Dick Allen

Is the chart only for fastballs, or do they include hanging breaking balls?

https://www.mlb.com/news/sean-doolittle-excelling-with-high-fastballs-c273645330

They are easier to hit. A fastball at the top of the zone is not as easy to put in play as one with the same velocity at the bottom of the zone. . A low fastball is easier to hit because gravity helps you out a bit.

The the high, is fastballs only. Not breaking pitches. High breaking pitches are usually really bad.

People with upper cut swings can't get to a high fastball. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/as-more-mlb-batters-become-launch-angle-disciples-pitchers-are-quietly-adapting/2018/03/27/ecace82c-2dda-11e8-8688 Again, anyone who thinks a high fastball in the upper part of the zone is easier to hit than one at the knees, needs to go to a batting cage.

But it isn't easier to hit. Now with launch angles and upper cuts, pitching up is the way to go on a lot of hitters, except of course if up is hanging breaking balls.

Probably the biggest reason is it rarely is called a strike. Jose Quintana's put away pitch is a 92 MPH high fastball. I'm telling you, go to a batting cage which will give you the same MPH every pitch, and see how much easier it is to get around on the lower ones. Gravity helps.

The White Sox were able to trade Sale,Q, and Eaton for what should have been king ransom hauls of prospects. To think they should be on the same timetable as a normal rebuild is just hoping against hope. It's time some of these prospects actually showed why they were considered top notched guys in the major leagues.

Go to a batting cage and see what is easier. Much, much harder to hit a high fastball. Fangraphs had an article about it several years ago. The high fastball is the most effective pitch in baseball. Off speed stuff high is meat.

Much harder to catch up to high gas than to drop your bat on a lower one.

I don’t think being gay is inappropriate. But if you are so worried about exposing kids to things that are inappropriate, probably going to a ballgame is a bad idea. I see and hear heterosexual people doing several inappropriate things every game I attend. Not to mention, the person sitting next to you may be gay. The horror.

How many teams have studs as 4th and 5th starters? When was the last time the Sox had 5 studs? And if they realized they could pitch just as many innings, but face the opponents top hitters one time less.

Kevan Smith is a nice guy, but no need to be upset he's gone.

Ozzie has left ESPN. Could he be taking over for Beltin Melton on the pre and post game shows.

Are there any executives that are free agents? As far as managers, I know Maddon is one. I'm not a big fan, but I'm sure if the Sox would have interest, they could probably work in a second place finish for him.

Is it sick this made me laugh?

Just because he said he really didn't do it now, doesn't mean he really didn't do it. The victim's mother still thinks he did it, and I am sure she knows far about the case than any of us. I just hope making him a White Sox is never a consideration. I don't care if he's ace material. There are hundreds of 6 year olds in the stands. Them cheering for him would be sickening.

If it catches on and works, at least so,e form of what you are proposing will more than likely happen. now is the time for the White Sox to experiment. I don’t see what they have to lose. If they tried it and it didn’t work, it’s not like not signing Machado or Harper for really no reason.

You would still have the "starter". The guy that you hope gives you 5 or 6 innings. I think using a bullpen guy first if you can get the match ups or make the other manager change his line up early and limit his options late, gives you an edge, especially when you aren't going to be throwing an ace quality pitcher out to start.

You are going to use the bullpen anyway. I don't know if you could or should do it every game, but at least one or two spots could really benefit.

Its. March. 5th.

Absolutely. This is free cheese. Make the opponent either change his line up early, and tie his hands for the rest of the game, or give the reliever, someone you would have used later anyways, optimal match ups. The regular starter can still go 5 or 6 or 7 innings.

Houston isn't exactly like playing at an airport.

It would have been interesting to see exactly what happened if the Sox signed one of these guys. It might have really changed things forever. The fan base has been beat down so much and so long, it's just assumed the White Sox operate like they are the Pittsburgh Pirates. Who knows what this might have started.

Which is nice, but they are paying him for 2019. Chances are there is going to be a drop off.