Wonder if you could get the bat in the lineup where he can push 20 home runs? DH him more if Davis/Endy come along? Can't imagine the wear and tear of catching 110+ games would be good for the bat.
But man, this offense needs Bart as often as possible.
I disagree. 2 of those 3 have no track record of hitting so why would we want what very well could be an inferior hitter in the DH position on a team that looks offensively challenged. I fully understand that at some point Cutch will age and I am guessing he will start 120 games max. if Bart hits like last year the DH spot is a good non-catching way to get him additional ABs and there will be DH games available. When or if Hank or Endy hit then we either have a good problem (Cutch is still hitting) or options to move there. One of them will get AB's as the back up catcher to make their case, until then IMO they have no business in regular DH plans.
I don't really see why -- assuming you have two catchers who can hit, meaning not Delay -- you can't have catchers split the season. 80-90 games behind the plate, and a bunch more at 1B or DH. The key, of course, is Endy or Davis hitting. Horwitz shouldn't start vs LHPs anyway.
At least going from spring (dangerous I know) it seems that a combination of both should be able to make it passable. Would love to see Bart flex out to first against lefties.
81 games at catcher
10-15 at DH
15-20 at first
That's 115 games. Given he doesn't completely tank out against righties, that should be enough for him to push 20 home runs
After watching him this spring, I'll agree there. Think he's trending towards making the team at this point. Bringing him back I feel like they want him to make it too
I saw Oscar working with Mitch yesterday on his delivery. It makes me wonder if he was trying something a little different. The Mitch walks weren't too concerning to me, but from guys trying to make the team...That is concerning.
Interesting infield for the Bucs to start
We're in trouble if Wentz makes the team.
We're caring more about the box score than him ripping a 3-4mph velo bump?
Come on, man!
After a closer look at it you're correct. Short sighted on my part.
I think both statcast and gameday were f'd, for what it's worth. Wentz was showing up topping out above 97 but now only about 2mph over last year.
Was that the 8th inning? Lameday was indeed f’d up. That was Yohan. Wentz only threw the 7th.
Wentz throwing 97 would be feature-worthy.
Exactly! I'll take nudging up toward 95, but 97 had me too excited for viewing in-office.
Damn I'd give a lot for a lefty who could throw 97.
wentz is the man! shut down lefty reliever will dominate pnc
Davis with some sneaky speed.
Statcast says 61st percentile sprint speed.
I like seeing Hayes drawing some walks.
Even if he dropped back to his old stat lines of pounding the ball into the ground, his elite defense and a little better walk rate could be just fine
but what if he's pounding it into the ground *without* the exit velo...
Bart with a blast.
This kind of thing is a relief to see. An awful lot of the power has to come from Cruz and Bart.
Wonder if you could get the bat in the lineup where he can push 20 home runs? DH him more if Davis/Endy come along? Can't imagine the wear and tear of catching 110+ games would be good for the bat.
But man, this offense needs Bart as often as possible.
I'm glad that Cutch is back, but we could really use that DH position for Bart, Rodriguez, and Davis.
True
I disagree. 2 of those 3 have no track record of hitting so why would we want what very well could be an inferior hitter in the DH position on a team that looks offensively challenged. I fully understand that at some point Cutch will age and I am guessing he will start 120 games max. if Bart hits like last year the DH spot is a good non-catching way to get him additional ABs and there will be DH games available. When or if Hank or Endy hit then we either have a good problem (Cutch is still hitting) or options to move there. One of them will get AB's as the back up catcher to make their case, until then IMO they have no business in regular DH plans.
I can't believe they haven't worked him a little at firstbase. Just seems like a guy you want facing lefties and there's a need for that on this team.
I don't really see why -- assuming you have two catchers who can hit, meaning not Delay -- you can't have catchers split the season. 80-90 games behind the plate, and a bunch more at 1B or DH. The key, of course, is Endy or Davis hitting. Horwitz shouldn't start vs LHPs anyway.
At least going from spring (dangerous I know) it seems that a combination of both should be able to make it passable. Would love to see Bart flex out to first against lefties.
81 games at catcher
10-15 at DH
15-20 at first
That's 115 games. Given he doesn't completely tank out against righties, that should be enough for him to push 20 home runs
Yep, while Reynolds stays consistent and hopefully Suwinski from '23.
If Borucki's fully healthy, I'd rather have him than Mayza.
Mayza had that one good outing in spring and then has just really been meh. I'm starting to feel the same way too
Borucki's not such an unknown quantity, IF he's healthy. That's pretty much been his career. If he's 100% or very close, he should be on the team.
After watching him this spring, I'll agree there. Think he's trending towards making the team at this point. Bringing him back I feel like they want him to make it too
Uh, thinking he’d be better than Wentz, too.
Won't argue that either
Well, lameday showed Wentz giving up the last two bombs, but that was actually Yohan Ramirez. Take Borucki over either.
My goodness Oneil Cruz
That had to have went over 500 feet
He'll drive you nuts, and then . . . .
Cruz absolutely crushed that
Pham's arm is concerning. Wow.
Good outing by Mitch. Got thru the 3 best hitters twice 0-5 with a walk. And he had 96 FB today.
Hayes just missed that one, kept his hands in just a smidgen too much. Hit the ball just a little to far out on the barrel.
Have we seen him get into one yet?
He's hit some hard, but really hasn't gotten into one yet. The line drive to left was around 100mph off the bat.
Pirates again dealing with walks
I saw Oscar working with Mitch yesterday on his delivery. It makes me wonder if he was trying something a little different. The Mitch walks weren't too concerning to me, but from guys trying to make the team...That is concerning.
Kirk and Vogey would be a good Sumo match.
That splitter is still nasty from Gausman
Wouldn't mind Jack leading off. It's just once per game, and gives him a chance for 5th AB late in the game.
That ump having more fun with the ABS than that other last week where he was getting visibly frustrated with each challenge