bmags

There may be some additional reasons aside from dimensions why it's difficult, be it around difficulty picking ball up, weather or geography. I think I've heard that Kanny, being up in the wet NC mountains, is a difficult transition for those used to dry AZ/Montana air. So perhaps there is a birmingham specific component which I'm not sure I'd be able to find.

So it's not terrible for runs in general, but it's very bad for power. This article measures it as slightly above neutral for runs, but you can see much lower for home runs. https://www.milb.com/eastern/news/x-factors-double-a-ballpark-effects/c-66868822 And you can see why a bit when you view the stadium. It's actually pretty normal on the corners (320 ft left, 325 right), and it's only 400 dead center, but it is an irregular shape, where it's depth juts out in left field and is much deeper than the pretty consistent curve shape we'd expect to see in majors. http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t247&ymd=20120127&content_id=26491494&vkey=team4 And if not for Regions, southern league in general is a fairly high scoring league. So it's not like it should make you a completely terrible hitter, but your power is muted. The biggest difficulty is just AA is a huge jump.

AL East is about one year away from being awesome again though (in the same way NL East is, bal/mia in same position). Angels have started drafting better and have Trout longterm (and ohtani). Central seems pretty weak for a while but I like Minnesota's new front office.

Well that's a hell of a statline for Varnell.

We probably are even not accounting for how bad it was even in spring training. He was 7 for 42 in spring training. So he's 7 for his last 76, a .092 BA.

No Palka, even v. RHP. Keller ate us for lunch last time, Giolito ate them for lunch last time. Defensively, probably our second strongest lineup (yonder at 1b best).

Oh the other thing I liked was he'll only be 17 on draft day. This says he tops out at 90 though. Sure is fun researching this stuff when we'll probably draft a college 1b overslot in the second round! https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=551758

Do you know anything about Blake Walston (Lhp prep). I read two sentences I liked, about his size and curve ball. Know nothing else.

This is true. I’ll give some credit to opponents though, Seattle was a buzzsaw that did it to more than the Sox. They are only now starting to cool down (started 13-2! Sox at least stole 1 vs them), and Tampa’s pitching start pegs them to be like the best pitching staff ever so those were happening to more teams than just Sox. so it will be fun if we can watch some nice wins vs AL Central this next few weeks.

Seems like Getz wants players to earn their promotions while in A/A+ ball, then AA will either be they earned it or were pushed up

It’s the ninth inning so Colome must pitch. It’s in his manager Manual.

So Colome it is.

There really isn’t anything at stake either way.

Good night to be in RF

Well that’s a hell of a game for Yonder

Is Colome available again?

Herrera’s hitting 97

I don’t know. Feels like when league was power starved we had more guys like Chris Carter. Now they need to be more well rounded, it’s just pitchers are really good. Like Yellichs k rate hasn’t changed that much.

I am skeptical that the juiced ball, which randomly appeared in, what 2016? Has anything to do with three outcome baseball, which has been trending this way for years. That’s much more likely to be a pitcher velocity issue. Or just have some expansion.

That’s Justin Jircheles dad isn’t it. I forgot he’s still a coach.

The only percentages allowed in this thread are k rate! We laugh at prospects injuries and ridicule them for their k rate. It’s a fun thread.

Well, that’s way more fastballs than I would have guessed but admittedly I was switching channels back and forth.

Lol, would have been a hilarious first hit

Great game from lopey. Starting to lean off FB only approach if first two games.

DP! Finish this inning and save us a bo arm