Spring Training 2018 Thread

[Larry Cook]

I was extremely pleasantly surprised by elias. He really threw the ball well. Clean delivery.

[moonslav59]

I was extremely pleasantly surprised by elias. He really threw the ball well. Clean delivery.

 

Maybe we found that starter depth we hoped for,

[Spudboy]

Maybe we found that starter depth we hoped for,

 

Yeah cut Velazquez.

 

Who needs his 5 1/3 every start. That's only good enough if you are E-Rod or Pom Pom.

[StephenCurry30]

spring training is like eating ass, it exists, and sometimes we watch it, but in the end we really don't want to take part in it, were all just here waiting for the regular season, and aka the sex

[Spudboy]

spring training is like eating ass, it exists, and sometimes we watch it, but in the end we really don't want to take part in it, were all just here waiting for the regular season, and aka the sex

 

lol. Good to hear from you.

 

lol

Edited February 25, 2018 by Spudboy

[Bellhorn04]

He was always overrated, but at least he got to marry Jenny Dell...

 

Jenny was overrated too.

[oldtimer]

The usual statement made by JBJ, that this year he expects to be more consistent. Hope that doesn't mean a repeat of last year. The guy is a great defensive talent but preffy ineffective offensively for the major part of the season. i suppose there is a hope with Cora but how many years does it take for a guy to become a consistent hitter?

[notin]

We'd all like top see JBJ become more consistent, but what does that really mean? Most of the non - elite hitters in MLB have bad months and have their season carrIed by the one or two good ones.

 

The guy bats eighth or ninth. Even if he struggles all year out doesn't figure to be too detrimental....

[notin]

Jenny was overrated too.

 

That's what my wife said.

 

I made no further comments on the subject. ..

[cp176]

That's what my wife said.

 

I made no further comments on the subject. ..

 

lol - smart man

[cp176]

The usual statement made by JBJ, that this year he expects to be more consistent. Hope that doesn't mean a repeat of last year. The guy is a great defensive talent but preffy ineffective offensively for the major part of the season. i suppose there is a hope with Cora but how many years does it take for a guy to become a consistent hitter?

 

I would like to see him hit .250 but we can count on him being able to play for the most part and if we can get 20 homers and 70+ coupled with his outstanding defense, I think that he is very much worth it.

[moonslav59]

Yeah cut Velazquez.

 

Who needs his 5 1/3 every start. That's only good enough if you are E-Rod or Pom Pom.

 

Velazquez has options remaining and offers a very nice depth choice.

 

Cutting him would be lunacy.

 

(Elias has an option as well, and may very well start the season in AAA.)

 

[Natick to NC]

Velazquez is a stud ...love his arm and presence on the mound ...confidant guy .

[fxkatt]

JBJ is our Marcus Smart (Celtics). Everyone complains about his offense, often want to trade him, yet we all know he might be one of the best all-around players on the team and that his absence would leave a vacuum which would be hard to fill.

 

PS I notice that in these pre-season games the pitch-count and strike count is often the same or very close. Is this bad stat keeping or free swinging??

[Bellhorn04]

JBJ is our Marcus Smart (Celtics). Everyone complains about his offense, often want to trade him, yet we all know he might be one of the best all-around players on the team and that his absence would leave a vacuum which would be hard to fill.

 

PS I notice that in these pre-season games the pitch-count and strike count is often the same or very close. Is this bad stat keeping or free swinging??

 

It seems to be 'streamlined' stat keeping. Not sure why they even bother with it.

[fxkatt]

It seems to be 'streamlined' stat keeping. Not sure why they even bother with it.

 

I'm sure you're right. I just noticed a pitcher who threw 11 pitches over 2 innings, walked one, and threw 11 strikes. (ESPN shorthand, or maybe ESPN is short-handed)

[cp176]

Ok - I know you have to towel off because it is just early spring training but got to say Blake Swihart might wind up being the one we are damned glad we didn't try to trade. He looks healthy, strong, and confident. Great to see!

[cp176]

Yeah cut Velazquez.

 

Who needs his 5 1/3 every start. That's only good enough if you are E-Rod or Pom Pom.

 

 

Hey - you like the looks of your boy Blake out there?

[fxkatt]

Ok - I know you have to towel off because it is just early spring training but got to say Blake Swihart might wind up being the one we are damned glad we didn't try to trade. He looks healthy, strong, and confident. Great to see!

 

That's good news. Before his injury,he seemed to be so competent and confident, as if headed for stardom on this team. I could never quite figure out exactly what happened to him after that long recovery period--that is, apart from lack of a suitable position.

[Spudboy]

Jenny was overrated too.

 

She IS over rated.

 

She has a high center of gravity and that is about it.

[Spudboy]

Velazquez has options remaining and offers a very nice depth choice.

 

Cutting him would be lunacy.

 

(Elias has an option as well, and may very well start the season in AAA.)

 

 

lol.

 

Maybe your sarcasm meter was not turned on.

[Spudboy]

Velazquez is a stud ...love his arm and presence on the mound ...confidant guy .

 

I think here is a good chance that he plays a significant role this season.

 

He just gets it done.

 

If only for 5 1/3 innings.

[Spudboy]

Ok - I know you have to towel off because it is just early spring training but got to say Blake Swihart might wind up being the one we are damned glad we didn't try to trade. He looks healthy, strong, and confident. Great to see!

 

 

 

Hey - you like the looks of your boy Blake out there?

 

I have been watching closely. Except I keep falling asleep during the games. Medication issues and good weed I guess!

 

Anyway he is just doing the same things I saw of him in 2015 and before. The kid is an athlete.

 

It's very early and of course everyone with a keyboard will point out that "it's only spring training".

 

Still, he looks on-point.

 

I think he gets traded. At this point it's probably just as well. The Sox bungled his development in my opinion. Of course all the Alpha Penises on this board will have a drastically different take.

 

Nope. I am an unabashed Blake fan.

 

And I like Velazquez too.

 

Holy s*** did Barfield give a ball a ride today. I hope he is better than Willie Mo!

[cp176]

I have been watching closely. Except I keep falling asleep during the games. Medication issues and good weed I guess!

 

Anyway he is just doing the same things I saw of him in 2015 and before. The kid is an athlete.

 

It's very early and of course everyone with a keyboard will point out that "it's only spring training".

 

Still, he looks on-point.

 

I think he gets traded. At this point it's probably just as well. The Sox bungled his development in my opinion. Of course all the Alpha Penises on this board will have a drastically different take.

 

Nope. I am an unabashed Blake fan.

 

And I like Velazquez too.

 

Holy s*** did Barfield give a ball a ride today. I hope he is better than Willie Mo!

 

If Swihart continues to come along as some of us expect he might, I really hope he does not get traded.

Barfield is raw but he is a real power bat. He actually can see now for a change as well. I like this young man but I have been schooled in the concept of age with respect to our professionals. I've been told that I guy this old - what is he 29 - is just too damn old. I'm pulling for him to have a good year at whatever level he winds up at - my guess would be AAA.

[Jasonbay44]

I'm not sure if Barfield has an actual shot at making an MLB impact, but he's been interesting to watch and man is he a large human being.

[Natick to NC]

I have been watching closely. Except I keep falling asleep during the games. Medication issues and good weed I guess!

 

Anyway he is just doing the same things I saw of him in 2015 and before. The kid is an athlete.

 

It's very early and of course everyone with a keyboard will point out that "it's only spring training".

 

Still, he looks on-point.

 

I think he gets traded. At this point it's probably just as well. The Sox bungled his development in my opinion. Of course all the Alpha Penises on this board will have a drastically different take.

 

Nope. I am an unabashed Blake fan.

 

And I like Velazquez too.

 

Holy s*** did Barfield give a ball a ride today. I hope he is better than Willie Mo!

 

Blake fan here also ....he has looked dialed in .

[Bellhorn04]

I'm not sure if Barfield has an actual shot at making an MLB impact, but he's been interesting to watch and man is he a large human being.

 

Can't get around genetics LOL

[Natick to NC]

If Swihart continues to come along as some of us expect he might, I really hope he does not get traded.

Barfield is raw but he is a real power bat. He actually can see now for a change as well. I like this young man but I have been schooled in the concept of age with respect to our professionals. I've been told that I guy this old - what is he 29 - is just too damn old. I'm pulling for him to have a good year at whatever level he winds up at - my guess would be AAA.

 

Well said about Blake he really can put this team over the top ....Barfield makes me smile what a power stroke this guy has .I hope we keep them both and Blake takes over behind the plate along with Vaz ....Sandy could have lost his spot now in my opinion if Blake keeps this up.

Edited February 25, 2018 by Natick to NC

[cp176]

Well said about Blake he really can put this team over the top ....Barfield makes me smile what a power stroke this guy has .I hope we keep them both and Blake takes over behind the plate along with Vaz ....Sandy could have lost his spot now in my opinion if Blake keeps this up.

 

thanks - I really hope Swihart keeps right on moving. He looks like he is in excellent shape and very confident. He could make a push for a number of different spots out there before it is over.

As far Barfield, I think the Sox are really curious about him as well they should be. We don't see many guys come along with his size and power very often. My guess is that he is in Pawtucket and the Sox will keep a good eye on him.

[moonslav59]

Barfield is 29. He's ranked 56th on soxprospects.com.

 

He only hit over 13 HRs once before 2016.

 

He was a big star down here in Sugar Land. He hit 27 HRs in 510 ABs. (I saw him once.)

 

Last year, he hit 28 HRs in just 355 ABs (with 49 XBHs).

 

Take a look, but I doubt he makes it.