I think the word luck is appropriately used when talking about games of chance. Like rolling dice, or winning the lottery. But baseball is a game of skill. It takes skill to hit a ball coming at you at 100 mph, not luck. It takes skill to hit that ball into a double or a home run or get it into play at all. There is no luck involved in striking out, it’s a lack of skill. I’m not denigrating anyone, it is absolutely mind blowing to me that those men can hit the ball at all! But I just don’t think luck is involved
Soren did well on Tuesday to point out that BWJ has always been a slow starter offensively. Not just last year but in the minor leagues as well. He typically heats up significantly in May and June.
Defensively, well - David, I was glad to see you report the team's claim that his footwork is much improved. I certainly hope that claim is true but even more, I question whether it really matters much or not in his case.
Yes his spectacular plays are thrilling and fun to watch. But in both games in Texas so far he has botched fairly routine (somewhat difficult but not overly so) plays that every legitimate MLB SS make without fail. Both of those botches have cost the Royals outs. Certainly, I know he's young and all that. But at some point he needs to start playing SS like a grownup man who requires no excuses.
I’ve been a little goosey on Barlow anyway and had the same thoughts that he and Chapman should have been reversed mainly because of the dumbo second base start thing. I think Chapman throws more nasty stuff than Barlow does and in my thinking, that’s what you need for that screwy rule. My opinion.
I believe that Q is still learning his "circle of Trust" in the bullpen. In an extra inning game, he should have saved Chapman for the 10th and Barlow for the 11th if needed. Have your best strikeout pitcher for a situation with a runner at 2nd with no one out.
In SF he stuck with Yarbrough I think b/c he didn't want to go back to back w/Chapman. He will learn, bullpen management is hard.
We need to cut Bradley, Dozier. Massey needs a turn in Omaha. Let's see Garcia and maybe Alexander.
I’m going to take a more positive approach today. Offense is ok yet. The strikeouts are a bit of a concern but I really do think that is a lot of just learning for the younger guys. I guess the question more becomes to me….if they can’t figure some of that stuff out does adding Pratto to the mix really help anything. Is the roster construction a bit of a problem in that regard?
I’ve been tooting the bullpen’s horn and here they are not as good so far as I would have thought. Small sample size yet…but that’s a bit of a bummer. No issues with Barlow last night as it happens to everyone at some point. However, I thought his velocity was down a bit. I saw quite a few 92’s. Is that down for him or I just haven’t paid attention? Idk that people think Barlow sucks…I think that’s more the fear that the royals will/or have missed the opportunity to trade him at his highest value. Only time will tell.
My favorite article to read is going to be when you take the gloves off……if you have too…..hopefully you never have too….but the fact you mentioned it in your article means your getting closer! Lol
I wonder how much of Barlow's issue last night was related to the person behind the plate. Does MJ call pitches or do they send them in from the bench?
I'm also curious if pinch-running for Reyes and Salvy affected the decision to let Massey hit against the lefty. They ended the game with only Duffy left on the bench.
By the way Massey is swinging, he's pressing. Maybe the sacfly will cause him to stop swinging wildly with runners in scoring position. I'd be ready to cut bait on Dozier now. Every swing has the same plane, he hits hard only when the ball is thrown into that plane.
Good point on Massey. Maybe there is something else in the numbers we haven't hear about? I would love to hear the reasoning for it, or maybe just a mistake. I was surprised months ago when Q mentioned that they are looking at realtime stats during the game as well - I had no idea teams did this.
You have sold me that the offense will come around, but will there be a "regression to mean" on pitching when other teams have a chance to study all the new pitches?
Notes look like they could be cool, but the intro said something about it being for writers - do you want us to reply a la twitter there?
Glass is half full is that the Royals have actually come back from being behind a couple of games on the road. That has got to be a good sign. Glass is half empty: I'm glad you have pointed out how many strike outs they have and how many swings out of the zone they are swinging. I don't think MJ or Witt Jr should be leading off. They should both be hitting lower in the lineup. Although a small sample size, I'm really ready to see to Isbel and Olivares playing most every game and in the outfield. We don't need JBJ, we don't need Reyes, and when Waters comes back, those three could be legitimate in the outfield. I'm ready to let Garcia come up as SS and move Witt to 3rd. All Lopez has ever done is absolutely everything and anything the Royals have asked of him. I don't see all the hype with Massey considering all the LOB from last night and his performance so far.
I think the word luck is appropriately used when talking about games of chance. Like rolling dice, or winning the lottery. But baseball is a game of skill. It takes skill to hit a ball coming at you at 100 mph, not luck. It takes skill to hit that ball into a double or a home run or get it into play at all. There is no luck involved in striking out, it’s a lack of skill. I’m not denigrating anyone, it is absolutely mind blowing to me that those men can hit the ball at all! But I just don’t think luck is involved
Regarding BWJ....
Soren did well on Tuesday to point out that BWJ has always been a slow starter offensively. Not just last year but in the minor leagues as well. He typically heats up significantly in May and June.
Defensively, well - David, I was glad to see you report the team's claim that his footwork is much improved. I certainly hope that claim is true but even more, I question whether it really matters much or not in his case.
Yes his spectacular plays are thrilling and fun to watch. But in both games in Texas so far he has botched fairly routine (somewhat difficult but not overly so) plays that every legitimate MLB SS make without fail. Both of those botches have cost the Royals outs. Certainly, I know he's young and all that. But at some point he needs to start playing SS like a grownup man who requires no excuses.
I’ve been a little goosey on Barlow anyway and had the same thoughts that he and Chapman should have been reversed mainly because of the dumbo second base start thing. I think Chapman throws more nasty stuff than Barlow does and in my thinking, that’s what you need for that screwy rule. My opinion.
I believe that Q is still learning his "circle of Trust" in the bullpen. In an extra inning game, he should have saved Chapman for the 10th and Barlow for the 11th if needed. Have your best strikeout pitcher for a situation with a runner at 2nd with no one out.
In SF he stuck with Yarbrough I think b/c he didn't want to go back to back w/Chapman. He will learn, bullpen management is hard.
We need to cut Bradley, Dozier. Massey needs a turn in Omaha. Let's see Garcia and maybe Alexander.
I’m going to take a more positive approach today. Offense is ok yet. The strikeouts are a bit of a concern but I really do think that is a lot of just learning for the younger guys. I guess the question more becomes to me….if they can’t figure some of that stuff out does adding Pratto to the mix really help anything. Is the roster construction a bit of a problem in that regard?
I’ve been tooting the bullpen’s horn and here they are not as good so far as I would have thought. Small sample size yet…but that’s a bit of a bummer. No issues with Barlow last night as it happens to everyone at some point. However, I thought his velocity was down a bit. I saw quite a few 92’s. Is that down for him or I just haven’t paid attention? Idk that people think Barlow sucks…I think that’s more the fear that the royals will/or have missed the opportunity to trade him at his highest value. Only time will tell.
My favorite article to read is going to be when you take the gloves off……if you have too…..hopefully you never have too….but the fact you mentioned it in your article means your getting closer! Lol
Couple of thoughts:
I wonder how much of Barlow's issue last night was related to the person behind the plate. Does MJ call pitches or do they send them in from the bench?
I'm also curious if pinch-running for Reyes and Salvy affected the decision to let Massey hit against the lefty. They ended the game with only Duffy left on the bench.
By the way Massey is swinging, he's pressing. Maybe the sacfly will cause him to stop swinging wildly with runners in scoring position. I'd be ready to cut bait on Dozier now. Every swing has the same plane, he hits hard only when the ball is thrown into that plane.
Fair enough.
Good point on Massey. Maybe there is something else in the numbers we haven't hear about? I would love to hear the reasoning for it, or maybe just a mistake. I was surprised months ago when Q mentioned that they are looking at realtime stats during the game as well - I had no idea teams did this.
You have sold me that the offense will come around, but will there be a "regression to mean" on pitching when other teams have a chance to study all the new pitches?
Notes look like they could be cool, but the intro said something about it being for writers - do you want us to reply a la twitter there?
Glass is half full is that the Royals have actually come back from being behind a couple of games on the road. That has got to be a good sign. Glass is half empty: I'm glad you have pointed out how many strike outs they have and how many swings out of the zone they are swinging. I don't think MJ or Witt Jr should be leading off. They should both be hitting lower in the lineup. Although a small sample size, I'm really ready to see to Isbel and Olivares playing most every game and in the outfield. We don't need JBJ, we don't need Reyes, and when Waters comes back, those three could be legitimate in the outfield. I'm ready to let Garcia come up as SS and move Witt to 3rd. All Lopez has ever done is absolutely everything and anything the Royals have asked of him. I don't see all the hype with Massey considering all the LOB from last night and his performance so far.