2018 Spring Training Thread

[SPTO]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

Ian Desmond homered off Ohtani.

That's it, kid's a bust.

I know you're joking but I'm sure there's plenty of Angels fans panicking as he's not really hitting well and he's only showing some flashes of brilliance on the mound. I'm sure he'll figure it all out but the idea of him being a two-way player is looking more and more like an improbability.

[Blzer]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

Oy vey. Anyone just watch the infield fly in the Twins & BoSox game?

This is why I show this clip to my softball teams every single year so they understand the rule as best as possible:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gbuv96a26qU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[notsobabybombers]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

I saw a segment on MLB Network the other day where they talked about the validity of ST stats. Most of the guys agreed that they don't matter. But they can be pretty notable for the first impression they make, on evaluators and on the players themselves. Looking at Ohtani's struggles, I'd say there is a little cause for concern.

[Majingir]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

Holy smokes!

The Jays are doing something super cool Saturday when they play the Canadian National Jr. team. They will have Vlad Jr, Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Kacy Clemens in the starting lineup. The other cool thing is that Roy Halladay's kid Braden will be pitching that day for the Canadian team.

The game will be on SN1 for Canadian viewers.

Stroman also starts for Jays in this game too.

Will be a great game to check out.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

I saw a segment on MLB Network the other day where they talked about the validity of ST stats. Most of the guys agreed that they don't matter. But they can be pretty notable for the first impression they make, on evaluators and on the players themselves. Looking at Ohtani's struggles, I'd say there is a little cause for concern.

Yeah, he's getting jacked up and doesn't have the command you need to get MLB hitters out. Certainly he could improve on that (maybe it's rust?), but Ohtani could also end up being a major bust. The nice thing for LAA is that he came over here so young that they're paying him a pittance. Very little risk outside of their $20MM posting fee. Even in the incredibly shocking instance that Ohtani just can't hang in MLB, the Angels won't really be ruined. That's what Pujols' contract is for...

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

I may be off in remembering this, but IIRC Ichiro really struggled in his first Spring Training, so much so that Lou Piniella was vocalizing doubts about his ability to play in the majors. I haven't watched Ohtani much, but I'd have a hard time calling the kid a bust based on 2 weeks of baseball in Arizona.

[Mabster]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

Oakland pitcher Jharel Cotton has a sprained UCL and a strained flexor.

And is having TJ.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

I may be off in remembering this, but IIRC Ichiro really struggled in his first Spring Training, so much so that Lou Piniella was vocalizing doubts about his ability to play in the majors. I haven't watched Ohtani much, but I'd have a hard time calling the kid a bust based on 2 weeks of baseball in Arizona.

I doubt anyone is seriously calling him a bust after a few weeks of ST. But, I think people are readjusting their expectations about whether he's gonna be this surefire, can't miss, two-way superstar that everyone has been sort of taking for granted. More that people are saying he could turn out to be a bust. Semantics, maybe.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

Ronald Acuna....goodness:

<iframe src='https://www.mlb.com/video/share/acunas-two-run-blast/c-1889183083?tid=69972428' width='540' height='304' scrolling='no' ></iframe>

[notsobabybombers]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

To clarify what I said about Ohtani, it's way too early to say he's a bust. It'll still be too early to judge him fully when October rolls around and we have a full year of him in the MLB.

[Majingir]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

Nice game with jays VS Canada's junior team, and at end of game, the little league handshake between the teams.

Bo and Vlad being Bo and Vlad. I could see Vlad making an Encarnacion like move eventually. Starting at 3B, but moves to 1B later on. If Biggio can be even half the player his dad was, imagine a Bo, Vlad, Biggio infield for the Jays dominating the 20s. With all the hype those 2 are getting, makes me feel like it's VC, McGrady Raptors all over again. Hopefully this core stays together.

And the part people will probably remember the most, Braden Halladay getting to pitch. 3 up, 3 down, doesn't blow it past guys, just focuses on mechanics. Sound familiar? Everyone, fans and players, knew he was pitching and everyone cheering for him before and after the inning. Never realized this game happened just around 10 miles from the plane crash.

Tough seeing them showing these old ST photos of Roy and Braden from about 15 or so years ago. The Roy Halladay I remember most, being the type of guy people knew he was.

[SPTO]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

I saw a segment on MLB Network the other day where they talked about the validity of ST stats. Most of the guys agreed that they don't matter. But they can be pretty notable for the first impression they make, on evaluators and on the players themselves. Looking at Ohtani's struggles, I'd say there is a little cause for concern.

Yeah, I think the Angels are in a tight spot here. It'd be one thing if he was struggling in one respect and doing well in another but he's really struggling from both sides. I've hard that the Angels will continue with their original plans with him but it's a little concerning to say the least especially since they expected him to provide valuable innings on the mound.

If he's still looking this bad by late May then he may very well end up as a bust.



I watched the Jays game and can echo Maj's comments about Bo and Vlad. It was a game where most of the Jays prospects were involved in but even so Bo and Vlad just looked DIFFERENT. They're so advanced in what they're doing, it's ridiculous. I LOVE Bo's 2 strike approach at the plate where he shortens his swing considerably. if he can continue that approach he's going ot be one of the toughest outs in the league when he comes up. Vladdy has a definite gameplan every time he steps to the plate which is vastly different than his father who basically swang at anything he could get his bat on.

I'm so looking forward to these two. The hype is real IMO.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

Nice game with jays VS Canada's junior team, and at end of game, the little league handshake between the teams.

Bo and Vlad being Bo and Vlad. I could see Vlad making an Encarnacion like move eventually. Starting at 3B, but moves to 1B later on. If Biggio can be even half the player his dad was, imagine a Bo, Vlad, Biggio infield for the Jays dominating the 20s. With all the hype those 2 are getting, makes me feel like it's VC, McGrady Raptors all over again. Hopefully this core stays together.

And the part people will probably remember the most, Braden Halladay getting to pitch. 3 up, 3 down, doesn't blow it past guys, just focuses on mechanics. Sound familiar? Everyone, fans and players, knew he was pitching and everyone cheering for him before and after the inning. Never realized this game happened just around 10 miles from the plane crash.

Tough seeing them showing these old ST photos of Roy and Braden from about 15 or so years ago. The Roy Halladay I remember most, being the type of guy people knew he was.

I've seen you mention a few times on this site the "McGrady/Carter Raptors" as if it was a good thing. Those teams never did anything/weren't any good...so am I missing something?

[Majingir]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

I've seen you mention a few times on this site the "McGrady/Carter Raptors" as if it was a good thing. Those teams never did anything/weren't any good...so am I missing something?

They had potential to be the next big duo. McGrady said it's a regret in his career that he left(many felt a big reason was pressure from his agent to leave). I think VC also said he really wished they stayed together. Kobe even said that if those two stayed together, they'd have had good shots at championship. You had 2 superstars in the making together.

Similar to okc with Durant and harden. Sure, they got further than McGrady and VC, but still didn't stick together as long as they should've.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2018 Spring Training Thread

They had potential to be the next big duo. McGrady said it's a regret in his career that he left(many felt a big reason was pressure from his agent to leave). I think VC also said he really wished they stayed together. Kobe even said that if those two stayed together, they'd have had good shots at championship. You had 2 superstars in the making together.

Similar to okc with Durant and harden. Sure, they got further than McGrady and VC, but still didn't stick together as long as they should've.

So you are just referencing potential...got it. When you referenced Bichette/Guerrero in that vein, it felt like you were saying "I feel like they won't do much" which didn't make sense to me given that you were positive otherwise.