8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

[Chip Douglass]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Bryce Harper finally became the player everyone expected, Scherzer has pitched like an ace, and the Nationals will end the night at .500.

It's pretty incredible.

[Blzer]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Speaking of which, is it my imagination or was Harper originally a catcher before getting called up?

[Sportsforever]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Speaking of which, is it my imagination or was Harper originally a catcher before getting called up?

He was a catcher when drafted...they immediately moved him though to the OF to preserve his body.

[Psyblast]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Bryce Harper finally became the player everyone expected, Scherzer has pitched like an ace, and the Nationals will end the night at .500.

It's pretty incredible.

Like I said, the inevitable Grantland piece detailing how they collapsed this season will be great.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Come on now...don't get so riled up. Kingman posted a career wRC+ of 113 and that is after some really down years at the end of his career. The comp isn't as far off as a hitter as your making it out to be.

I wasn't trying to be rude about it unlike D13, but yeah, I still don't like the comparison. One guy will get on base a lot; the other guy didn't. That's a pretty important difference, leaving aside that Bryant is simply a much better athlete and all-around contributor than Kingman was.

There are plenty of other swing-and-miss, high OBP power hitters you could compare him to...and plenty of them are good. If Bryant fills out his power potential, he's closer to Mike Schmidt than Dave Kingman. Yeah, I just threw out a Mike Schmidt comp (super, super-high ceiling of course. I definitely think Bryant's overall base of skills is closer to Schmidt than a lumbering one-trick pony like Kingman).

[Sportsforever]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

I wasn't trying to be rude about it unlike D13, but yeah, I still don't like the comparison. One guy will get on base a lot; the other guy didn't. That's a pretty important difference, leaving aside that Bryant is simply a much better athlete and all-around contributor than Kingman was.

There are plenty of other swing-and-miss, high OBP power hitters you could compare him to...and plenty of them are good. If Bryant fills out his power potential, he's closer to Mike Schmidt than Dave Kingman. Yeah, I just threw out a Mike Schmidt comp (super, super-high ceiling of course. I definitely think Bryant's overall base of skills is closer to Schmidt than a lumbering one-trick pony like Kingman).

I think the difference is you are looking at Bryant's potential while I am looking at him RIGHT now. I agree his potential is way beyond Kingman, but at this point in his career he he reminds me of Kingman. Kingman was the top pick overall, was 6'6", had great power potential while swinging and missing a lot. I am in no way saying I expect Bryant to be Kingman, but just that at the plate, right now, he reminds me of Kingman. I think in the end he'll be closer to Schmidt than Kingman, but who knows...

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

I think the difference is you are looking at Bryant's potential while I am looking at him RIGHT now. I agree his potential is way beyond Kingman, but at this point in his career he he reminds me of Kingman. Kingman was the top pick overall, was 6'6", had great power potential while swinging and missing a lot. I am in no way saying I expect Bryant to be Kingman, but just that at the plate, right now, he reminds me of Kingman. I think in the end he'll be closer to Schmidt than Kingman, but who knows...

But Bryant, as a rookie, has an OBP 100 points higher than Kingman's career average...could they be much different? Bryant's BB rate is 5% higher (13% to 8%) and his K-rate is also 6% higher than Kingman (30% to 24%). Do you have a certain year of Kingman in mind? Maybe his '79 season?

I can see the whole touted/big guy with power/Cubs thing, but not sure they make more sense than that to compare.

THEN you throw in the defense and baserunning...well...

[Sportsforever]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

But Bryant, as a rookie, has an OBP 100 points higher than Kingman's career average...could they be much different? Bryant's BB rate is 5% higher (13% to 8%) and his K-rate is also 6% higher than Kingman (30% to 24%). Do you have a certain year of Kingman in mind? Maybe his '79 season?

I can see the whole touted/big guy with power/Cubs thing, but not sure they make more sense than that to compare.

THEN you throw in the defense and baserunning...well...

I'm just looking at Kingman's rookie time with the Giants in 71/72...only from the hitting perspective. Heck, Kingman had more power out of the gate, but their overall numbers at the plate are similar.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

I regret ever saying anything.

[steelerfan]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

I regret ever saying anything.

Oh the days of "sustainability" and 90-loss seasons for Houston. This Bryant conversation makes me miss Godgers12.

[Mabster]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

This doesn't surprise me. Just another feather in the A's ****ed up season's hat.

Via @darenw
Chris Davis 9th inning HR last night was the lowest most outside pitch a lefty has ever homered on in PITCHfx era... http://baseballsavant.com/popup/vide...o_id=373115483 …

[ShowTyme15]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Speaking of which, is it my imagination or was Harper originally a catcher before getting called up?

He was a catcher in HS and at CSN. Once he was drafted he was converted to an Outfielder. He can also play 1B. If his injuries keep piling up I wouldn't be surprised to see him moved to 1B down the road.

[Majingir]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Don't know if they'll show it on MLB Network, but Jays having pre-game ceremony today(in about an hour from now) to honor their 1985 team(first team in franchise history that won a division title).

1985 was final season of Bobby Cox as Jays manager, and featured guys like Rance Mulliniks,George Bell,Lloyd Moseby,Jesse Barfield, Dave Stieb,first full season for Tony Fernandez,first season as a starter for Jimmy Key,first season for Tom Henke as a Blue Jay.

And Jays wearing modernized version of their old school blue/white hats: (something I think they should adopt as their 3rd hats.Blue Jay head is their primary hat logo,maple leaf is alternate,and this blue/white cap is their other alternate)

[Knight165]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

I would like to thank the other teams of the N.L. East on behalf of the N.Y. Mets for sucking more than they do.


M.K.
Knight165

[Speedy]

Re: 8/3 - 8/16 Game Discussion Thread

Via @darenw
Chris Davis 9th inning HR last night was the lowest most outside pitch a lefty has ever homered on in PITCHfx era... http://baseballsavant.com/popup/vide...o_id=373115483 …

I saw the replay last night on MLBN and immediately thought he must have like a 40-45 ounce bat. He barely had any velocity on the swing and practically halfway swung it. It was also a breaking pitch too at 69 mph.

Incredible.