Autumn Dreamin

The 2025 sub should be good through the end of the month, the new one will probably come out around March 24. Assuming the ESPN situation hasn't impacted their deal with T-Mobile, which is supposed to run at least through 2028.

Mune, man of the people! 8 HR in 28 BP swings today reportedly. Japanese media says he'll leave on the 27th for the WBC, a few days later than the rest of the Team Japan MLB contingent, to give him more ST game reps with the Sox.

I guess it's fun(?) to imagine Getz being shocked to find out Acuna is right handed, but I'm pretty sure he just misspoke. Four times is embarrassing, but also not that many in the context of how much he's talked to the media. Only so many ways staff and coaches can phrase the same "excited to see what he does" spiel to a bunch of different outlets, so if a mistake slips in once then I can see it being replicated on autopilot. But if someone had stopped him after one of the occurrences and said "Acuna is a switch hitter?", I think his response would have been more "wait did I say that?" and less "yes, absolutely!" His interviews include several instances of providing detail on Acuna's work in VWL and their plans for him that make it very obvious he didn't just find out who they acquired. The amount of energy being spent on this is a bit silly to me.

The only place with public access is the Driveline facility in AZ. Costs $100 for an hour session, could be a fun add to a ST trip. https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/trajekt-hitting-sessions/

From the article: “It gives me a sense of comfort now knowing that I am who I thought I was at the time,” Cholowsky said. “The thing with me is just the want to win. I don’t think I could ever put a level to how competitive I am. I don’t think there’s something to even measure that. That’s what’s put me into the spot I am, because of how bad I want things and how bad I want to learn.” 😍

Another endorsement for Mune's responsiveness to coaching and hunger to improve Fuller. He says more velo, fewer splitters, and more pitch variety will be the biggest adjustments from NPB pitching, but they are able to give him "exposure therapy" with the Trajekt. Fuller credits the second half offensive success to more (and more targeted) game speed reps like that.

Mid to high 30's doesn't feel crazy to me and it's fun to have a guy I can say that about.

Interesting

I just assume he had CF on the mind more broadly and was thinking of Baldwin

Murakami is "electric" and his English is apparently better than expected. He's committed to improving on defense. Will says the early BP sessions have just been tuning his mechanics rather than actually swinging full out (8 HR is certainly not bad for "taking it easy"). When asked about the strikeout concerns, he says they have more tools for training and practice than in NPB (like the pitch sim machines) that the staff can use to help. Says Mune's got a good work ethic and personality. Thinks they'll be able to get ABs for both Teel and Quero. No OD starter yet, but Dominguez is the closer (with the door open for "Judge in the 8th of a one run game" type of non-closing leverage). Emphasized being honest and transparent about roles and expectations for players, including talking to Smith and Schultz about not breaking camp next month. When asked to highlight one offseason add he's excited about, he went with Kelenic which is interesting. Says they think they can tap into his upside.

I agree, I think there will be a good number of piggyback starts of two guys combining for 6-7IP. You fulfill the "chance to start" offered to a couple guys, manage workload for the guys who need it, build up innings/confidence for the guys who need that instead, etc. Shoring up the pen gets them a good amount of flexibility to let Vasil/Taylor pitch 3-4 innings early instead of 1-2 innings late. Should also make it easy to incorporate the next wave of call ups, many of whom will have experience piggybacking in the minors.

Always wishing the best for Liam, though I'll simultaneously be wishing the worst for the Twins.

It could be something Mune flagged for himself to get a head start on based on the experience of Shohei and others. Kelenic is working on a similar shift towards a toe tap, and Beni made one previously.

Not saying he's the source of this quote, but Phil Nevin was with Mune at 1B quite a bit today. He spoke a little to the press about their scouting efforts on Murakami and implied the bat is more impressive in person. Seems to be well liked by the Japanese media from his time with the Shohei Angels.

Yeah, can't be mad at that number

Japanese media says 8 HR in 29 swings for Mune's BP, with that last one to RF clearing 420+ They're also reporting a change in his swing to cut down on the leg kick. Shohei made a similar adjustment when coming over with swing and miss concerns.

The savvy teams should be calling on Troy Melton instead