A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[mvp 78]

SoxProspects also projects him to be able to stay there ... Again, life comes at you fast ... but Mayer's biggest weakness is that he just has not been healthy enough. Hopefully this year is a good sign.

 

Not sure when they updated the scouting report, but they often mention on the podcast that Mayer will most likely have to move to 3b sooner than later.

 

I'm not rooting against him and am thankful that he's playing well this year. I was a little down on him last year, but was hopeful it was just due to the shoulder injury.

[mvp 78]

Yeah, it's silly. Baseball draft should just be best prospect all the time - though taking high school pitching early is a recipe for disappointment. The SS thing to me is - get good athletes, and they will figure it out.

 

HS pitching is very high risk, high reward. I just hope they get away from the "pitchability" archetype they were drafting in the Bloom years.

[Dipre]

HS pitching is very high risk, high reward. I just hope they get away from the "pitchability" archetype they were drafting in the Bloom years.

 

Pitchability is fine, in the right context. Velocity is not everything.

[mvp 78]

Pitchability is fine, in the right context. Velocity is not everything.

 

Well, when the Sox can get a Matt Duffy type to work out, I'll be on board. I'd rather go for some high octane (not simply velo) arms that have a decent ceiling.

[Dipre]

Well, when the Sox can get a Matt Duffy type to work out, I'll be on board. I'd rather go for some high octane (not simply velo) arms that have a decent ceiling.

 

Depends how much prospect capital they're willing to spend.

[notin]

Pitchability is fine, in the right context. Velocity is not everything.

 

No, but it’s easier to teach pitchability than velocity…

[moonslav59]

Big weekend:

 

BOS v KCR

 

BAL v NYY

[sk7326]

HS pitching is very high risk, high reward. I just hope they get away from the "pitchability" archetype they were drafting in the Bloom years.

 

The record of 1st round high school pitchers is terrifying compared to the other cohorts.

[mvp 78]

The record of 1st round high school pitchers is terrifying compared to the other cohorts.

 

2015: Kolby Allard (14), Brady Aiken (17), Ashe Russell (21), Beau Burrows (22)

2016: Ian Anderson (3), Riley Pint (4), Braxton Garrett (7), Matt Manning (9), Jay Groome (12), Forest Whitley (17)

2017: Hunter Greene (2), Mackenzie Gore (3), Shane Baz (12), Trevor Rogers (13), DL Hall (21)

2018: Ryan Weathers (7), Carter Stewart (8), Grayson Rodriguez (11), Cole Winn (15), Matthew Liberatore (16), Mason Denaburg (27), JT Ginn (30)

2019: Quinn Priester (18), Daniel Espino (24), Blake Walston (26)

2020: Mick Abel (15), Nick Bitsko (24)

2021: Jackson Jobe (3), Frank Mozzicato (7), Andrew Painter (13), Chase Petty (26), Maddux Bruns (29)

 

Seems like the most of the best talent here had injury issues.

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

In this story on the Sox’ efforts to scout and draft for upside based on what they’re good at developing: A look at what the Sox *do* think they are good at developing, and what they see is less developable skills

 

@redsoxstats

Multiple people I've talked to about this article have had the same first thought: Cam Smith

[sk7326]

2015: Kolby Allard (14), Brady Aiken (17), Ashe Russell (21), Beau Burrows (22)

2016: Ian Anderson (3), Riley Pint (4), Braxton Garrett (7), Matt Manning (9), Jay Groome (12), Forest Whitley (17)

2017: Hunter Greene (2), Mackenzie Gore (3), Shane Baz (12), Trevor Rogers (13), DL Hall (21)

2018: Ryan Weathers (7), Carter Stewart (8), Grayson Rodriguez (11), Cole Winn (15), Matthew Liberatore (16), Mason Denaburg (27), JT Ginn (30)

2019: Quinn Priester (18), Daniel Espino (24), Blake Walston (26)

2020: Mick Abel (15), Nick Bitsko (24)

2021: Jackson Jobe (3), Frank Mozzicato (7), Andrew Painter (13), Chase Petty (26), Maddux Bruns (29)

 

Seems like the most of the best talent here had injury issues.

 

The injury rate compared to college cohorts is stark. Taking them is fine, but the risk-reward in Round 1 is not there.

[Bellhorn04]

Slaten to IL with elbow inflammation. Ugh.

[mvp 78]

Slaten to IL with elbow inflammation. Ugh.

 

Yay

[moonslav59]

The injury bug has really hit the Sox, this year.

 

Lots of short term injuries, but also…

 

Story

Giolito

Whitlock

Casas

 

Hendriks (known injury when signed)

Murphy & Walter

Martin & Mata

Grissom

 

 

 

 

[MADSTORK]

Who is the @ss clown who said Mayer to 3b, some turd who scouts from his basement who hasn’t watched a live game yet?

 

Go buy a ticket and watch Mayer play live, smooth as Seager and Belanger

[Maxbialystock]

Who is the @ss clown who said Mayer to 3b, some turd who scouts from his basement who hasn’t watched a live game yet?

 

Go buy a ticket and watch Mayer play live, smooth as Seager and Belanger

 

Fine. The soxprospects write-up says he's great at SS defensively. Someone else can play 3b if Cora decides to move Devers to, day, 1b.

[moonslav59]

big game for Crawford and the Sox, today.

[Hugh2]

Not sure when they updated the scouting report, but they often mention on the podcast that Mayer will most likely have to move to 3b sooner than later.

 

I'm not rooting against him and am thankful that he's playing well this year. I was a little down on him last year, but was hopeful it was just due to the shoulder injury.

 

Maybe I heard it wrong but I thought on the last podcast Hatfield described it as Mayer is probably fine at SS, and may have to move off by the time he’s no longer under team control.

 

Those are the facts, and they’re indisputable….i think.

[moonslav59]

Maybe I heard it wrong but I thought on the last podcast Hatfield described it as Mayer is probably fine at SS, and may have to move off by the time he’s no longer under team control.

 

Those are the facts, and they’re indisputable….i think.

 

If Story gets healthy, he has got to be our best defensive SS. I suppose moving him to2B, where he is also excellent is not a bad idea, if Mayer proves he’s a ML SS. Maybe 2B lessens the risk of injury, slightly- at least to his throwing arm/shoulder.

 

Mayer has to win the job, first.

[Randy Red Sox]

If Story gets healthy, he has got to be our best defensive SS. I suppose moving him to2B, where he is also excellent is not a bad idea, if Mayer proves he’s a ML SS. Maybe 2B lessens the risk of injury, slightly- at least to his throwing arm/shoulder.

 

Mayer has to win the job, first.

 

Why ?? We handed the 2B job to Grissom right away and how did that work out? Mayer was the top ranked player in his draft class. He deserves a shot to start way before Grissom.

[Old Red]

Why ?? We handed the 2B job to Grissom right away and how did that work out? Mayer was the top ranked player in his draft class. He deserves a shot to start way before Grissom.

 

Good point on Grissom.

[Randy Red Sox]

HS pitching is very high risk, high reward. I just hope they get away from the "pitchability" archetype they were drafting in the Bloom years.

 

Sox won't be drafting a SP with their 1st rd pick so why worry about this?

[moonslav59]

Why ?? We handed the 2B job to Grissom right away and how did that work out? Mayer was the top ranked player in his draft class. He deserves a shot to start way before Grissom.

 

I pretty much said Mayer at SS and Story at 2B to maybe lessen his injury risk.

 

Nowhere did I even hint at Grissom over Story or Mayer at 2B.

 

My point was about Story being the better defensive SS when healthy. I’m all for giving Mayer a shot over Grissom in 2025. He does have to prove the job is his the same as Grissom proved it was not his (yet.)

 

[sk7326]

If Story gets healthy, he has got to be our best defensive SS. I suppose moving him to2B, where he is also excellent is not a bad idea, if Mayer proves he’s a ML SS. Maybe 2B lessens the risk of injury, slightly- at least to his throwing arm/shoulder.

 

Mayer has to win the job, first.

 

True - though there is nothing about Story or Hamilton or anybody who should block him. Well, maybe if Story finds his Colorado form, but let's take the under on that.

[moonslav59]

True - though there is nothing about Story or Hamilton or anybody who should block him. Well, maybe if Story finds his Colorado form, but let's take the under on that.

 

I was looking at it like this: Story when healthy is the best defensive SS or 2Bman in the whole system. His bat projects to be as good or better than Grissom, DHam, Romy and possibly Mayer, due to the unknown nature of a AA prospect. Story will play when healthy.

 

Let’s say it’s Story and Mayer for opening day 2025, for argument’s sake. I’d think Story at SS and Mayer at 2B might be the better alignment, but keeping Mayer at SS, so as not to distract the rookie and Story at 2B to maybe lessen the risk of an arm or shoulder injury would make sense, too.

 

While I have not given up on Grissom, I do think Mayer has a better outlook than Grissom for 2025 or mid ‘25.

[sk7326]

I was looking at it like this: Story when healthy is the best defensive SS or 2Bman in the whole system. His bat projects to be as good or better than Grissom, DHam, Romy and possibly Mayer, due to the unknown nature of a AA prospect. Story will play when healthy.

 

Let’s say it’s Story and Mayer for opening day 2025, for argument’s sake. I’d think Story at SS and Mayer at 2B might be the better alignment, but keeping Mayer at SS, so as not to distract the rookie and Story at 2B to maybe lessen the risk of an arm or shoulder injury would make sense, too.

 

While I have not given up on Grissom, I do think Mayer has a better outlook than Grissom for 2025 or mid ‘25.

 

Realistically with Grisson, he has to hit. That is his case as a big leaguer - a hitter who can defend fine at 2B (though he was actively bad there this season).

[moonslav59]

Realistically with Grisson, he has to hit. That is his case as a big leaguer - a hitter who can defend fine at 2B (though he was actively bad there this season).

 

True, but his 2024 sample size is tiny.

 

He has to earn his way back to a long look. He should not be handed the job over even a DHam-Romy platoon at 2B, as of now.

 

IMO, he is not above Story on the 2025 depth chart at 2B, assuming Mayer is the SS.

[moonslav59]

The Sox are now tied with ATL for the 8th best record in all of MLB.

 

In just the loss column, we are…

 

Tied with #7 MIL

-1 from #6 MIN

-2 from #5 LAD

-3 from #4 NYY

-4 from division leader BAL

-6 from AL best CLE (2 in MLB)

 

Are we having fun, yet?

 

 

 

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I may actually be fine with Rafaela at SS for the next 8 seasons, Hell I may be fine with Connor Wong as my long term catcher. Which of course creates quite a dilemma with 2 of the big 3. Do we trade talented minor leagues with such upside for starting pitching? Boy that sounds dangerous and the ghost of Jeff Bagwell is screaming in my ear.

[Nick]

Alex Verdugo’s spiral at plate remains a concerning Yankees trend Per New York Post

 

BALTIMORE — Alex Verdugo was a key part of a thriving Yankee offense for the first six weeks of the regular season, with an .812 OPS until May 9.

 

But since then, the left fielder, who was brought in from Boston in the offseason to provide some much-needed balance to a righty-heavy lineup in The Bronx, has mostly struggled.

 

In his previous 58 games prior to Saturday’s 6-1 win against the Orioles at Camden Yards, Verdugo had just a .606 OPS.

 

Aaron Boone said Verdugo was “grinding, but I do feel like he’s doing a good job competing through that and know that he has that faith and confidence as a hitter that he’s gonna get it rolling.”

 

That’s one of the reasons the Yankees put Verdugo back at the top of the lineup Saturday in what’s seemed recently like a perpetual search for a leadoff hitter to get on in front of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

 

But recent history shows Verdugo might not be on the verge of turning his season around, despite Boone’s words of encouragement.

 

Verdugo’s production at the plate has slipped in each of his three-plus months as a Yankee.

 

After putting up an OPS of .804 by the end of April, Verdugo’s OPS in May was just .687 before it fell to .589 for the month of June.

 

And in the middle of July, Verdugo entered Saturday with a .563 OPS for the month.

 

In some ways, Verdugo’s drop off is reminiscent of his season a year ago with the Red Sox, when he had an OPS of .856 in his first 72 games, but beginning in late June, he had a .620 OPS over his final 70 games of the season.

 

And Boone added Verdugo’s history as a solid contact hitter should help him get out of his funk.

 

“He’s in the prime of his career,’’ Boone said. “That should show itself over time.”

 

The numbers, though, tell a slightly different story.

 

Verdugo is on track to put up some of the worst numbers of his career — including OPS and OPS-plus and his on-base percentage, down again, has dropped every year since 2021.

 

Yep, Verdugo's OPS is .675 compared to Abreu's at .805.

 

He's a punk and that's all I got to say about him.

Edited July 14, 2024 by Nick