Blog Roundtable: Writers from 4 Sox blogs talk prospects and the minors

[NorthSideSox72]

We (FutureSox) did one of these about a year and a half ago, and readers seemed to really enjoy it. So we did it again, but with a different set of bloggers. Writers from Sox Machine, BP South Side, Loop Sports and FutureSox got together to answer 8 questions, resulting in 4,000 words of perspective. None of the questions resulted in the 4 writers completely agreeing.

 

[southsider2k5]

One thing that jumps to mind when discussing Collins is that with his eye being a good part of his carrying tools, we have seen what can happen to a player who may have a great eye, but isn't in an aggressive mind set at the plate in Yoan Moncada.  That eye does you no good if you are taking just over borderline pitches that umps will call you out on.

[Lillian]

This issue of taking called third strikes is a pet peeve of mine, as you know. The pitch just outside the strike zone is so tempting to try to hit the opposite way, especially with the dramatic shifts, so commonly being employed. Add the power of guys like Collins, and Moncada, and it just seems crazy not to swing at those pitches. Being just outside, affords the hitter an opportunity to get his arms fully extended, which produces more power. Taking the pitch the opposite way, also affords the hitter a little extra time to recognize the pitch, in that he is swinging a little later. 

Taking a close pitch, with 2 strikes, is so foolish. As has been stated many times, that leaves the outcome completely in the hands of the umpire. Moreover, as Konerko so astutely pointed out, umpires are not going to give young hitters the benefit of the doubt, on close calls. Somebody in the organization better be drumming this concept into our young hitters' heads, or management better be looking for new coaches. 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

On 10/3/2018 at 1:15 PM, Lillian said:

This issue of taking called third strikes is a pet peeve of mine, as you know. The pitch just outside the strike zone is so tempting to try to hit the opposite way, especially with the dramatic shifts, so commonly being employed. Add the power of guys like Collins, and Moncada, and it just seems crazy not to swing at those pitches. Being just outside, affords the hitter an opportunity to get his arms fully extended, which produces more power. Taking the pitch the opposite way, also affords the hitter a little extra time to recognize the pitch, in that he is swinging a little later. 

Taking a close pitch, with 2 strikes, is so foolish. As has been stated many times, that leaves the outcome completely in the hands of the umpire. Moreover, as Konerko so astutely pointed out, umpires are not going to give young hitters the benefit of the doubt, on close calls. Somebody in the organization better be drumming this concept into our young hitters' heads, or management better be looking for new coaches. 

Some times it's not so simple. Now I would agree Moncada takes a lot of called 3rd strikes. Some times a pitcher just aces you. Sometimes you guess fastball and get a curve. Sometimes you look location away and they come in etc etc which would account for many K's to a lot of hitters. Just like many things Moncada has to take baby steps when it comes to eliminating a few K's from his resume.

Choking up a little would seem to be the simplest thing. 2nd thing would be if you look location such as away  look for pitches above the knees . Up and away are good pitches to drive the opposite way or at least foul off. Choke up and be protective of a zone . If you can eliminate even a small percentage of your K's looking  it's good progress.