March 20, 20197 yr It has always been an inability to square up fastballs in the zone that has been his primary weakness anyway, IMO. I disagree, I think his problem has been putting himself in a bad position to be aggressive by chasing junk.Not to be flippant (for once in my life), but:The recent video posted was a little hopeful - there was one very close checked swing on a breaking pitch in the dirt, that maybe in past years would have been a full swing and miss. I don't know whether the clout on the curveball was on a hanging pitch - there's a tendency to say "that was a hanger" if any breaking pitch goes for a base hit, and I'm not more nuanced than that. I presume that some of the HR this spring have been on fastballs, and like Chief I've been bothered in the past by clean misses on pitches down the middle. All in all, the video shown here (and the overall stats) hold out some hope on the multiple fronts where improvements were needed, but it's far from conclusive - the balls that went for base hits could easily have been slightly different and have gone for routine outs - his BABIP is probably out of sight right now. I'm optimistic but not convinced this is more than a blip.
March 20, 20197 yr There is no way to make any conclusion on Harper’s handful of innings against the opponents reserves. We rely on the skilled eyes of the staff. I'll take the skilled eyes of a radar gun. I haven't seen him yet except for the clips. Looks like he's got a bunch of wacky curveballs. I'd buy into his K% translating to the majors if he has good velocity on his FB to go with it.
March 20, 20197 yr What was up with Romero's outing today? Just didn't feel like getting any outs at all?Same question.
March 20, 20197 yr The Lucas Duda era has now ended. The important and/or unexpected cuts coming soon. My predictions: Pitching: Addison Reed and Moya to the DL, Romero to AAA for now after 2 bad appearances in a row, Tim Collins or Ryne Harper sticks for now. My guess is Harper. Field: Torreyes to AAA (Adrianza stays), Reed to waivers or traded (at least 50/50 he slips through waivers), Astudillo to AAA. Alternatively, Austin is traded and Astudillo stays. Pitchers (12) - Berrios, Gibson, Odorrizi, Pineda, Perez (5 Ss) May, Rogers, Parker, Hildenberger, Magill, Mejia, Harper (7 Rs). IF (6) - Cron, Schoop, Polanco, Gonzalez, Adrianza, Austin OF (4) - Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, CaveC (2) - Castro, GarverDH (1) - CruzHow about Astudillo getting Perez’ spot until they need a fifth starter?
March 20, 20197 yr How about Astudillo getting Perez’ spot until they need a fifth starter?I think Martin Perez has enough major league service time to refuse a minor league assignment.
March 20, 20197 yr I think the best thing for both the team and the player here would be to trade him to a poor team with an opening at 1B or DH who can play him regularly and see if he develops. That might be what the Yankees thought they were doing with him last season.
March 21, 20197 yr Right now, roster comes down to 2 of 3 between Cave, Astudillo and Austin. All belong for different reasons. But the option game comes in to play. It stinks, but one of these guys is going to be at Rochester to begin the season. Red is a dark horse complication, but his late start and good overall skill set without a defining characteristic, IMO, has him waived with hopes he can be moved to Rochester. So very disappointed in Reed and Romero out of the pen. For whatever reason, Reed just doesn't look right/ready. Hate to say it, but I think he needs time on the IL and EST or Rochester to get right. Romero? Man, he was looking good! But his last couple appearances were awful. Do you bet on the arm? Or do you send him down to work on things? I know he wasn't used in high leverage situations, and it's only ST, but do you roll the dice on Harper at this point?
March 21, 20197 yr Read in the Box Score today that Astudillo played a little late inning 2B. I'm all for positional flexibility so I am not against Astudillo playing a little 2B But... is it possible that Astudillo plays a better 2B than Austin plays LF or RF? I don't know the answer... but the answer better be Yes. If Astudillo is suitable enough to play 2B and Austin isn't suitable enough for the OF during spring training... Austin must be pretty brutal out there... so the answer better be Yes.
March 21, 20197 yr Watching Buxton strike out on three identical sliders off the corner today was brutal.
March 24, 20197 yr Checking in from Ft. Myers. Sunny and 77. Here with my dad and middle son. Tony Oliva delivered the lineup card. M. Perez hitting 96. Garver with a thrown out stealing. Royce, Kiriloff and Larnach in the lineup. And already caught a foul ball. So, there are your highlights so far, through one....
March 25, 20197 yr "Ryne Harper just kept on doing his Ryne Harper thing this afternoon". His milb career numbers are very impressive. He has control of a huge bender of a curveball he throws at different speeds. His FB appears to sit around 90ish. But isn't pitching about throwing strikes, deception and changing the hitters eye level and throw off their timing? There is an opening and he's throwing/performing better than anyone.
March 25, 20197 yr Rochester player manager Nelson Cruz facing off against the Twins, managed by Eddie Rosario. Cruz gave Rosario a bearhug as they exchanged lineup cards at home plate, and took a looong tip of the cap when he came up. El Tortuga already with a stolen base. Other “Red Wings” include Cave, Austin and Garver.
March 25, 20197 yr MAJOR BREAKING NEWS..... Astrudillo walked in the first inning. I know one at bat is a small sample size, but will this become the norm?????
March 25, 20197 yr MAJOR BREAKING NEWS.....Astrudillo walked in the first inning. I know one at bat is a small sample size, but will this become the norm????? This game would be fun to watch. I see Rosario also made Astudillo field a bunt and then proceeded to steal second and third.
March 25, 20197 yr Rosario might need to work on his managing skills. The lineup has two LF, no 3B, and he himself is listed as LF but is batting in the DH position and isn’t playing in the field. Buxton missed a diving catch of a LaMont Wade double.
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