Look at Ray Ray Run

Pal, I dont know what to tell you. Launch angles on low balls are significantly lower than those on high pitches. It's basic physics. That's why sinker ballers who get a lot of grounders don't throw pitches up in the zone. You are greatly misunderstanding the terminology of dropping the barrel. If your bat is coming to the ball with the barrel pointing nearly 45 degrees towards the ground, you're not going to have much success. The way you are describing dropping the barrel would coincide with dropping ones back shoulder which no hitter wants.

It baffles me how anyone would think low balls have a higher launch angle than high balls. Here's an article stating how that is wrong. https://community.fangraphs.com/effect-of-pitch-selection-on-launch-angle-and-exit-velocity/ It is basic math - the higher the pitch the higher the exit angle. Low balls are harder to lift.

No. Physics doesn't say this is wrong. My goodness. And no, low pitches are not easier to square up. A miss on a high pitch will lead to a pop up - a miss on a low pitch will lead to a grounder. Higher pitches induce more fly balls and pop ups. I played college baseball.

No. I'm not sure why people think hitters take dramatic upper cut swings that lead to dropping the barrel head down on the ball. Even people who are fly ball oriented don't like continually dropping the barrel down on the ball. You prefer to drive through the ball - not sweep it. The high fastball is easier to square up - hence why it's thrown less.

Theres a reason pitchers have spent the past two decades living down in the zone and it's not because they like being smacked around. It is easier to elevate a high pitch than a low one. The high fastball is making a comeback though.

Launch angle wasnt "created." It has always existed.

The funny thing is rutschman is having an amazing year too. Witt would still be my pick. Kid has a lot of Corey Seager in him but he's an even better athlete. I'd take rutsch second but catchers just wear down so fast usually. Let's relax on Vaughn being best in 20 years. Its early.

Yes. They are 26. Harper could average about 5 war a year the next 5 years (until he's 31) and hed have the same career WAR as Mike Cameron. Both guys have a lot to prove and do before you can call them 1st ballot hall of famers. Harper has 180 career homers. Could both become it? Sure but it's less likely that they arent both 1st ballot hofers than it is that they are.

No established mlb starter is going to sign somewhere to be used as a long reliever on days where the match ups suit him. That implies not having a set day you pitch and it greatly reduces your potential statistical output reducing your future earnings. Reread the post I quoted. I am not saying the opener can never be used. I'm saying you're not creating a 13 man team of arms all doing this every day.

Reread the post I responded too. It was in relation to using it everyday I thought.

Sure, so no one good for an extended period of time. Unless arbitration changes, the union and agents will be furious and won't stand for it. Teams that do that will see pitchers not wanting to play or pitch there. If the Rays would have done this with Blake Snell last year they would have gotten chewed up by everyone.

So... what good pitcher is going to sign up to be a long reliever and destroy his earning potential? I'll give you a hint. None of them.

Lol Engel is the outfield version (although much less hyped) of giolito. He's even worse though. Engel will change his stance mid game. I appreciate that he's trying at least but it wont get him anywhere I dont think.

Yeah, routine ball booted to extend the inning but nothing earned and he would have had another efficient and dominant 3 up 3 down.

Not sure what this means. His change showed and started at the beginning of last year. Lambert didnt generate swings an misses in 2017 despite having above average stuff. He lived down in the zone with everything. Last year they made a dramatic change to his approach and his stuff now plays up to where it should. He was very good last year and looks even better (stuff wise) out of the gate this year.

Reading this makes me so happy that Omar Vizquel is the AA manager - where Robert should spend a lot of time in the next year. There aren't many players in the history of baseball smarter than Vizquel... and the great thing with Vizquel, is that he should have the respect of everyone too given his career.

Defense did just fuck him and he got squared up for a homer, but his stuff will play up I think and he should have had about a 9 pitch 3 up 3 down inning there.

Said it a couple weeks back, but Lambert will be the White Sox biggest prospect surprise this year. I love the way he has completely changed his repertoire and his approach the past 12 months. His use of the high fastball has completely changed the view of his breaking pitches. Lambert is looking like a MLB Starter to me the past 12 months.

Just use a six man to start the season.

What a stupid post anyway. I'll just blame pregnancy hormones. Ashley, why would the Sox sign Rodon to an extension before he stays healthy and performs well for at least 1 year? And where did she read that? Why is she responding to some random person on the internet? My lord.

He took BP again today so I imagine he's fine. I'd guess today was seeing how his hand bounced back.

Lol at first ballot HOF years.

Rodon has just been hurt. It's hard to fault the team for that.

He's a competitive sob and I love it. The team needs more guys with Tim's attitude. He works his ass off, plays his ass off and has a lot of swagger.

Given him losing a month and a half or so with the hand injury - and the issue players have with coming back the same year from hand injuries - I'd be surprised. It'll probably take him all year just to fully recover from the injury. I hope I'm wrong though.