle with dead arm, overall decreased velocity due to stamina (number of outings, time between outings and travel, etc.), and mechanical tweaks as RZ states.

To me, that makes Hobgood's physical issues more troubling (and is also a reason that I don't tend to get behind drafting someone with little physical projection as a prep arm in the top 5 unless his stuff is off the charts). Players need to overcome the difficulties associated with pro ball and show that their HS stuff can come through at the pro ranks AND that it can get even better. Hobgood has time to show this, but he certainly is off to a bad start.

The one thing that can't be argued is that knowing what we know now about Hobgood, he was certainly a reach pick at #5.

[Arthur_Bryant]

The one thing that can't be argued is that knowing what we know now about Hobgood, he was certainly a reach pick at #5.

One of the disappointing aspects of his year and a half in the system is that when he was drafted, Jordan seemed to put a lot of emphasis on Hobgood's makeup, with the idea that he was grounded and dedicated. Kids will be kids, etc etc, but to me the fact that he would revert to old habits immediately upon being drafted is as much a letdown as the vanishing MPH and inconsistent curve.

[hoosiers]

So far, so good for getting in better shape during the off-season.

Where is MH this offseason and how closely is he being monitored?

I understand that players should be self-motivated, but with the investments teams make in these kids it is somewhat surprising that it was a surprise to the team that MH showed up last offseason in such poor shape. They should have a workout specialist/nutritionist sitting on MH a couple days in the offseason - or at least a link to someone at a local gym providing reports.

This is why I suggested earlier a preference that Matusz and Tillman offer Hobgood to work out this offseason with them at API.

[Arthur_Bryant]

Where is MH this offseason and how closely is he being monitored?

I understand that players should be self-motivated, but with the investments teams make in these kids it is somewhat surprising that it was a surprise to the team that MH showed up last offseason in such poor shape. They should have a workout specialist/nutritionist sitting on MH a couple days in the offseason - or at least a link to someone at a local gym providing reports.

This is why I suggested earlier a preference that Matusz and Tillman offer Hobgood to work out this offseason with them at API.

Maybe I'm a cynic, but I would bet there there are organizations which do monitor these investments more closely than the O's seem to do.

[Tony-OH]

One of the disappointing aspects of his year and a half in the system is that when he was drafted, Jordan seemed to put a lot of emphasis on Hobgood's makeup, with the idea that he was grounded and dedicated. Kids will be kids, etc etc, but to me the fact that he would revert to old habits immediately upon being drafted is as much a letdown as the vanishing MPH and inconsistent curve.

You won't get any arguments from me on this.

[Stotle]

Maybe I'm a cynic, but I would bet there there are organizations which do monitor these investments more closely than the O's seem to do.

One example (not a perfect example, I grant) is that BOS decided to take Bryce Brentz's 20/20 vision and try to improve on it further by getting him contacts and working with him to get used to the change. I believe they scrapped that since he was struggling so badly in NY/Penn, but I certainly found it interesting.

[Frobby]

For some anomolous reason, no. 5 picks have not done as well as no. 4 and 6 picks in the draft historically. However, it should be expected that a player drafted that high has a 75% chance of reaching the majors and should average about 10 WAR. If Hobgood doesn't reach the majors, that's a very bad lost opportunity.

[QBsILLEST1]

One example (not a perfect example, I grant) is that BOS decided to take Bryce Brentz's 20/20 vision and try to improve on it further by getting him contacts and working with him to get used to the change. I believe they scrapped that since he was struggling so badly in NY/Penn, but I certainly found it interesting.

So, he had good vision, and they tried to make it even better?

[Stotle]

So, he had good vision, and they tried to make it even better?

Yes -- which should tell you something about the research Boston is doing on the amateur acquisition side and the traits they are looking for that might not be so obvious.

[Arthur_Bryant]

Yes -- which should tell you something about the research Boston is doing on the amateur acquisition side and the traits they are looking for that might not be so obvious.

Though it makes lots of sense when you think about it.

Imagine the advantage in being able to pick up rotation 10 feet closer to the release point.

[Stotle]

Though it makes lots of sense when you think about it.

Imagine the advantage in being able to pick up rotation 10 feet closer to the release point.

Yup. There is a lot of out-of-the-box thinking going around the AL East scouting departments. Toronto had over 30 evaluators down in Jupiter and charted every single game of the 85-team tournament spread over five days. That means every one of the 14 fields had at least one TOR evaluator there at all times.

I think there is some wasted time in all that charting, but scouting help is pretty cheap and from the little I've heard from a friend of mine in the know, they are doing a lot of analysis on the charting (and I've seen first hand it is something that the area guys are doing at events/games).

[Owen21]

Watching the postseason starts of Colby Lewis have given me hope for the young Hobgood to develop. Lewis appears rather hittable, however he has been hitting his spots, & keeping the batter off balance. Cannot deny the results. I'm hoping that Matt Hobgood is gaining confidence while watching him pitch.

[DrShorebird]

Where is MH this offseason and how closely is he being monitored?

I understand that players should be self-motivated, but with the investments teams make in these kids it is somewhat surprising that it was a surprise to the team that MH showed up last offseason in such poor shape. They should have a workout specialist/nutritionist sitting on MH a couple days in the offseason - or at least a link to someone at a local gym providing reports.

This is why I suggested earlier a preference that Matusz and Tillman offer Hobgood to work out this offseason with them at API.

He is in good hands

[Frobby]

He is in good hands

He's handcuffed to a rowing machine in Doc's basement, that dispenses three grapes every time Hobgood rows a mile.