Lukakke Appling

Haha not a good catch at all. I’ve never heard of the Buffalo Braves. I was saying NY state has 8 teams, and I assumed it was the Sabres you had forgotten. Or it’s possible one of the 8 doesn’t play in NY anymore. I’ve got: Mets, Yankees, Bills, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, Sabres.

If you forgot the Sabres nobody could blame you.

White Sox now have the smallest “largest contract ever” of the 30 franchises I believe.

There’s been a few exceptions other than Leury. Keppinger and Danks come immediately to mind, but there’s others I know I’m not mentioning.

I agree with this. If he could lay off high heat that would go a long way as well.

I wouldn’t want Bleday in center

Get CWS on it!

Pirates could really use a RH bat. Plop Robert between Cruz, Horowitz, O’Hearn, and Lowe and he’ll face his share of LHP’s.

On the latest Pipeline podcast, Jim Callis had some kind words about Hagen. He basically said he looked back to his old self in the AFL, and rejuvenated his confidence he can start.

He’s had consistently above league average offense for 3 seasons. It’s certainly not sexy, but credit where it’s due.

He gives up a good amount of hard hit ground balls, so the high BABIP makes sense. He also has 2nd percentile extension, which is kind of funny.

The legend of Ben Cowles continues.

I like that he can throw multiple innings. He wasn’t too far off from the Vasil-line. And now i think I’m gonna start calling Vasil “Vaseline”. He’s white, seems like he’s down for a good time.

Nice addition to the pen.

Generally speaking, guys who can spin a curve can spin a slider. You’re right about the consistency of the curve being difficult, which is why guys like Gio and Cease adopted the slider as a primary secondary. I think if he busts as a starter you focus on the fastball/slider combo and forget the other stuff.

To my eye, for whatever that’s worth, his stuff is pretty good overall. I just get the impression from watching hitters that it’s easy to pick up and plays down. I do think, however, he could be a weapon out of the bullpen if starting doesn’t work out.

If 2026 kind of mirrors 2019, I think that would be a realistic positive step.

When you know, you know.

Yes, high profile Japanese talent Jorge Polanco. Totally the same thing.

Totally

Hill has hit lefties well over his career.

Theoretically yes? I don’t really have an answer for you, it just seems less common, which makes me think it’s more difficult. I’m just a guy on a message board, though.

Any mention of platoon splits?

Even the median outcome guys would be mostly good if we’re looking at age 26,27 seasons.