The Blake Swihart Thread

[FredLynn]

He had the surgery before he was drafted, which happened out of high school.

 

I wasn’t talking about elective surgeries, but rather these 17 and 18yo kids who think they need to challenge the radar gun repeatedly to get a scholarship or signing bonus...

 

He had it after he was drafted and had already started throwing the ball for money. Small point. But I agree with you: the financial incentive for young men to throw the ball in a manner that predisposes them to surgery before they are fully developed physically is a tough problem. I don't think you can tell them not to do it; that would be up to their parents.

 

"The Nationals drafted Giolito with the 16th overall pick and signed him at the deadline to a $2.925 million signing bonus. The Nationals chose Giolito, 18, with the expectation that he may need Tommy John surgery. He spent his senior high school season in Southern California rehabbing from a strained elbow ligament.

 

Giolito made his professional debut in the Florida Gulf Coast League on Aug. 14, throwing two innings. But in the aftermath, the pain he had spent months recovering from returned, and the need for surgery arose. "

[S5Dewey]

Sick? It's no different than a lot of other elective surgeries people have.

 

Not really. IMO it's sick/sad (take your pick) that any parent would encourage/allow their son or daughter to have an unneeded surgery explicitly so they would have a better chance at a college scholarship or a pro career.

[cp176]

We do live in a sick sick world but that once again that is just my opinion. If any surgery is needed then so be it I guess. But electing to agree or approve of a young person probably your own son to have any unneeded surgery in hopes of adding a few miles per hour to a fastball just sounds like border line abuse to me. If they are hurt I guess that is one thing, but I really hope that this practice isn't going on. To each his own I guess, I don't get out much.

[mvp 78]

Not really. IMO it's sick/sad (take your pick) that any parent would encourage/allow their son or daughter to have an unneeded surgery explicitly so they would have a better chance at a college scholarship or a pro career.

 

Sports parents are often s***** to begin with. Parents like to live vicariously through their children. It's dumb. Only 1 out of about 7,000 little leaguers ever play in MLB.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Sports parents are often s***** to begin with. Parents like to live vicariously through their children. It's dumb. Only 1 out of about 7,000 little leaguers ever play in MLB.

 

Still a lot better odds than winning the Mega Millions lottery.

[notin]

Sports parents are often s***** to begin with. Parents like to live vicariously through their children. It's dumb. Only 1 out of about 7,000 little leaguers ever play in MLB.

 

While I really doubt that number is arbitrary, it actually seems a little low to me. I would have guessed closer to 1 in 75,000 or 1 in 100,000...,

[mvp 78]

While I really doubt that number is arbitrary, it actually seems a little low to me. I would have guessed closer to 1 in 75,000 or 1 in 100,000...,

 

Sorry, I think that could be the High School number. Will check tomorrow.

[mvp 78]

Here’s one: https://www.google.com/amp/s/spreadsheetsolving.com/little-league/amp/

[Kimmi]

Swihart made two very nice defensive plays at the plate last night.

 

There was a pitch in the dirt that he tried to backhand rather than block with his body, which resulted in a baserunner advancing a base, but it did not cost us a run.

 

On the whole, so far, so good with Blake.

[a700hitter]

Swihart made two very nice defensive plays at the plate last night.

 

There was a pitch in the dirt that he tried to backhand rather than block with his body, which resulted in a baserunner advancing a base, but it did not cost us a run.

 

On the whole, so far, so good with Blake.

The jury will be out until teams start making him throw the ball.

[Dojji]

Swihart would not have to improve very much offensively to earn an expanded role for himself on the team with Vazquez out.

 

If Swihart is not traded at the deadline, and Vazquez is not expected back until September, I would be fine with letting Leon and Swihart fight for playing time. I think Swihart has at least some chance of winning that competition in an offense-loving team like Boston, but to do so he has to improve in the areas where Leon cleanly beats him right now, in defense and in the confidence of the pitchers throwing to him.

 

If he can do that, then Leon goes from a satisfactory defense-only catcher to a fantastic set of training wheels for a new starter.

[Kimmi]

The jury will be out until teams start making him throw the ball.

 

The jury is still out on Swihart. It's been far too small a sample to determine anything.

 

I'm just saying that he hasn't embarrassed himself out there yet.

[Kimmi]

Swihart would not have to improve very much offensively to earn an expanded role for himself on the team with Vazquez out.

 

If Swihart is not traded at the deadline, and Vazquez is not expected back until September, I would be fine with letting Leon and Swihart fight for playing time. I think Swihart has at least some chance of winning that competition in an offense-loving team like Boston, but to do so he has to improve in the areas where Leon cleanly beats him right now, in defense and in the confidence of the pitchers throwing to him.

 

If he can do that, then Leon goes from a satisfactory defense-only catcher to a fantastic set of training wheels for a new starter.

 

If Swihart can continue to play decently, an expanded role for him would help not only him, but Leon as well.

[OH FOY]

Hardly anybody steal anymore, and all 3 have outstanding arms anyway. So you better call a good game, and do good at blocking the ball. Full season at Portland Swihart had better numbers throwing out Runners then Vazquez. By the way NO passed balls that season. That injury really set him back.

2014 season for Portland Swihart was Outstanding, both on Offense and Defense. Threw out 47% of the base runners.

Also most successful steal are on the Pitchers, not the Catchers.

Edited July 27, 2018 by OH FOY!

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

 

Swihart ability to block balls in the dirt this week has been drastically better than it was in 2015-16. In '15, Red Sox thought he was reluctant to call pitches that were down because of blocking issues. Not so now.

[moonslav59]

Framing pitches is also a key component of catcher defense.

 

The sample size is too small to know how good Swihart is in this area.

[Station 13]

@alexspeier

 

Swihart ability to block balls in the dirt this week has been drastically better than it was in 2015-16. In '15, Red Sox thought he was reluctant to call pitches that were down because of blocking issues. Not so now.

 

Fire Farrell.

[mvp 78]

Fire Farrell.

 

They should sign him to a one day contract just so they can re-fire him.

[Spudboy]

@alexspeier

 

Swihart ability to block balls in the dirt this week has been drastically better than it was in 2015-16. In '15, Red Sox thought he was reluctant to call pitches that were down because of blocking issues. Not so now.

 

It pleases me immensely when the Bookworm agrees with what I have been saying for months.

 

Such a timely revelation for the masses.

[dustcover]

It would appear that Devers pulled a hamstring heading into 3rd tonight otherwise he would have probably scored. Tough break for Devers as he's been hitting really well of late. If it means another visit to the DL, I would like to reiterate my position that Swihart be given consideration to fill in at 3B. If he's successful, he adds a tremendous amount of flexibility to the Sox lineup, while boosting his resume and trade value.

[vegasbob]

It would appear that Devers pulled a hamstring heading into 3rd tonight otherwise he would have probably scored. Tough break for Devers as he's been hitting really well of late. If it means another visit to the DL, I would like to reiterate my position that Swihart be given consideration to fill in at 3B. If he's successful, he adds a tremendous amount of flexibility to the Sox lineup, while boosting his resume and trade value.

 

probably doesn't work with Sandy Leon being your only catcher for the next 10 days. Back to the Holt/Nunez tandem in the infield with Lin returning I'm guessing.

[notin]

It would appear that Devers pulled a hamstring heading into 3rd tonight otherwise he would have probably scored. Tough break for Devers as he's been hitting really well of late. If it means another visit to the DL, I would like to reiterate my position that Swihart be given consideration to fill in at 3B. If he's successful, he adds a tremendous amount of flexibility to the Sox lineup, while boosting his resume and trade value.

 

Sox still need a backup catcher.

[oldtimer]

probably doesn't work with Sandy Leon being your only catcher for the next 10 days. Back to the Holt/Nunez tandem in the infield with Lin returning I'm guessing.

 

Still a chance of picking up a FT second baseman in trade. We now have exactly the situation that warrants it.

[FredLynn]

Still a chance of picking up a FT second baseman in trade. We now have exactly the situation that warrants it.

 

Where is Brandon Phillips?? I thought we signed him to play 2B.

[Hugh2]

Where is Brandon Phillips?? I thought we signed him to play 2B.

 

His current line in Pawtucket is .172/.294/.241. I don't think he's an option right now. Tzu-Wei Lin is the better option at this point, and I think he can give you plus defense at multiple positions.

[OH FOY]

He got injured last night. Took him out early. Not sure of injury. He got hit in the Hand took him out.

https://www.milb.com/pawtucket/news/lind-slam-wren-catch-bookend-pawsox-6-5-win/c-287844292

Edited July 29, 2018 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

Pitch framing helps when Pitchers are throwing strikes. If not, Umps aren't stupid.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Pitch framing helps when Pitchers are throwing strikes. If not, Umps aren't stupid.

 

It's bad enough that they're blind.

[OH FOY]

Castillo has been hot. For July hitting .411

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=628329#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL

[Hugh2]

Castillo has been hot. For July hitting .411

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=628329#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL

 

Can he play 2nd???