fathom

The guy I talk about velocity the most is Lopez, who had question marks about his ability to maintain velocity as a starter due to his size. He's done a solid job of maintaining, but you still see games where he loses 3-4 mph from the first to sixth inning. That is not very common amongst starters. On the other hand, you have Rodon who starts games 91-92 and ramps up to 94-96. Problem is over last couple of years, he's been absolutely shelled when his velocity is low.

Smith swings a magic wand. Also Frank has been superb

Yay Yoan

Nice call by Frank on that homer!

Yeah some of the players in the minors have seemingly become way too overrated on here (Stephens, Adams, Henzman) Some of the same people saying Giolito was never a big part of the rebuild probably were proclaiming him a future ace after spring training

How about not hanging mediocre sliders?

Fielders shouldn't be allowed to block the base prior to the slide. Not sure how Anderson was supposed to slide there.

He's a low ball hitter that they refuse to throw high fastballs to

Did he become a headcase over the offseason, as he was incredible in those spots last year in a small sample size. I don't know if he's trying to be too quick out of the stretch (which isn't helping, as he's allowed 13 steals this year), but it looks like he's short-arming out of the stretch. It's causing lower velocity, bad command and hanging breaking balls (i.e..2nd homer to Castellanos)

In the parts I saw yesterday, his velocity was down 2 mph quite often from the stretch. With someone who has bad fastball metrics to begin with, that could make a huge difference.

Couldn't that be a physical issue out of the stretch?

Gonna guess Hansen is a far ways from having his stuff be 100 pct

Rutherford showing good speed, as game is on tv

Charlotte has had a hard few days throwing strikes...woof

Giolito was absolutely supposed to be part of the rotation for when they're contenders. Hopefully Covey becomes a member.

His speed is definitely a 70 or so. Like they say, if he grew up in America, he'd be an NFL player shortly

I will say this about Madrigal...he has the chance to be the greatest hit and run hitter ever. Looks like he can guide the ball when he wants

It was the same stuff I was saying prior to the draft as well, especially that last series he had during the regular season. Lots of weak choppers on the infield. I doubt he had many 0-4 this season though.

So far, probably one of Madrigal's worst games. 4 at bats, very weak contact. It seems he jams himself an awful lot.

Shouldn't Omar have hit for him? Oh well, Tank Commander Renteria dominating this week

He's great

Can't pitch from the stretch

Definitely better, but that 3-1 92 mph fastball down the plate is a pitch he should be crushing and not weakly fouling off. When he starts doing that, he'll start racking up extra base hits again.

Wash trade looks good. It's the Sale trade that is scary right now, as that was the one you needed to alter your franchise. Way too early to make a final decision on it, but it has been a dismal season for Moncada and Kopech.

3rd freaking inning and his velocity is down 2 mph already.