So, in 15 games started, 125 innings, Fangraphs has him at 8 outs above average and 7 runs above average. That guy is basically on a pace to take 1 run every 2 games away from the other team more than the average OFer. If he could somehow keep up that pace, that is like 75 less runs against per season... from one guy.
There's a piece now at BA with an extended discussion about Konnor Griffin's strike zone judgment and hit tool. There's a lot of stuff, but the bottom line is that Griffin since the early season has improved his chase and contact rates, and the data makes a case for a plus hit tool. The writer is basically turning cartwheels over Griffin. Says he's looking like a top ten or top five prospect. This supports some of the discussion here the other day. Must-read.
We see these "redrafts" like MLB.com recently did with the 2015 draft and other sports do. I'd be interested if any site does a redraft of the 2024 draft after the season to see where Konnor lands and for that matter, if Wyatt Sanford slips into the first round.
The biggest thing to Kelly's credit is they went .500 against a ton of playoff teams. There are more to come so we'll have a good idea where things stand. Doubt they can get to being trade happy between now and the end of July, tho.
Well... in Milwaukee, it took about 3 months for the Haines' "everyone-needs-to-hit-the-ball-in-front-of-the-plate" effect to wear off. We are approaching 3 months.
Take a guy like Triolo. He was really messing around with Triolo's swing and timing. Triolo had a passable bat before Haines tried to get him to pull more pitches and swing faster. Then, after the Haines' effect took hold, Triolo was awful. The last few games, he is starting to look passable again.
Someone like Cutch or Reynolds doesn't care what the hitting coach says. They just get their scouting reports and game plan and go about their business, but having some zealot, who thinks he has solved all the mysteries of hitting by encouraging everyone to pull every pitch, buzzing in your ear everyday about "getting the bat moving and connect in front of the plate" is going to mess up some younger players... no doubt.
Nicolas actually threw strikes and looked okay that inning. A very bloopy hit and then Norby hit a good pitch. Give him the ninth tonight and we hit the rest of the busy week with key guys well rested.
Kyle Nicolas gave up two hits. Both times it was on the third pitch of the at bat where he threw the same pitch three times. Different locations but batters can adjust if they see the same thing over and over
Its fun when the other team is the one baseballing badder.
Really nothing to go off of other than feels, but kind of liking how Kelly is ready and willing to shuffle arms. It’s obviously not sustainable long term, but he hasn't really seemed worried about draining every last pitch out of a guy before moving onto the next.
I also blame Shelton for breaking Bednar with that weird 50-pitch game against the dodgers a few years ago.
Of all the absolute horseshit I've ever heard in baseball, the idea that Shelton was a quality control coach at one point has to be up there. There is no way Sheltie was ever an actual data guy. You can't convince me that Sheltie could solve 2 + n = 4.
I could pick a random drunk from the stands and get more analytically grounded ideas than anything Sheltie ever did.
His throwing random non-veteran players under the bus constantly for things that they didn't even do wrong was what annoyed me, as veteran after veteran half-assed plays without comment. Hard enough playing for a bad team without having your manager telling you that "you didn't execute" because a groundball single snuck through after you came into the game with the bases loaded the day after being called up from AAA,
Pirates and Reds both on 4 gamers, Cubs, Brewers, Cards on 2 game losers.
Let's tighten some stuff up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wro3bqi4Eb8
https://x.com/MLBPipeline/status/1932256420080349527
One of the best catches I've ever seen.
So, in 15 games started, 125 innings, Fangraphs has him at 8 outs above average and 7 runs above average. That guy is basically on a pace to take 1 run every 2 games away from the other team more than the average OFer. If he could somehow keep up that pace, that is like 75 less runs against per season... from one guy.
Give that man a Gold Glove! WOW!
Guy made the same play in Toronto the other day -- fun stuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Pzf4hcQM8
https://www.mlb.com/athletics/video/denzel-clarke-wins-play-of-the-week-with-running-grab?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share
Here's one from a couple days ago where he nearly knocks the fence down.
That's your boy Schanuel too, who just stood there for like 30 seconds looking into the OF in disbelief.
Holy crap!
There's a piece now at BA with an extended discussion about Konnor Griffin's strike zone judgment and hit tool. There's a lot of stuff, but the bottom line is that Griffin since the early season has improved his chase and contact rates, and the data makes a case for a plus hit tool. The writer is basically turning cartwheels over Griffin. Says he's looking like a top ten or top five prospect. This supports some of the discussion here the other day. Must-read.
Oh, and f*** Keith Law.
We see these "redrafts" like MLB.com recently did with the 2015 draft and other sports do. I'd be interested if any site does a redraft of the 2024 draft after the season to see where Konnor lands and for that matter, if Wyatt Sanford slips into the first round.
*takes sip of water*
"Keith Law"
*spits out water laughing*
Abita beer, shot of Irish over ice, Bucs win & Levon and the Band with Atlantic City. Maybe the best Springsteen cover ever.
Just got a text pointing out that Dan Moskos is the MIA pitching coach.
That is all.
Not that this will keep me up, but why does Ferguson get the win and not Shugart?
That's one of those quirky "discretion of the scorer" things. Likely went Ferguson cause Shugart didn't pitch a full inning.
Is that 9-8 record under Donnie?
Could they be buyers at the deadline?
Could they be the Tigers of 2025?
Im joking…or am I?
15-14, but who’s counting?
I lived through the 80’s. It’s my only excuse.
2026 if we get a legit GM.
The biggest thing to Kelly's credit is they went .500 against a ton of playoff teams. There are more to come so we'll have a good idea where things stand. Doubt they can get to being trade happy between now and the end of July, tho.
Booyah! Donnie Ball is over .500!!!! Bats coming alive! Raise It!!!!!!
Officially streakin!
raise it!
99 MPH to end this one. Raise it!
15 hits? A month ago, this would've meant three weeks of no-hitters.
And all 9 starters had at least one hit, too.
Well... in Milwaukee, it took about 3 months for the Haines' "everyone-needs-to-hit-the-ball-in-front-of-the-plate" effect to wear off. We are approaching 3 months.
Maybe there’s something to this.
Take a guy like Triolo. He was really messing around with Triolo's swing and timing. Triolo had a passable bat before Haines tried to get him to pull more pitches and swing faster. Then, after the Haines' effect took hold, Triolo was awful. The last few games, he is starting to look passable again.
Someone like Cutch or Reynolds doesn't care what the hitting coach says. They just get their scouting reports and game plan and go about their business, but having some zealot, who thinks he has solved all the mysteries of hitting by encouraging everyone to pull every pitch, buzzing in your ear everyday about "getting the bat moving and connect in front of the plate" is going to mess up some younger players... no doubt.
Nicolas actually threw strikes and looked okay that inning. A very bloopy hit and then Norby hit a good pitch. Give him the ninth tonight and we hit the rest of the busy week with key guys well rested.
If he walks the first couple batters on 8 pitches, I said nothing.
Jesus wept, I watched him do that last year!
I think Skenes debut? He might have gotten to ball 16 that day.
September game, I had Costco tix. Lord, he was awful!
Kyle Nicolas gave up two hits. Both times it was on the third pitch of the at bat where he threw the same pitch three times. Different locations but batters can adjust if they see the same thing over and over
They miss Davis' pitch calling. This ain't AAA, Sullivan.
Harumph!
So, does Nicolas get the ninth? Or maybe Borucki, who has not pitched much lately.
I'd have him pitched the 9th. Save more arms for the rest of the series.
They used Ferguson tonight, so I would save Borucki in case they need a lefty or even 2 out of the bullpen tomorrow.
Its fun when the other team is the one baseballing badder.
Really nothing to go off of other than feels, but kind of liking how Kelly is ready and willing to shuffle arms. It’s obviously not sustainable long term, but he hasn't really seemed worried about draining every last pitch out of a guy before moving onto the next.
Of all the things within a manager's control, though, the bullpen is the one that makes the biggest difference.
Some day I will get my MLB manager who sits there with a card that has the leverage index on it like NFL coaches have a card for when to go for two.
Shelton had a card. It said,
"9nth inning: Bednar"
I also blame Shelton for breaking Bednar with that weird 50-pitch game against the dodgers a few years ago.
Of all the absolute horseshit I've ever heard in baseball, the idea that Shelton was a quality control coach at one point has to be up there. There is no way Sheltie was ever an actual data guy. You can't convince me that Sheltie could solve 2 + n = 4.
I could pick a random drunk from the stands and get more analytically grounded ideas than anything Sheltie ever did.
Honestly, his fascination with Holderman irritated me more. He was meant to be a Jared Hughes fireman role, nothing more.
His throwing random non-veteran players under the bus constantly for things that they didn't even do wrong was what annoyed me, as veteran after veteran half-assed plays without comment. Hard enough playing for a bad team without having your manager telling you that "you didn't execute" because a groundball single snuck through after you came into the game with the bases loaded the day after being called up from AAA,