Comments on: Random Thoughts, Week One http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/ Seattle Mariners blog and general baseball discussion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: BelaXadux http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-2/#comment-94746 BelaXadux Thu, 13 Apr 2006 04:10:27 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-94746 Derek, I'm aware of that difference and it's degree, yes, and that is the comparison I'm making. The issues with it are: a) Bloomquist is thoroughly mediocre at best, so that while he's better than Reed against lefties you want to get someone in there who REALLY can hit, and b) Bloomquist is so inferior defensively that it's a bad move. The point in the comment there is that Bloomers just isn't good enough often enough. I have no problem with Reed being platooned against lefties, though, that's the move to make. Derek, I’m aware of that difference and it’s degree, yes, and that is the comparison I’m making. The issues with it are: a) Bloomquist is thoroughly mediocre at best, so that while he’s better than Reed against lefties you want to get someone in there who REALLY can hit, and b) Bloomquist is so inferior defensively that it’s a bad move. The point in the comment there is that Bloomers just isn’t good enough often enough. I have no problem with Reed being platooned against lefties, though, that’s the move to make.

]]> By: DMZ http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-2/#comment-94322 DMZ Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:18:35 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-94322 Bloomquist v LHP, 2003-2005: .257/.306/.350 Reed v LHP, same: .200/.285/.273 That's fairly huge, if you want to put credence in them. Which you shouldn't, for a variety of reasons, but if you really think that's the comparison Hargrove's making, well... that's 100 points of OPS, and that's pretty huge. Bloomquist v LHP, 2003-2005: .257/.306/.350
Reed v LHP, same: .200/.285/.273

That’s fairly huge, if you want to put credence in them. Which you shouldn’t, for a variety of reasons, but if you really think that’s the comparison Hargrove’s making, well… that’s 100 points of OPS, and that’s pretty huge.

]]> By: BelaXadux http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-2/#comment-94321 BelaXadux Wed, 12 Apr 2006 06:59:39 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-94321 Beltre has had seven years at the major league level to learn to recognize pitches. His '04 notwithstanding, his career numbers are entirely consistent with what we saw at the plate in '05 and are seeing now. I wouldn't be a penny on him learning to recognize what the pitcher is throwing or doing. Adrian's glove is what you'd expect on a $13M-a-year guy, but his bat . . . . Wish they'd moved him in the offseason, but there it is. The sad thing about Willie B. playing CF is that it's quite clear that he's being written in at that position to get his bat in the lineup. He makes a bit of contact against LHPs, Reed doesn't much, and Grover vastly overrates the difference. To play Bloomers against a LHP otherwise, Hargrove would have to sit Lopez, Beltre, or Raul, and that's not going to happen on any frequent basis. That said, Bloomers never played CF before last year, has no apptitude whatsoever for the position, and anyone playing him there deserves what they get. CF is the most important position on the field after catcher exactly because if you screw up out there it's extra-bases, exactly like the single Willie 'hustled' into a triple. I'm not that worried about the bullpen. There have been good performances as well as bad, no one has had time to get in any kind of groove yet, and the Ms have viable Plan Bs in Tacoma. Beltre has had seven years at the major league level to learn to recognize pitches. His ’04 notwithstanding, his career numbers are entirely consistent with what we saw at the plate in ’05 and are seeing now. I wouldn’t be a penny on him learning to recognize what the pitcher is throwing or doing. Adrian’s glove is what you’d expect on a $13M-a-year guy, but his bat . . . . Wish they’d moved him in the offseason, but there it is.

The sad thing about Willie B. playing CF is that it’s quite clear that he’s being written in at that position to get his bat in the lineup. He makes a bit of contact against LHPs, Reed doesn’t much, and Grover vastly overrates the difference. To play Bloomers against a LHP otherwise, Hargrove would have to sit Lopez, Beltre, or Raul, and that’s not going to happen on any frequent basis. That said, Bloomers never played CF before last year, has no apptitude whatsoever for the position, and anyone playing him there deserves what they get. CF is the most important position on the field after catcher exactly because if you screw up out there it’s extra-bases, exactly like the single Willie ‘hustled’ into a triple.

I’m not that worried about the bullpen. There have been good performances as well as bad, no one has had time to get in any kind of groove yet, and the Ms have viable Plan Bs in Tacoma.

]]> By: bongo http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-2/#comment-94299 bongo Wed, 12 Apr 2006 04:02:49 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-94299 #50 -- The comparison to a "good" Damian Moss start is scary but accurate. Moderate velocity. Mediocre command. Looks a lot better facing AAA hitters than he would in MLB. Foppert has a better breaking ball than Moss, although he seems unable to get it over the plate consistently. Let's hope that Foppert gains arm strength as the season goes on, so that he can be throwing in the low 90s by July/August. #50 — The comparison to a “good” Damian Moss start is scary but accurate. Moderate velocity. Mediocre command. Looks a lot better facing AAA hitters than he would in MLB. Foppert has a better breaking ball than Moss, although he seems unable to get it over the plate consistently. Let’s hope that Foppert gains arm strength as the season goes on, so that he can be throwing in the low 90s by July/August.

]]> By: bongo http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-2/#comment-94297 bongo Wed, 12 Apr 2006 03:54:08 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-94297 #46 -- Sitting behind home plate, Foppert's command could use improvement. In his four innings, he walked four and struck out four. Of course, compared to Oldham and Looper, he looked great, but that is not saying much. The Rainers were quite sloppy in the field, too. Kudos go to Bohn who got on base 4 times, and Morse who got 2 hits. Johnson showed a good throwing arm (he's thrown out ever batter who has attempted to steal on him so far), but could improve his blocking of pitches at the plate, as well as his hitting. Overall, I had the feeling of Deja Vu -- the Rainers did not look as good against the Sacremento (A's affiliate) as we had hoped going in to the series. On the other hand, Jeremy Brown did impress me. Hit a home run to left and did a good job catching, too. Bobby Kielty didn't look particularly impressive, though. #46 — Sitting behind home plate, Foppert’s command could use improvement. In his four innings, he walked four and struck out four. Of course, compared to Oldham and Looper, he looked great, but that is not saying much. The Rainers were quite sloppy in the field, too. Kudos go to Bohn who got on base 4 times, and Morse who got 2 hits. Johnson showed a good throwing arm (he’s thrown out ever batter who has attempted to steal on him so far), but could improve his blocking of pitches at the plate, as well as his hitting. Overall, I had the feeling of Deja Vu — the Rainers did not look as good against the Sacremento (A’s affiliate) as we had hoped going in to the series.

On the other hand, Jeremy Brown did impress me. Hit a home run to left and did a good job catching, too. Bobby Kielty didn’t look particularly impressive, though.

]]> By: Dr. Johan http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-2/#comment-94014 Dr. Johan Tue, 11 Apr 2006 22:36:07 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-94014 loaiza is a fifth starter at best. he is not an "upper tier mid-rotation" guy. loaiza is a fifth starter at best. he is not an “upper tier mid-rotation” guy.

]]> By: Oly Rainiers Fan http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-2/#comment-93929 Oly Rainiers Fan Tue, 11 Apr 2006 05:33:20 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-93929 So Tacoma beat itself tonight, with a heckuva lot of unearned runs coming in on errors. What was good about tonight's game? Atchison looked reasonably sharp. Cabrera made a really nice play at short. And that, my friends, was about it. So Tacoma beat itself tonight, with a heckuva lot of unearned runs coming in on errors.

What was good about tonight’s game? Atchison looked reasonably sharp. Cabrera made a really nice play at short. And that, my friends, was about it.

]]> By: marc w http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-1/#comment-93928 marc w Tue, 11 Apr 2006 05:27:02 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-93928 46 - Foppert is getting by on a good breaking ball and grit at this point. Low hits/runs, 1k/9 = good. Walking one per inning, and topping out at 88MPH? Not so good. Tonight's performance was eerily reminiscent of a quality Damian Moss start. He's still got time, and hey, it's not like he's getting blasted out there. But 1:1 K/BB and sub-90 MPH is... a little worrying, no matter how many runs are crossing the plate. 46 -
Foppert is getting by on a good breaking ball and grit at this point. Low hits/runs, 1k/9 = good. Walking one per inning, and topping out at 88MPH? Not so good. Tonight’s performance was eerily reminiscent of a quality Damian Moss start.
He’s still got time, and hey, it’s not like he’s getting blasted out there. But 1:1 K/BB and sub-90 MPH is… a little worrying, no matter how many runs are crossing the plate.

]]> By: msb http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-1/#comment-93927 msb Tue, 11 Apr 2006 04:37:47 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-93927 found when looking for something else, it's your 1990 amateur draft: With Texas high school pitching phenom Todd Van Poppel apparently intent on attending the University of Texas, the Atlanta Braves selected high school shortstop Chipper Jones from Jacksonville, Fla., as the top choice in the draft conducted in New York. Detroit followed Atlanta by picking Tony Clark of Christian High School in El Cajon, Calif. Clark, a 6-foot-7-inch outfielder who has been recruited to play basketball at Arizona, batted .543 this season. Philadelphia then chose catcher Mike Lieberthal from Westlake High School in Westlake Village, Calif. He hit .500 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs this season. The Cubs drafting fourth, selected right-hander Alex Fernandez of Miami-Dade South Community College, who was 12-2 with a 1.19 ERA this season. He chalked up 154 strikeouts in 121 innings. Pittsburgh followed by choosing 6-5 right-hander Kurt Miller, 9-1 at West High School in Bakersfield, Calif. Seattle then chose outfielder-first baseman Mark Newfield from Marina High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he hit .486. Cincinnati next selected Dan Wilson, a defensive wizard (.377, 8 homers, 44 RBIs), and Cleveland followed with Tim Costo, a 6-5, 205-pound power hitter. Los Angeles then tabbed Blanchard (Okla.) high school left-hander Ron Walden, 11-0 with a 0.36 ERA. The New York Yankees next chose outfielder Carl Everett, from Tampa's Hillsborough High, the school that has produced such major-leaguers as Dwight Gooden, Gary Sheffield and Floyd Youmans. Everett batted .519 this season. Next, Montreal went for shortstop Shane Andrews, who batted .546 for Carlsbad (N.M.) High School. Minnesota chose right-hander Todd Ritchie from Duncansville (Texas) High School and St. Louis picked left-hander Donovan Osborne from UNLV. Oakland, gambling Van Poppel might change his mind on his plans to pitch college ball, then chose the 6-5 right-hander from Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. Van Poppel recorded a 10-3 record and 145 strikeouts in 86 innings this season. San Francisco chose outfielder Adam Hyzdu from Moeller High School in Cincinnati, and Texas went for Creighton left-hander Dan Smith. The New York Mets selected Oklahoma State outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, and St. Louis chose shortstop Aaron Holbert from Jordan High School in Long Beach, Calif. Catcher Eric Christopherson from San Diego State went to the San Francisco Giants, and Stanford right-hander Mike Mussina was chosen by Baltimore. found when looking for something else, it’s your 1990 amateur draft:

With Texas high school pitching phenom Todd Van Poppel apparently intent on attending the University of Texas, the Atlanta Braves selected high school shortstop Chipper Jones from Jacksonville, Fla., as the top choice in the draft conducted in New York.

Detroit followed Atlanta by picking Tony Clark of Christian High School in El Cajon, Calif. Clark, a 6-foot-7-inch outfielder who has been recruited to play basketball at Arizona, batted .543 this season.

Philadelphia then chose catcher Mike Lieberthal from Westlake High School in Westlake Village, Calif. He hit .500 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs this season.

The Cubs drafting fourth, selected right-hander Alex Fernandez of Miami-Dade South Community College, who was 12-2 with a 1.19 ERA this season. He chalked up 154 strikeouts in 121 innings.

Pittsburgh followed by choosing 6-5 right-hander Kurt Miller, 9-1 at West High School in Bakersfield, Calif. Seattle then chose outfielder-first baseman Mark Newfield from Marina High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he hit .486.

Cincinnati next selected Dan Wilson, a defensive wizard (.377, 8 homers, 44 RBIs), and Cleveland followed with Tim Costo, a 6-5, 205-pound power hitter.

Los Angeles then tabbed Blanchard (Okla.) high school left-hander Ron
Walden, 11-0 with a 0.36 ERA. The New York Yankees next chose outfielder Carl Everett, from Tampa’s Hillsborough High, the school that has produced such major-leaguers as Dwight Gooden, Gary Sheffield and Floyd Youmans. Everett batted .519 this season.

Next, Montreal went for shortstop Shane Andrews, who batted .546 for
Carlsbad (N.M.) High School. Minnesota chose right-hander Todd Ritchie from Duncansville (Texas) High School and St. Louis picked left-hander Donovan Osborne from UNLV.

Oakland, gambling Van Poppel might change his mind on his plans to pitch college ball, then chose the 6-5 right-hander from Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. Van Poppel recorded a 10-3 record and 145 strikeouts in 86 innings this season.

San Francisco chose outfielder Adam Hyzdu from Moeller High School in
Cincinnati, and Texas went for Creighton left-hander Dan Smith.

The New York Mets selected Oklahoma State outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, and St. Louis chose shortstop Aaron Holbert from Jordan High School in Long Beach, Calif. Catcher Eric Christopherson from San Diego State went to the San Francisco Giants, and Stanford right-hander Mike Mussina was chosen by Baltimore.

]]> By: joealb http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/comment-page-1/#comment-93926 joealb Tue, 11 Apr 2006 04:29:44 +0000 http://ussmariner.com/2006/04/10/random-thoughts-week-one/#comment-93926 Here's a random thought, why not start Moyer on Thursday instead of Friday? That would give the King 6 days off between starts and Jaime would still be on his 5 day rotation and it would spare Moyer having to face the "Monster"! Come on Hargrove give it a shot! Here’s a random thought, why not start Moyer on Thursday instead of Friday? That would give the King 6 days off between starts and Jaime would still be on his 5 day rotation and it would spare Moyer having to face the “Monster”! Come on Hargrove give it a shot!

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