Autumn Dreamin

Padres bringing Maldonado back on a minors deal. He was Cease's (4IP 2ER on 91 pitches today) personal catcher in the first half, but it's not like it was leading to better results so I'm not sure what the rationale is. I guess just injury insurance, since they seem to not like Campusano at C.

Productive inning for guys with the initials CM

HRs in four straight games against the Twins for Colson

Sosa hit HR #18 today. His first 9 took half the season (81 games) but he got the next 9 more than twice as quickly (38 games). He's also very nearly doubled his RBI pace from the first half to the second (31 RBI in 81 games vs. 30 RBI in 38 games). Some of that is probably a result of the generally better team offense. Some is improved plate discipline as he's dropped his K% from 23.7 to 18.7%. Taking 8 walks in still 38 games isn't much, but it beats 8 walks in 81... He also just seems to be punishing "his" pitches more: 9 HR out of 24 XBH in the first half (14 2B), 9 HR out of 12 XBH in the last 38 games (3 2B). It's a big jump in ISO from .150 to .204 while simultaneously improving his AVG/OBP a bit. Will be interesting to see if the trend keeps up to finish the season or if it's just a hot streak in a (still solid) year.

Bonemer finished 3-4 with a double, 2 HR, and a walk for good measure. Very hot start in WS, 6-18 with 5 XHB through 5 games (2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR). 4 walks to 4Ks. Dash won 5-0, Oppor finally gets his first W at the level.

Bonemer just hit another lol, 106mph 424ft to LCF

Good start for Oppor: 5IP, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 6K. Efficient 66 pitches, barely broke a sweat.

They've said the plan is still to have him make all of his starts, though I imagine the leash gets shorter for them much like Crochet last year.

Pretty insane coming from the Rays of all orgs?

Bonemer's first HIgh A 💣

Great August for Shane. 6 starts, 33.2IP, 10 ER (2.67 ERA), 31K, <1.00 WHIP. His last two outings are the two longest of his career.

I agree, line looks worse than the performance. He gave up 3 singles, one was hard hit. Hackenberg didn't need to throw to second on a delayed steal with two strikes on the batter and a runner at third, but he did and it cost a run. Schultz ended the inning on the next pitch.

Smith was dealing with no hits/walks (1 HBP) and 6K through 3. Got strikeout #7 to leadoff the 4th inning, then back to back comebacker grounders. He dodged the first which ended up a single up the middle, and took the second off his leg resulting in an IF single. Got checked out and stayed in the game. Picked off the runner at first, allowed a walk, then got a popout to end the inning. Easy 1-2-3 5th, done at 66 pitches.

Schweitzer up to 39.2IP scoreless in AA.

Eloy is signing a minors deal with Toronto after being released from the Rays system in July.

I didn't say the Sox should get more credit for fixing him, I said if the team splits were reversed then the difference would be chalked up to coaching because that's what generally happens when a player who struggles here goes on to play better somewhere else. But I'm not interested in further discussion either way. Feel as "right" as you want about Tyler Alexander, just stop trying to "call me out" every time he gives up a run.

1. That's not my username. 2. Have I been some big Tyler Alexander cheerleader? I complimented him for covering 3 innings in a game thread last weekend because they're playing 17 straight with a taxed pen and needed innings....Are you going to chase up everyone who's ever said "nice game from Player X"? 3. Seriously, I don't really know what this schtick even is supposed to be but you've done it a couple times now and it's strange so I'd like to nip it in the bud here.

DePino with his first 💣

Sounds like Hoskins is expected back soon.