Is baseball the only sport where the goal or in this case the strike zone changes based on your height? If you are taller in basketball, you don't shoot at a higher hoop. Thinking back in my childhood wiffle ball days, we used the same lawn chair for everyone's strike zone. (or a net when we got more serious).
Shelton should politely remind EVERY home plate ump about the 6'7" and better yet the 24" where his kneecap is, when he delivers the lineup card. Strategery.
But getting into 0-1, 0-2 counts on pitches that are balls adjust the approach. Everyone is worse behind in the count, and honestly I don't hate his approach right now.
I'm more worried about Cutch making 15% less contact when he swings at a pitch in the strike zone than his career averages including last year. (z contact %). Chalk it up to lack of spring training, but he swung by multiple balls last night
Agree. Scored some Valium in order to be able to make it through all 9 innings. Still get angry when I see a dude with a mustache. Check this shite out. Look at where the SOB travels from.
Leaving the cutter over the heart of the plate has hurt him bad and being too high on the 4 seam (not getting chases). Like you said location, location, location.
I think his issue thus far has been with his cutter. If placed and sequenced right it could be a good pitch, but he’s leaving it right down the pipe and letting Joey gallo take him 450
That's exactly his main issue right now. He didn't have a feel for it and he was grooving 89-91 and they were hammering it.
A more seasoned catcher would have sensed he didn't have the cutter and went with something else. His curve and heater were on point. Felt like he threw the cutter over 50% of the time.
Hate to say it, but if Hedges was catching last night, that 2nd inning probably doesn't end with 4 runs. Davis will get better, but right now, he is struggling to call a game back there.
Bottom line - Keller will be fine. He's pitching much better than his ERA
Isn't that the purpose of the ear pieces they all wear in the hats and catcher helmets and why games are stopped when that transmission is not working?. They are told (no signals) what to pitch.. then any shake off occurs.
He could use the pitch com himself, like I said in the post. It isn’t hard to agree on a pitch, he isn’t executing. The dude has been mediocre/ stinking in his last 15 starts.
Whether it was Hedges or something else, the concern with Mitch is that not only has he had a rough two games but he was also pretty bad in the second half of last season. Last season his K% dropped by about 3% from the first half to the second while his LD% jumped by about 6% and his GB% dropped by about 7% with his hard hit % increasing by nearly 8%. So more balls in play and those balls in play were more likely to go as hits. That matches the eye test from his first two games this season.
Maybe he's tipping something--Block or Wehner commented that with the jumps runners on first were getting, that there could be something they're seeing and that could explain why batters are making more and better contact. More likely it's just not locating the ball as well.
He LED the majors in called strikes on FBs AND on called strike 3. The catchers had to do something with that. Henry is doing so well but to call him on par with an elite defensive catcher like Hedges or even Delay isn't accurate. Bart has a long record of being a stud defensive catcher.
I'm not disagreeing with the Hedges theory, but just noting that it's not two games of mediocre or worse performance but about a half season. Some of the peripheral stats suggest that hitters are reading his pitches better, which is why I found the comment about runners seeming to read him well interesting. Maybe there's a book on him now to tip off sliders vs. FBs, etc. but then I'd also think that acquiring a guy like Tellez who had played with a division rival would let us know if teams have figured something out (Keller faced the Brewers twice last season and gave up 12 runs in 10 innings, so pick the big man's brain).
I'd hate to think that we just committed ~$80MM to a pitcher who is only successful with a single catcher. OTOH, I'm not as convinced as some are that we have the right leadership in place (I'm neutral--this year is likely to be an inflection point for me) and committing that kind of money to a 4/5 starter might be what it takes to get Nutting's attention ;)
I think someone was complaining about using Rider Ryan in the 5th inning with guys on base and claiming it was high leverage.
Then Ryan pitched well, gave up no runs and the poster was still complaining about it. Pretty sure it's the guy that is in love with Josh Fleming and belabors Olivares defensive abilities.
After a less than impressive Spring Training, Mitch Keller is looking more like our No. 5/6 SP than our Ace in his first two starts, and now owns a 6.55 ERA. Pitching like that is why Trevor Williams was lucky to get a shot with the Nats after the Pirates sent him packing. Hope Keller can figure it out real quick, and our hitters looked like they were facing a Cy Young Award candidate rather than a guy who struggled to post a 5.55 ERA last year. Cruz, Reynolds, Hayes, 'Cutch - our leaders - 1 for 15, 1 BB, 8 K's - pitiful!
The Pirates are 5-1 against the 2 worst teams in the NL - these are the games that have to be won if we hope to challenge for the playoffs. Hope they get their heads together and come out pitching and hitting much better this afternoon, because the schedule will get very tough very quickly after this series where we will be facing the Orioles, Tigers, and Phils.
Perez, Gonzalez, and Jones have all looked good so far, and if Mitch Keller can quickly return to his 2023 version, I think the Rotation could be solid enough to compete, especially with the depth of the BP. Surprisingly strong with some new names and faces (Fleming, Ryan, Stratton) and some "old" ones like Borucki, Chapman, Ortiz, Bednar, and Hold Man and Mlodzinski close to returning.
If you include Skenes and Quinn with Keller, Perez Gonzalez and Jones, that’s a playoff rotation… With a great deep bullpen…. And more arms in AA that can be used if we need them…plus trade deadline.
I agree the bullpen is deep but seems like the starters are far from a playoff rotation. I would bet Skenes will be a stud, but after that, there are way more questions than track record to conclude the rotation is good enough for a playoff spot.
any chance he is holding back in an effort to work later into the season and into october?
Honestly, how Piratey would it be if they lost today and get swept by the O's?
5 up, 5 down.
I know you guys are worried about Mitch, but I'm really concerned about Oneil.
Kebryan has a negative launch angle and out like 60% of his contact on the ground in ST.
Jus sayin.
Cruz is getting hosed on strike calls low. Ump doesn't remember he is 6 f 7 and his knees are higher than others.
Is baseball the only sport where the goal or in this case the strike zone changes based on your height? If you are taller in basketball, you don't shoot at a higher hoop. Thinking back in my childhood wiffle ball days, we used the same lawn chair for everyone's strike zone. (or a net when we got more serious).
Shelton should politely remind EVERY home plate ump about the 6'7" and better yet the 24" where his kneecap is, when he delivers the lineup card. Strategery.
can´t walk your way off the island
But getting into 0-1, 0-2 counts on pitches that are balls adjust the approach. Everyone is worse behind in the count, and honestly I don't hate his approach right now.
I'm more worried about Cutch making 15% less contact when he swings at a pitch in the strike zone than his career averages including last year. (z contact %). Chalk it up to lack of spring training, but he swung by multiple balls last night
i´d have had him in a diamondbacks uniform by now if it were up to me
No need to panic or exaggerate but today is possibly the most important must-win since Game 7 of the '92 NLCS.
Agree. Scored some Valium in order to be able to make it through all 9 innings. Still get angry when I see a dude with a mustache. Check this shite out. Look at where the SOB travels from.
https://www.athletespeakers.com/speaker/sid-bream
Get a grip man!
Nah. Season’s already over.
I've seen enough to confirm my priors, bad extension.
Troll 🧌 warning
*siren emoji*
Maybe give him until Memorial Day before we rush to judgement.
Nope, that's it, I was right all along.
Who needs another two months to judge a 5-yr deal? Suckers.
Final
Thanks
I lose
You win
Keller's velocity and whiff rate look ok.
IDK... do you guys think his current underlying metrics lead to success?
Location. Location. Location. He’s missing really bad in the zone right now with the cutter especially. That’s the issue.
Thing to watch is he had a 5.00 ERA the second half of his season last year, so struggles aren’t exactly new
Leaving the cutter over the heart of the plate has hurt him bad and being too high on the 4 seam (not getting chases). Like you said location, location, location.
I think his issue thus far has been with his cutter. If placed and sequenced right it could be a good pitch, but he’s leaving it right down the pipe and letting Joey gallo take him 450
That's exactly his main issue right now. He didn't have a feel for it and he was grooving 89-91 and they were hammering it.
A more seasoned catcher would have sensed he didn't have the cutter and went with something else. His curve and heater were on point. Felt like he threw the cutter over 50% of the time.
Hate to say it, but if Hedges was catching last night, that 2nd inning probably doesn't end with 4 runs. Davis will get better, but right now, he is struggling to call a game back there.
Bottom line - Keller will be fine. He's pitching much better than his ERA
If it’s so clear, why wouldn’t Shelton or Marin notice? Or are they just in charge of the bourbon?
I'm guessing it was part of the game plan and they were trying to execute.
The dugout calls pitches, doubtful they would give that up to a rookie catcher.
You know this how? I'm not trying to be an ass, but I'm not seeing him looking into the dugout after every pitch.
Isn't that the purpose of the ear pieces they all wear in the hats and catcher helmets and why games are stopped when that transmission is not working?. They are told (no signals) what to pitch.. then any shake off occurs.
From past seasons, always called by dugout.
Could the pitch clock have changed things, Idk? Or more likely, they have pitchcom in dugout and send to Hank's earpiece or pitchcom.
What’s preventing Keller from shaking off Davis? He could even just take the pitch com if they think Davis is that bad.
Keller has decreased velocity and command in the strike zone. He needs to figure it out since he has had troubles for almost half a season now.
Pitch clock...he can't be shaking everything off.
Velo is fine. You're seeing 90-91 and that's his cutter. Heater velo is where it needs to be.
He could use the pitch com himself, like I said in the post. It isn’t hard to agree on a pitch, he isn’t executing. The dude has been mediocre/ stinking in his last 15 starts.
That’s not entirely true. He’s had some stinkers but over his last 15 starts, he’s had 7 with a game score of 50 or higher.
I hope youre right!
Me too.
Mitch needs Austin hedges back.
Bart will be catching him next time through I almost guarantee
Whether it was Hedges or something else, the concern with Mitch is that not only has he had a rough two games but he was also pretty bad in the second half of last season. Last season his K% dropped by about 3% from the first half to the second while his LD% jumped by about 6% and his GB% dropped by about 7% with his hard hit % increasing by nearly 8%. So more balls in play and those balls in play were more likely to go as hits. That matches the eye test from his first two games this season.
Maybe he's tipping something--Block or Wehner commented that with the jumps runners on first were getting, that there could be something they're seeing and that could explain why batters are making more and better contact. More likely it's just not locating the ball as well.
He LED the majors in called strikes on FBs AND on called strike 3. The catchers had to do something with that. Henry is doing so well but to call him on par with an elite defensive catcher like Hedges or even Delay isn't accurate. Bart has a long record of being a stud defensive catcher.
I'm not disagreeing with the Hedges theory, but just noting that it's not two games of mediocre or worse performance but about a half season. Some of the peripheral stats suggest that hitters are reading his pitches better, which is why I found the comment about runners seeming to read him well interesting. Maybe there's a book on him now to tip off sliders vs. FBs, etc. but then I'd also think that acquiring a guy like Tellez who had played with a division rival would let us know if teams have figured something out (Keller faced the Brewers twice last season and gave up 12 runs in 10 innings, so pick the big man's brain).
You may remember that Hedges was the catcher in the first half of the season but not the second...awfully coincidental.
I'd hate to think that we just committed ~$80MM to a pitcher who is only successful with a single catcher. OTOH, I'm not as convinced as some are that we have the right leadership in place (I'm neutral--this year is likely to be an inflection point for me) and committing that kind of money to a 4/5 starter might be what it takes to get Nutting's attention ;)
He’s gonna be fine, he’s a 3, solid 3 and he’ll get there soon.
There was a “leverage” debate a few days ago, wondering if Shelton should have brought in Chapman in the top of the 2nd 🤔?
An hour in my life I will never get back.
I think someone was complaining about using Rider Ryan in the 5th inning with guys on base and claiming it was high leverage.
Then Ryan pitched well, gave up no runs and the poster was still complaining about it. Pretty sure it's the guy that is in love with Josh Fleming and belabors Olivares defensive abilities.
Oh and thinks 1B defense is more important than 3B defense.
Yeah, that's the guy.
This was like a version of Guess Who on BOD.
After a less than impressive Spring Training, Mitch Keller is looking more like our No. 5/6 SP than our Ace in his first two starts, and now owns a 6.55 ERA. Pitching like that is why Trevor Williams was lucky to get a shot with the Nats after the Pirates sent him packing. Hope Keller can figure it out real quick, and our hitters looked like they were facing a Cy Young Award candidate rather than a guy who struggled to post a 5.55 ERA last year. Cruz, Reynolds, Hayes, 'Cutch - our leaders - 1 for 15, 1 BB, 8 K's - pitiful!
The Pirates are 5-1 against the 2 worst teams in the NL - these are the games that have to be won if we hope to challenge for the playoffs. Hope they get their heads together and come out pitching and hitting much better this afternoon, because the schedule will get very tough very quickly after this series where we will be facing the Orioles, Tigers, and Phils.
I mean didn't we make one of the teams the worst team in the NL? We very easily forget how bad the Rockies are supposed to be.
It's a long season. I don't see us challenging for a playoff spot with the current starting pitching, but the team is fun to watch.
Perez, Gonzalez, and Jones have all looked good so far, and if Mitch Keller can quickly return to his 2023 version, I think the Rotation could be solid enough to compete, especially with the depth of the BP. Surprisingly strong with some new names and faces (Fleming, Ryan, Stratton) and some "old" ones like Borucki, Chapman, Ortiz, Bednar, and Hold Man and Mlodzinski close to returning.
If you include Skenes and Quinn with Keller, Perez Gonzalez and Jones, that’s a playoff rotation… With a great deep bullpen…. And more arms in AA that can be used if we need them…plus trade deadline.
I agree the bullpen is deep but seems like the starters are far from a playoff rotation. I would bet Skenes will be a stud, but after that, there are way more questions than track record to conclude the rotation is good enough for a playoff spot.
Don’t worry, as Miami continues to tumble, they’ll trade for Luzardo at the AS Break.
Bradleyj ?
The depth of starting pitching prospects certainly gives hope for the future.
Tennessee Mel is going to write a glowing or scathing report based on the daily outcome of the game.
5-1 against those 2 bad teams sure sounds like taking care of business👍, but I get your point, lets keep it up🙏