A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[moonslav59]

They liked Springs last year and even had him close out some games. I didn't understand why they DFA'd Springs but kept Brice.

 

I swear Brice has some compromising information on Bloom.

 

What else can it be?

 

Spin rate- shmim rate!

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

Some Tuesday transactions from Worcester:

IF Chad De La Guerra to IL (hamstring strain)

RHRPs Brandon Brennan and Brandon Workman activated

UT Jack Lopez added from Portland

It says UT Danny Santana rehab assignment transferred, but that should be activated from IL, we think.

 

Santana is getting closer.

[mvp 78]

I swear Brice has some compromising information on Bloom.

 

What else can it be?

 

Spin rate- shmim rate!

 

Yup, spin rate.

[mvp 78]

Imagine how horrible Brice would be if he didn't have his off the charts spin rate.

[moonslav59]

Imagine how horrible Brice would be if he didn't have his off the charts spin rate.

 

Maybe he should try a knuckleball.

[mvp 78]

Maybe he should try a knuckleball.

 

His knuckler would definitely have a high spin rate.

[mvp 78]

Brice's knuckleball:

 

[mvp 78]

Brice's knuckleball:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1193[/ATTACH]

 

Fun fact, the rest of his pitches are the same picture.

[notin]

Yup, spin rate.

 

The thing is, this system Bloom is using is actually working to some degree. Yeah, Brice has flopped, but Springs, Mazza, Valdez, Pivetta and Whitlock are all having good seasons so far. Last year’s dumpster-diving ventures proved Bloom can find quality dumpsters...

[moonslav59]

Bloom seems like the perfect fit for our biggest needs.

 

The most interesting part of his era might be when he's given a fatter wallet. (This winter?)

[mvp 78]

The thing is, this system Bloom is using is actually working to some degree. Yeah, Brice has flopped, but Springs, Mazza, Valdez, Pivetta and Whitlock are all having good seasons so far. Last year’s dumpster-diving ventures proved Bloom can find quality dumpsters...

 

I'm not going to revisit last year's entire squad, but there are quite a few arms aside from Brice who have flopped.

 

I'm also not sure he can take all the credit for Whitlock since scouts didn't know at rule 5 draft time about his increased velo or the new change that he developed in ST thanks to Andriese.

[notin]

I'm not going to revisit last year's entire squad, but there are quite a few arms aside from Brice who have flopped.

 

I'm also not sure he can take all the credit for Whitlock since scouts didn't know at rule 5 draft time about his increased velo or the new change that he developed in ST thanks to Andriese.

 

Oh there were more flops than Brice. But also more semi-success stories than we realized at the time...

[mvp 78]

Oh there were more flops than Brice. But also more semi-success stories than we realized at the time...

 

As one of the few Mazza backers, I gave Bloom credit where it was due.

[Maxbialystock]

Brice's knuckleball:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1193[/ATTACH]

 

A brilliant innovation, and by that I mean T-ball. It's a godsend for pre-Little League, but hitters of all ages can benefit from it. And it's so, so simple.

[mvp 78]

A brilliant innovation, and by that I mean T-ball. It's a godsend for pre-Little League, but hitters of all ages can benefit from it. And it's so, so simple.

 

And if you're having a bad day, taking 20 swings in the garage will make you feel better.

[Maxbialystock]

Brice had a decent April (8 games, ERA 3.52) and a disastrous May (2 appearances. ERA 27). If memory serves, earlier this year the White Sox put a position player on the mound late in a game they had no hope of winning. That is Brice's niche.

[moonslav59]

Brice had a decent April (8 games, ERA 3.52) and a disastrous May (2 appearances. ERA 27). If memory serves, earlier this year the White Sox put a position player on the mound late in a game they had no hope of winning. That is Brice's niche.

 

It was not a "decent April." He sucked, then, and still sucks.

 

ERA for RP'ers is near useless. He had a WHIP of over 1.500 in April. It's been 2.500 the last 7 days and 2.333 the last 14 days.

 

His days with the Sox should be over, already.

[mvp 78]

Brice had a decent April (8 games, ERA 3.52) and a disastrous May (2 appearances. ERA 27). If memory serves, earlier this year the White Sox put a position player on the mound late in a game they had no hope of winning. That is Brice's niche.

 

April: 6.04 xFIP

7.2 IP, 5K, 5BB, 7H, 3ER.

[moonslav59]

There is no sugar-coating Brice.

 

With the Sox, he has a 6.75 ERA and a 1.602 WHIP.

 

How long is this clown's leash?

 

[notin]

A brilliant innovation, and by that I mean T-ball. It's a godsend for pre-Little League, but hitters of all ages can benefit from it. And it's so, so simple.

 

For older hitters, I’ve found a good use is to place it behind them with a ball on it in order to teach them how to follow through with their swing....

[notin]

There is no sugar-coating Brice.

 

With the Sox, he has a 6.75 ERA and a 1.602 WHIP.

 

How long is this clown's leash?

 

 

At least 7 ER per 9....

[Nick]

When we get done with out May 31 to August 1st stretch, we may think 23% is rather high.

 

@HOU 4

@NYY 3

HOU 3

TOR 4

@ATL 2

@KC 3

@TB 3

NYY 3

KC 4

@OAK 3

@LAA 3

PHI 3

@NYY 4

@TOR3

NYY 4

TOR 4 (15 straight against these two!)

@TB 3

 

This is why Sox should constantly evaluate and come up with fixes. And I'm sure they're doing just that. Our lineup can be tweaked. With nine men bullpen, I'd like to see the pecking order become clearer. Or is it always about analytics?

[moonslav59]

This is why Sox should constantly evaluate and come up with fixes. And I'm sure they're doing just that. Our lineup can be tweaked. With nine men bullpen, I'd like to see the pecking order become clearer. Or is it always about analytics?

 

It’s hard to establish a pecking order with just one reliable RPer.

[Nick]

It’s hard to establish a pecking order with just one reliable RPer.

 

I do refuse to believe Whitlock is #9 in the pecking order.

[moonslav59]

I do refuse to believe Whitlock is #9 in the pecking order.

 

He's not. He's the "long man," so he can't really be a number 2 or 3.

 

They apparently are stretching him out to be a starter, but I've yet to see him increase his pitches once in a game.

 

Who do you think should be our #2?

 

(I think Ottavino is the obvious choice, despite his high BB rate out of the gate and career.)

[moonslav59]

I think soxprospects.com tries to list the pen in pecking order: they have:

 

Barnes

Ottavino

DHern

Andriese

Sawamura

Whitlock

Valdez

Taylor

Brice.

[Nick]

I think soxprospects.com tries to list the pen in pecking order: they have:

 

Barnes

Ottavino

DHern

Andriese

Sawamura

Whitlock

Valdez

Taylor

Brice.

 

I like to see more DHern and Sawamura. You have to fix whatever is troubling Ottavino. What's he doing differently from 2019? Something is up.

 

If the starters are only going 5 innings, we may need a third long reliever.

[moonslav59]

I like to see more DHern and Sawamura. You have to fix whatever is troubling Ottavino. What's he doing differently from 2019? Something is up.

 

If the starters are only going 5 innings, we may need a third long reliever.

 

He's always walked too many, but this year is absurd.

 

I think he'll work it out. He's our best bet at being a solid #2.

 

DHern still walks too many hitters. Id like to see Sawamura gte more high leverage situations.

 

I might also rise Valdez until he proves he's not worthy.

[mvp 78]

I like to see more DHern and Sawamura. You have to fix whatever is troubling Ottavino. What's he doing differently from 2019? Something is up.

 

If the starters are only going 5 innings, we may need a third long reliever.

 

Ottavino's peripherals aren't all that different from 2019 (some are even better). I think the big change is he's getting less swings for balls outside the zone and is throwing much less first pitch strikes. If you are starting off down 1-0 and not getting batters to chase, you're going to struggle a little.

 

He was lucky in 2019 and less lucky this year.

[moonslav59]

Ottavino's peripherals aren't all that different from 2019 (some are even better). I think the big change is he's getting less swings for balls outside the zone and is throwing much less first pitch strikes. If you are starting off down 1-0 and not getting batters to chase, you're going to struggle a little.

 

He was lucky in 2019 and less lucky this year.

 

His 2016 and 2018 seasons were better.

 

This guy can pitch. He has one of the best K rates in MLB over the last 3-5 years.