Red Sox Spring Training 2023

[moonslav59]

My comment is not off the mark. Bello may start the season on the IL even if his arm is fine. Mata might not be on the MLB roster even if he's ready. There are lots of variables in play. Bello would be a starter. Mata would most likely be a reliever. I'm not sure how you can really compare the output of the two guys without looking at everything.

 

I guess the conversation you want to have is "I like this guy, do you like this guy too?" Have at it.

 

The hypothetical was if both were healthy, who is better to start the season.

 

You response was off that mark by a mile.

[moonslav59]

50 Pitches, 3 innings for Whitlock. I love watching him pitch. He's another guy I'd pay to watch pitch.

 

The box score I see says 25 pitches/ 20 strikes.

[Nick]

The box score I see says 25 pitches/ 20 strikes.

 

Went back and watched the replay. He threw 52 pitches to 14 batters in 3 innings. 25 would not make any sense.

[Bellhorn04]

The box score I see says 25 pitches/ 20 strikes.

 

For some reason they don't count all the pitches in spring game box scores. I'm sure Nick has the right numbers.

[notin]

Joely Rodriguez is now hurt - oblique strain.

 

Soxprospects thinks this puts Winckowski on the 26 man, and maybe it does. But it’s also possible Brandon Walter benefits, as Bleier is now the only LHRP…

[moonslav59]

For some reason they don't count all the pitches in spring game box scores. I'm sure Nick has the right numbers.

 

I thought 25 was Herculean.

[Nick]

I thought 25 was Herculean.

 

1st inning 26 pitches (Duvall got a late break on a ball that dropped, windy and sunny?)

2nd inning 10 pitches

3rd inning 16 pitches

 

I thought he looked good. Not really worry about the outcome. He looked healthy.

[mvp 78]

Joely Rodriguez is now hurt - oblique strain.

 

Soxprospects thinks this puts Winckowski on the 26 man, and maybe it does. But it’s also possible Brandon Walter benefits, as Bleier is now the only LHRP…

 

Sherriff maybe.

[cp176]

the Red Sox timetables for both Mata and Bello likely will not have either one of them up with the big club for a while. But in terms of potential good strong power arms, they both got it. If they were both in Fenway, I would be excited enough to watch this team at least 3 out of the 5 days that starting pitchers start. Maybe even 4 - Sale, Pivetta, Mata, Bello.

[moonslav59]

the Red Sox timetables for both Mata and Bello likely will not have either one of them up with the big club for a while. But in terms of potential good strong power arms, they both got it. If they were both in Fenway, I would be excited enough to watch this team at least 3 out of the 5 days that starting pitchers start. Maybe even 4 - Sale, Pivetta, Mata, Bello.

 

Whitlock is fun to watch.

 

Maybe Kluber will be, too.

[Bellhorn04]

Pitchers Please Stay Healthy is the theme of the 2023 Sox.

[notin]

Sherriff maybe.

 

Fits the bill but not on the 40 man.

 

Now if Rodriguez is headed for the 60 Day IL, maybe…

[moonslav59]

Pitchers Please Stay Healthy is the theme of the 2023 Sox.

 

That’s number one.

[cp176]

Whitlock is fun to watch.

 

Maybe Kluber will be, too.

 

I actually am excited to see if Kluber's still got it. If the pieces fall together, I have to admit that they do have some real potential in this pitching lineup.

[moonslav59]

I actually am excited to see if Kluber's still got it. If the pieces fall together, I have to admit that they do have some real potential in this pitching lineup.

 

Good to see some shared but guarded optimism.

[Bellhorn04]

Good to see some shared but guarded optimism.

 

I usually call it "cautious" optimism, but I think "guarded" is even better.

[moonslav59]

I usually call it "cautious" optimism, but I think "guarded" is even better.

 

On this site, it needs to be guarded, defended and nurtured.

[mvp 78]

Fits the bill but not on the 40 man.

 

Now if Rodriguez is headed for the 60 Day IL, maybe…

 

That's why I put him as "maybe" because it would take an additional move. He's pitched well this spring.

[notin]

On this site, it needs to be guarded, defended and nurtured.

 

And raised in isolation, away from prying eyes who seek only to exploit and destroy it…

[mvp 78]

And raised in isolation, away from prying eyes who seek only to exploit and destroy it…

 

Hide it under a bushel? NO!

[mvp 78]

If you haven't been paying attention to Masataka Yoshida in the WBC:

 

@SmittyOnMLB

Yoshida is 9-for-19 (.474) with a .571 on-base percentage, .842 slugging percentage, 1.413 OPS, two homers, one double, five runs, 13 RBIs, three walks and no strikeouts in six WBC games.

 

The 13 RBI is more than any other Japan player has for their career at the WBC.

[Bellhorn04]

Not to mention that 3-run jack last night was off a lefty.

[Old Red]

If you haven't been paying attention to Masataka Yoshida in the WBC:

 

@SmittyOnMLB

Yoshida is 9-for-19 (.474) with a .571 on-base percentage, .842 slugging percentage, 1.413 OPS, two homers, one double, five runs, 13 RBIs, three walks and no strikeouts in six WBC games.

 

The 13 RBI is more than any other Japan player has for their career at the WBC.

 

When he was signed there was talk of him batting leadoff, but now it looks like he’ll start the season batting cleanup.

[mvp 78]

When he was signed there was talk of him batting leadoff, but now it looks like he’ll start the season batting cleanup.

 

Seems like he can hit. Seems like he can field well enough to at least play LF. Maybe he'll make the "unnamed" scouts and execs look dumb? Maybe not.

[sk7326]

If you haven't been paying attention to Masataka Yoshida in the WBC:

 

@SmittyOnMLB

Yoshida is 9-for-19 (.474) with a .571 on-base percentage, .842 slugging percentage, 1.413 OPS, two homers, one double, five runs, 13 RBIs, three walks and no strikeouts in six WBC games.

 

The 13 RBI is more than any other Japan player has for their career at the WBC.

 

Usual SSS caveats apply - but if he can get to enough hard contact, he's going to be an on-base machine.

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

Rehab update: James Paxton is throwing a bullpen session

[mvp 78]

Usual SSS caveats apply - but if he can get to enough hard contact, he's going to be an on-base machine.

 

Yeah, I think his SLG will go down, but he should continue to have a high OBP. I don't know if he'll be a great #4, but should be able to stick somewhere in the top of the lineup.

[Bellhorn04]

Seems like he can hit. Seems like he can field well enough to at least play LF. Maybe he'll make the "unnamed" scouts and execs look dumb? Maybe not.

 

It would be very nice if he does.

 

I was thinking about the "blind auction" thing they do with players like Yoshida. Why exactly don't they just make it a normal auction?

[sk7326]

Yeah, I think his SLG will go down, but he should continue to have a high OBP. I don't know if he'll be a great #4, but should be able to stick somewhere in the top of the lineup.

 

He doesn't have to hit 20 HRs - just has to be able to punish mistakes enough that pitchers are actually careful about making them. A good batting eye isn't all that helpful if the pitcher doesn't fear putting one down the middle.

[Maxbialystock]

Yeah, I think his SLG will go down, but he should continue to have a high OBP. I don't know if he'll be a great #4, but should be able to stick somewhere in the top of the lineup.

 

I no longer know what a "great #4" means, but agree Yoshida should help the Sox lineup.