8/15 Pleasantries & 8/16 MiLB
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Today's Proables (listed by start time):
Matt Harvey
Alex Wimmers vs. Chad James
Dustin McGowan
Sean Gilmartin
Yunesky Maya
Michael Foltynewicz
Liam Hendricks
Felix Doubront
Eric Surkamp
Tyler Matzek
Adam Warren
Stephen Fife
J.A. Happ
Jay Jackson
Brian Peacock
Martin Perez
Kelvin Marte
Aaron Miller
Graham Godfrey
Luis Mendoza
Please let me know if there are any other notables I am missing, and I will update.
Will ask take the daily BA email and post yesterday's key lines below.
167 comments
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As an owner in a dynasty roto league
I am SOOO interested in whether this guy can hit enough to be able to stomach his other stats alongside his ridiculous SB totals. If he can even hit .275, he’d be an absolute fantasy beast with 70+ SB
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
by OctaShields on Aug 17, 2025 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
he's 6'1", 160
if he could gain 30 lbs of muscle, he won’t steal 70, but he’ll steal 40 and hit.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
not sure he needs to add much muscle...
he’s built like a wiry strong cornerback… his swing is not conducive to home runs, so why bother with “30 lbs of muscle” … thats an awful lot and completely unnecessary. just 10 lbs of muscle would be a huge difference on his frame, and would probably be enough beef to carry him through MLB seasons.
by daveh33 on Aug 17, 2025 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
Doesn’t need to add that kind of muscle, especially for his position. I always thought a good comp for him was Luis Castillo (the good years), .300 avg 60-70sb’s.
by BryceHarper on Aug 17, 2025 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
ummm
Luis Castillo
is and was 190 lbs
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
UMMMMMMM
Scroll to p. 23, 5’11 145lbs at roughly the same age. Do some reading before you post next time.
http://books.google.ca/books?id=wy0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=Baseball+Digest+1996+All-Rookie+team&source=bl&ots=WUAtzPUw8X&sig=yO2xvk6cIiq7arw2uRpszWiCecU&hl=en&ei=TjNMTr7hCoeRsAKO9_GpCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false
by BryceHarper on Aug 17, 2025 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
how many 6'1" 160 lb men you know?
he’ll get the bat knocked out of his hands.
hell, juan pierre is 175.
thats an awful lot and completely unnecessary
i take it you’re 12? or have you never had to hit a 90 mph fastball?
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
he's probably closer to 165 now
and i said he could add 10 lbs. and that would be great…
by daveh33 on Aug 19, 2025 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Just
when I start lowering my expectations of him, he seems to heat up and get me more excited.
by gghulsebus on Aug 16, 2025 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
his bat will play VERY well in CF.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Indeed, he needs A LOT of work defensively
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by Jeff Reese on Aug 18, 2025 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
hes hitting at a ridiculous rate these past ten games
.512/.523/.732
by gobruins12345 on Aug 17, 2025 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
he's good man
you just hate him because he went to use
by iam2asian4u on Aug 17, 2025 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions
good ol' use
the e isn’t even that close to the c
by gobruins12345 on Aug 17, 2025 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
WHAT?!!
You’re talking about a prospect that’s not Jarrod Parker??!! HOW DARE YOU!
I survived the 2004 & 2010 seasons.
Goldschmidt is AWESOME
by dbacks25 on Aug 17, 2025 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He's in my fantasy league
i traded for Grant Green but we had a conversation how I don’t like his bat that much in the OF. Surprisingly he talks about a lot of things outside of Jarrod Parker outside of minorleagueball.
by gobruins12345 on Aug 17, 2025 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
James McDonald for Dee Gordon and Grant Green btw
by gobruins12345 on Aug 17, 2025 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
omg what?
how many team’s in this league 16?
~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 17, 2025 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
14 team dynasty league
with 29 roster spots and farm systems
by gobruins12345 on Aug 18, 2025 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions
8/15 TB Shortstops crushing
Hak-Ju Lee: 2-5, HR #1, 3B #1 (Double-A)
Tim Beckham: 3-5, HR #1, 2B #1 (Triple-A) - Prospect Hitter of the Day
Derek Dietrich: 2-4, HR #18, 2B (28) (Low-A)
by BigG'S on Aug 16, 2025 11:12 AM EDT reply actions
Durham had a double header yesterday and Beckham went 5-9 hitting for the DH cycle.
he has hit pretty well since being moved to Durham and DD is breaking out in a big way, if he can stay in the MIF (probably 2B) his bat should play well.
by Dbullsfan on Aug 16, 2025 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Dietrich is in Low A
I could care less what kind of numbers he’s putting up. A college guy should crush it there. No more than a utility guy.
by docisking on Aug 17, 2025 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions
"Couldn't" care less
haven’t we been over this:)
by Jersey Transplant on Aug 17, 2025 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
One of my pet peeves.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
-Frank Sinatra
by Kerm on Aug 17, 2025 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Derek Dietrich
I feel like he could be an everyday player actually although it’s far from a certainty, sure. I’d be surprised if he mans the SS position in the majors, but I could see him profiling well at 3B or 2B if he continues to show well. Probably the latter if his major league future is in Tampa.
by Matt0330 on Aug 17, 2025 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Up to ~125 IP.
Must be looking strong to the coaching staff.
by blackoutyears on Aug 16, 2025 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Cody Buckel
5 IP | 5 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 9 SO
Season
82.2 IP | 20 BB | 99 SO | 10.78 K/9 | 2.18 BB/9
K%: 29.8
BB%: 6.02
by Tex2044 on Aug 16, 2025 12:16 PM EDT reply actions
Carter Capps pro debut
4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 6 K, 1 BB, 5 GO, 2 FO
by dnc on Aug 16, 2025 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
He was having a terrific debut through 4 IP
4IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BBs, 6 Ks
by RynoRooter on Aug 16, 2025 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Most are calling him a reliever in the end, right? I saw him on the Cape…definitely looks like a reliever.
by Dorn on Aug 16, 2025 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Paul Clemens
7 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Since being traded to the Astros,
19.2 IP, 13 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 9 BB, 17 K
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
by OremLK on Aug 16, 2025 1:13 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks for the updates
FirstInning is still down I guess, and I’m starting to get withdrawals :/
by notsukao on Aug 16, 2025 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I was about to ask that
Been on the fritz for the past 2 days? Funny how dependent I’ve become on that site.
by noelman31 on Aug 16, 2025 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Shelby Miller was fucking suspended today.
Indefinite at this time, but doesn’t look to be more than an ephemeral time frame.
Appears to involve the imbibing of alcohol. Not the first time either as we are learning.
Albert Pujols is a god, and you my friend should be doing no less than groveling at his feet.
by CoolCat23 on Aug 16, 2025 7:24 PM EDT reply actions
He's gonna fit right in with the Cardinals now!
Leader of Drew Vettleson fanclub
by Marinerfanjake on Aug 16, 2025 8:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
it must be a rookie hazing thing the must feel like they have to do
If he wanted to be a Sept. call-up this next month he probably felt like its a must to get his right of passage
This way he is off to a good start with LaRussa unlike Rasmus… who was too much of a goody good.
~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 17, 2025 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Gettong on Tony LaRussa's good side already!
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Aug 17, 2025 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions
wait, when did LaRussa get a "good" side?
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
when you're one of the best hitters ever like pujols....
or a crazy juicer like mcgwire
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Aug 17, 2025 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Fantasy question
In a 20 team league with 15 man minor league rosters, I need help signing a pitcher that has a good chance at becoming a top 100 prospect but is most likely outside of the top 100 pitchers right now. 2011 draftees are unavailable for signing.
I would appreciate any type of contribution. Thank you!
go long with extenze...i do
by angelsownredsux on Aug 16, 2025 7:56 PM EDT reply actions
Hard to answer this without knowing more
Having said that, I’ll throw out Jose Campos of the Mariners.
by ArbeeEye on Aug 16, 2025 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
+1 on Campos
Although I doubt he’s outside the top 100 pitchers at this moment, there probably aren’t too many such lists that have been updated recently enough to include Campos yet.
He’s got plenty of upside - I wouldn’t be shocked to see him make a top 100 prospect list or two this offseason, let alone top 100 pitchers.
by dnc on Aug 16, 2025 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoops, didn't realize he said outside of top 100 pitchers
thought he wrote outside of top 100 prospects both times. That makes it even harder to predict who will jump into top 100 prospects from outside top 100 pitchers.
Judging by mgrich’s list, I think he thought the same thing. Hopefully some of these guys are available.
by ArbeeEye on Aug 16, 2025 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I got a Nice List for ya!
Addison Reed (probably jumping up into top 100 lists lately.)
Joe Wieland
Brett Marshall
Neil Ramirez
Armando Rodriguez
Drew Hutchison
Austin Kirk
Chance Ruffin
Drew Smyly
John Gast
Kyle McPherson
Neil Ramirez
Adrian Salcedo
Just to throw some air hype balloon names out.
Hope it helped somewhat!
by mgrich on Aug 16, 2025 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe Wieland was recognized as a top-50 by KLaw..
And Ramirez made a midseason list as well, I think (BA)…Reed is a great find, but is also a RP only, so something to keep in mind for fantasy leagues.
by dbreer23 on Aug 16, 2025 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
well inside the top 100
Didn’t Keith Law of all people have him inside his midseason top 50, for that matter?
by mrkupe on Aug 17, 2025 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Huh?
Am I missing something?
Now writing for BaseballInstinct.com
by Franchise887 on Aug 16, 2025 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Giants
He pitched against the Giants tonight. Not sure if that is what you are “missing” or not.
by ROBERTS04 on Aug 16, 2025 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
yup
called up to take Hanson’s spot in the rotation…
by dbreer23 on Aug 16, 2025 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
i believe you're missing major league baseball
the point of the whole thing.
1 hitter…not bad (albeit the 1 hit was a no-doubt about it homer).
For some reason Delgado is being seriously underrated, falling off a lot of the mid season rankings, but he’s right there with Tehran and better than Minor and Viczaino.
by scooter on Aug 17, 2025 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
As long as all 4 get a real shot as a starter somewhere
It won’t matter who is being overrated and underrated in the group. I personally think Delgado is the 2nd best of the 4, but we should get a chance to find out.
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 17, 2025 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think he's better than Minor
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by Jeff Reese on Aug 17, 2025 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Is that more of an indictment on Delgado, or do you project Minor as a #2 SP?
I’ve read Delgado projects as a #2-#3 SP…
by dbreer23 on Aug 17, 2025 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
More optimistic on Minor than pessimistic on Delgado
But there’s a bit from each column. Delgado’s delivery seems to lead to command issues at times, and his breaking ball needs considerable work. I like him but don’t love him.
Bullpen Banter
MLB Bonus Baby
Twitter Account: @Ioffridus
by Jeff Reese on Aug 17, 2025 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Delgado just didn't look the same from the stretch either
Obviously he wasn’t in it a whole lot, but when he was he seemed to lose at least 1-2 MPH on his fastball while also losing any sort of ability to hit his spots. Definitely something that he needs to fix before he can see sustained success at the big league level.
As for his raw stuff, it was actually better than I expected. The FB had more velocity than I expected and he flashed 3 different secondaries with good potential. The problem was they weren’t consistent at all and his command in general was lackluster. Still, I feel better about his upside than I did yesterday, but I’m still convinced he needs quite a bit more seasoning before he’s ready for the show.
by nixa37 on Aug 17, 2025 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
The stretch
What is it about pitching from the stretch that’s so difficult for young pitchers? I’ve heard of some organizations simulating games to force kids with big stuff that’s too dominant at lower levels to pitch with runners on. What do you do with your kids to develop this, nixa?
by blackoutyears on Aug 17, 2025 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't even let my kids work from the windup for the most part
There just really isn’t a reason at such a young age. It forces you to perfect two different types of mechanics, it essentially cuts your practice time on each in half, and all the added moving parts are just more ways for a kid to get messed up. If you learn great mechanics from the stretch, it shouldn’t be a problem to add the necessary components at the start to throw from the windup. The windup on the other hand does absolutely nothing to help kids learn how to throw from the stretch.
by nixa37 on Aug 17, 2025 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Disagree
I’m teaching my 10 year old the big ole Guidry windup. Very few kids use the windup & if you don’t master it young…
To me it’s like learning to drive on a “stick shift”. After you master that you never forget it and when you switch to “automatic” you say “is this all you have to do!”
by Jersey Transplant on Aug 17, 2025 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
What sort of league is he playing in?
If he’s going to be playing travel ball where he’ll already be holding guys on or Dizzy Dean where he’s going to start next year, you may be in for a rude awakening. If you’re going to be forced to pitch from the stretch you really need to focus on it with almost all of your practice time. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve seen a kid just be completely dominant until the first baserunner gets on and then suddenly the offense is looking at a 5 run inning. If he’s doing something like Little League (if he is, he’s got some talent, and he likes baseball find him a travel team ASAP) then you can probably get away with using all your time on the windup, but be ready for huge issues once he does have to deal with lead-offs and steals.
I’m not going to tell you that you’re wrong for doing things the way you are, but in my experience it almost always holds kids back. You’re acting like its tough to learn to pitch from the windup, which in my experience is the exact opposite of the case. If a kid has good mechanics from the stretch, he’s not going to have any issues working from a windup. I’m not sure what benefit pitching from the windup even has for younger kids. They generally throw slower from the windup in my experience and all the moving parts make it tougher for them to control. Not to mention that being able to pitch from the windup is more important for real success against similarly talented players since you’re high leverage situations are always going to be coming out of the stretch.
Your last sentence is the exact opposite of my experience. Going from the stretch to the windup is easy. All you have to do is add a step either back or to the side to initiate movement and eventually lead you to the exact same position you’re finding from the stretch. Going from the windup to the stretch you have to figure out how to speed everything up and find your “balance” point from standstill among other things.
by nixa37 on Aug 17, 2025 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve seen a kid just be completely dominant until the first baserunner gets on
This is exactly my issue: the percentage of the time that this happens with young pro pitchers is alarming to me. Makes sense to master the stretch first, which I’m filing away for future reference…
by blackoutyears on Aug 17, 2025 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
When kids pitch
going to the windup after lesrning the stretch is as awkward as teaching a mid 40’s guy (I might resemble that remark) to snowboard when all I’ve done is snow ski. The stretch is easy and comfortable compared to the windup.
The value of the windup is that it provides power from the rotation of the hips & the stride.
Why not take advantage of the chance to get more power on your pitches. Only pitching from the stretch reduces the opportunity to pitch dominately. Many pitchers have reduced speed from the stretch so take advantage with no one on base. This is also valuable because it teaches young pitchers about using their entire body while helping them develop balance.
by Jersey Transplant on Aug 17, 2025 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Again going to disagree
The problem with what you said is that most kids are less likely to use their hips if they’re pitching from the windup. In my experience, kids tend to let their front sides fly open in general, by especially so when they go from the windup. Put them in the stretch and force them to focus on keeping their front side closed through foot plant, and they’ll start seeing how they create power in a large degree with torsion between their hips and shoulders. Good pitchers create power with their hips and stride out of the stretch just as well as they do out of the windup.
Honestly, the idea that pitchers throw significantly harder out of the windup seems to be unfounded at the major league level. I can’t find the study, but over a season or two of pitch f/x data I believe MLB pitchers actually threw their fastballs 0.1 MPH harder out of the stretch than the windup. Now, this number is probably biased because pitchers are more likely to reach back for their max velocity with guys on base, but it shows how the windup doesn’t make a real difference in velocity for good pitchers (now it may help their control, but that’s a different subject). There’s a reason so many relievers can throw so hard despite working only out of the stretch.
by nixa37 on Aug 17, 2025 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
stretch
It can add deception and also effective velocity, what I mean by that is if the ball is delivered closer to the plate a la Lincecum that will add a couple MPH effectively.
If you can add 2mph in true velocity and release the ball closer which might give 1 or 2mph that is about 4mph which is huge in MLB. And if you get deception thats even bigger.
But for kids those mph are not that relevant.
by pedrophile on Aug 17, 2025 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
It's more about learning the technique early on
by Jersey Transplant on Aug 18, 2025 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
anybody else not getting firstinning.com to work the past couple days?
by gore51 on Aug 16, 2025 8:52 PM EDT reply actions
same issue.
Having the same issue. Saw another post here about it also.
by ROBERTS04 on Aug 16, 2025 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
not sure you can call a 18 year old in Rookie Ball a monster
maybe a pup?
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Monster.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
by OctaShields on Aug 17, 2025 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
8/16 Princeton Rays
Ryan Brett 2-4
Jake Hager 2-4 2B K
Drew Vettleson 2-4 K
Cam Seitzer 1-3 BB
No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
by thedudeofdudes on Aug 16, 2025 9:43 PM EDT reply actions
What's wrong with Sale?
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
by OctaShields on Aug 17, 2025 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
other mid to late 1st round picks
have struggled too. he was no different from those guys then, and no different now. he has plenty of time to right the ship, but he was over-hyped for a guy who didn’t command a lot of salary and went so relatively late in the draft.
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 17, 2025 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
im curious why you dont include sale in these updates
even if hes struggling id like to see his numbers posted, hes a big enough name
by gobruins12345 on Aug 17, 2025 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Tyler Brotnick
3-3 2B BB 3SB(41)
No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
by thedudeofdudes on Aug 16, 2025 9:45 PM EDT reply actions
8/16 Tim Beckham in AAA
1-3 K
No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
by thedudeofdudes on Aug 16, 2025 9:47 PM EDT reply actions
Miguel De Los Santos
6 IP | 1 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 11 SO
8 of last 9 outs were SO
32 SO in his last 3 starts, all with at least 10 SO
73:24 SO:BB in 47.2 High A innings this year.
111:41 SO:BB in 75.2 IP between High A and AA
by Tex2044 on Aug 16, 2025 10:01 PM EDT reply actions
he struck people out with something other than the fastball in this start
god help us all
>mfw
by MonkeyEpoxy on Aug 16, 2025 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
with something other than the changeup*
>mfw
by MonkeyEpoxy on Aug 16, 2025 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Think you mean the CH, but point still stands
He was getting SO with the CH, FB, and CB.
by Tex2044 on Aug 16, 2025 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought this was a line from last week...
Man, that’s some repeatability!
by dbreer23 on Aug 16, 2025 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
If he ever does find some consistency he could be really good
Probably a reliever due to high BB. Could be a very good reliever though with a little more command.
by Tex2044 on Aug 16, 2025 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
if he commands the fastball
forget relieving. That changeup. Man.
"If the Saints can reach the Superbowl, the Rangers can reach the World Series." - PhilKid
The Animated Ballpark in Arlington
by FirebatM3 on Aug 17, 2025 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Tyler Matzek
7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 7 BB, 6 SO
Overall pretty decent. He had only 5 BB through 7 innings, before coming out for the 8th and walking two before being taken out. Looking at the positives though, he is continuing to work deep into games since his return, is still pretty much unhittable, and the Ks are still there. From where he was, this is still excellent progress to me.
Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.
by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Aug 16, 2025 10:56 PM EDT reply actions
I'd take the opposite perspective
Since his first start back, he’s been going backwards. The fact that he’s struggling to throw strikes probably helps to explain why he’s not getting hit (to go along with the good stuff, yes).
I remain very concerned.
by mrkupe on Aug 16, 2025 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really..
His first start back he walked 5 in 4 IP. His next two he walked 11 in 10 IP. Then he had the best start of his career, in which he went 7 IP with just one walk (along with 9 Ks). His previous one before tonight was 3 BB in 6 IP. To me that’s improvement, at least in the BB/9 department.
And while you make a point about not throwing strikes, he has still given up just 20 hits in his 34 innings back. Plus 40 Ks in that same time. He’s basically back to his numbers from 2010(since his return), in which he had an era around 3, struck out a batter an inning, and walked 7-8 per 9. Considering where he was the first half of this year, for him to simply get back to where he was last year is fine by me.
He can probably restart in High-A Modesto next year, in which he’ll still be just 21 years old. Randy Johnson went through similar problems, and he turned out just fine..
Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.
by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Aug 17, 2025 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
7-8 walks per 9 is still well inside the "totally unacceptable range", especially in A ball
Even after they shut him down to get him back on track, out of 5 starts, he’s had 3 starts with terrible control and one start with mediocre control.
Don’t see the Johnson comparison as valid.
by mrkupe on Aug 17, 2025 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I brought up Johnson because he had similar ratios his first few years in the minors. Through A ball and AA, Johnson was walking 7-8 per 9, but also K’d about 10 per 9, and was able to maintain an ERA in the 3’s due to only allowing 6-7 hits per 9. He is also a big, hard throwing southpaw. The one major difference is that Johnson was 21-23 years old when he broke into pro ball and went through that, where as Matzek is 18-20 years old.
Sure there are still many differences there, and I’m certainly not saying Matzek will ever have the type of career the Big Unit did(I doubt many ever will). My main point is that there are players who have major control problems at a young age, and in their first couple years of pro ball…that are able to get a hold of it to have successful major league careers. Particularly when they have the other stuff going for them(high amount of Ks, low amount of hits). Control is something that can be developed, natural talent and ability isn’t.
Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.
by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Aug 17, 2025 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions
just b/c someone succeeded with similar numbers doesnt make matzeks start promising
or whatever it was called up there…for the one big unit there are thousands of examples of guys who flamed out b/c they cant throw strikes. matzek will have to make huge strides
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Aug 17, 2025 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
I would give Johnson as a reason for some hope, but not as an indication of any sucess by Maztek.
by mr. maniac on Aug 17, 2025 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
any start with 5 BB, let alone 7 isnt good...
even if it comes with 6 ks
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Aug 17, 2025 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Sure, but..
Any start where you give up 1 ER on 2 H through 7 IP, definitely is. When you put it into context with his season on the whole(when he was walking more batters than IP, and also giving up a ton of hits), it’s him heading in the right direction. Pretty hard to make a complete 180 in a few weeks, so I’ll take whatever positives I can get. And now, there are actually some positives to point to(pitching deep in games, not allowing many hits, increased velocity back into the high 90s, etc), when before there were none at all.
Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.
by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Aug 17, 2025 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
that means you're getting very very lucky
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Aug 17, 2025 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions
i think...
It means that his stuff is too good for A ball hitters, but even he doesn’t know where the hell it’s going at any time. If he was in the upper levels, he’d be getting crushed. Sort of like Danny Duffy right now in KC. You watch him and the stuff is undeniable, yet he has no command whatsoever and he’s just getting torched every start now.
by loop on Aug 17, 2025 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm just happy his stuff seems to be back
That at least gives Matzek some hope again. Earlier in the year the report on the stuff were bad on top of the complete lack of control.
Bullpen Banter
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Twitter Account: @Ioffridus
by Jeff Reese on Aug 17, 2025 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions
and he'll continue to get chances for years to come due to the stuff...
honestly, i wish the royals would try to buy low…although, with $7 million or whatever already invested in him, im sure the rockies arent ready to give up on him
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Aug 17, 2025 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Adeiny Hechavarria
3 for 4, .571 in AAA
12 hits in his first 5.
by Alfamale on Aug 16, 2025 11:36 PM EDT reply actions
Some batting lines from Low A
Brandon Jacobs: 1/4 with a 2b, R & K (103)
Xander Bogaerts- 2/4, RBI, K
Marcell Ozuna- 0 for 5, 1 R ( 2 for 4 with 2b, 19th HR the game prior btw)
Domingo Santana: 1 for 4 in his HOU org debut with BB, K (121) also. I really think this is a fabulous PTBNL choice for the Astros.
Delino DeShields II: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, K
Trayce Thompson: 2/4, R
Mel Rojas II- 2/4, 2 R, RBI
by Matt0330 on Aug 17, 2025 12:06 AM EDT reply actions
Chad Bettis
7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K
His last three starts, 20 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 26 K.
Really starting to solidify himself as a TOR type of prospect, IMO.
Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.
by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Aug 17, 2025 12:17 AM EDT reply actions
I'm starting to wonder
what the ceiling is. I like him better than Thornburg, for instance, who was getting a lot of buzz with a similar good stuff/“too” small profile. Still a long way to go before we start pronouncing him ToR, but considering he’s pitching in the Cali, this is a really impressive season.
by blackoutyears on Aug 17, 2025 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
8/15- maikel cleto
6 ip, 0 ers, 5 k’s, 3 bb’s 3 h’s.
my knowledge on him is limited. i only know that he throws very hard. will someone please give me an unbiased report? it seems that much of the info found through searches on this site comes from angry m’s homers…
by mathwonk on Aug 17, 2025 12:35 AM EDT reply actions
"Angry M's Homers"?
I presume you mean me.
And my assessment of Cleto is spot on. Do whatever you want with the information. Ignore it for all I care. Wallow in your ignorance. Etc. Etc.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Aug 17, 2025 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions
lolololololololol
Leader of Drew Vettleson fanclub
by Marinerfanjake on Aug 17, 2025 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
umm
There’s a lot of contradictory info out there. For instance, you had a post stating that you thought he was the m’s closer of the future. More recently you’ve said that he’s worthless. Mike newman from sts had him in his top 25 players that he’s ever scouted in june. That’s a strong endorsement.
by mathwonk on Aug 17, 2025 1:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Martin Perez
6 IP | 7 H | 3 ER | 1 BB | 4 K
>mfw
by MonkeyEpoxy on Aug 17, 2025 12:35 AM EDT reply actions
i know the "youth in AAA" argument
but is anyone else slightly concerned about Perez? Everyone talks about “ace” potential and he having, possibly, 4 + pitches. But his numbers this year look pretty meh.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 4:31 AM EDT up reply actions
3.99 FIP as a 20 y.o. in AAA. No concern here.
Scouting reports far outweigh stats.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
-Frank Sinatra
by Kerm on Aug 17, 2025 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Seems like prospect fatigue
sets in faster and faster these days. I blame it on MTV and Simpson-Bruckheimer films.
by blackoutyears on Aug 17, 2025 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
True that
and really, I’ve always considered him a future strong #2 starter rather than an ace in waiting. I think people hype and expect too much out of prospects. Even guys in the top 20 won’t all be superstars, and age 20 is way too early to worry about any prospect unless they’re totally falling apart in both scouting reports and stats.
Some see a glass half empty, some a glass half full. I see a glass that's twice as big as it needs to be. - George Carlin
by t ball on Aug 17, 2025 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
you might
but all the scouting reports are “ace potential”. i still think he gets there…but it might be difficult.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Starling
Marte 3-5 , 2B up to….330/.363/.496 on the year.. after breaking his hamate bone last year.
Bryan Morris 3IP, 0H, 0ER, 0BB, 3K - I still think he can start
Robbie Grossman 2-3, BB
Zach Dodson - 6 IP, 4H, ER, BB, 3K
And from other teams that played Pirates affiliates
Playing opposite Starling Marte, Anthony Gose 0-4, 2K.. Must have been fun to watch CF that day.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Aug 17, 2025 1:01 AM EDT reply actions
Mike Antonio
2-5, 2B
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
http://twitter.com/doublestix
by doublestix on Aug 17, 2025 1:28 AM EDT reply actions
this guy doesn't matter, but check out the strikeouts
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=598676
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
http://twitter.com/doublestix
by doublestix on Aug 17, 2025 1:36 AM EDT reply actions
like this guy as a baseball player doesn't matter?
or like this guy as a human being doesn’t matter? Did he rape someone or something? Or is he literally of no consequence, like a ghost, or the show “Glee”?
by sourstuff on Aug 17, 2025 4:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Can find very little about his repetoire, but an undrafted free agent who is 22-years-old in the Pioneer League helps explain a little of why there's little talk of him.
Royals July Minor League Pitcher of the month!
follow @casetines
by Kenneth Arthur on Aug 17, 2025 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
even still...why havent they moved him up to see what happens...
seems weird
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Aug 17, 2025 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
More importantly
He has a 1.5 GO:FO ratio!
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 17, 2025 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
holy crap!
and 3 walks!? if he’s got a trick pitch, he must know how to use it
by PrincetonCubs on Aug 17, 2025 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
his FIP for 2011 is -0.65
Yes, he’s actually expected to take back runs when he pitches - lol.
by dbreer23 on Aug 17, 2025 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
hahahahahaha
"BA doesn't stand for Batting Average. It’s Brandon Allen, as in the percentage of a hitter’s worth compared to Brandon Allen. Ted Williams, at his best, was only 4/10th of the hitter Brandon Allen is today." - YonYonson
by hero66 on Aug 17, 2025 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet Jarrod Parker could get him out.
ba dum chhh!
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
-Frank Sinatra
by Kerm on Aug 17, 2025 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
That's good
because he’ll need a new occupation after he flames out of baseball:)
by Jersey Transplant on Aug 17, 2025 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
altuve could double down
and bet him out
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 17, 2025 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Appy League Pitcher
Tim Shuboya 7.0 IP - 2 H - 0 BB - 12 K’s , 1 ER
yesterday
~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 17, 2025 4:41 PM EDT reply actions
*Shibuya
~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 17, 2025 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Wimmers and Chad James were locked in a good one last night too in FSL
Chad James wins and outpiched him slightly
~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 17, 2025 4:42 PM EDT reply actions
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