I wanted to see what is going on with Jacob Berry? I am not interested in anyone keyboard bashing him or other derogatory & unintelligent responses but actual input. Berry was likely the #1 hitter in D1 College baseball (SEC) as a sophomore, coming off a transfer from UofA, and prior to that his final high school years was disrupted by COVID. His final month or so, due to injury, he was only hitting from the right side where his numbers were not as strong. In that situation, to be a top 5 and likely #1 hitter in college, shows he has it in him. In his first full minor season, he had a tough slump through May, then really turned it on when he moved to AA. I thought this may have been due to the am - pro transition, wood bats, heavier game and traveling load, and a big jump in talent competing against him an potentially a few mechanics adjustments they worked with him on. He slashed strong numbers to finish the season, had a great fall league, and showed good stuff in big league camp this spring. After a decent few weeks in Pensacola, his numbers have just been dismal. Its sad to see as I know a little about Berry and you wont find a more mature, solid, and hard-working kid. Defense has always been a question and there has been some struggles that seem to align with his bat but he definitely has shown he can play in the field, 3B / 1B.

Watching several of his games, it seems he has an uncanny amount of stripped balls he has crushed right at the defender; however, for every one of those, and many of his hits, they are soft judys or grounders that will get scooped at upper levels. 

Again, not interested in any bashing, but what is going on??? I can see low .200's in a slump but dipping to .150, I would assume this has to be a mental issue he is dealing with? 

Also, I noticed he has not been playing the past week and it shows he is listed on bench and not IL. Does anyone know if he is injured an they are just waiting on results, giving him rest, or is he just benched at this time? Either way I am rooting for the kid as he has it in him if he can just work through the mental part, which only gets tougher.

Common Jake, deep breath, lotta confidence, and get after it!! Would like to know any thoughts...

 

 

The guy is playing terribly. 16th in K's in the Southern League and has more errors than extra base hits or walks this season. Maybe he can find an over 40 slow pitch beer league to play in?

13 hours ago, Trade Ya Mama said:

The guy is playing terribly. 16th in K's in the Southern League and has more errors than extra base hits or walks this season. Maybe he can find an over 40 slow pitch beer league to play in?

Maybe we should trade him. Is he Ya Mama?

17 hours ago, fishball said:

I wanted to see what is going on with Jacob Berry? I am not interested in anyone keyboard bashing him or other derogatory & unintelligent responses but actual input. Berry was likely the #1 hitter in D1 College baseball (SEC) as a sophomore, coming off a transfer from UofA, and prior to that his final high school years was disrupted by COVID. His final month or so, due to injury, he was only hitting from the right side where his numbers were not as strong. In that situation, to be a top 5 and likely #1 hitter in college, shows he has it in him. In his first full minor season, he had a tough slump through May, then really turned it on when he moved to AA. I thought this may have been due to the am - pro transition, wood bats, heavier game and traveling load, and a big jump in talent competing against him an potentially a few mechanics adjustments they worked with him on. He slashed strong numbers to finish the season, had a great fall league, and showed good stuff in big league camp this spring. After a decent few weeks in Pensacola, his numbers have just been dismal. Its sad to see as I know a little about Berry and you wont find a more mature, solid, and hard-working kid. Defense has always been a question and there has been some struggles that seem to align with his bat but he definitely has shown he can play in the field, 3B / 1B.

Watching several of his games, it seems he has an uncanny amount of stripped balls he has crushed right at the defender; however, for every one of those, and many of his hits, they are soft judys or grounders that will get scooped at upper levels. 

Again, not interested in any bashing, but what is going on??? I can see low .200's in a slump but dipping to .150, I would assume this has to be a mental issue he is dealing with? 

Also, I noticed he has not been playing the past week and it shows he is listed on bench and not IL. Does anyone know if he is injured an they are just waiting on results, giving him rest, or is he just benched at this time? Either way I am rooting for the kid as he has it in him if he can just work through the mental part, which only gets tougher.

Common Jake, deep breath, lotta confidence, and get after it!! Would like to know any thoughts...

 

 

Sometimes guys just flat out fail and become busts - Jacob B. certainly seems to fit that category.  Sometimes it's not like even a mental block like the yips, sometimes it's a work ethic thing and people expect their natural talent to carry them along versus putting in the hard work needed to advance and get better. Hanley skated by on natural talent for years which says something about how special he could have been if he gave a damn.

Nobody here will truly be able to explain something his coaches haven't been able to fix either. He just seems to not be good against better competition. It happens.

Definitely happens and D1 to professional ranks is a big jump. I have some off connections to his college mgr, Jay J and I can say with certainty that work ethic and maturity has never been an issue for Berry. Potentially his strengths and what made him dominant in college and HS doesn't translate into the pros but from all my interaction and knowing a lot of his coaching peers, work ethic and maturity is at the highest level. I am convinced it is mental but I certainly am no expert. 

As far as him not playing the past week, is he injured or is he just sidelined? I would assume if they would send him to the DL for work?

Thanks for your reply and quality content / input. 

This season is really boring so we have TWO Jacob Berry thread. 

3 hours ago, fishball said:

Definitely happens and D1 to professional ranks is a big jump. I have some off connections to his college mgr, Jay J and I can say with certainty that work ethic and maturity has never been an issue for Berry. Potentially his strengths and what made him dominant in college and HS doesn't translate into the pros but from all my interaction and knowing a lot of his coaching peers, work ethic and maturity is at the highest level. I am convinced it is mental but I certainly am no expert. 

As far as him not playing the past week, is he injured or is he just sidelined? I would assume if they would send him to the DL for work?

Thanks for your reply and quality content / input. 

Well that's the other thing too, sometimes specific weaknesses hurt players far more than other weaknesses when they move up ranks and the same can be said for strengths (which you alluded to above). 

Different level. He had a few good ABs tonight going 2/4 so hopefully he turns the corner now...

 

I don't want to jinx the kid but since coming off the IL in June he's been on a bit of a tear hitting .400 for the month thus far if he keeps it up he may eclipse .200 by July.  

55 minutes ago, fanofthefish said:

I don't want to jinx the kid but since coming off the IL in June he's been on a bit of a tear hitting .400 for the month thus far if he keeps it up he may eclipse .200 by July.  

Trade him. Value never been higher.

Just remember in professional baseball, the key to making it is to always be progressing. If you look at all of berry's career. He finishes near the top....

2025 Opening Day 3rd baseman, $475 million contract in a few years, future first ballot hall of famer.

Maybe he’s buying into new player development philosophy like Mack says he did???