Spring training

[sk7326]

He still was not executing even if the plan was just to throw fastballs or curves or whatevever. He was apparently getting too much of the plate with those pitches. Also, in your effort to make excuses, you are neglecting to realize the stage of Spring Training. We are at the end of camp. Pitchers are not still working on one pitch or another. They are trying to stretch out and get a feel for all of their pitches.

 

He got stretched out. He got a feel for some of his pitches. He missed a few in the process. That is exactly what I take out of this outing. 90 or so pitches, got a couple of trips through the order. Longest sustained work he has had this preseason. His arm is still attached to his body. Good. Every other conclusion for any stage of camp is just hyperventilating I tend not to get into until the games start to count. (and you start seriously moving fielders around and start seriously preparing for each individual hitter)

[User Name]

I agree with every syllable of this ...

 

Indeed, when Spud was getting upset about John Farrell feeding us pablum - this is EXACTLY why, and part of why Tito was/is an excellent manager. It is a corporate thing to say - since we're baseball fans and raised to think of managers as like the dude in Major League - but a huge part of the job is being able to stand in front of the mikes, crack a few jokes, say the player is doing exactly what we expect from him, and then get back to work. I always noted that Francona's experience managing in Philadelphia, as well as being Michael Jordan's baseball manager, and the media savvy required accordingly - were VERY significant plusses and big reasons Epstein hired him.

 

I don't care what the manager tells me - we have fangraphs, box scores, and whatever the girfriend of Jung's Uber driver is telling him for that - it's what he is telling his players that matters. What Castillo needs now - and what Jackie Bradley and Xander Bogaerts needed in 2014, was a manager (and management in general) who was going to stand behind their analysis and just let the reps and hours logged happen.

 

I laughed so hard.

[Station 13]

Elias is optioned to Pawtucket so Barnes and Ramirez make the roster.

 

Both sucked last season, giving up lots of HR. To Barnes' credit, he has done ok this spring, but it's appear to be smoke and mirror.

[User Name]

How does it appear to be smoke and "mirror"? Barnes' problem at the ML level has been consistent location, and consistent strikes are what he's been throwing since September of last year.

[a700hitter]

He got stretched out. He got a feel for some of his pitches. He missed a few in the process. That is exactly what I take out of this outing. 90 or so pitches, got a couple of trips through the order. Longest sustained work he has had this preseason. His arm is still attached to his body. Good. Every other conclusion for any stage of camp is just hyperventilating I tend not to get into until the games start to count. (and you start seriously moving fielders around and start seriously preparing for each individual hitter)

What I take from it is that his fastball is very straight and that when he misses with it, it gets mashed.

[User Name]

What I take from it is that his fastball is very straight and that when he misses with it, it gets mashed.

 

Kelly's problem has always been sequencing. He can blaze a four seamer or snake a two-seamer with the best of them. The problem is that, as Lovullo famously said last year regarding Kelly himself "An MLB hitter can hit a bullet". His real problem is when, like yesterday, he can't throw anything but fastballs for strikes. If a hitter can sit on velocity, he will smash the ball.

[sk7326]

What I take from it is that his fastball is very straight and that when he misses with it, it gets mashed.

 

I am sorry it took you a spring start to come to that realization.

[a700hitter]

Kelly's problem has always been sequencing. He can blaze a four seamer or snake a two-seamer with the best of them. The problem is that, as Lovullo famously said last year regarding Kelly himself "An MLB hitter can hit a bullet". His real problem is when, like yesterday, he can't throw anything but fastballs for strikes. If a hitter can sit on velocity, he will smash the ball.

His stuff is like Ruby De La Rosa. Straight fastball that needs good secondary stuff to be successful. So far, his results are similarly inconsistent.

[a700hitter]

I am sorry it took you a spring start to come to that realization.

I already knew it, but it concerned me that he missed 3 times so badly that he gave up dingers. He is what he is, and that is at best a back of the rotation guy. He is not a #2 as some hope.

[Station 13]

How does it appear to be smoke and "mirror"? Barnes' problem at the ML level has been consistent location, and consistent strikes are what he's been throwing since September of last year.

 

He's getting away with throwing fastballs this spring over the plate, it's the same pitches which burned him in the majors. I'm skeptical his spring carries into to the season. He has a mediocre breaking ball, and a show me change, neither pitches are good. His best pitch is a fastball, which is straight. Till he can develop an offspeed pitch, I doubt the transition into MLB.

[Station 13]

Koji's been awol this spring. I wonder how much he have left in the tank.

[jung]

Koji's been awol this spring. I wonder how much he have left in the tank.

 

Well before the issues with Smith we were seeing here and in the press very sensible comments about Koji:

- have to watch his usage

- should be fine if they just don't overuse him

- as long as he can deal with not pitching the ninth...all should be good

 

Since Smith got hurt it has been more:

- Well OK we just spread those outs between the guys we have mainly pointing at Koji.

 

Think folks were right the first time around and putting more burden on Koji is just a bad idea IMO.

 

Even though we have Barnes and Ramirez.,,Barnes maybe having his best spring with us to date...Farrell is so inclined to go with the vet he trusts whether it results in overuse or not. Did it in Toronto...has done it here. That is what I worry about.

 

Still don't understand why the Sox just didn't move John upstairs/sideways so he could keep his health insurance without question and could stay with the organization is just something I don't quite get. Probably would have eliminated any conjecture about whether TL would take the job as well since it would be pretty obvious to him that the Sox were giving his friend John all the help they could possibly give him. Myself I think TL would take the job anyway if offered. But moving John sideways would likely have eliminated any concerns fans had altogether.

[Elktonnick]

Koji's been awol this spring. I wonder how much he have left in the tank.

 

Koji is coming back from a wrist injury. At his age, one shouldn't expect too much from him. This is why I am very concerned about the bullpen especially in view of the nature of Carson Smith's injury.

[mvp 78]

He's getting away with throwing fastballs this spring over the plate, it's the same pitches which burned him in the majors. I'm skeptical his spring carries into to the season. He has a mediocre breaking ball, and a show me change, neither pitches are good. His best pitch is a fastball, which is straight. Till he can develop an offspeed pitch, I doubt the transition into MLB.

 

A decent fastball and a mediocre breaking ball is enough to get by as a low end reliever in MLB, which is what he currently is.

[mvp 78]

Koji's been awol this spring. I wonder how much he have left in the tank.

 

He's been injured. Whatever he brings to the table will be gravy. I don't see him as an 8th inning guy at this point.

[mvp 78]

If Tazawa has a solid season, the pen should be ok enough.

[Station 13]

Koji pitch today, his fastball is still registering 88, the same since 2013. The pitch is still a mystery to all of them. Good action on the splitter. Just hope he holds up.

[mvp 78]

Koji pitch today, his fastball is still registering 88, the same since 2013. The pitch is still a mystery to all of them. Good action on the splitter. Just hope he holds up.

 

It's not about the overall speed, it's about the difference in speed and movement between pitches.

[Elktonnick]

If Tazawa has a solid season, the pen should be ok enough.

 

I don't think Taz is likely to either be as reliable or as good this year as he was in the past. Farrell misused and abused the pen last year. Taz took the brunt of that abuse and that is likely to take its toll. Moreover, Carson Smith's unorthodox delivery puts undo stress on his fore arm and elbow. It remains to be seen if he can regain the velocity if and when he comes back. The only one truly solid in the pen is Kimbrel.

[Station 13]

They should have sign some middle relievers. Barnes and Ramirez are not there yet.

[Station 13]

It's not about the overall speed, it's about the difference in speed and movement between pitches.

 

His splitter release is the same as the fastball. It's pick the two to swing at, they just don't read the splitter coming. Somehow his fastball gets tons of swing and miss. It's mystifying. The difference is roughly 5 MPH between the two pitches. Only Koji knows the secret sauce.

[sk7326]

His splitter release is the same as the fastball. It's pick the two to swing at, they just don't read the splitter coming. Somehow his fastball gets tons of swing and miss. It's mystifying. The difference is roughly 5 MPH between the two pitches. Only Koji knows the secret sauce.

 

Great deception and arm action and perfect location

[jung]

I think both Taz and Koji will be as effective as we have seen them...just not for the duration we are used to from them. Should be fine given the added arms (Smith, Kimbrell). But those guys have to be there for this to work out.

[User Name]

That's......a reasonable post from jung. Is this real life?

[mvp 78]

That's......a reasonable post from jung. Is this real life?

 

He still hasn't responded about his ERod theory though.

[jung]

Yankee's Miller sustained a chipped right wrist bone today on a ball hit back through the middle. No announcement as yet for how long the MFY will be without Miller. He gets the oddest injuries. That ankle he injured here was I think on a come backer just not one that hit him as I recall. Miller walked directly to the dugout after being struck. Not his throwing side and he does not have to bat. Still didn't look good though.

 

Actually maybe that injury he had with us was foot not ankle. But I think he just took a misstep going after a little dribbler and that was that.

Edited March 31, 2016 by jung

[jacksonianmarch]

He should be out about 4-6 weeks. Betances slots into closer role. Chapman back for May. Lots of young depth in the pen will be tested early. Nova might carve out a pen role out there depending on how the kids do. Good test for the green arms out there

[mvp 78]

He should be out about 4-6 weeks. Betances slots into closer role. Chapman back for May. Lots of young depth in the pen will be tested early. Nova might carve out a pen role out there depending on how the kids do. Good test for the green arms out there

 

The Yankees losing bullpen arms: this is a good test for our young power pitchers

 

The Red Sox losing bullpen arms: uh oh

 

[jacksonianmarch]

As it turns out, Miller plans to play through it.

 

Also, the sox depth in terms of minor league arms is thin whereas for NY, that is the strength of their farm system

[Station 13]

As it turns out, Miller plans to play through it.

 

Also, the sox depth in terms of minor league arms is thin whereas for NY, that is the strength of their farm system

 

Such as? if they loaded as you claim, they wouldn't need to sign Miller. Turn a blind eye and being tone deaf about Chapman.