Look at Ray Ray Run

Being unable to DFA an injured player is a protection for the players.

Yes, it was adderall lol. The story is hilarious as well.

Pretty sure this is all 40 man people. I remember this happening with Tolleson prior and I believe he was in AAA.

You've got about 20 more games in which you need to hope he slumps badly because if he gets to the midway point with an 850 ops, the confidence level of him finishing the year north of 800 is about 85%. Here is a list of exit velocity leaders: Batter Avg Exit Velocity (mph) Avg Distance (feet) Avg Gen Velocity (mph) Avg Launch Angle (deg) Avg Height (feet) Events Judge, Aaron 99.0 230.4 8.5 11.2 35.2 46 Gallo, Joey 97.6 259.2 10.1 19.5 59.8 88 Fisher, Derek 97.5 213.6 9.6 4.2 26.5 33 Cruz, Nelson 95.4 250.3 5.7 16.9 50.3 94 Bell, Josh 95.0 241.4 6.5 10.9 40.5 176 Yelich, Christian 94.8 233.0 5.8 11.1 43.8 161 Schwarber, Kyle 94.8 235.6 5.2 15.4 47.3 131 Devers, Rafael 94.5 214.3 6.3 8.7 34.9 183 Sanchez, Gary 94.3 260.7 6.1 20.9 66.3 113 Donaldson, Josh 94.2 227.9 5.2 12.1 43.1 130 Moncada, Yoan 94.0 232.7 5.7 11.4 37.7 166 Would you bet on anyone else on that list having a sub 800 OPS? I know I sure as hell wouldn't. Schwarber is the only one you could argue against. Moncada very clearly, with his contact authority, would be a very good be to ops more than 800 every year he continues to hit the ball this hard.

I'm about 99% sure you can not DFA an injured player until he is taken off the IL.

The year of control for relievers isnt as valuable because of their volatility. Colome has shown a track record of success while adjusting his stuff and role. Colome is also nearing the point in which his ERA and FIP variance can be tied to contact quality suppression. He does a lot of things well. I think Hand was overpaid for, Cleveland had soured on Mejia, to begin with and him being a lefty is his biggest advantage. I dont think I'd value one much higher than the other ROS.

For the vast majority of pitching prospects, velocity peaks at a very young age (like 18-20). Adams ended up being one of those guys and he never developed any secondary stuff that was ++ when his fastball started to fade. Adam's was disappointing for sure - I was rather excited about his ceiling following his first minor league season.

Yeah, but I also think the market has already begun to correct - meaning reliever rentals arent going to continue to be traded for top 30-40 prospects. Colome is probably worth a 75-100 guy to a team that's close though. The surplus value on trading an actual prospect for a reliever has never matched up.

Look at run prevention for top prospects in the PCL compared to the MLB the past decade. It has been more difficult to prevent runs in the PCL than the big leagues- especially for certain teams - for nearly a decade now. Run prevention is, by definition, more difficult when the total runs scored is much greater than that of the big leagues. No one is saying it's easier to be good (when compared to your peers) in the big leagues than it is to be good in the PCL. It's easier to prevent runs though which is why that league ERA is significantly higher than the average MLB ERA. The average ERA in the IL right now is like 6.

His command hasnt been great of late, but once again it's a really tough environment to pitch and he had pretty much outpitched everyone in the league not name mitch keller. Now I guess maybe 2 or 3 guys are right there too. His ERA and K-rate are the dominant parts. It's harder to prevent runs in that league than the big leagues for a young guy imo.

I think you could make a very valid argument that they are worth about the same. I think hand had more control, and hes lefty, so I'd give him the slight edge but it's not much. Colome and Hand are both good to +good but not elite relievers. There really arent very many elite of the elite guys though.

Syndergaard had an ERA near 5 in AAA before his call up. The run scoring environment he's in now is worse than pitching every game at Coors by like 30%

This is nonsense. Before yesterday's start he was the 2nd best pitcher in the entire international league. The league is averaging like 6.5 runs per team per game. Cease had been dominating. Dont scout the stat line solely. Adjust for league and park.

Not really. He had been good for 2 years prior to the trade.

Its takes more than a full year to regain max strength in your wirst or hands if you break it.

he was never over matched.

Command issues a bit for sure, but he's dominating. Make no mistake about it. That league environment is allowing like 6.5 runs a night. Mitch Keller is the only guy in the international league pitching better than cease.

This is the area code games footage they shoot of every player - 20/80 being the prospect people who do it I imagine. Yeah. Tons of big leaguers.

Yes, that spray chart. Im not focused too much on the exact breakdown numbers wise. Madrigal has such a high concentration of balls right to the natural short stop position, that someone has to be there. Which means the only way you could shift is by bringing the third baseman over to the right side... which would be fine against a power hitter, but one of the games best bunters whose job is to just get on base? He would destroy teams with the bunt if 3rd base is not occupied, and based on that spray chart you cant move the short stop... so you cant really shift on madrigal In my opinion

Dont have the raw numbers, but here's his spray chart from last year. https://i.imgur.com/AwlNCec_d Pretty even distribution in the infield.

That is on ground balls only? I believe Harpers pull ground ball rate the past two years is well north of 39%. Edit: Just looked, and Harper pulled 62% of his ground balls in 2018. Harper hits very few grounders (I believe the Rays experimented with a 4 man outfield against Harper in spring) at 36%, and he frequently hits the ball the other way in the air which skews his pull rate.

Agreed, although I dont think the shift can be implemented against madrigal given his great bat control. I obviously agree that with no spike in contact authority, he'll never get to those high averages. He also won't hold a walk rate anywhere near where it is now, in the big leagues, if he doesnt show an ability to hurt pitchers in any way with EBH. I think as an organization, the Sox just want to see madrigal maintain those bat to ball skills and continue to look not overmatched, and they feel he'll grow into enough power that when paired with the new baseballs will help overcome what he lacks in the power tool with his incredible hit tool. As of now, I am happy with how madrigal has looked as I think the power will grow as his wrist continues to gain strength.

Kid has crazy good stuff for this late, just no idea where its going.

He has arguably the best bat to ball skills in professional baseball. If they're not the best, they are very close. That is typically what will lead someone towards batting titles and high averages.

I actually disagree here. All he has to do is add a little authority (not a lot) to his skill set and he becomes as 750/800 slashing 2nd baseman with GG defense and elite base running... while competing for batting titles. That's a consistent 4+ WAR player... well worth his draft slot. Also, let me add that the new baseball will greatly help someone like madrigal.. much more than it would an already powerful hitter. He should benefit significantly from it.