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Post by wcsoxfan on Aug 19, 2024 13:16:19 GMT -5
Sogard had a pretty good run with 50 PA in only 12 games. Unfortunately his batting line (.227/.300/.250) wasn't up to MLB levels in the short call-up and I took a closer look at his AAA numbers to see if there were any underlying issues.
Within the SSS of 50 PA Sogard had an 86.5 EV (9th percentile), 0% Barrel% (0th percentile) and 25.9% HardHit% (2nd percentile). While in the international league these numbers were 86.1 EV (31st percentile), 4.2% Barrel% (31st percentile) and 29.1% HardHit% (20th percentile). These numbers have been a solid improvement from 83.5% EV, 2.2% Barrel% and 23.5% HardHit% he had in 2023.
If we look at individual pitch categories, Sogard's wOBA/xwOBA was .279/.300 against fastballs, .222/.304 against break balls and .220/.229 against offspeed pitches at the MLB level. In the international league his wOBA/xwOBA by pitch was .392/.365 against fastballs, .273/.244 against breaking balls and .282/.242 against offspeed pitches. in 2023 these numbers for wOBA/xwOBA were .404/.346 on fastballs, .247/.278 on breakings balls and .192/.213 on offspeed pitches - showing he's made improvement against offspeed pitches.
If we're looking at the bright side, Sogard leads all MLB players (with 50+ PA) in LA sweet-spot%. Unfortunately the rest isn't as flattering as Sogard can clearly hit fastballs quite well at the triple-A level but struggles against offspeed/breaking pitches - an issue which will likely be exploited to a greater extent at the MLB level while his lack of power really limits him offensively. Hopefully he can continue to improve in these areas in 2025 and eventually become a consistent MLB contributor.
Notes on the above & extra: - percentiles are based on qualified MLB players and International League players with 250+ PA - would have liked to include bat speed, but haven't seen a reliable source for triple-A players in bulk - most statistics are taken from Baseball Savant with some from Fangraphs - looked at lefty/righty splits but didn't see anything consistent enough to gleen information from - probably should have put this in graphs/tables, but I think the written version illustrates the issues well
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cdj
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Post by cdj on Aug 19, 2024 15:54:37 GMT -5
Doesn’t have a ton of bat speed which I would imagine they’ll try to work on too
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Post by dirtywaterinla on Aug 22, 2024 0:05:50 GMT -5
What are the chances we see Sogard as a September call up? I know Cora had mentioned Valdez, but that doesn’t make any sense to me. Sure, Sogard is no masher as discussed here, but he brings excellent defensive value and decent speed off the bench. Maybe this question is pointless if Story is ready (which it doesn’t seem like he’ll be)?
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Post by tjb21 on Aug 22, 2024 6:19:13 GMT -5
What are the chances we see Sogard as a September call up? I know Cora had mentioned Valdez, but that doesn’t make any sense to me. Sure, Sogard is no masher as discussed here, but he brings excellent defensive value and decent speed off the bench. Maybe this question is pointless if Story is ready (which it doesn’t seem like he’ll be)? Without further injuries? Close to 0.
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Post by ancientsoxfogey on Aug 22, 2024 7:13:15 GMT -5
What are the chances we see Sogard as a September call up? I know Cora had mentioned Valdez, but that doesn’t make any sense to me. Sure, Sogard is no masher as discussed here, but he brings excellent defensive value and decent speed off the bench. Maybe this question is pointless if Story is ready (which it doesn’t seem like he’ll be)? If I were the Sox and only had two call-ups in September, I'd make them pitchers. No disrespect to any position players out there, but this team needs all the pitching it can muster.
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ematz1423
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Post by ematz1423 on Aug 22, 2024 7:18:10 GMT -5
What are the chances we see Sogard as a September call up? I know Cora had mentioned Valdez, but that doesn’t make any sense to me. Sure, Sogard is no masher as discussed here, but he brings excellent defensive value and decent speed off the bench. Maybe this question is pointless if Story is ready (which it doesn’t seem like he’ll be)? If I were the Sox and only had two call-ups in September, I'd make them pitchers. No disrespect to any position players out there, but this team needs all the pitching it can muster. I get the logic but I'm also not sure what adding an extra pitcher instead of a hitter really does for the pitching at the ML level? Like you said the team needs pitching but it has to be good pitching, adding a AAAA reliever doesn't really help them. Fitts does need to be added to the 40 man this offseason so I could see a scenario where they decide to add him and see if his fastball/slider combo can play up in short stints out of the pen I guess. Seems unlikely to me though, the most likely course for the extra two call ups for Sept are Hendriks and Valdez or Story if Story is ready to go.
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Post by nonothing on Aug 22, 2024 9:44:56 GMT -5
Penrod also a consideration -- Lefties throwing high 90s are worthy of taking a shot on, especially given our lack of consistency from LHRPs.
Sogard totally reasonable if there is an injury/Story not ready and they need somebody to start games vs come off the bench to hit as lefty.
Also - I assume Gasper stayed vs Sogard so that Sogard could play every day while Gasper can learn about/work with the pitching staff in a way that is productive even if he sits on the bench in games, given Teel was going to get the majority of starts in AAA at this point. Sogard can stay ready defensively to jump in at MLB level if/when needed.
So I don't think Gasper "beat" Sogard out. I think Sogard opens the year on the Sox next yr or is first utility man up for injury. I think he did the job well.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Aug 22, 2024 10:52:06 GMT -5
I think they can only call up one more pitcher,fyi.
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Post by nonothing on Aug 22, 2024 12:23:18 GMT -5
I think they can only call up one more pitcher,fyi. True, but they can swap. Wouldn't shock me to see Penrod selected and go up to the Sox with a current active BP pitcher optioned -- on top of adding Hendriks. If Paxton ends up going to IL-60 (though hope not), DFA of current minors pitcher would not even be required. And then Story is added +/- whoever is needed due to injuries. Sogard or Valdez could be used in the Gaspar spot, even after Story is hopefully added.
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Post by tjb21 on Aug 23, 2024 19:05:20 GMT -5
Penrod also a consideration -- Lefties throwing high 90s are worthy of taking a shot on, especially given our lack of consistency from LHRPs. Sogard totally reasonable if there is an injury/Story not ready and they need somebody to start games vs come off the bench to hit as lefty. Also - I assume Gasper stayed vs Sogard so that Sogard could play every day while Gasper can learn about/work with the pitching staff in a way that is productive even if he sits on the bench in games, given Teel was going to get the majority of starts in AAA at this point. Sogard can stay ready defensively to jump in at MLB level if/when needed. So I don't think Gasper "beat" Sogard out. I think Sogard opens the year on the Sox next yr or is first utility man up for injury. I think he did the job well. Sogard is a cool story. Rooting for the kid! Still think Sogard stands a better chance of being DFA’d this offseason than being on the 2025 opening day roster.
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Post by Underwater Johnson on Aug 23, 2024 22:44:34 GMT -5
Penrod also a consideration -- Lefties throwing high 90s are worthy of taking a shot on, especially given our lack of consistency from LHRPs. Sogard totally reasonable if there is an injury/Story not ready and they need somebody to start games vs come off the bench to hit as lefty. Also - I assume Gasper stayed vs Sogard so that Sogard could play every day while Gasper can learn about/work with the pitching staff in a way that is productive even if he sits on the bench in games, given Teel was going to get the majority of starts in AAA at this point. Sogard can stay ready defensively to jump in at MLB level if/when needed. So I don't think Gasper "beat" Sogard out. I think Sogard opens the year on the Sox next yr or is first utility man up for injury. I think he did the job well. Sogard is a cool story. Rooting for the kid! Still think Sogard stands a better chance of being DFA’d this offseason than being on the 2025 opening day roster. I'm guessing he's a sweetener in a bigger deal. Switch hitter, plays all the IF positions passably, acquitted himself well enough in his first taste of the Show, and based on the crowd shots of his cheering section in his first game, he does not have any self-esteem issues to worry about...
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