5/19 Sox @ Padres

[iortiz]

If anyone messes with Devers' approach at the plate, that person should be deported immediately.

 

Everybody can improve. Again we are talking about little adjustments here. If somehow he can find the way, he will be a top 5 hitter in the game.

[Nick]

Is Kike that much better than Chang?

[iortiz]

Is Kike that much better than Chang?

 

Valdez should have played.

[moonslav59]

Valdez should have played.

 

It was the lefty-righty thingy.

 

Same reason Ref is playing and hitting third.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

It was the lefty-righty thingy.

 

Same reason Ref is playing and hitting third.

 

 

MOON, the key word is 'hitting.'

[iortiz]

I'm really missing your point.

 

You want him to change?

 

Actually he has shown that he can be disciplined at the plate, but again, he need more of that in longer periods.

[iortiz]

It was the lefty-righty thingy.

 

Same reason Ref is playing and hitting third.

Still!

[moonslav59]

MOON, the key word is 'hitting.'

 

I'm not saying I think Kike should be playing, but it's not a slam dunk choice.

 

EValdez has had pretty bad splits v lefties and is not a better defender.

 

Come to think of it, I support starting Kike.

[moonslav59]

Actually he has shown that he can be disciplined at the plate, but again, he need more of that in longer periods.

 

So, the answer is yes? You want him to change his approach?

[TylerD]

Very nice game for Paxton.

[moonslav59]

Very nice game for Paxton.

 

Good to see he can buckle down, when needed.

[Nick]

My hats off to Cora for letting Paxton throw 107 pitches.

 

Find out what Paxton can do.

 

I like it.

[iortiz]

Paxton with another solid start tonight. Just beautiful.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Another very good start by Paxton. Actually, this one definitely qualifies as a quality start. Maybe the WAIT was worth it. Stay tuned.

[Nick]

With a better commad he can go deep into games.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

With a better commad he can go deep into games.

 

Considering his long absense from the game, I've been truly impressed and surprised.

[Maxbialystock]

Actually he has shown that he can be disciplined at the plate, but again, he need more of that in longer periods.

 

You make it sound oh so simple. And that word discipline encourages us to believe that Devers is actually out of control and needs to be reined in. And I disagree. I do agree Devers is unorthodox and swings at pitches outside of the zone, but I also think that really works for him.

[iortiz]

You are ahead in the count against sub 200 hitter with a 5 run lead and then you walk him? Really?

 

It’s beyond me man.

[moonslav59]

Seems like we have been waiting forever for Sale to get healthy and looking good, then Paxton came along and doubled that feeling.

 

Now, they look like our best hopes. (Bello, too.)

[iortiz]

You make it sound oh so simple. And that word discipline encourages us to believe that Devers is actually out of control and needs to be reined in. And I disagree. I do agree Devers is unorthodox and swings at pitches outside of the zone, but I also think that really works for him.

 

I never said it was easy but is not impossible, and I never said that he was out of control lol

 

Said that that’s the difference between very good hitters like Devers and elite hitters like Pujols.

Edited May 20, 2023 by iortiz

[iortiz]

Seems like we have been waiting forever for Sale to get healthy and looking good, then Paxton came along and doubled that feeling.

 

Now, they look like our best hopes. (Bello, too.)

 

Agree but regarding Bello he has to work in his command badly.

[moonslav59]

You make it sound oh so simple. And that word discipline encourages us to believe that Devers is actually out of control and needs to be reined in. And I disagree. I do agree Devers is unorthodox and swings at pitches outside of the zone, but I also think that really works for him.

 

I've always felt like a line-up is harder to control, when you have a variety of batters, including some that swing at balls out of the zone (and often go yard with them.)

 

It's not so easy to just say, "Swing less at balls out of the zone," or "Be more discipline." Asking Devers to change anything is risky a lot.

[moonslav59]

Agree but regarding Bello he has to work in his command badly.

 

For sure, but his stuff is so nasty, he can still be damn good.

 

(I do think, over time, he will lower the BB totals.)

[moonslav59]

I never said it was easy but is not impossible, and I never said that he was out of control lol

 

Said that that’s the difference between very good hitters like Devers and elite hitters like Pujols.

 

So, what do you ask Devers to change to morph him into Pujols, who by the way, was very consistent from age 33-42 (pretty much always between .660 and .790.)

[iortiz]

For sure, but his stuff is so nasty, he can still be damn good.

 

(I do think, over time, he will lower the BB totals.)

 

Actually I do think it is more a mental thing. As you said the stuff is there.

[iortiz]

So, what do you ask Devers to change to morph him into Pujols, who by the way, was very consistent from age 33-42 (pretty much always between .660 and .790.)

 

I’m talking about prime time Pujols. He is a HOF anyways btw.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I've always felt like a line-up is harder to control, when you have a variety of batters, including some that swing at balls out of the zone (and often go yard with them.)

 

It's not so easy to just say, "Swing less at balls out of the zone," or "Be more discipline." Asking Devers to change anything is risky a lot.

 

Mantle continually led the AL in K's. I doubt anyone on the Yankems thought it was a good idea to mess with his swing.

[iortiz]

Duran’s speed is unreal lol

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I believe since 2019 Devers is near the top in total extra base hits and exit velocity. Yup, the hitting coach should definitely recommend he choke up on the bat. Edited May 20, 2023 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[Maxbialystock]

I never said it was easy but is not impossible, and I never said that he was out of control lol

 

Said that that’s the difference between very good hitters like Devers and elite hitters like Pujols.

 

I don't want Devers to be Pujols or Ted Williams (a much better hitter than Pujols) or any of those guys. I want him to be what he is, a guy who hits balls outside the strike zone as well or better than balls inside it. When he gets in a slump, I'm fine with whatever adjustments he might make, but right now I do not understand your insistence he be perfect when he's already hugely effective. Don't mess with success.