The MLB Now episode today showed their basebally plays of the day, meaning heads-up plays. Then their un-basebally play was the Adam Frazier not running on the pop-up that got dropped. Joel Sherman said the opposite of Brewer play is this. I'm not sure if he was talking about that one play or the Pirates play in general.
What's the difference? That one play is Pirates' play in general. Earlier this season Kelenic for the Braves started into a HR trot on a ball that hit off the wall, and he was thrown out at 2B. This caused an uproar in Atlanta with fans and media going nuts, and Snitker forced to answer a lot of questions. Acuñu even posted about it on the internet, since he was benched for the same thing a few years back by Snitker. How many times did this happen last year to the Pirates? And nobody said a thing. Shelton never even had to discuss it.
Played a solid CF, nothing spectacular but nothing bad either. Did what he was supposed to.
Sure wish he would have had a 24 degree launch angle on the missile he hit in the 9th. That's on me not on him, he did his best and hit the piss out of that ball.
I think I am almost to the point where I would rather the Royals acquire Skenes and Cruz than the Pirates acquire Witt. One more year of Cherington and Shelton, and I will probably be at that point.
My one rant for the day: With respect to Reynold's early struggles at the plate, Shelton commented that people don't understand how hard it is to DH (we actually do as some of us mentioned this very thing as to why we weren't worried about Reynolds, but I'll overlook Shelton talking down to us)...
How hard, then, must it be for any player but especially young players like Canario, Davis, and Suwinski to only get a few ABs per week? Going into last night Canario had had 4 over an 11-day period and Davis hasn't had an AB since Saturday. I just don't think they consistently put our young players in a position to succeed.
Almost for certain Davis will be in the lineup against Yamamoto after sitting out a whole series. Shelton does not rotate players well. In his defense the introduction of the DH has reduced pinch-hitting opportunities and Bart is hitting well, BUT you must keep guys engaged and ready. He is not very good at it.
Boy Omar Alfonzo really is the perfect moneyball type hitter. Lifetime walk ratio > 20% + enuff power and he is trending better YOY. Maybe Altoona-proof. Hope he’s a real catcher defensively
The complete opposite type hitter Jacob Wilson got his first walk of the season in almost 100 at bats. The bench celebration was funny. He now has an obp (.337) higher than his batting average .330.
Thanks, he does occasionally swing at the first pitch but not often, then again he's only swinging 34%. He does seem to make contact when he swings at the 1st pitch.
Great start to a Major League Career for Matt Gorski. He's worked hard to get to this point and I m glad that he got his shot. Excellent interview with his wife Megan in the stands picked up by MLB Quick Pitch and shown on the highlights of the game.
Not concerned with the play of Reynolds - it was all out hustle to get an out. Frazier, OTOH, should be put on the bench or even DFA'd for his total lack of hustle. He was trotting to 1B and showed no intent to even try to get to 2B if the ball dropped - definitely needs about a week of rest!
Frazier going half speed out of the box is inexcusable. Unfortunately a symptom of the problem, which is it’s impossible to hold players with guaranteed contracts accountable.
One would think a 30 something fringe veteran may want to give a better effort hoping that it will help him get another 7 figure salary offer next year. But the lack of hustle issue is so prevalent in today’s game, it almost certainly won’t matter on that front either.
I guarantee you Shelton will have him starting tonight like nothing happened.
"it’s impossible to hold players with guaranteed contracts accountable."
It's not impossible. It is only impossible for Shelton and Cherington. Frazier is not some lazy start on an 8-year 250 million contract. He makes about 160% of the league minimum. He could be released tomorrow, and the effect on the balance sheet would be negligible. In fact, other teams release such players who don't perform regularly. It is only the Pirates who keep everyone on a guaranteed contract until July no matter what they do.
Especially inexcusable considering this exact thing (hustle, effort, playing the right/smart way, etc) is supposed to be what the Frazier and Pham signings were for. If you're not even bringing that, which is literally the bare minimum you can ask for, then wtf are you doing on this team?
Yeah, we're never concerned about Reynolds' hustle plays. Up 3 and nobody on, that doesn't seem like a time to dive for a ball. Do we feel the same if it was Cruz who did that?
In any case, the main reason we lost was we couldn't score after the 2nd. It's a shame that Gorski couldn't fully celebrate after the game, though of course he'll always remember this game. Hope he's in the lineup again tonight even with Yamamoto on the mound, but I'll be surprised if he is. Speaking of which, huge challenge for the offense this weekend with Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Glasnow.
Did not compliment his smarts for diving for a catch while we were up 3 and nobody on, but he had committed and carried through. And, yes, I'd feel the same about Oneil Cruz if he dove after a ball and it got by him.
BTW, on Oneil Cruz, we are going to make a move to sign him to at least try to get his first year or two of FA. If we all know Oneil Cruz, much of those discussions will hinge on where the Pirates want to play him defensively. I thought we could have done a much better job of first - getting him prepared to play the SS position after losing almost a full year of play recuperating from a broken ankle/surgery, and second - exhibit a lot more understanding that coming back from a broken ankle would be especially more difficult for a very tall middle infielder.
For sure, but I'll be surprised if that happens given how Shelton has managed in the past. He'll think Gorski needs a night off to recover from all the emotions despite the HR and just missing a game-tying HR in the 9th. And of course, he can't sit Pham more than a game.
On a somewhat related note, Davis hasn't had an AB since Saturday. And last night Canario looked exactly like I expected a young player to look after getting a total of 4 PAs since April 13. I just don't like how Shelton and crew handle our young players. But I'm done with putting that on Shelton because it's Cherington's responsibility to handle the bigger picture things like how to help young players adjust to MLB.
The MLB Now episode today showed their basebally plays of the day, meaning heads-up plays. Then their un-basebally play was the Adam Frazier not running on the pop-up that got dropped. Joel Sherman said the opposite of Brewer play is this. I'm not sure if he was talking about that one play or the Pirates play in general.
Imagine what a lack of veteran leadership looks like.
What's the difference? That one play is Pirates' play in general. Earlier this season Kelenic for the Braves started into a HR trot on a ball that hit off the wall, and he was thrown out at 2B. This caused an uproar in Atlanta with fans and media going nuts, and Snitker forced to answer a lot of questions. Acuñu even posted about it on the internet, since he was benched for the same thing a few years back by Snitker. How many times did this happen last year to the Pirates? And nobody said a thing. Shelton never even had to discuss it.
They said on Mlb Central that Gorski homered his first professional at bat at every level, except triple A.
Gorski said that himself in the PG article today.
We just need to keep finding new levels for him to play at.
So we need to trade him to a major league team . . . .
Ouch.
Remember torpedo bats? We're so funny.
It’s all scripted, bro!
I heard they ruined baseball by cheating, why are we still watching?
Oh you watch this nonsense? There are better things to do.
watching Oniel truly break out has been the highlight of the season.
I agree with you times ten, however this post might have set him up for a 3 error game. We know it is coming some time.
Andrew Heaney sitting at his locker thinking, “what’s a guy got to do around here?” after reading this comment.
Heaney gave up 4 earned runs agains the Reds, but only 2 total in his other 4 starts.
And those 4 was on one 3-2 pitch.
Didn't Glavin and Maddox go over this in a commercial twenty some years ago.
I would wholeheartedly agree.
4 out 5 batted ball's over 100mph off the bat.
Played a solid CF, nothing spectacular but nothing bad either. Did what he was supposed to.
Sure wish he would have had a 24 degree launch angle on the missile he hit in the 9th. That's on me not on him, he did his best and hit the piss out of that ball.
I kept saying to myself in the 9th, “Just get to Cruz.” Just super bad luck that he didn’t at least tie the game.
Need another bat, preferably a right handed batter that play SS, is Bobby Witt available? 😆
Aim high.
I think I am almost to the point where I would rather the Royals acquire Skenes and Cruz than the Pirates acquire Witt. One more year of Cherington and Shelton, and I will probably be at that point.
He gave it 119.6 effort.
My one rant for the day: With respect to Reynold's early struggles at the plate, Shelton commented that people don't understand how hard it is to DH (we actually do as some of us mentioned this very thing as to why we weren't worried about Reynolds, but I'll overlook Shelton talking down to us)...
How hard, then, must it be for any player but especially young players like Canario, Davis, and Suwinski to only get a few ABs per week? Going into last night Canario had had 4 over an 11-day period and Davis hasn't had an AB since Saturday. I just don't think they consistently put our young players in a position to succeed.
Almost for certain Davis will be in the lineup against Yamamoto after sitting out a whole series. Shelton does not rotate players well. In his defense the introduction of the DH has reduced pinch-hitting opportunities and Bart is hitting well, BUT you must keep guys engaged and ready. He is not very good at it.
As I have repeatedly mentioned Shelton will never be a good manager because he lacks the basic instincts to do so.
How do we know how hard it is to DH?
Talking down to us?
My God
Not only that, their consistently not putting young players in a position to succeed is a true hallmark of the Shelton era.
Funny how he's taken his boss's approach to talking down to us unwashed.
because we bitch when they change up lineups.
then we bitch when every kid isn't handed scholarship at bats.
there's 9 spots in the lineup.
pick a struggle bro.
But mostly we bitch when they hand senior discount ABs to washed-up, sub-replacement veterans.
No argument on those 2 out of 7 positions in the lineup.
Can't seem to recall anybody wanting Reynolds, Bart or Cruz benched.
Pretty sure you know what position Bart plays and can read the OP lamenting on lack of ABs for Hank Davis.
Boy Omar Alfonzo really is the perfect moneyball type hitter. Lifetime walk ratio > 20% + enuff power and he is trending better YOY. Maybe Altoona-proof. Hope he’s a real catcher defensively
wanna see a crazy stat?
Omar Alfonzo is currently running a swing rate of *34%*. Only one qualified big leaguer, Marcell Ozuna (LOL), is swinging less.
The complete opposite type hitter Jacob Wilson got his first walk of the season in almost 100 at bats. The bench celebration was funny. He now has an obp (.337) higher than his batting average .330.
Man has it been fun watching that guy!
That's crazy, do you know if he ever swings at the first pitch? That is a very passive swing rate.
Haven't tried to play around with statcast data, only looking at what gets populated on his FanGraphs page.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/omar-alfonzo/sa3015665/stats?position=C/1B
Thanks, he does occasionally swing at the first pitch but not often, then again he's only swinging 34%. He does seem to make contact when he swings at the 1st pitch.
I wouldn’t mess with it too much , nor his launch angle. I think he’s gonna be a nice player if he progresses normally.
Me too. It explains his 30% k rate, 20% walk rate, and his .400 babip to an extent.
Great start to a Major League Career for Matt Gorski. He's worked hard to get to this point and I m glad that he got his shot. Excellent interview with his wife Megan in the stands picked up by MLB Quick Pitch and shown on the highlights of the game.
Not concerned with the play of Reynolds - it was all out hustle to get an out. Frazier, OTOH, should be put on the bench or even DFA'd for his total lack of hustle. He was trotting to 1B and showed no intent to even try to get to 2B if the ball dropped - definitely needs about a week of rest!
Frazier going half speed out of the box is inexcusable. Unfortunately a symptom of the problem, which is it’s impossible to hold players with guaranteed contracts accountable.
One would think a 30 something fringe veteran may want to give a better effort hoping that it will help him get another 7 figure salary offer next year. But the lack of hustle issue is so prevalent in today’s game, it almost certainly won’t matter on that front either.
I guarantee you Shelton will have him starting tonight like nothing happened.
"it’s impossible to hold players with guaranteed contracts accountable."
It's not impossible. It is only impossible for Shelton and Cherington. Frazier is not some lazy start on an 8-year 250 million contract. He makes about 160% of the league minimum. He could be released tomorrow, and the effect on the balance sheet would be negligible. In fact, other teams release such players who don't perform regularly. It is only the Pirates who keep everyone on a guaranteed contract until July no matter what they do.
Especially inexcusable considering this exact thing (hustle, effort, playing the right/smart way, etc) is supposed to be what the Frazier and Pham signings were for. If you're not even bringing that, which is literally the bare minimum you can ask for, then wtf are you doing on this team?
Yeah, we're never concerned about Reynolds' hustle plays. Up 3 and nobody on, that doesn't seem like a time to dive for a ball. Do we feel the same if it was Cruz who did that?
In any case, the main reason we lost was we couldn't score after the 2nd. It's a shame that Gorski couldn't fully celebrate after the game, though of course he'll always remember this game. Hope he's in the lineup again tonight even with Yamamoto on the mound, but I'll be surprised if he is. Speaking of which, huge challenge for the offense this weekend with Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Glasnow.
Did not compliment his smarts for diving for a catch while we were up 3 and nobody on, but he had committed and carried through. And, yes, I'd feel the same about Oneil Cruz if he dove after a ball and it got by him.
BTW, on Oneil Cruz, we are going to make a move to sign him to at least try to get his first year or two of FA. If we all know Oneil Cruz, much of those discussions will hinge on where the Pirates want to play him defensively. I thought we could have done a much better job of first - getting him prepared to play the SS position after losing almost a full year of play recuperating from a broken ankle/surgery, and second - exhibit a lot more understanding that coming back from a broken ankle would be especially more difficult for a very tall middle infielder.
They’ll probably score 20 runs off the three pitchers because it’s baseball
Didn't the Pirates a few years ago lose about 100 games, but go 5 and 1 against the Dodgers?
Yep. Dodgers would have been doomed if they had to play those Bucs anymore.
They will be fortunate to score at all because it's Pirates baseball
I'd start him in left over Pham, but you know....veteranosity...
Surprised Shelton didn’t PH Pham for Gorski next AB after the HR.
For sure, but I'll be surprised if that happens given how Shelton has managed in the past. He'll think Gorski needs a night off to recover from all the emotions despite the HR and just missing a game-tying HR in the 9th. And of course, he can't sit Pham more than a game.
On a somewhat related note, Davis hasn't had an AB since Saturday. And last night Canario looked exactly like I expected a young player to look after getting a total of 4 PAs since April 13. I just don't like how Shelton and crew handle our young players. But I'm done with putting that on Shelton because it's Cherington's responsibility to handle the bigger picture things like how to help young players adjust to MLB.