poppysox

Nova & Lopez look like different pitchers lately. I wonder if some of that has been the McCann influence.

Mike Trout was drafted 25th overall. It would seem knowing who to pick is a matter of evaluating the best talent available when it's your turn. Plenty of top 5 draftees never make it. Some franchises are really good at this and many others not so much. Lot's of small/medium market teams stand out such as Atlanta, St. Louis, Minnesota and Milwaukee. When these teams lose a player it always seems someone Is ready to step up.

Jay and Nova are what we thought they would be. Colome and McCann have been pleasant surprises. Only Alonso crapped the bed.

He is ideal in the backup roll.

And not particularly loved by his players. That might be a good thing.

I trust Hahn to get a quality starter or two. He knows this club needs that kind of steady influence. He is not as clueless as some on this board think.

The only reason this is hard to figure out is because we will be loaded. Nice problem to have.

The fact that we are doing some winning is a good sign that we do have some talent already here. We've all been patient up til now...let's see what Hahn accomplishes this off season before we run for the pitchforks.

Can't recognize the slider.

Thanks for checking.

I guess he has an option with them as well so might not be available even if we want him.

This would be a very nice move getting Grandal. What's the feeling on what he might cost.

When all the parts of our future lineup are on the team...you could pull names out of a hat and the lineup would look formidable. Modern thought seems to have your best hitters batting high in the order in order to get the most at bats. Former lineups featured speed at the top with your best hitters in the 3 and 4 spot. I personally like old fashioned lineup construction.

Our manager at Winston Salem is an under 30 analytics guy named Justin Jirschele. He's our analytics driven manager of the future.

After a bit of time I believe that will be his spot. His attributes are very Nellie Fox like. I actually like Anderson leading off followed by Madrigal, Robert 3rd with Moncada 4th, Eloy 5th and Jose 6th. The speed of the first four would drive teams crazy. Fun to play with various lineups. I know this is considered old fashioned lineup construction but I like speed at the top and my best hitters in the RBI places. We live in a HR era but I love speed coupled with power like this team is going to have.

Cabrera is a poster boy for being very careful with long term contracts.

Goins doesn't have Yoan's arm but he catches everything.

Ricky likes to do the unconventional.

He is adequate wherever he plays but as a super sub he's tremendous.

They both show flashes.

When Anderson gets to second so effortlessly you are reminded why you like him.

Quality start when he doesn't have his good stuff...I'll take it.

Yes...he very well might be Yolmer's replacement.

But no match for Gio.

I try.