SoxProspects News
|
|
|
|
Legal
Forum Ground Rules
The views expressed by the members of this Forum do not necessarily reflect the views of SoxProspects, LLC.
© 2003-2024 SoxProspects, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Home | Search | My Profile | Messages | Members | Help |
Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.
Recent Posts
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 30, 2015 14:13:30 GMT -5
Sorry about that stupid umbrella. Sarasota/Ed Smith complex has these two umbrellas up for the poor players manning the "gun" so they don't burn and there is NO COVER at all for the fans. There was a BIG crowd of about 50 people today. Much more than usual. 4 years ago you could walk down both foul lines and get different perspectives and photos....now we are in a corral without any way of moving. I understand why I like "free range" chicken better now!
I did want to also tell you all how much I was impressed with Nick Hamilton. He looked quite good at the plate each time. He took the count to 3 balls, etc. each time and hit a solid single. Strong build. Another 17 year old kid!!
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 30, 2015 14:07:50 GMT -5
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 30, 2015 14:05:16 GMT -5
Well Anderson Espinoza did not disappoint folks. He is very poised and slightly bigger than I thought he was. I think you'll be able to see from the pictures he may be somewhat heavier than the 160 (170?) they had him down for. I guess MacDonalds (or the Waffle House) is working wonders. According to an Arizona Diamondback scout he hit a high of 97 in the 2nd and 3rd, but was primarily between 94 and 96 with his 4-seamer. He threw his curve and change-up with a lot of confidence. His curve was about 78 to 79. The change was around 84. There was only one ball that was struck well off him and it was a solid single to right by a right handed hitter who just went with the pitch. His mechanics, to me, look free and easy and easily repeated. He looks damn confident and has reasons to feel that way. Physically he, I hate saying this, looked like Pedro. I believe he can easily put on another solid 10 pounds. He seemed to be pretty athletic when getting over to first a couple of times and fielding his position once. Enjoy the photos. I can be too optimistic at times, but he looks like the real deal to me.      |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 30, 2015 8:56:16 GMT -5
Unless I have a car accident on the way to the ballpark or get ebola, I will be at the GCL game. Looking forward to my first look at Anderson Espinoza.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 30, 2015 8:53:51 GMT -5
It would be a lot better to see them on the field than at the local Waffle House. Interesting how the Sox play the signing game. I keep hoping there will be a "real" sighting of the rare "Beni" bird. Maybe it all comes down to their hopefulness of signing someone like Brakeman and then announcing the signings of Rei and Beni. Sadly, no Waffle Houses in New England, closest one is in PA. But, point taken. HOW do you guys and gals cope? I thought Waffle House already had future expansion plans figured out for Mars. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 30, 2015 6:59:10 GMT -5
Benintendi and Rei are in Lowell, per Bradford. Signings not official yet though. Yay! It would be a lot better to see them on the field than at the local Waffle House. Interesting how the Sox play the signing game. I keep hoping there will be a "real" sighting of the rare "Beni" bird. Maybe it all comes down to their hopefulness of signing someone like Brakeman and then announcing the signings of Rei and Beni. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 29, 2015 18:16:25 GMT -5
Does anyone have any statistics on what percentage or runs scored in baseball are off of home runs? It seems like a huge percentage of the runs Ball has given up have been off of home runs (I would guess over 1/3). I can't imagine that is normal. If not, what does that tell us? If he kept a couple more balls in the park, he could be having a great season. Is there any historical stats to show that pitchers who give up a lot of home runs at the lower levels can drastically improve? Earlier this year a writer on Hardballtimes.com posted a set of articles on which statistics he found were significant for minor league pitchers and hitters (here's the link: www.hardballtimes.com/katoh-forecasting-major-league-pitching-with-minor-league-stats/) here are his findings which include that below AAA and AA hr% is not very significant... "The table below summarizes which stats proved significant at each minor league level. This analysis includes minor league data going back to 1991, the earliest year for which Baseball-Reference has batters-faced totals for pitchers. R+ refers to the advanced rookie leagues–the Appalachian and Pioneer Leagues — while R- includes the Arizona and Gulf Coast Leagues. The following factors wound up being significant for pitchers at one or more minor league level: Age, the percentage of a pitcher’s games that were starts, strikeout rate, walk rate, home run rate, and handedness. Additionally, the square of a pitcher’s strikeout rate (K%^2) was significant at the Triple-A level with a negative coefficient." Significant Statistics By Level| level | Age | GS% | K% | BB% | HR% | Handedness | K^2 | | AAA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | | AA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No
| | A+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | | A- | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | | R+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | | R- | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
"Just as we saw with hitters, a pitcher’s walk rate is not at all predictive for appearances in the lowest levels of the minor leagues. However, once a pitcher reaches full-season ball, a one percent change in walk rate immediately becomes almost as useful as a one percent change in strikeout rate in forecasting future performance. This differs from what I found for hitters, whose walk rates mean very little below Double-A, and don’t become as useful as strikeout rate until the Triple-A level. Home run rate is another metric that’s pretty much meaningless in the lower levels of the minors. Although it starts to add some predictive value as early as A-ball, its effect is relatively small for pitchers below Double- and Triple-A. Relative to strikeout percentage, a one percent increase in a pitcher’s home run rate matters about twice as much Triple-A as it would for a pitcher in Low-A and Short-Season-A."Wow....very interesting how these metrics are considered at each level. Thanks brnichols19873 |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 29, 2015 18:00:13 GMT -5
Any idea if Espinoza is pitching tomorrow in Sarasota? Here's a great SP resource - forum.soxprospects.com/thread/2600/pitching-probables It's an underrated resource that's not used nearly enough. According to this, Espinoza is scheduled to pitch tomorrow. It's the best information we have. I hope you get to go Steve. You relay some greta 1st observations of the GCL Sox. We'd love to hear you observations of Espinoza. Thanks iakovos11! It looks like I will be there and hopefully I will be blown away by young Anderson Espinoza. Excited. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 29, 2015 17:37:47 GMT -5
Any idea if Espinoza is pitching tomorrow in Sarasota?
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 28, 2015 14:28:07 GMT -5
Very nice outing for Joe Kelly! Craig 0 for 4 so far.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 28, 2015 10:20:43 GMT -5
Some strong opinions and maybe even decisions are going to be made today with Kelly starting for Pawtucket and Masterson for the BoSox. Hope I'm wrong about Kelly, but they both look like bullpen arms to me.
It sure looks like a mismatch in St Pete today.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 26, 2015 12:39:55 GMT -5
Its gotten to the point I'm just rooting for development and not worrying about the standings. Porcello's start is real important for him to get back on track. I still think he is going to help us a lot, but I want to see that consistency. For as big of a mess things have been, the rotation has had some strong performances. Important night for Porcello, but just as important for the Sox. Lets get this rotation set and have a strong 2nd half.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 26, 2015 12:22:53 GMT -5
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 25, 2015 12:13:36 GMT -5
Kelly to AAA and Masterson to the starting rotation is a horrible move. The Masterson part might be horrible, but count me as one guy who likes Kelly going to AAA. He needs it, from a production and humility perspective. Agreed that this needed to happen. He has got to get consistent or he will be a bullpen arm period. I'm not a fan of Masterson getting his start (I want to bring up Johnson), but I guess with respect to a pecking order you have to give another try. BUT hopefully if he does poorly, they wake up and bring Brian Johnson up. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 24, 2015 19:41:15 GMT -5
Does anyone know what they feed those kids in Lowell? 10 runs already after 4 innings. Send that "feed" to Fenway! I'm guessing cheeseburgers, fries and tacos. Probably.....I wish I could still eat that crap......especially tacos! |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 24, 2015 19:16:04 GMT -5
Brian Johnson 6.0 1 0 0 0 6
Darn folks....call him up! 73 pitches and 59 strikes. 1 single and NO walks!
Of course the same is being done to their offense, with Bradley having the only hit.
Does anyone know what they feed those kids in Lowell? 10 runs already after 4 innings. Send that "feed" to Fenway!
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 24, 2015 18:26:14 GMT -5
It's kinda funny, like when the Chinese government quotes The Onion to make some disparaging remark about the US ... but I'm not bothered by it. I see it less as a negotiating tactic and more the expressions of pure joy from a dude who must feel like he died and went to sports agent heaven. "OHMYGOD DID YOU SEE WHAT MY GUY JUST DID?!?! I SIGNED HIM!!!!!" It's going to be funny when Espinoza ditches him for Boras in two years. Maybe not for us. I mean the Red Sox. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 24, 2015 11:44:56 GMT -5
Margot and Travis in Portland sure makes that squad a lot more interesting to watch. You can say that again! |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 24, 2015 11:43:32 GMT -5
Sam Travis indeed promoted to Portland, per Alex Speier. Wonderful news and well deserved! |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 24, 2015 11:42:51 GMT -5
I'm just saying they just went through all the trouble of giving him the choice of either getting called back up to pitch out of the bullpen or staying in Pawtucket for another rehab start. I think it's pretty clear at this point that they're ready to move on from him as a starter. It's not like they didn't know there was a possibility Kelly would suck in his next start. Personally, while I wouldn't rule out the converse by any stretch, I think it more likely that Johnson gets a start than Masterson, at this point. Darn.......I hope you are right. This is the perfect time with Johnson and Kelly pretty much on the same schedule turn. Even with us performing badly way too much of the time, it is a treat to see our young kids doing quite well. I'd like to see Johnson get, at least, a couple of starts. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 23, 2015 17:47:43 GMT -5
"Thanks for finally freeing me" Rusney Castillo while leaving the Boston clubhouse.
Best move for him. Hopefully he stays healthy and plays 40-50 games in a row, and gets called up and has a long successful career.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 23, 2015 14:17:41 GMT -5
Making plans to head to the Fort for July 4 weekend.. They are home 7/4 and 7/6. Wife to the beach and my son and myself to the games on Saturday and then Monday. Espinoza may not be there, but hoping more of the newer draftees arrive. That is one "understanding" wife you got there John. Enjoy. I hope you see Anderson Espinoza! Hopefully you'll see one of my favorites in the "Jagger" man. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 23, 2015 8:37:49 GMT -5
I'm intrigued by this guy. Great K/BB rates, low BAA. He has performed at every level thus far. It seems as though he can be a solid late inning reliever soon. I haven't seem him in person, but am curious what others think. I've been following his progress also. No one is really talking much about him. I've never seen him and would like to hear a scouting report on him from someone. Even in AAA he is fine. The mystery man! |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 22, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -5
Definitely Sam Travis deserves to be promoted to AA. Presently he is: - number 1 in a counting stat that ignores walks, strikeouts, and doesn't control for BABIP luck - 3rd in a basically meaningless stat - 4th in an utterly useless stat - and tied for not that high in the lesser of XBH fixed that for you. But since he does have a good WOBA, BB% and K%, I'm good with a promotion as well. Hope they consider letting Devers take his place. Sounds like your glass is about a third full |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jun 22, 2015 18:23:25 GMT -5
No. No (you're not wrong). So much for my idea of starting a "The Knights who say Rei" thread. Bring me some shrubbery!! I wish they would show that flick every week. |
|
|
