chitownsportsfan

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 17, 2018 -> 02:27 PM) I couldn’t disagree more. Yoan has a the hard part down: he understands the strike zone. Many prospects, and many current Sox players, for that matter, do not understand the strike zone/see pitches nearly as well. Secondly, when he does make contact, he’s crushing balls. Clearly he has some swing and miss to his game, and that is always going to be the case. However, I think the funk he’s in is just one where he’s trying to stay true to his approach a bit too much, in the face of the League making adjustments to that approach. He’s getting behind in the count far too often, because he has a tendency to look at the first pitch. From there, he just struggles because he’s so often 0-2, 1-2. I think yesterday’s first PA was perfect. He needs to be ready to jump on that first pitch if its grooved right in the zone until the League stops doing that. Just that adjustment alone I think would have major positive consequences. For sure. I think the leadoff spot has put some added pressure on him to see pitches as well. But, if that's his long term spot in the order than it's better to get these teething issues out of the way ASAP. one thing so far is that for the most part, he has not taken his problems at the plate into the field. He's made some really nice plays and has limited his boneheaded mistakes.

QUOTE (bmags @ Apr 17, 2018 -> 01:02 PM) I hope we can be done with the "Awarding the CF position based on spring training play" era. I am having bad flashbacks to Jimmy Rollins. It seems the Sox love to give starting spots to over the hill guys and "never will be" guys based on spring training.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Apr 17, 2018 -> 11:52 AM) Anytime you play an infielder in the outfield (L. Garcia) you are looking for trouble. Leury has almost 700 innings in CF now and almost 1000 overall in the OF. He has his brain farts mostly related to throwing but he can go and get the ball well enough. I'm not really happy with how he's being used early on by Ricky. He seems to be almost exclusively a LF defensive replacement for Delmonico. That's wasting the roster spot and wasting his talents imo.

QUOTE (bmags @ Apr 17, 2018 -> 11:41 AM) Yeah this looks correct, though I'll say I'd be fine with Leury back in CF full time. just watching last night Engel was completely overwhelmed at the plate by very mediocre fastballs (to be fair that was most of the lineup as well). that said, with that swing I'm not sure how he'll ever hit above 200. Probably the longest swing I've seen at the MLB level from a non slugger.

The numbers (and the eye test) speak volumes about his play: In 375 MLB PA Engel is slashing 168/243/276 for a wRC of 40. This year he's improved his slash line to 188/308/219 for a wRC+ of 60. In addition to his well know struggles at the plate Engel has struggled in CF with bad routes, weak throws and lapses in concentration. He's -1.8 runs according to Fangraphs so far in CF. All in all he's been worth -1 fWAR in a little over half a season of MLB play. If you squint maybe you can see a productive 4th OF but at what point does the org pull the plug on the Engel as starting CF experiment? It would be one thing if he was a guy with a history of success in MilB but that is not the case either. In his last AAA stint Engel hit .218, his overall line buoyed by a flukey .256 iso. His hit tool makes Yoan look like Ted Williams. With the presumed 3-4 month injury to Cordell perhaps Adam was granted a temporary reprieve last night. That said, those that have followed him closer -- is Tilson ready? [from a quick glance at the AAA stats, no, he's not.] How about Leury as starting CF? Do the Sox have someone ready to come up into a utility IF role, or do you simply make Tyler the primary backup at 3B, SS and 2B with Yolmer providing emergency cover? Personally I'm more than ready to move on. I don't see any upside to giving Engel more PA and I'd much rather see them go to Leury.

Reasonable responses. I think I had 79 wins, which looks way too optimistic. If Avi really goes back to being below replacement that is three wins right there and he sure looks like he is back in that mode. The losses don't bother me so much as how they are losing. Had to turn the game off after TAs error last night. Looks like a 70 win team right now. At least Lopez is off to a great start.

cya guys later.

even the a's crew is s***ting on the sox now.

this is just sickening.

does this broadcast team ever critique the game or team?

nobody cares about your story, jason.

now if this f***ing lineup could get him off the hook.

damn kid.

this lineup is seriously s*** right now.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 16, 2018 -> 10:37 PM) Can't be taking two high changeups to fall behind then well tonight he's 1-2 with a sb and a sac bunt, tonight he's done his part, it's on the other guys.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 16, 2018 -> 10:34 PM) He legit can't hit offspeed pitches right now that was a pretty nice pitch tbf

this is not fun.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Apr 16, 2018 -> 10:28 PM) Judging by online reaction, I think that catch was really underrated. That first replay angle was really nice. Not only was it way above him but it was a tough angle too. it was a helluva play. short, but crazy reflexes and hand eye.

yolmer gonna yolmer.

QUOTE (Richie @ Apr 16, 2018 -> 10:19 PM) We're having good AB's vs Megden and putting the ball in play. Hitting a good chunk of em hard. I think we'll break through here soon. Need Lopez to stay the course. Keep the pitch count from getting too out of hand. doh.

yolmer crushd that ball, right at him.

ironically jason is bad for the same f***ing reasons old hawk was. talk. about. the game.

lopez is pitching with a lot of confidence, great job beef calling the game too.

I need a beer, sigh.

this ump is full of s***