4/15 Cleveland @ SOX 11:10AM EST

[mvp 78]

I said that yesterday and was told I don’t believe in practice…

 

“They are still young.”

 

Duran is 27!

Devers is 27!

Valdez is 25!

Dalbec is 28!

 

These guys aren’t going to get much better no matter how much they practice.

[moonslav59]

“They are still young.”

 

Duran is 27!

Devers is 27!

Valdez is 25!

Dalbec is 28!

 

These guys aren’t going to get much better no matter how much they practice.

 

His point was about getting to these guys, when they were kids in the minors. Better coaching would (not could) have made them better on defense.

[jad]

“They are still young.”

 

Duran is 27!

Devers is 27!

Valdez is 25!

Dalbec is 28!

 

These guys aren’t going to get much better no matter how much they practice.

 

Agree (sort of) that they are unlikely to get better. But they certainly COULD improve, if they committed to it (we're talking fielding here). (For those of us retirees, 25-28 does not seem past one's prime and incapable of learning anything). Alas, they likely won't. Devers knows what got him that $300million. It wasn't his glove. As for Duran, I may be imagining things, but to me he certainly has improved in the last couple of years, and they few things I've heard him say suggest he still will.

[mvp 78]

His point was about getting to these guys, when they were kids in the minors. Better coaching would (not could) have made them better on defense.

 

They had Devers and Duran as kids. Sometimes it's just a lack of ability. Not everyone can be a good defender.

[moonslav59]

They had Devers and Duran as kids. Sometimes it's just a lack of ability. Not everyone can be a good defender.

 

I agree, but do wonder if we could have had better coaching, as well.

 

I've made your point in this debate.

[moonslav59]

Agree (sort of) that they are unlikely to get better. But they certainly COULD improve, if they committed to it (we're talking fielding here). (For those of us retirees, 25-28 does not seem past one's prime and incapable of learning anything). Alas, they likely won't. Devers knows what got him that $300million. It wasn't his glove. As for Duran, I may be imagining things, but to me he certainly has improved in the last couple of years, and they few things I've heard him say suggest he still will.

 

Duran was way better than before. He went from horrible to near average.

[jad]

Duran was way better than before. He went from horrible to near average.

 

Yup. And for this team, having someone 'near average' puts that guy in Willie Mays territory.

[moonslav59]

Yup. And for this team, having someone 'near average' puts that guy in Willie Mays territory.

 

Just keep him in LF!

[Maxbialystock]

I agree, but do wonder if we could have had better coaching, as well.

 

I've made your point in this debate.

 

While I agree with the notion that some fielding coaches are better than others, I would also point out that with or without coaching most of us start learning how to field at a pretty early age. It's easier to practice fielding (and throwing) than hitting.

 

Plus when I read the write-ups in Sox Prospects they provide great detail on the fielding ability and potential of incoming players like Marcelo Mayer.

 

However, I also have the strong impression that the Rays in particular have a very systematic approach to teaching/coaching/training pretty much all of the baseball skills--fielding, throwing, pitching, hitting, etc.

 

I say that because the Rays have been in the bottom five teams in total salaries for decades and have fielded competitive teams going back to 2008. Not every year, of course, but lots of years.

[jung]

Just keep him in LF!

 

I don't care what else they do as long as Hamilton does not see another half inning at SS.

 

That said, this team is stocked with guys ready to move to DH for the next decade.