Some Notes from Arizona

by John Sickels on Nov 1, 2025 2:32 PM EDT

Well I'm sitting in my hotel room in Arizona right now, getting ready to head out to a game this afternoon. Three points.

1) This won't come as a surprise to you, but Matt Wieters is really, really good. He is a cross between Joe Mauer and Mike Piazza. The only things that could hurt him would be injury (always possible) or a really severe case of Young Catcher Stagnation Syndrome (seems unlikely to me).

2) A lot of the players here look tired, going through the motions more or less. The ones with the better work ethics and/or greater reserves of stamina and energy really stand out.

3) Occasionally I get questions about the how the website and the Sportsblog network are doing. The answer is, really well. We have just secured strong venture capital financing which you can read about in the Sports Business Journal.

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Hope you're enjoying Arizona

If you don’t mind, who are the guys that are really standing out?

Oh, and while you’re there, could you tell me if Sean Doolittle has a hole in his swing the size of Texas or just Ohio?

Thanks.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Nov 1, 2025 2:41 PM EDT 0 recs

doolittle

Doolittle is interesting. his swing was longer than I expected to had been led to believe.

by John Sickels on Nov 1, 2025 6:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cant argue with his results in the AFL so far tho.

"With 16-year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa in tow, Gio Gonzalez improving at Triple-A and lefty Brett Anderson carving up Double-Abatters along with Simmons and Trevor Cahill, Oakland’s pitching depthis officially the envy of baseball." - BaseballAmerica.com

by Syphon on Nov 2, 2025 3:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

Sure you can...

As John said:

2) A lot of the players here look tired, going through the motions more or less. The ones with the better work ethics and/or greater reserves of stamina and energy really stand out.

If guys are just going through the motions, it stands to reason that those who are more interested (i.e. Doolittle) will perform better. Perhaps he won’t be so lucky when facing stiffer competition.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Nov 2, 2025 4:30 PM EST up 0 recs

He performing well and thats a good thing.

It shows he takes his performance seriously. Perhaps he will be just fine vs stiffer competition.

by Syphon on Nov 2, 2025 4:38 PM EST up 0 recs

Perhaps

But he looked awful in AA this year. He did well in Stockton but then again, all hitters seem to do well in that batting paradise.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Nov 2, 2025 4:44 PM EST up 0 recs

He wasnt good.. but he wasnt terrible.

He was prob just wore down since he never had played this many games before. the month off seemed to serve him well.

by Syphon on Nov 2, 2025 6:45 PM EST up 0 recs

Lets be fair

He was great in High A but he was terrible in AA. I believe he had a .699 OPS which is terrible for a 1B.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Nov 2, 2025 6:48 PM EST up 0 recs

Cant argue.

But its very encouraging to see him bounce back. I still think he could be an .800+ OPS 1st baseman.

by Syphon on Nov 2, 2025 7:30 PM EST up 0 recs

Given what happened last year, which was basically the same thing,

I think a better guess is that he wore down at the end of the regular season but was re-energized by the month break. Hopefully he will build up more stamina as his pro career progresses.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Nov 3, 2025 1:25 AM EST up 0 recs

Sounds like in your mind John that Wieters could be a future HOF

Could he be a .325 30 110 catcher?

by Bravesin07 on Nov 1, 2025 3:12 PM EDT 0 recs

wieters

He has Hall of Fame caliber talent.

DISCLAIMER: THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL PAN OUT. All kinds of things can get in his way. But yes, I can say without reservation that his ceiling is that of a Hall of Fame catcher.

by John Sickels on Nov 1, 2025 6:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

Restrictions apply, results may vary

I see the future, and it is Pablo

by CB30 on Nov 2, 2025 11:16 PM EST up 0 recs

What do you think of Logan Morrison?

He’s putting up a show.

by Bravesin07 on Nov 1, 2025 3:14 PM EDT 0 recs

very impressive

Very impressive bat, very quick. Pretty mobile too. I like him a lot.

by John Sickels on Nov 1, 2025 6:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

morrison

every time he gets on the community ballot he garners no support and falls back off. noy getting much community respect yet, but he’ll likely be in the top 40 or so.

by wobatus on Nov 2, 2025 11:00 AM EST up 0 recs

Tomy Hanson

Did you see him pitch yet? If so, what did he look like?

by Jay212033 on Nov 1, 2025 4:30 PM EDT 0 recs

hanson

I don’t think I am going to get to see him. people i have spoken with who have seen him have nothing but praise for his performance here.

by John Sickels on Nov 1, 2025 6:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Murphy

I hope he’s one of the guys who stands out because of his work ethic.

Have you seen him at 2B yet?

by supermets on Nov 1, 2025 5:17 PM EDT 0 recs

murphy

haven’t seen murphy yet. not sure i will be able to. Have to leave tomorrow to get home before the election.

by John Sickels on Nov 1, 2025 6:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

I heard that Omar was going to move Murphy back to the outfield after the futures game, regardless of how he did at 2nd.

by Lunkwill Fook on Nov 3, 2025 11:59 AM EST up 0 recs

Smoak?

Can you find out why he has played games for Peoria and Suprise?

by laxtonto on Nov 1, 2025 6:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Smoak

I believe that a Peoria player either got hurt or had to leave, allowing Smoak to transfer from Suprise’s taxi squad to Peoria’s regular roster.

by matt0177 on Nov 1, 2025 6:46 PM EDT 0 recs

makes a lot of sense

thanks

by laxtonto on Nov 1, 2025 6:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Are you watching Hughes tonight?

What have your heard about him down there?

by Bravesin07 on Nov 1, 2025 6:56 PM EDT 0 recs

Wrong Hughes pitching tonight

what have your heard about Phil Hughes?

by Bravesin07 on Nov 1, 2025 7:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Smoak

I looked at a Surprise roster Thursday morning, saw Smoak, drove two and a half hours to watch the game, saw no Smoak at the game, drove back home, pulled up the roster, and saw that he had been transferred to Peoria :(

by matt0177 on Nov 1, 2025 7:01 PM EDT 0 recs

if he were on the surprise taxi squad, you wouldn't have seen him on a thursday anyway.

pretty sure the taxi squad guys can only play on wednesday and saturday (barring injuries to other players).

by larry on Nov 1, 2025 9:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

Andrew Carignan

John thoughts on Mr Carignan? Future closer or setup in his future?

Done nothing but get the job done since being drafted.

You probably have him in the B-/C+ range but could he eventually become Oajkland’s closer. Probably the strongest part of the organization but seems to have the stuff and moxy to fulfill the role if called apon.

Thoughts?

by Bud Light on Nov 1, 2025 10:36 PM EDT 0 recs

I don’t know. Wieters sounds good, but is he, like, Daniel Moskos good? Only time will tell.

by Grant on Nov 1, 2025 10:45 PM EDT 0 recs

good question

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Nov 2, 2025 8:26 PM EST up 0 recs

LOL

That could be one of the worst things that has happend to the Pirates in their history. Passing up Moskos for Wieters. Moskos if he pitches like this year will never make it to the majors.

by Bravesin07 on Nov 1, 2025 10:51 PM EDT 0 recs

Josh Donaldson

Was his Peoria stats just a really long bad slump? Hes been one fire since joining the A’s organization.

by Syphon on Nov 2, 2025 3:55 AM EDT 0 recs

Rhyne Hughes, Bill Rhinehart

John, Somak and Morrison getting a lot of press but Hughes and Rhinehart a couple of relatively unsung 1B who are getting some press in AZ. Have you seen either?

by thebroman on Nov 2, 2025 10:37 AM EST 0 recs

jason donald

Doesn’t seem tired. Greenies! Just kidding.

by wobatus on Nov 2, 2025 11:01 AM EST 0 recs

don't forget he got a whole month's vacation in the middle of the season

he got paid for it, too. plus he got to take home some bronze knick-knacks.

When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating.

by variablesdont on Nov 2, 2025 11:07 AM EST up 0 recs

Any Desmond Jennings sightings?

Looking at his numbers he looks over-matched, which shouldn’t be surprising considering his lack of ABs against competition of this caliber. Any insight on whether this seems to be due to lingering injuries or if he’s just a little green?

Thanks.

by rglass44 on Nov 3, 2025 11:14 AM EST 0 recs