2017 Spring Training Thread - Everything Sox ST

[oldtimer]

He made adjustments in 2015. Maybe he doesn't need to make more alterations, he just has to get more comfortable with the ones he made back then.

I hope your right, but I saw the same long looping swing in sept and the playoffs, so I never saw the adjustments you spoke of. That's why when he said he was going to try harder to be consistent this year I wondered what additional improvement he was working on. So far it is hard to see any.

[sk7326]

Personally, I don't think he will remain a streaky hitter. He may still have some hot streaks, but I think we'll see more consistency when he's not hot.

 

I don't see why we can't expect at least the same overall numbers since August 2015 to now. Over .800 and GG like defense in CF. If he has a full season of .700 here and there, I'll still take it.

 

 

I think it is a reasonable expectation. But the shape of his production over the season (very high variability) leaves him destined to be very frustrating at times at the plate.

[User Name]

That's why they should be done in the off season.

 

Players never, ever, ever, ever stop tinkering with their swing or pitching mechanics. It is a constant process. When you hear a team/player talking about off-season mechanical changes, that is a major overhaul (think Jason Heyward) not tinkering. JBJ's swing when he's going good is fluid. His problem is both mental (trying to uppercut everything) leading to mechanical (going from a slight uppercut to a loopy swing with a bad bat path). It's not a problem he can simply work on in the offseason since it's an in-season problem. The only one who can avoid those bad habits is himself, and he has to work on maintaining his adjustments during the season.

[User Name]

I think it is a reasonable expectation. But the shape of his production over the season (very high variability) leaves him destined to be very frustrating at times at the plate.

 

Specially when he's striking out a ton without walking. Because of his baserunning, lack of contact/power can be mitigated by OB ability and good baserunning, as mentioned.

[Nick]

4 1/3 IP, 2H, 3K, 1BB, 0 R..........another solid outing for Wright.

 

Strong indication that injury is behind him.

Edited March 23, 2017 by Nick

[Slasher9]

JBJ is worth above replacement level based on defense alone.

 

god dammit i agree with the yankees fan again.

JBj can be in my lineup getting 1 single every 10 AB's with the defense he brings to CF. he could literally bat .100 and he is in my lineup.

[moonslav59]

I hope your right, but I saw the same long looping swing in sept and the playoffs, so I never saw the adjustments you spoke of. That's why when he said he was going to try harder to be consistent this year I wondered what additional improvement he was working on. So far it is hard to see any.

 

Word was he adjusted his back in 2015. That's the year he had an incredible hot streak. Maybe he's gotten away from what worked and needs further adjustment or tinkering, but it's just ST'ing and it's a tiny sample size.

Edited March 23, 2017 by moonslav59

[a700hitter]

Wright with a solid 4 1/3 innings with 0 ER 2 H

[cp176]

Robby Scott is another one who doesn't seem to get a lot of mention. he has done nothing to hurt his chances of making the big club this spring. if we are looking for another lefty out of the pen, I like him easily as much as most of the guys who get more attention.

[cp176]

Wright with a solid 4 1/3 innings with 0 ER 2 H

 

Good for him. He didn't have to pitch through any of the showers did he? That is the real test for him. lol

[a700hitter]

Good for him. He didn't have to pitch through any of the showers did he? That is the real test for him. lol

And high humidity.

[Nick]

Wright threw 62 pitches today. It's expected that he'll have one more start. He's not allowed a run in three starts.

 

Porcello threw 98 pitches today in a minor league game. I'd say he's ready.

[Bellhorn04]

Very positive developments with Wright.

[Fisk]

Still have a very strong 1 thru 4 in the rotation. Hopefully Pom has a good game tomorrow.

[oldtimer]

god dammit i agree with the yankees fan again.

JBj can be in my lineup getting 1 single every 10 AB's with the defense he brings to CF. he could literally bat .100 and he is in my lineup.

 

I'll bet you could get a good defender to replace him with a much better BA if that was the case. Let us hope he has a decent showing so we don't even have to consider dropping him from the line up.

[Maxbialystock]

Pomeranz still does not impress. JBJ should bat 9th or 10th if his ST trend persists. Overall, however, hitting looks good again this year. Rotation should be good. Bullpen to me remains a question. Last year the Sox got hot only in September when the bullpen was hot. Last year somebody quoted I think Whitey Herzog who said the difference between a good manager and a bad manager is a great bullpen. Didn't the Cubs and Guardians both have good bullpens?

[Kimmi]

Things are coming together nicely with this team. Good pitching, good offense, good defense.

 

Just a little over a week to go!

[Fisk]

Things are coming together nicely with this team. Good pitching, good offense, good defense.

 

Just a little over a week to go!

 

But I thought the team was falling apart .

[Kimmi]

But I thought the team was falling apart .

 

No, that's not until the 2021 cliff.

[Nick]

No, that's not until the 2021 cliff.

 

I'm going to be a Padres fan by then. Cheering on Espinoza.

[Bellhorn04]

In 2021 the luxury tax threshold will be 210 million. You'd think you'd be able to put together a competitive team with that.

[cp176]

I'm going to be a Padres fan by then. Cheering on Espinoza.

 

Will he be 21 by then? lol

 

lets go Padres! He will lead them to the promised land.

[Kimmi]

i'm going to be a padres fan by then. Cheering on espinoza.

 

lol

[Kimmi]

In 2021 the luxury tax threshold will be 210 million. You'd think you'd be able to put together a competitive team with that.

 

Not if we don't have any cost controlled players.

[jad]

And high humidity.

 

I'm probably missing some esoteric joke here, but I'll play dumb and note that humidity isn't really a 'test' for knuckleballers, it's simply a meteorological fact. The air is less dense, has less resistance, and consequently a knuckleball moves less (curveballs likely have less action as well). Also, contrary to what is generally assumed, hit balls should travel farther. Most commentators claim balls don't travel as well--if they're right (and maybe they are, since I don't know whether it's been tested), it's the result of factors other than air density, which is the one they usually cite (do the balls absorb moisture? does the covering get less resistant?)

[Spudboy]

I'm probably missing some esoteric joke here, but I'll play dumb and note that humidity isn't really a 'test' for knuckleballers, it's simply a meteorological fact. The air is less dense, has less resistance, and consequently a knuckleball moves less (curveballs likely have less action as well). Also, contrary to what is generally assumed, hit balls should travel farther. Most commentators claim balls don't travel as well--if they're right (and maybe they are, since I don't know whether it's been tested), it's the result of factors other than air density, which is the one they usually cite (do the balls absorb moisture? does the covering get less resistant?)

 

The humidity / moisture makes gripping the ball a challenge for Wright. That is what is being commented on, not how atmospheric conditions affect the flight of the ball.

 

At least that is what I heard last season when he had difficulty.

[cp176]

The humidity / moisture makes gripping the ball a challenge for Wright. That is what is being commented on, not how atmospheric conditions affect the flight of the ball.

 

At least that is what I heard last season when he had difficulty.

 

correcto

[jad]

The humidity / moisture makes gripping the ball a challenge for Wright. That is what is being commented on, not how atmospheric conditions affect the flight of the ball.

 

At least that is what I heard last season when he had difficulty.

 

Oh right. I dimly recall that now. But if that's what they're concentrating on, they may be overlooking the most important factor. Even if he gets his grip 'right' and even if the ball has the same number of rotations (I forget--I think most k-ballers have said one or two--if there are none, it's impossible to control), the ball is not going to act as it does on low humidity days and is likely going to be a lot easier to hit. He and his coaches are spinning their wheels uselessly if they don't factor this in.

[a700hitter]

The humidity / moisture makes gripping the ball a challenge for Wright. That is what is being commented on, not how atmospheric conditions affect the flight of the ball.

 

At least that is what I heard last season when he had difficulty.

Throughout the years we have learned that wet or humid weather can impede the knuckleballer from getting a good grip on the baseball. After he releases the baseball, there are numerous theories on how atmospheric conditions affect the flight and movement of this flutter ball. There have been opinions on pitching in Domes versus outdoors, cold weather vs warm weather, and wind blowing in vs. wind blowing out. It is why I really don't like having to depend on them. They have a million excuses ready to go.

[Nick]

lol

 

I finally made you smile!!!!