The Blake Swihart Thread

[Dojji]

Based on these numbers, an interesting distinction. Leon seems to be your guy if you want to take a good pitcher and make him dominant. Vazquez seems to have the edge when it comes to taking fringy pitchers and getting the most possible out of them. And of course, Swihart's job is to be satisfactory defensively and try to win games with his bat if he can.

[moonslav59]

Sample size and all...

 

He does have 100+ IP with 3 of the guys listed, and while the others sample sizes are too small individually, the fact that he finishes in 3rd in all but one case, I think it's safe to say that to date, Swihart gets the least out of our pitchers.

[moonslav59]

It would be more telling if he didn't. Remember that a lot of Swihart's sample came in 2015 when he was terribly raw, and also that we're comparing him to two guys that are both well above average defenders who the pitchers have learned to trust over the years, while Swihart is relatively unknown to most of the current pitching staff (with the obvious exception of the guys who were here in 2015)

 

Far from being surprised that there is less confidence in Swihart, it would be surprising if there wasn't. Leon and Vazqez' excellent reputation as defenders tends to create self fulfilling prophecies when it comes to pitchers putting faith in their ability to call games. Swihart doesn't have that advantage.

 

I think also that it's encouraging that Steven Wright has had no real issues pitching to Swihart. If there's a pitcher who should be giving a bad catcher fits, it would be Wright, but Swihart's right there with everyone else. Further evidence that Swihart's issue is lack of development rather than lack of talent.

 

Oh, and Wright should never pitch to Sandy Leon ever, ever again.

 

I was being joking when I said it was "surprising."

 

Swihart had caught some of the guys in the minors who he then caught in 2015. To be fair, some of the guys Vaz and Leon have caught since 2016 have been new to the team, and they had no back ground with them either. Price, Porcello, Sale and ERod all came to us from other systems-- cold turkey.

[moonslav59]

Kelly clearly misses Vazquez; I hadn't thought to blame his struggles on Vazquez going on the DL.

 

Me neither, but maybe it is part of the reason for his collapse.

 

He has done better his last 2 games, so maybe he's learning to adjust.

[moonslav59]

True, except for Wright & Kelly.

 

Career ERA (100+ IP unless noted)

 

Wright

3.50 w Vaz (90 IP)

4.06 w Swihart (71 IP)

6.39 w Leon (49 IP)

 

Kelly

2.81 w vaz (93)

4.28 w Leon (48)

4.92 w Swihart (68)

 

Barnes

3.57 w Vaz (93 IP)

3.60 w Leon (75)

4.19 w Swihart (34)

 

Kimbrel

1.89 w Leon (67)

2.04 w Vaz (84)

9.00 w Swihart (3)

 

ERod

4.04 w Leon

4.08 w Swihart

4.11 w Vaz

 

Porcello

4.06 w Leon

4.15 w Vaz

4.55 w Swihart

 

Sale

2.44 w Leon

3.38 w Vaz

 

Price

2.89 w Leon

4.32 w Vaz

5.73w Swihart (11 IP)

 

Pretty telling how Swihart ranks worst with just about everyone.

 

Let's look at just 2018:

 

OPS against/ PAs/ Pitcher (Notice who catches who more often)

Only pitchers with 40+ IP are listed, except for Swihart

 

With Leon

Porcello .702/ 563

C Sale .513/ 390

D Price .576/ 113

Kimbrel .504/ 77

Johnson .672/ 72

Hembree .624/ 70

M Barnes .507/ 69

Joe Kelly .858/67

Velazquez .793/ 60

Pomeranz .903/ 46

Rodriguez .408/ 43

Workman .851/ 43

 

With Vazquez

Rodriguez .687/401

D Price .780/394

C Sale .572/160

Wright .645/145

Velazquez .738/134

Johnson .843/128

Pomeranz .948/127

M Barnes .493/113

Joe Kelly .429/108

Hembree .748/107

Kimbrel .610/98

Workman .454/35

(zero PAs with Porcello)

 

Swihart'

Johnson .657/82

Velazquez .679/47

Pomeranz .878/46

J Beeks 1.160/34

Hembree .494/17

Joe Kelly .625/16

M Barnes .641/15

Wright 1.167/4

 

It does look like Swihart is doing better, and he has been catching Johnson & Velazquez more than anyone else. He may be more familiar with them frames.om AAA

[a700hitter]

As can happen when a guy from the bench goes from not playing at all to getting regular playing time and running the bases because he is getting hits, he has blown a tire and hit the DL.

[a700hitter]

Great athlete, great athlete we hear over and over. Poorly conditioned great athlete not used to playing much.

[Dojji]

Great athlete, great athlete we hear over and over. Poorly conditioned great athlete not used to playing much.

 

Anyone can pop a hammy.

[a700hitter]

Anyone can pop a hammy.

Not a slam against him, but it happens to guys who have been sitting on the bench who all of a sudden are getting a lot of playing time and running the bases a lot. He may be a tremendously conditioned athlete, but there is a different conditioning when you play regularly.

[Spudboy]

Great athlete, great athlete we hear over and over. Poorly conditioned great athlete not used to playing much.

 

Go s*** in your hat old man!!!1!

[SoxHop]

Great athlete, great athlete we hear over and over. Poorly conditioned great athlete not used to playing much.

 

Pass me whatever you are smoking.

[a700hitter]

Pass me whatever you are smoking.

You can't handle what I am smoking. LOL!!! I have seen it so many times where a guy who starts getting regular playing time gets hot with the bat and starts running the bases a lot cramps up or pulls something. There legs are not truly in game shape. Lacing up the spikes and playing the games is different than other work done by a ballplayer.

[oldtimer]

Go s*** in your hat old man!!!1!

 

Exactly the reaction I would expect from you!

[SoxHop]

You can't handle what I am smoking. LOL!!! I have seen it so many times where a guy who starts getting regular playing time gets hot with the bat and starts running the bases a lot cramps up or pulls something. There legs are not truly in game shape. Lacing up the spikes and playing the games is different than other work done by a ballplayer.

 

What, the endless hours of standing around doing nothing on the field compared to the endless hours of standing around doing nothing in the dugout?

 

I'm guessing here, but I'm pretty sure the condition coaches have each and every player on a plan to keep them in shape. Heck, Holt and Pedroia are just two players who were playing everyday who this year had a hammy thingamajig. And there are others I probably can't think of right now.

[moonslav59]

I'm waiting for someone to blame Sox management for causing this injury and preventing Swihart from "getting a real chance."

 

I'm not sure blaming the trainers counts.

[Dojji]

The irony is, it's easier to rip a muscle or blow a ligament if you *are* ripped, especially if you don't follow up your workout with something that emphasizes pliability and flexibility. Muscle mass puts extra tension on your connectors. You're never more vulnerable for muscle and joint issues than when you're adjusting your workout -- this is why.

[a700hitter]

What, the endless hours of standing around doing nothing on the field compared to the endless hours of standing around doing nothing in the dugout?

 

I'm guessing here, but I'm pretty sure the condition coaches have each and every player on a plan to keep them in shape. Heck, Holt and Pedroia are just two players who were playing everyday who this year had a hammy thingamajig. And there are others I probably can't think of right now.

When they start getting hits and running the bases and squatting behind home plate for a few games, the legs take a toll. Baseball players may not move a whole lot, but every time they move, it is a fast and violent motion.

[a700hitter]

What, the endless hours of standing around doing nothing on the field compared to the endless hours of standing around doing nothing in the dugout?

 

I'm guessing here, but I'm pretty sure the condition coaches have each and every player on a plan to keep them in shape. Heck, Holt and Pedroia are just two players who were playing everyday who this year had a hammy thingamajig. And there are others I probably can't think of right now.

Pedroia? I thought he had a knee issue, and I don't remember him playing every day. Everyday players are also susceptible. This seems especially true of guys with thick muscular legs.

[Slasher9]

Red Sox training staff/medical staff is a f***ing joke. I have been saying it for years and fully expect to be saying it until I am buried.....

[moonslav59]

Red Sox training staff/medical staff is a f***ing joke. I have been saying it for years and fully expect to be saying it until I am buried.....

 

You'd think with all the money being thrown around by Henry, they'd splurge on medical staff and trainers to protect their assets. The extra money wouldn't even count towards the luxury tax!

[Spudboy]

Exactly the reaction I would expect from you!

 

What's the matter Gramps? Did you forget to take your Geritol today?

 

a700 and I are best friends IN REAL LIFE.

 

Most idiots on this board have known this for years. I guess I am not surprised that you never have picked up on this.

 

I know you have what you like to think of as an erection for me. But please try to control your urges.

 

And by the way, I cheered when Pedro threw the Gerbil to the ground.

Edited August 4, 2018 by Spudboy

[Spudboy]

The irony is, it's easier to rip a muscle or blow a ligament if you *are* ripped, especially if you don't follow up your workout with something that emphasizes pliability and flexibility. Muscle mass puts extra tension on your connectors. You're never more vulnerable for muscle and joint issues than when you're adjusting your workout -- this is why.

 

LOL.

 

Okay Dr. Dojji.

[SoxHop]

Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor not a Sports Physician. But I do know that those extra 20 pounds on your squats are going to make you succiptable to a pulled hammy. Make sure to keep smoking also, the smoke relaxes the lungs as we all know.

[notin]

Red Sox training staff/medical staff is a f***ing joke. I have been saying it for years and fully expect to be saying it until I am buried.....

 

But given that is is probably not the same medical staff that entire time, maybe that should be an indication that sports medicine isn't as easy as we all think. The idea of diagnosing an injury (in many cases with limited medical equipment) and treating and then hoping that treatment not only works really fast but also lasts long term seems like a brutal assignment to me...

[oldtimer]

What's the matter Gramps? Did you forget to take your Geritol today?

 

a700 and I are best friends IN REAL LIFE.

 

Most idiots on this board have known this for years. I guess I am not surprised that you never have picked up on this.

 

I know you have what you like to think of as an erection for me. But please try to control your urges.

 

And by the way, I cheered when Pedro threw the Gerbil to the ground.

 

That you are crude and stupid is self evident. From now on, I will ignore any message that you choose to befoul this site with.

[a700hitter]

What's the matter Gramps? Did you forget to take your Geritol today?

 

a700 and I are best friends IN REAL LIFE.

 

Most idiots on this board have known this for years. I guess I am not surprised that you never have picked up on this.

 

I know you have what you like to think of as an erection for me. But please try to control your urges.

 

And by the way, I cheered when Pedro threw the Gerbil to the ground.

Have we been properly introduced? LOL!

[Spudboy]

f*** the 1st amendment I guess.

[Hitch]

oltimer - one of the best posters on here. Got the class others are lacking.

[a700hitter]

oltimer - one of the best posters on here. Got the class others are lacking.

And you are one of the worst. It all evens out.

[Hitch]

Troll.