Look at Ray Ray Run

Yeah, hitter profile definitely matters. Like Josh Donaldson saw more off speed pitches than the three hitters when they were batting him second. Just because you hit second doesn't mean you're guaranteed it, but because of the stolen base threat, the typical profile of a 2 hitter, and the threat of the hitter behind him they tend to see more. I find it interesting that Dave asked back then why more teams don't put a better hitter In the two hole and since then we have seen a mini evolution of this which has led the data to normalize a bit but in the case of someone like Palka (who's bad) hitting behind moncada (who is a SB threat) and in front of Abreu (who's good) I imagine he would see more fastballs despite his power but I dont think it really matters for him because he's bad.

Nah the article stated Latin manager who spoke Spanish. I was wrong and he was right. Won't be the last time I'm wrong or misinformed that's for sure.

I dont think I can post my entire database here, but the theory is as this. #2 hitters see more fastballs for a multitude of reasons. 1 being, the lead off spot has the most stolen base attempts than any other line up spot by nearly 100%. The threat of the stolen base leads to more fastballs seen for the #2 hitter. Two, people don't like walking a guy in front of a power hitter and two hitters tend to possess less power than others - in the past couple years though, this is changing as guys begin to put power hitters in that slot. Guys will less power see more fastballs - in general - than guys with less power. I tried searching out a publically accessible report on this but all I could find is a Cameron article in which he references my points above. Cameron discusses why hitting in front of a power hitter leads to more fastballs in this series if you read the other ones and the one I am linking https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2-hitters/

Well color me impressed and misinformed. Learn something knew everyday.

He's a special assistant to Friedman - he does not run the Dodgers farm system.

When he was hired, this was a fact. Since then, as has been pointed out - Davie was hired, as was Cora and this year Montoyo but at the time he was the only latin manager in baseball and that was just in 2017.

I understand your point completely, but command of off-speed stuff is frequently lesser than command of fastballs - there are obviously exceptions. And Palka isn't dangerous enough to avoid throwing him any pitch, so rather than walk a bad baseball player you may go with the pitch you have the most command with. Guys in front of good hitters factually see more fastballs. My issue with batting Palka second is he blows, and you're giving the second most at bats in the game to a guy who sucks.

Yes, but he's not a coach so that doesn't really matter. I speak Spanish too but I'm not a MLB manager so I thought that tidbit would be irrelevant to the thread jaja.

Yes, I should have said when he was hired. Other managers have now joined him.

As I said, I agree it means nothing in the W/L column but it's better than everyone hating each other I guess. Ventura did not have control of his locker room at all. He had his best player cutting up jerseys in the locker room before a game. He had the team ripping his decisions in the media. As a fan, that was more embarrassing and harder to watch than just sucking but liking each other. A good locker room is one of those things that may be able to help a really good team overcome some turbulence and struggles throughout the course of a year, but it has next to zero impact on a bad team.

A players production really says nothing about their comfort in a clubhouse. The White Sox have not had players speaking anonymously in a negative manner against the team. You don't hear of fights or mutiny in the locker room. These guys seem to really like each other - which doesn't really mean much, but it's better than a team that sucks and hate each other I guess. The players don't openly question his decisions either. To use an example; the White Sox players openly questioned Ventura and the organization, and were critical of both in the media. We haven't seen any signs of that with Rick.

You think Rick Renteria isn't good in the locker room? That's literally the only thing I think Rick is good at. He's the only latin/spanish speaking manager in baseball on a team full of Hispanics. Rick is a players coach. As for this angst about Yoan hitting first instead of second - it's pointless. Yoan will see just as many fastballs leading off as he will hitting second, and even if he attacks earlier in the count this year he'll always be a naturally patient hitter. He's attacking earlier in the count this year because he was TOO patient last year and MLB pitchers attacked him with the first pitch, but by years end he'll be top 50 in pitches/pa because that's who he naturally is. Walking is one of yoan's strengths - he's not going to suddenly become one of the most aggressive hitters in baseball. If Yoan has turned a corner this year, and has begun to figure it out, it won't matter if he hits first or second.

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish Engel was playing and Leury in right so we don't have to watch Palka.

Parkman just keeps repeating he's a long term DH, after three games in left field, for really no reason.

By removing the back swing he puts less stress on his elbow. If anything, this is better for his long term health - the whip action he had before can be even more strenuous on your elbow. That said, pitching mechanics aren't an exact science and no one really knows with certainty what is good or bad when it comes to arm stress.

If this is your thought then why do you care about these extensions?

The more I watched today and this... I think this was done to prevent Lucas from flying open. That was a huge issue for Giolito when he had the arm whip motion going back - it took him off balance and caused his shoulder to fly open. This compact delivery seems to be an attempt to streamline his drive towards the plate, maintain his balance, and keep his front side closed. Today it worked, but Giolitos problem - due to changing his mechanics numerous times - will be consistency... but in theory, it should be easier to be consistent with better balance and less moving parts.

Get off your soap box pal.

Maybe parents should educate their kids on the health concerns of tobacco and Jose abreu can do whatever he pleases with his body given that its legal? I'm also almost positive that smokeless tobacco is banned at comiskey.

Maybe he doesn't have six pack abs like you Ron. Risky proposition.

The % of making that play was less than 10%. A 105+ mph one hopped line drive tailing hard is not a play someone makes typically or is expected to make. I know you would have made it Ron. But we can't expect everyone to have your skills.

Umpire does it again. 3-0 pitch is out of the zone and the umpire gives the pitcher a break. Just maddenining.

There is zero chance Tim Anderson will be given an error on that ball.

Was more than a "tough" ball. At best he keeps it in front of him. He wasn't gloving that ball.

Lol the ball was one hopped at about 110 mph. I've been as critical as anyone so far of Tim but ripping him for not making that play is a bit much.