2021 Spring Training Discussion

[moonslav59]

Nothing mechanical is going to allow him to reach pitches low and away outside the strike zone, unless he uses an extension taped to the end of his bat.

 

p.s. this is why I fear there may a vision issue, because you know he knows they're going to keep throwing the same crap every time he has two strikes.

 

I recall big Papi going through some long stretches where he flailed at low and outside pitches- mostly breaking balls, then worked it out and lessened those occurrences to the point where he was back to being big Papi.

 

Who knows if JD will work it out?

 

We do know the nobody works harder and studied mechanics more than JD, so I’m keeping the faith, for now.

[Bellhorn04]

I always get a chuckle at fans at home criticizing major league hitters for swinging at those low outside pitches.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I recall big Papi going through some long stretches where he flailed at low and outside pitches- mostly breaking balls, then worked it out and lessened those occurrences to the point where he was back to being big Papi.

 

Who knows if JD will work it out?

 

We do know the nobody works harder and studied mechanics more than JD, so I’m keeping the faith, for now.

 

Papi always seemed to snap out of slumps when he started taking outside stuff the other way. This approach is nothing new -- it's what we teach young hitters; to focus on the opposite field, if for nothing else, to keep from pulling their heads, and eyes, off the ball. Remy always suggested it was the best hope for JBJ, too. Not going oppo seemed to hurt Beni, once he hit the dark days.

 

We know JD can use the whole field... at least he used to. I was at a game in '18 when Alex Cobb struck him out in the first. The next two ABs vs Cobb, Martinez doubled down the right field line and then doubled down the left field line.

[moonslav59]

I always get a chuckle at fans at home criticizing major league hitters for swinging at those low outside pitches.

 

It was my downfall for any hopes of being a good baseball player.

[Kimmi]

Nothing mechanical is going to allow him to reach pitches low and away outside the strike zone, unless he uses an extension taped to the end of his bat.

 

p.s. this is why I fear there may a vision issue, because you know he knows they're going to keep throwing the same crap every time he has two strikes.

 

Fair point. It might be a vision issue. It might be a mental issue where he's trying too hard and getting antsy.

 

Whatever it is, let's hope he figures it out soon.

[moonslav59]

Fair point. It might be a vision issue. It might be a mental issue where he's trying too hard and getting antsy.

 

Whatever it is, let's hope he figures it out soon.

 

I’m not sure Papi ever “figured it out” in the sense that he could use the information the next time he went through the same problems.

 

To some extent, I think you just wake up one day and the problem is gone, and you don’t know why.

 

Sometimes the solution is to stop thinking about it. For JD that might be near impossible.

[a700hitter]

The Sox are without their ace, so not surprising.

 

But why are you so opposed to them taking chances in a year when they’ve already lost Sale?

Because I want to watch competitive baseball, not a team where the management throws in the towel before the start of the season. I am too old to be throwing away springs and summers in hopes that this kid knows what he is doing.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I always get a chuckle at fans at home criticizing major league hitters for swinging at those low outside pitches.

 

Actors flub a line, musicians miss a beat -- Ringo even forgot the lyrics of "It Don't Come Easy" in the Concert for Bangladesh. But there are probably not too many viewers or paying customers of any form of entertainment who stay amused watching the same mistakes over and over and over again...

[notin]

Because I want to watch competitive baseball, not a team where the management throws in the towel before the start of the season. I am too old to be throwing away springs and summers in hopes that this kid knows what he is doing.

 

I think the goal is to be competitive but without jumping into unwanted future commitments.

 

Not like they have some expansive budget or deep farm to keep bringing talent in. Have to get it where it can be found...

[jad]

Nothing mechanical is going to allow him to reach pitches low and away outside the strike zone, unless he uses an extension taped to the end of his bat.

 

p.s. this is why I fear there may a vision issue, because you know he knows they're going to keep throwing the same crap every time he has two strikes.

 

Yeah, it's one thing when he K's because some pitcher manages to put three pitches exactly on the low-outside corner. JD lays off, knowing he can't hit it, or gives a perfunctory swing. It's another thing where the ball heads that way and ends up a half-foot off the plate and he still flails at it. Those are the swings that seem worrisome.

[notin]

Actors flub a line, musicians miss a beat -- Ringo even forgot the lyrics of "It Don't Come Easy" in the Concert for Bangladesh. But there are probably not too many viewers or paying customers of any form of entertainment who stay amused watching the same mistakes over and over and over again...

 

There is a certain amount of comic irony in the song he flubbed being “It Don’t Come Easy”...

[Bellhorn04]

Yeah, it's one thing when he K's because some pitcher manages to put three pitches exactly on the low-outside corner. JD lays off, knowing he can't hit it, or gives a perfunctory swing. It's another thing where the ball heads that way and ends up a half-foot off the plate and he still flails at it. Those are the swings that seem worrisome.

 

I think that in modern parlance the problem may be 'pitch recognition'.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There is a certain amount of comic irony in the song he flubbed being “It Don’t Come Easy”...

 

I still love it. But my favorite has to be Leon Russell's medley of "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood".

[Bellhorn04]

I still love it. But my favorite has to be Leon Russell's medley of "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood".

 

When you're Leon Russell you can do things like that.

[moonslav59]

[/b]:OF,75;1373328]I still love it. But my favorite has to be Leon Russell's medley of "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood".

 

Great medley and album.

 

It was one of my first albums purchased.

 

My favorite songs from that album:

 

Wag Wah

Just Like a Woman

Medley you mentioned

[jad]

When you're Leon Russell you can do things like that.

 

Alas, when you're an athlete, and not a performer, those flubs still register as K's.

[Kimmi]

I’m not sure Papi ever “figured it out” in the sense that he could use the information the next time he went through the same problems.

 

To some extent, I think you just wake up one day and the problem is gone, and you don’t know why.

 

Sometimes the solution is to stop thinking about it. For JD that might be near impossible.

 

It could just be a timing thing. But yeah, to stop thinking about it is way easier said than done. The longer it goes on, the more it gets in his head.

[moonslav59]

It could just be a timing thing. But yeah, to stop thinking about it is way easier said than done. The longer it goes on, the more it gets in his head.

 

No doubt.

 

I have confidence in JD.

 

He'll be over .800, this year, and likely over.850.

[moonslav59]

Some very small sample sizes here, but here are the current ST OPS numbers for the Sox:

 

1.317 Dalbec

1.200 Downs

 

1.129 Chavis

1.117 Ockimey

1.100 Cordero

1.008 Duran

.995 Kiki

 

.919 Gettys

.899 Arroyo

.866 Marwin

.833 Arauz

.780 Vazquez

 

.695 Renfroe

.654 Bogey

 

.590 JD

.508 Verdugo

.400 Plawecki

[kenmeister]

My worries about JD are not alleviated.

[oldtimer]

My worries about JD are not alleviated.

 

The impact of him not performing well is significant since he have the highest pay level of any of the non pitchers on the squad. His value is based almost entirely on his hitting. So far in ST he hasn't demonstrated power. I am hoping we are not seeing a decline due to age.

[Bellhorn04]

My worries about JD are not alleviated.

 

Last game he had a hit and two walks. I take my reasons for optimism where I can find 'em. Maybe he needs to get a little more patient and take more pitches.

[jacksonianmarch]

Or maybe he’s lost some bat speed. Like it or not, but he’s at the age where for some players, performance start to drop. The different between elite bat speed and average bat speed is far, far closer than you think

[Bellhorn04]

Or maybe he’s lost some bat speed. Like it or not, but he’s at the age where for some players, performance start to drop. The different between elite bat speed and average bat speed is far, far closer than you think

 

Thanks for the insights, maybe that explains why a bunch of us have been talking about his possible loss of bat speed...

[kenmeister]

I realize he claims he "wasn't prepared" last season, but I've never seen a guy hit above .300 for 6 consecutive seasons, then all of a sudden hit .213. Very alarming.

[mvp 78]

Last game he had a hit and two walks. I take my reasons for optimism where I can find 'em. Maybe he needs to get a little more patient and take more pitches.

 

He has 3 bb's in his last two games. He looked in good form on Sunday.

[mvp 78]

Or maybe he’s lost some bat speed. Like it or not, but he’s at the age where for some players, performance start to drop. The different between elite bat speed and average bat speed is far, far closer than you think

 

I think it's a combination of a slower bat and less access to watch video (not sign stealing, but figuring out how he is swinging and how the pitchers are attacking the hitters).

[mvp 78]

Any chance they waive him if he is struggling around Memorial Day?

[notin]

Any chance they waive him if he is struggling around Memorial Day?

 

Why? To make room for who?

[mvp 78]

@BostonStrong_34

Checking on some former Red Sox so far this Spring

 

Benintendi: .207, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Bradley Jr: .118, 0 HR, 2 RBI