March 15, 200521 yr Offense looked iffy, but when you consider that there were only 3 offensive players of consequence, it's O.K.: 1) Delgado looks awful at the plate; he's late on everything, and what he isn't, he swings over... 2) Lowell looked good at the plate and he just missed a homer on his double by thismuch. 3) Hermida's got a great swing and he got robbed of a single up the middle by the pitcher, and he almost put one out to right, but it died at the wall and the wind was blowing in from right...it looked gone off the bat. 4) Valdez looked bad, his fastball was flat and fat, and he didn't really have a breaking ball to speak of... 5) Stokes looked capable at first-base, but he's gotta learn how to hit breaking balls. 6) Reed is fast, really really fast, I'm talking Pierre calibre speed. 7) Mota was very hittable, everything was sharply hit to a fielder, so he got lucky. 8) Jones looked sharp, power breaking ball...that looks like it could be a great pick-up. 9) Kensing's fastball has some serious late movement on it now, he's going to be good when he's ready. 10) Wilson and DiFelice had the best AB's today, hard liners to the opposite field. 11) Dontrelle's going to have a huge year; he was out with the coaches through the first 7 innings going over every pitch in the game situations, he's locked in. I think that he and Beckett are over their rock-star status and know they need to produce to stay popular. That's about it, nothing great from today, but nothing horrible. When you consider that we only had two regulars playing, I'd say it wasn't a bad day...
March 15, 200521 yr Curious that Reed has had only 5 (?) AB's this ST. You saw him one or two times today. Why isn't he getting more chances?
March 15, 200521 yr 1) Delgado looks awful at the plate; he's late on everything, and what he isn't, he swings over... I noticed that too. Maybe he's bluffing? :confused Oh, and Mota is starting to worry me. I have a feeling we'll be using Pulpo as closer more often than planned.
March 15, 200521 yr Curious that Reed has had only 5 (?) AB's this ST. You saw one or two times today. Why isn't he getting more chances? 711200[/snapback] He's really not ready right now. He missed a lot of last year due to injury. No need to rush him. I'm sure he's getting plenty of AB's in the 'B' games.
March 15, 200521 yr Delgado has had about 10 at bats so far this spring...he said he would only need about 35 to be ready but sure like he has a lot more work to do in the next three weeks
March 15, 200521 yr Just half-way through ST but I'd like to see some guys stepping up now. Don't want to bad mouth C. Delgado or Mota, but... Actually, I think the only guy that looks ready is Easley. And I feel more comfortable knowing AA is back.
March 15, 200521 yr Also, TSwift25, Did you get a good look at DiFelice today. I sense he's coming on. How did he look to you defensively and offensively?
March 15, 200521 yr I actually didn't think that Valdez looked that bad, and I really hate Valdez. I am not sure what TSwift is talking about because he threw some nice curveballs. His fastball is always flat, so that wasn't surprising. He seemed to have acceptable command and control. The Twins made some solid contact but nothing for extra bases: no long home runs or solid doubles. I don't believe he walked anyone. Also, the Twins swung through a couple fastballs, which is a good sign. He didn't throw too many changeups though. Overall, for his first or second start, I thought he looked fine. Stokes looked pathetic. Struck out on three pitches in his first at bat and 6 pitches in second. I thought that Hermida looked ok. He got under one pitch a little and it went to the warning track. Also, not to be nitpicking, but I don't think that Willis was going over pitches. Hagerty was keeping pitch charts; Willis was just sitting there.
March 16, 200521 yr Author Also, TSwift25, Did you get a good look at DiFelice today. I sense he's coming on. How did he look to you defensively and offensively? 711209[/snapback] He looked great offensively, and adequate defensively. Think Mike Redmond, but with less knowledge of our staff...
March 16, 200521 yr Author I actually didn't think that Valdez looked that bad, and I really hate Valdez. I am not sure what TSwift is talking about because he threw some nice curveballs. His fastball is always flat, so that wasn't surprising. He seemed to have acceptable command and control. The Twins made some solid contact but nothing for extra bases: no long home runs or solid doubles. I don't believe he walked anyone. Also, the Twins swung through a couple fastballs, which is a good sign. He didn't throw too many changeups though. Overall, for his first or second start, I thought he looked fine. Stokes looked pathetic. Struck out on three pitches in his first at bat and 6 pitches in second. I thought that Hermida looked ok. He got under one pitch a little and it went to the warning track. Also, not to be nitpicking, but I don't think that Willis was going over pitches. Hagerty was keeping pitch charts; Willis was just sitting there. 711236[/snapback] I was sitting right behind the Marlins bench on the screen, and from there, Valdez' pitches showed little break, and the Twins that swung through fastballs weren't any of their big guys (Stewart, Jones), and I know for a fact that Willis was indeed going over pitches, I heard him talking about it, just FYI...
March 16, 200521 yr I think that he and Beckett are over their rock-star status and know they need to produce to stay popular.711196[/snapback] I won't say Dontrelle never had rock-star status, but he never acknowledged it that way like Beckett. D-Train has a great modesty about him... it's not fair to him to put him in that same category of arrogance as Josh.
March 16, 200521 yr Speaking of Relief Pitcher struggles, anyone know what Spooney's current status is?
March 16, 200521 yr Speaking of Relief Pitcher struggles, anyone know what Spooney's current status is? 711517[/snapback] He won't break ST with the major league team. From the last I heard expect him May-ish.
March 16, 200521 yr Speaking of Relief Pitcher struggles, anyone know what Spooney's current status is? 711517[/snapback] He won't break ST with the major league team. From the last I heard expect him May-ish. 711545[/snapback] I hope he comes back full strength and reaches his potential.
March 16, 200521 yr 1) Delgado looks awful at the plate; he's late on everything, and what he isn't, he swings over... I noticed that too. Maybe he's bluffing? :confused 711201[/snapback] Its spring training! Opening day I will hit one out.
March 16, 200521 yr Author 1) Delgado looks awful at the plate; he's late on everything, and what he isn't, he swings over... I noticed that too. Maybe he's bluffing? :confused 711201[/snapback] Its spring training! Opening day I will hit one out. 711566[/snapback] You better...
March 16, 200521 yr Curious that Reed has had only 5 (?) AB's this ST. You saw him one or two times today. Why isn't he getting more chances? 711200[/snapback] Reed layed down a beautiful bunt his first AB. It went about 7 or 8 feet up the 3rd base line and died. He easily beat it out. He also just about beat out a dribbler to the shortstop in his 2nd AB. And yes he is blazing fast.
March 16, 200521 yr Offense looked iffy, but when you consider that there were only 3 offensive players of consequence, it's O.K.: 1) Delgado looks awful at the plate; he's late on everything, and what he isn't, he swings over... 2) Lowell looked good at the plate and he just missed a homer on his double by thismuch. 3) Hermida's got a great swing and he got robbed of a single up the middle by the pitcher, and he almost put one out to right, but it died at the wall and the wind was blowing in from right...it looked gone off the bat. 4) Valdez looked bad, his fastball was flat and fat, and he didn't really have a breaking ball to speak of... 5) Stokes looked capable at first-base, but he's gotta learn how to hit breaking balls. 6) Reed is fast, really really fast, I'm talking Pierre calibre speed. 7) Mota was very hittable, everything was sharply hit to a fielder, so he got lucky. 8) Jones looked sharp, power breaking ball...that looks like it could be a great pick-up. 9) Kensing's fastball has some serious late movement on it now, he's going to be good when he's ready. 10) Wilson and DiFelice had the best AB's today, hard liners to the opposite field. 11) Dontrelle's going to have a huge year; he was out with the coaches through the first 7 innings going over every pitch in the game situations, he's locked in. I think that he and Beckett are over their rock-star status and know they need to produce to stay popular. That's about it, nothing great from today, but nothing horrible. When you consider that we only had two regulars playing, I'd say it wasn't a bad day... 711196[/snapback] I agree with you about Delgado. He is showing poor command of the strike zone and has trouble with breaking balls. He hasn't hit the ball solid yet in the 3 games I've seen him. Only 2 more weeks for him to get his act together.
March 16, 200521 yr His speed is a 75 out of 80 on the scout scale. And reports say he's a better defender and faster than Pierre.
March 16, 200521 yr im not going to worry about delgado at all...im sure he'll be fine. My concern is VALDEZ ! He reminds me of last years 5th spot in the rotation...and we all know how he fared. Willis is another Pierre...hard working kid determined to produce...Love him. YOU GO Willis! tnx for the report
March 16, 200521 yr Author Prety sure it's his second. 711869[/snapback] I think it was his Grapefruit league debut, but he pitched in a 'B' game once before...
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.