MLB Off-Topic

[CBoller1331]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Our little discussion about specific pitches got me thinking how much some of these pitches have evolved. And it really has everything to do with the increase of velocity.

A few years ago the only sinkerballers were soft tossers like Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux (probably more of a two seamer, but he didn't really have elite velocity so Im gonna group him in here), Tim Hudson, Jake Westbrook....all these guys sitting ~88-92.

Now we have guys like Zach Britton, Blake Treinen (I know--both relievers...so obviously more velo) but you also have Jake Arrieta, Aaron Sanchez (like Maddux more of a two seamer, but the movement is nasty). All these guys light up the radar gun with the same movement that those other guys had. It used to be the fireballers like Kyle Farnsworth, Kerry Wood (geez my cubs fan bias is showing) and Rogers Clemens would throw gas...but it would be straight as an arrow

It's really all pitches that are up in velocity. Changeups are now routinely 88-90, sliders are often into the 90s. Its really amazing how much velocity has changed the game.

[redsox4evur]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Went to a Winston-Salem Dash game (CHW single-A affiliate) tonight. The groundskeeper hooked me up with 4 tickets in club-level seating, all-you-can-eat buffet and VIP parking.

First time I've been to the new stadium the city built back in 2010 and I really like how the park is laid out. The RF fence is one of the little "nook and crannies" that I love about MiLB stadiums that I wish newer MLB parks would employ.



Anyways, I think that the time between innings can be vastly sped up. It was around 3-4 minutes that could be condensed down to where the SP gets 5 warm-up pitches and instead of the IFs lolly gagging throws to the 1B, actually try to get their throws in.

I'm pretty sure the MLB has that 2 minute run down clock. I know watching NESN I have seen them running a 2 min clock on their scorebug during commercial breaks.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Crazy fact regarding Donaldson compared to all other 3B the past 60 years. These are WAR numbers in each guys best 4 consecutive seasons.

Ron Santo, 1964-1967: 35.2
Mike Schmidt, 1974-1977: 34.8
Wade Boggs, 1985-1988: 33.6
George Brett, 1977-1980: 31.0
Josh Donaldson, 2013-2016: 29.7
Eddie Mathews, 1953-1956: 29.2
Adrian Beltre, 2010-2013: 26.5
Chipper Jones, 1998-2001: 25.5
Brooks Robinson, 1965-1968: 25.2

And it's very likely he does pass Brett as well since this season still has 50+ games left in it.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Crazy fact regarding Donaldson compared to all other 3B the past 60 years. These are WAR numbers in each guys best 4 consecutive seasons.



And it's very likely he does pass Brett as well since this season still has 50+ games left in it.

Donaldson is a bit of a late bloomer and it'll be interesting to see how long he can keep this going. Another 5 years at this pace and he's a legit HoF candidate.

People rightfully give Billy Beane crap for trading Donaldson to Toronto for a bunch of nothing and Barreto, but I don't think many people realize that Josh Donaldson was originally a Cubs farmhand/supplemental 1st rounder dealt as part of a package to Oakland in 2008 for Rich Harden (Donaldson also started out as a catcher). The Cubs fell apart in the playoffs that year and Donaldson's numbers spiked at A+ ball.

Just another reason we Cubs fans love Jim Hendry...I mean love that he's not around anymore. I think Hendry has George Costanza's old job as Assistant to the Traveling Secretary or something with the Yankees.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Teix retiring after this year

[Scott]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Teix retiring after this year

I will forever be grateful for what he brought to Texas when he was traded to ATL.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I will forever be grateful for what he brought to Texas when he was traded to ATL.

Me for being a major contributor for our 09 championship team and for being a freaking wizard at 1st all these years. I have nightmares remembering Giambi trying to play over there at times and can only calm myself by watching Teix make pick after pick saving our infielders. He's one of those guys that makes you appreciate an athlete at the position, as opposed to just a big guy standing out there. I never got to see Mattingly so this is what I imagine it must've been like.

[The Kid 24]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Donaldson is a bit of a late bloomer and it'll be interesting to see how long he can keep this going. Another 5 years at this pace and he's a legit HoF candidate.

People rightfully give Billy Beane crap for trading Donaldson to Toronto for a bunch of nothing and Barreto, but I don't think many people realize that Josh Donaldson was originally a Cubs farmhand/supplemental 1st rounder dealt as part of a package to Oakland in 2008 for Rich Harden (Donaldson also started out as a catcher). The Cubs fell apart in the playoffs that year and Donaldson's numbers spiked at A+ ball.

Just another reason we Cubs fans love Jim Hendry...I mean love that he's not around anymore. I think Hendry has George Costanza's old job as Assistant to the Traveling Secretary or something with the Yankees.

Just curious... If the Cubs had Donaldson playing 3rd, do you think they would they have drafted Bryant?

[AC]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Just curious... If the Cubs had Donaldson playing 3rd, do you think they would they have drafted Bryant?

I do. He could end up in the OF at some point anyway.

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I do. He could end up in the OF at some point anyway.

Agreed. They traded for Russell despite having Castro and Baez at the time. Theo and Jed were focused on collecting high-level bats during the last 3 drafts and Bryant was the best bat in that draft.

The question is would they have kept Donaldson through the rebuild. Probably not.

[CBoller1331]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Yeah they drafted Bryant for his bat. They would find a place for him to play.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Just curious... If the Cubs had Donaldson playing 3rd, do you think they would they have drafted Bryant?

Better yet, if Jays signed Bryant(since they drafted him but couldn't sign him), would they have traded for Donaldson?

Cubs drafted Donaldson,never kept him,got Bryant
Jays drafted Bryant,never signed him,got Donaldson
A's got Donaldson,didnt keep him, got ???

[Mabster]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Just curious... If the Cubs had Donaldson playing 3rd, do you think they would they have drafted Bryant?

More pertinent question, if the Cubs had Donaldson would they have had the 2nd overall pick in 2013 to draft Bryant?

[The Kid 24]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Those are all great posts fellas...

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Those are all great posts fellas...

If the A's hadn't traded McGwire would Jason Giambi ever have become relevant and would steroids still be a thing in baseball?

If they didn't loan Rickey to the Yankees for a playoff run would they still be playing in o.com?


These are the kind of reasons why when you time travel you don't break a twig.