Beni's workload this coming off-season....

[dustcover]

Reportedly, "Benintendi had just two hits all year on curve balls from lefthanders." If so, he needs to acquire a left-handed juggs machine and and set the dial at 'curveball' and practice, practice, practice! Edited October 26, 2018 by dustcover

[jung]

Reportedly, Benintendi had just two hits all year on curve balls from lefthanders. If so, he needs to acquire a left-handed juggs machine and and set the dial at 'curveball' and practice, practice, practice!

 

IMO if Beni just continues to mature he will be fine. Beni was simply one of the latest of these diaper dandies that we have brought up too soon to be filling a ML uni. This year, he finally showed signs of becoming not a mature but a maturing player, giving up more often on his hero swing and instead going oppo yielding him a very solid season for his efforts. Ended up with more oppo field hits than any other AL player. The more he gives up the hero swing (he is not a HR hitter of any consequence) the more he will succeed against the curve.

[dustcover]

Just for the record, the quote comes from Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci.

 

"Then Andrew Benintendi stepped in for something that was more performance art than an at-bat. He was in the batter’s box for six minutes. The Dodgers held half of their entire game’s worth of mound visits just trying to figure out how to make Benintendi go away. They could not do it. Ryu, who had finished him with curveballs on his first two at-bats, tried eight pitches against him. At a full count, he threw two curveballs. But this time Benintendi fouled off both.

 

Flummoxed, Ryu and catcher Austin Barnes gave the pitching equivalent of throwing their hands up. They gave up and went away from the curveball, though Benintendi had just two hits all year on curveballs from lefthanders. The foul balls—imported from Fort Myers—had swayed them into something else. Ryu tried a fastball, but he had no conviction behind the pitch. It was a terrible pitch—a ball out of his hand immediately, and Benintendi took it without much thought for ball four."

[Bellhorn04]

IMO if Beni just continues to mature he will be fine. Beni was simply one of the latest of these diaper dandies that we have brought up too soon to be filling a ML uni.

 

Beni wasn't brought up too soon. He's been good from the get-go.

[mvp 78]

Beni wasn't brought up too soon. He's been good from the get-go.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=17901&position=OF

 

835 OPS as a 22 year old at the end of 2016.

 

2 fWAR player last year.

 

4.3 fWAR this year.

 

I guess that's ok?

[moonslav59]

At the start of the year, I mentioned we may need tom monitor Beni's numbers vs lefties, and if he didn't improve maybe move him down in the line-up or consider platooning him.

 

While a .694 OPS (vs LHPs) is not optimal for a hitter batting second, it is an improvement over his .622 OPS vs LHPs last year and .429 in a tiny sample from 2016.

 

I think he'll be fine against lefties going forward as he learns to adjust.

[jung]

Beni wasn't brought up too soon. He's been good from the get-go.

 

Ah-huh

[moonslav59]

Beni wasn't brought up too soon. He's been good from the get-go.

 

Some called it a "panic move".

 

I was glad then and still think it was a great move (same with Devers).

[Bellhorn04]

How's he doing against lefty starters this postseason?

 

Happ 2 for 2 !!!

Sabathia 0 for 1 with a HBP

Keuchel 1 for 3

Kershaw 3 for 3 !!!

Ryu 0 for 2 with a walk

 

Total 6 for 11 plus a HBP and a walk - against some of the best.

 

I'd say he's doing just fine!

[Bellhorn04]

Ah-huh

 

Very useful response.

[jung]

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=17901&position=OF

 

835 OPS as a 22 year old at the end of 2016.

 

2 fWAR player last year.

 

4.3 fWAR this year.

 

I guess that's ok?

 

I don't give a damn about his 34 games in 2016. Probably should have come up as a roster expansion in 2016. Should have spent at least half of 2017 at AAA. Maybe he would have figured out that his hero swing really does not play that well there and would have turned a very good 2018 into a monster 2018. He did not move toward opposite field hitting to the degree that he does now until half way through 2018. Had he kept at that hero swing of his he would not have even had a 2018 of merit. Plus we would not have started the clock to free agency as early as we have if we did not bring him up for the full 2017 season.

[OH FOY]

Play him today against Power Pitcher, and sit him tomorrow against Hill.

[OH FOY]

Looking at something crazy this year, JBJ has a .294 avg. against Power Pitchers this year. Interesting. He has really improved. Last year it was .244. Maybe do play him today? Edited October 26, 2018 by OH FOY!

[mvp 78]

I don't give a damn about his 34 games in 2016. Probably should have come up as a roster expansion in 2016. Should have spent at least half of 2017 at AAA. Maybe he would have figured out that his hero swing really does not play that well there and would have turned a very good 2018 into a monster 2018. He did not move toward opposite field hitting to the degree that he does now until half way through 2018. Had he kept at that hero swing of his he would not have even had a 2018 of merit. Plus we would not have started the clock to free agency as early as we have if we did not bring him up for the full 2017 season.

 

He wasn't going to learn anything else in AAA in 2017.

[Dojji]

I don't give a damn about his 34 games in 2016. Probably should have come up as a roster expansion in 2016. Should have spent at least half of 2017 at AAA. Maybe he would have figured out that his hero swing really does not play that well there and would have turned a very good 2018 into a monster 2018. He did not move toward opposite field hitting to the degree that he does now until half way through 2018. Had he kept at that hero swing of his he would not have even had a 2018 of merit. Plus we would not have started the clock to free agency as early as we have if we did not bring him up for the full 2017 season.

 

On the one hand, this statement is true, on the other, it's absolute nonsense.

 

2017 was a contending window year. So was 2016 for that matter. You do what you have to do assemble the best team you can, and if you have to spend big, or start roster clocks early, that's exactly what you do.

 

This is not the Kansas City Royals. There are not supposed to be lost "development" years and we should not treat the minor leagues as if there are. At some point you have to be willing to sacrifice absolute efficiency in player development to give your team as many chances to win as possible.

 

It could also be equally true that without the extra year plus of MLB he's still gaining the experience now he gained in 2017 and would be far LESS effective. If you're trying to learn how to hit MLB pitching there's nothing like facing live MLB pitching.

 

Beni's proven that he was ready. He's an All Star caliber player, overshadowed only because the guy playing the other corner is so dang good.

Edited October 26, 2018 by Dojji

[moonslav59]

Beni's defense has improved, too.

 

Having the three B's in the OF is such a comfort for the pitching staff (and us fans).

[Bellhorn04]

Some folks are absolute geniuses at finding stuff to bitch about.

[oldtimer]

IMO if Beni just continues to mature he will be fine. Beni was simply one of the latest of these diaper dandies that we have brought up too soon to be filling a ML uni. This year, he finally showed signs of becoming not a mature but a maturing player, giving up more often on his hero swing and instead going oppo yielding him a very solid season for his efforts. Ended up with more oppo field hits than any other AL player. The more he gives up the hero swing (he is not a HR hitter of any consequence) the more he will succeed against the curve.

 

I disagree with the characterization of Beni's swing as being as you say a hero type. He has had a really pretty swing from the day he came up. He also had an excellent eye and took walks and had a solid on base percentage. The best approach a hitter can take is to go with the pitch. If outside hit it the other way if on the inside part of the plate, pull. Several of Benis recent important hits have been pulled, such as the 3 run double down the right field line. I hope that he continues to take a balanced approach to hitting as he matures.

[moonslav59]

I disagree with the characterization of Beni's swing as being as you say a hero type. He has had a really pretty swing from the day he came up. He also had an excellent eye and took walks and had a solid on base percentage. The best approach a hitter can take is to go with the pitch. If outside hit it the other way if on the inside part of the plate, pull. Several of Benis recent important hits have been pulled, such as the 3 run double down the right field line. I hope that he continues to take a balanced approach to hitting as he matures.

 

Well said, oldtimer. Well said.

[moonslav59]

Some folks are absolute geniuses at finding stuff to bitch about.

 

...even if it's bitching about bitching. LOL!

[dgalehouse]

Some folks are absolute geniuses at finding stuff to bitch about.

 

117 wins and some are still bitching and moaning. Even if everything is progressing perfectly, they will complain endlessly about something, even if it is just the umpires and announcers. It is really hilarious if you think about it.

[moonslav59]

117 wins and some are still bitching and moaning. Even if everything is progressing perfectly, they will complain endlessly about something, even if it is just the umpires and announcers. It is really hilarious if you think about it.

 

Reminds me of a time I was working in a warehouse. The company decided to give a bonus to those who went the longest time without an injury.

 

Someone complained that it wasn't fair, and they stopped it.

[jung]

I disagree with the characterization of Beni's swing as being as you say a hero type. He has had a really pretty swing from the day he came up. He also had an excellent eye and took walks and had a solid on base percentage. The best approach a hitter can take is to go with the pitch. If outside hit it the other way if on the inside part of the plate, pull. Several of Benis recent important hits have been pulled, such as the 3 run double down the right field line. I hope that he continues to take a balanced approach to hitting as he matures.

 

Pretty...the most useless term ever applied to a swing. Its too big and his hands get outside the ball too much which is why he is so successful going opposite field instead of employing that "pretty" hero swing which tends to yield warning track power, that is if he hits the ball at all. More often than not he creates a rustle of the air with that thing or pops up!

 

Devers was also brought up too soon, both of them caught in the blizzard of MLB players brought up too soon. The question we should really be asking is why are so many of these guys being brought up too soon. Why are teams willing to trade off years of control on the back end of their rookie contracts, something they have rarely done in the past and only for very special players? What will be the consequences of exposing them this early to the Bataan Death March of the 162?

Edited October 26, 2018 by jung

[OH FOY]

3 singles, and 2 walks, was the difference the other day. Anyway you can win a game, is all that matters. Even busting you chops down the line to beat out a Double Play, so the run scores, is all that matters. 1 Run, that's all you need.

[moonslav59]

Pretty...the most useless term ever applied to a swing. Its too big and his hands get outside the ball too much which is why he is so successful going opposite field instead of employing that "pretty" hero swing which tends to yield warning track power, that is if he hits the ball at all. More often than not he creates a rustle of the air with that thing or pops up!

 

Devers was also brought up too soon, both of them caught in the blizzard of MLB players brought up too soon. The question we should really be asking is why are so many of these guys being brought up too soon. Why are teams willing to trade of years of control on the back end of their rookie contracts, something they have rarely done in the past and only for very special players? What will be the consequences of exposing them this early to the Bataan Death March of the 162?

 

Why? IMO, maybe because the days of a GM staying in once place for 15+ years are gone.

 

It's win now, baby, or see ya later!

 

When the cliff comes, the GM goes, especially when they don't win it all at some point.

[jung]

Why? IMO, maybe because the days of a GM staying in once place for 15+ years are gone.

 

It's win now, baby, or see ya later!

 

When the cliff comes, the GM goes, especially when they don't win it all at some point.

 

Actually its make money now or "see ya' later". Team's PR departments go absolutely ga-ga to market these guys and make sure we all fall in love with these diaper dandies...the cutie pies of baseball. That is really what is going on. How can we get all the little boys and girlies into the park with mommy and daddy? How do we keep our ratings up?

 

They are actually trading away control on the back ends of contracts which makes no baseball sense whatsoever. Its Marketing driven.

Edited October 26, 2018 by jung

[dgalehouse]

Maybe prospects should never be brought up and certainly never be traded. Just love them , hype them and keep them down on the farm forever or until they age out or Rule 5 grabs them. By that time, there will be a brand new batch of prospects to love and cherish and keep on the farm.

[jung]

Maybe prospects should never be brought up and certainly never be traded. Just love them , hype them and keep them down on the farm forever or until they age out or Rule 5 grabs them. By that time, there will be a brand new batch of prospects to love and cherish and keep on the farm.

 

That would be as absurd as bringing them up too early. But thanks for pointing out where the other end of the spectrum is since neither end of the spectrum makes a lick of baseball sense.

[moonslav59]

Actually its make money now or "see ya' later". Team's PR departments go absolutely ga-ga to market these guys and make sure we all fall in love with these diaper dandies...the cutie pies of baseball. That is really what is going on. How can we get all the little boys and girlies into the park with mommy and daddy? How do we keep our ratings up?

 

They are actually trading away control on the back ends of contracts which makes no baseball sense whatsoever. Its Marketing driven.

 

That's certainly a big part of it, but when these kiddos fail, it's not helping the rating, except for a little boost in interest until the kid flops.

 

I still think the "win now at all costs and we'll deal with tomorrow when tomorrow comes" philosophy is also a significant factor- not just in baseball, but in other areas of society, too.

 

DD might be gone when Devers and Beni reach their end of team control. Winning this year might change those odds.

 

(BTW, I felt both Beni and Devers were ML ready. I knew Devers needed on-the-job training on defense, but the kid coulda hit ML pitching from his crib!)

[moonslav59]

That would be as absurd as bringing them up too early. But thanks for pointing out where the other end of the spectrum is since neither end of the spectrum makes a lick of baseball sense.

 

I trusted Sox management to get the timing right, and hindsight seems to show they did well with those two choices.

 

It's the foresight judgement that is hard to call "in the moment."