MLB March/April 2014

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 12:39 am

Did Jim Johnson used to be good in Baltimore? He's sure blowing goats in Oakland. And, saves.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:44 am

sancarlos wrote:Did Jim Johnson used to be good in Baltimore? He's sure blowing goats in Oakland. And, saves.

Kinda. But not really. It was weird when the locals got all pissed when the Orioles let him go for a bag of beans, conveniently forgetting that he can't really get a K and relies on BABIP not killing him.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:47 am

For those that are engaging in the how-much-does-hamilton-have-to-hit-with-that-speed question, Fangraphs had a really good read on the subject yesterday that might be of interest (unless you fucking hate fangraphs more than anything and just the word Fangraphs turns you whitehot with anger in that case please don't read):

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/lets-wat ... un-happen/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:48 am

For the record, I was adamant on the Reds board I haunt that Hamilton should at least start the year in AAA and hit his way up. The first week plus has been good evidence for what I wanted but has also provided good evidence why he should be up now.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:25 am

This is the hammer in that article:

"No, it’s still not clear Hamilton’s ever going to hit enough. But remember that “enough” for Billy Hamilton is different from “enough” for Oscar Taveras or Jackie Bradley Jr."

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:29 am

DC47 wrote:
Sabo wrote:Yep.

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ETA: I think it's safe to say Hamilton benefits from the rule change that prevents the catcher from blocking the plate. If Molina can block the plate, he's out.
I've been a Hamilton skeptic. At least this year, I doubt he can get on base enough to be a serious weapon. A .300 OBP isn't upper echelon even if you can steal at a 90% rate.

But this is one amazing video clip. Unless Bruce has a weak arm -- and I didn't see this in the clip -- then Hamilton is even faster than I thought. And I imagine he would look even faster if I saw this play in person.

So you wouldn't want a guy who hit doubles 27% of the time? I'd take a guy in scoring position that often for Phillips/Votto/Bruce. I'd prefer him to be on base more than that, but a .330-.350 OBP might be solid enough to make a real difference.

And he probably wouldn't have run on Bruce in an intrasquad game but Jon Jay, sure!

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 8:59 am

Fun stat: Through seven games, DET has given up 12 runs in the ninth inning, 14 runs in all other innings combined.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:11 am

DC47 wrote:Stick, yes. At least if he's an adequate fielder. But to crack the top half of starting center-fielders I think he's going to have to get on base more than 30% of the time. As I recall, Hamilton has never walked much. If that continues, he's going to have a rough time doing this. At least in year one.

I'm assuming he's not much of an outfielder right now, as he's new to the position. But it could well be that he learns fast. With his tools, he could be above-average at some point.

Lots of potential, even if he never becomes more than a singles hitter. Is Vince Coleman with better defense a reasonable comp if things work out well for Hamilton?

Hamilton walked a pretty good bit in the minors.

DC47 · Post by **DC47** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:43 pm

Wasn't that in the low minors? I recall looking at his AAA numbers and wondering if he would have to rely on hitting his way on. Albeit nothing like Ricky, Vince Coleman drew walks. I never understood why. Powerless speedsters should rarely see a three ball count. It would be smarter to let them hit from a tee than throw at a corner with two or three strikes.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:28 am

Yeah, it was. His AAA year was actually pretty bad. But even an OBP of .310 may work for him - I'd just put it 8th in the order as opposed to first.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 7:43 am

Holy Crap Joey Votto batted 2nd yesterday and the day before.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:03 am

Really nice spot for him in the line-up, glad to see Price try it.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:22 am

tennbengal wrote:Really nice spot for him in the line-up, glad to see Price try it.

Agree completely!

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:27 am

Good luck getting RBI from him in the 2 hole. Idiots.

(Going back on Hamilton, I want him to be awesome but the stats say he got promoted despite not even being able to hit AAA pitching. And I wonder if Vince Coleman, born in 1991 rather than 1961 ever makes it out of the minors with his lack of a glove and bat.)

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 1:08 pm

Unless Votto can drive himself in, his RBI opportunities on the Reds offense as currently constructed are few and far between, that's for sure.

And, yes, Mr. D, on Hamilton, in my perfect off-season, the Reds acquire Dexter Fowler and tell Hamilton to make them bring him up with good stuff at AAA. In this world, Walt rolls the dice with Hamilton, puts him at leadoff, and the Reds go through 11 games of nothing and 1 supernova. Seems less than ideal. Hope the ratio of nothing to supernova gets better...

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 1:17 pm

In that vast world of things you'll never be able to know, Hamilton's peak trade value is probably among those you wouldn't want to. Seems like his potential fantasy value and his potential real world value got conflated a bit.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:31 pm

Yes. I spent most of last year mentally begging walt to deal both Hamilton and Chapman. Alas, that ain't Walt's style. Frustrating.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:22 pm

I think the Braves and Phillies need new bullpens.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:26 pm

tennbengal wrote:Yes. I spent most of last year mentally begging walt to deal both Hamilton and Chapman. Alas, that ain't Walt's style. Frustrating.

I did the same last deadline with Cano, Granderson, et all, but to similar no avail. I would kill to know what rental Cano would have drawn if they weren't in "be respectable for Mariano" mode.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:32 pm

Cincinnati weather is insane today. Screenshot:

Raining pretty much all game from what I can see, 9 HRs between the two teams anyway, and now a wintry mix is delaying the game probably until tomorrow. Which will also be wintry.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:32 am

Was 75 sunday, snowing in buckets today. Same weather Cincy is getting.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:54 am

I remember some weird "spring" weather back up in the NE, but this is wild. Is this Earth?

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:30 am

If you want warm weather at this time of year you really need to go to Vermont:

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:39 am

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:46 am

Coat Factory having a rough quarter though, so expect the locals to be on edge.

rass · Post by **rass** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 5:46 pm

tennbengal wrote:Unless Votto can drive himself in, his RBI opportunities on the Reds offense as currently constructed are few and far between, that's for sure.

Woot!

I think (winning) baseball while I'm cooking dinner is my favorite baseball.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:20 am

Vin Scully should overrule instant replay disputes.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:23 pm

If the Reds lose this game, Johnny Cueto will have grounds for justifiable genocide on Reds' batters.

rass · Post by **rass** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:30 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:If the Reds lose this game, Johnny Cueto will have grounds for justifiable genocide on Reds' batters.

Ah shit.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:32 pm

Votto is loving the 2 hole! He's driving in runs like mad!

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 2:01 pm

About as excited I've been about a regular season game in nearly 6 years, you guys. The George Springer era begins.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 4:16 pm

Midweek day games are just the best. Look at all thzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Legalize greenies

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:26 pm

Trivia:

Mariano Rivera had his #42 retired late last year. Who is the only other player who is not Jackie Robinson and who had the number 42 retired by an MLB team?

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:23 pm

Speaking of Rivera, this is pretty cool, but when Mo bang Kobe Bryant?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:27 pm

A man gets lonely on long cross-area-code flights.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:37 pm

Ryan wrote:Speaking of Rivera, this is pretty cool, but when Mo bang Kobe Bryant?

Go Mountaineers!

kranepool · Post by **kranepool** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:06 pm

Rex wrote:Trivia:

Mariano Rivera had his #42 retired late last year. Who is the only other player who is not Jackie Robinson and who had the number 42 retired by an MLB team?

Mo Vaughn. Or this guy.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:12 pm

Sorry, the answer is Ron Kittle.

(it's Sutter)

kranepool · Post by **kranepool** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 2:50 pm

Is there a bigger bitch than Carlos Gomez?

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:44 pm

I like how no one seems to take issue with 23 year old Gerrit Cole starting shit by lecturing 28 year old Carlos Gomez.