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Official MLB 2015 Thread

LazyD said:
I would be surprised if Bryant didn't K more considering he has swung and missed more at every level than Soler (excluding the majors, of course). Plus, I don't think he'll be able to pick up any extra value defensively. I'm not down on Bryant at all, I think he's going to be really good, I just think Soler is too good for him to catch this season. Going forward - with those two guys in the corner of the outfield - good God, that's ****ing insane.
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I don't believe you can count on any value being there for either of them defensively in terms of the award. While they both have great arms(Soler being probably a little better) Bryant probably should be moved to LF quite honestly. I don't think 3rd base is his best position. He would be an above average RFer according to many scouts if we didn't have Soler manning the position and they focused on that rather than 3rd. I don't think Soler will be moved so left field is logical, Soler is a bad route runner in the OF which hurts him. Also he makes some questionable decisions as we have seen on line drives specifically. Both of these things are going to need to be improved and hopefully will be when he gains more experience. So while you're right that Bryant might K a little more, he also projects to hit for more power. We are talking 80 power there. Soler is probably in the 70 range. I do believe the narrative will help Bryant too(best or second prospect in baseball according to just about every source). While that's not fair, voters tend to buy into the narrative on players when it comes to these awards. If there seasons are comparable, Bryant will get the edge due to the publicity he has received. Either way, it's a good problem to have.

Off topic, I like the future of our team, but the pitching definitely needs to take some strides. I have given up on CJ Edwards ever being a starter because he won't be able to handle a starter's workload. I was willing to see what he can do but I think that it's pretty evident now. Pierce Johnson's delivery lends itself to forearm strains according to many. The fastball command hasn't taken the necessary steps it should have. It's telling that Underwood is our best starting pitching prospect right now. By no means am I down on him at all. He's just a couple of years away and you need a couple of arms like his because along the way you find the issues that typically come with pitchers.
 
trigg3r said:
I don't believe you can count on any value being there for either of them defensively in terms of the award. While they both have great arms(Soler being probably a little better) Bryant probably should be moved to LF quite honestly. I don't think 3rd base is his best position. He would be an above average RFer according to many scouts if we didn't have Soler manning the position and they focused on that rather than 3rd. I don't think Soler will be moved so left field is logical, Soler is a bad route runner in the OF which hurts him. Also he makes some questionable decisions as we have seen on line drives specifically. Both of these things are going to need to be improved and hopefully will be when he gains more experience. So while you're right that Bryant might K a little more, he also projects to hit for more power. We are talking 80 power there. Soler is probably in the 70 range. I do believe the narrative will help Bryant too(best or second prospect in baseball according to just about every source). While that's not fair, voters tend to buy into the narrative on players when it comes to these awards. If there seasons are comparable, Bryant will get the edge due to the publicity he has received. Either way, it's a good problem to have.

Off topic, I like the future of our team, but the pitching definitely needs to take some strides. I have given up on CJ Edwards ever being a starter because he won't be able to handle a starter's workload. I was willing to see what he can do but I think that it's pretty evident now. Pierce Johnson's delivery lends itself to forearm strains according to many. The fastball command hasn't taken the necessary steps it should have. It's telling that Underwood is our best starting pitching prospect right now. By no means am I down on him at all. He's just a couple of years away and you need a couple of arms like his because along the way you find the issues that typically come with pitchers.
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Definitely. Neither one will pick up any extra value defensively. I'm essentially betting against the publicity and narrative angle - where Bryant has a huge advantage. Bryant will definitely be in left. I think he will hit more homers, but I think Soler's hit tool will give him the slight edge.

I'd much rather have the organization the way it is now than the other way around. Pitchers are far too volatile. I'm not concerned at all considering Bosio's ability at pitching coach, and the front office's ability to capitalize in trade opportunities and low-pub acquisitions - Ramirez, Hendricks. Strop, Arietta, Rondon, Hammel, etc. And they're a big market and can sign guys like Lester who are available pretty much every offseason these days.

Cubs have had arguably the best system in baseball the past few seasons so it's obviously not a problem. Every system is going to have their strengths and weaknesses and there's no doubt that the Cubs could have balanced things more evenly if they decided to go that route. But, I think they've done a good job in simply getting the best talent available regardless of position. That's the ideal way to do it imo. Turns out they got more premier position playing prospects than pitching prospects. Oh well. Works out pretty nicely when pitching is easier to add onto the major league team from the outside anyway.

#100RAPclub
 
Just so you know, franklin, I'm not just a hater. I've been to Coors field, and had a great time. It's a great facility and Rockies fans were gracious and accommodating. I would love to get back there soon. But their TV announcers are just meh.
 
I agree on the pitcher versus position player standpoint. I also think Bosio has done an outstanding job. I give him some credit for Arrieta. I also believe the organization change as a whole was a huge factor. The Orioles specifically made Arrieta pitch with one arm tied behind his back by telling him they didn't want him to throw his cutter(they are one of a few organizations worried that it will lead to loss of velocity). That's great and all, but when that;s one of your bread and butter pitches, it really hurts when you aren't utilizing it. That's why I was interested in seeing their plans for Dylan Bundy if and when he gets back to the Major Leagues. Another guy who has a really good cutter and depends on it. A lot of people scoff at Jacob Turner. He's a guy I think has the ability to turn it around once he gets back and healthy. His problem IMO was much like Rick Porcello's. The Tigers are known for pushing their young players too fast through their system and both Porcello and Turner are no exceptions to that. Porcello has seemingly started putting it together. I think if Turner gets more confidence in himself you could see much of the same as Porcello. He reportedly fixed his mechanics to where they were back when he was throwing harder and that's ultimately what ended up landing him on the DL, but Keith Law believe that's because he hasn't thrown that way for awhile and not because the delivery is going to cause him injuries. I also believe we will again be players in free agency next offseason for another big name starter on the market.

As far as the system goes, the most impressive player currently to me outside of the obvious guys(Bryant & Schwarber) is Gleyber Torres. As a 17 year old last season he tore up Boise. Now as an 18 year old he is starting off hot at South Bend. We really did a good job during that IFA signing period.
 
Looks like the Rox finally handed the closer role over to Ottavino. Good for him. Nothing against LaTroy or even Betancourt, but they are seemingly better in the setup role. We'll see if Ottavino can handle the new role. The stuff is obviously good enough.
 
Ottavino is good. I've always liked Hawkins (largely from his SLC days), but I'd agree that Ottavino is the right guy for them.
 
trigg3r said:
Looks like the Rox finally handed the closer role over to Ottavino. Good for him. Nothing against LaTroy or even Betancourt, but they are seemingly better in the setup role. We'll see if Ottavino can handle the new role. The stuff is obviously good enough.
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Ottavino is good. I've always liked Hawkins (largely from his SLC days), but I'd agree that Ottavino is the right guy for them.
 
trigg3r said:
Bryant being called up for tomorrow's game.
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Jonah-Hill-Success-Phone-Call-In-Moneyball.gif
 
Dude has looked good at third. Don't think it matters much doe. LF is inevitable.

#100RAPclub
 
If these umpires don't want to recognize the impending dynasty then so be it. We don't need their help.

#Pray4ramirez

#100RAPclub
 
LazyD said:
If these umpires don't want to recognize the impending dynasty then so be it. We don't need their help.

#Pray4ramirez

#100RAPclub
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Rough loss. Schlitter schlit the bed(not surprising) but the umpire obviously should have rung up Myers. Errrrrrrrrrrrr
 
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