ThisismineScios

This is why giving up on him is stupid. Yes he’s striking out too much. But learning to take pitches near the zone is great progress. And that swing was beautiful.

Rodriguez mentioned his delivery is less violent, but it still looks a bit much. I wouldn’t mind if he learned to live at 94-96 with a less violent delivery.

Best thing that could happen for the Angels is the Reds to really suck. They have two pitchers that could really help us. I think they might, too. Cardinals and Brewers improved and the Cubs still have pieces.

Don’t be ambitious. He is still a bust. We should call the Rangers and see if they have any average pitchers for him.

Honestly with Buttrey being whatever and Chavez throwing BP I want to see how good he can be. There may be a spot for him.

He is an extremely nice guy and the Hispanic players really love him. I think he’s close with a lot of them. He knows the game really well too but cannot describe it well in English.

I believe he’s there. Weird thing is he has to be on the opening day roster or the IL to keep him. Wonder if they’re manufacturing an injury to give him more time. Otherwise it’s in their best interest to get him out there ASAP.

I think he slots in 4th right behind Odorizzi and ahead of Rodriguez.

One thing I've seen in Spring re: pitchers is they go into outings determining what they want to work on. A pitch, a strategy, a location, etc. I think there's more stock in K's than BBs, for example. They're trying to paint a spot or work on a pitch more than throw a strike. But missing bats or catching guys looking means the stuff is playing well.

I like this a lot, and I think this more than anything is a ray of optimism. It show he's seeing the ball well. His timing is off, and his fielding level is close to the Anaheim HS JV team, but those two things will come with more reps and work in AAA. The fact that he is drawing walks and not chasing as much shows his growth.

As I've been super annoyed at his little league fielding mishaps, I'm trying to keep it in perspective. He's not played a lot of RF, which is different than CF. In 2018, he played 69/88 games in CF. In 2019, he played about half in RF. He didn't really start playing in RF until he got to Salt Lake that year. In 2019 he played 291 innings in RF. He had 2 errors and 3 assists. If we assume that's about a quarter of a season, conservatively, that's 8 errors and 12 assists. Small sample size, but it is not like this dude can't field. Between 2018 and 2019 he made an error about every 113 innings. Not gold glove quality, but definitely at least average with a plus arm (the assists). When you watch the gaffes, it's the routine plays that are getting him. Somebody mentioned he's trying to look the part--that's what I felt a few days ago on the roller in the outfield. Instead of charging or approaching it, he sat and waited on it. It rolled under his glove. The 4-run error last year. The falling down. The bad angles. I don't believe this is a result of better MLB hitting. These are bad plays he would make if Joe Blanton was hitting flyballs to him. It seems to me he has not focused at all on his fielding, assuming he doesn't need to. He's focused on working out, making videos, and his swing. And it shows big time. But his minor league numbers and the film show a quality fielder with a great arm. Remember the Futures game? He just needs reps. I truly hope he spends the entire season in AAA. It would be good for his humility and provide needed reps. But recency bias is kicking in big time. This guy has shown himself at every level to be able to perform offensively and defensively. Why the heck people are ready to give up on him is mind boggling. He's freaking 21 years old. You know who is older than him? Almost everyone. And he has thrived at every level before flopping in the big show, because he wasn't ready. He will be fine.

Reminds me of Sandoval's starts last year. He'd be doing great then give up a HR or two, and then he'd lose it. He is one that needs to learn to lock in.

On paper his stuff looks great. 97-98, +10-12 on the changeup, and a decent breaking ball. However, his stuff sits and has little movement. He's not going to be a high leverage guy, but if he could figure some things out he could be a decent MRP.

I'm a big fan still but he needs more time in AAA to learn how to adjust to breaking balls. And he just needs a bunch of reps in RF. What bothers me is in his interview, all he talked about was needing to get his swag back and how he's wired to come back hungry from failure. Nothing about mechanics, sight, or fundamentals. He's so young, but he definitely needs 2-3 months in AAA at a minimum.

That's what always makes it hard to plan which games to attend. You never know when you're going to get the "Courtesy Invite Special" lineup. The bright spot is these type of lineups usually include some of the younglings, like Jackson and Adams. I've learned the whenever there's a split squad, go to the home game.

Obviously some are anointing him the next Francisco Rodriguez mixed with Clemens. But I think the point is more about him NOT having pitched in three years and wanting to see where he was at, just from the pier stuff standpoint. We haven’t had a young homegrown pitcher show 4 pitches like that in....uh...a long time. People are overreacting yes but there is a legitimate reason to be excited after 3 years of waiting.

I agree. He will never make it. 160 at bats is enough for me to see. I don't care what he hit in the minors. He is a total bust and that's very obvious even though he's only 21 year old.

It seems the main idea is getting more players vaccinated. Makes sense, but still seems misguided.

I think he should probably quit. He'll never make it.

Forgot about Vlad and Tejada also. This just makes too much sense not to be true.

He was incredible in the minors. Last year Mota made fun of him (I think that’s what he was saying) for showing up to camp jacked and then not being able to hit or field or run. He should be stealing 40 a year and playing great defense. He really fell off and could be a big asset if he regains some of those skills. I mean the Dodgers certainly liked him...

Luke Bard reminds me of some of the guys we've trotted out year after year hoping they'll turn it around and become quality relievers. Like Taylor Cole, who once followed up a multi-run effort by saying he has one of the best changeups in the game.

EXTENSION

I'd take Trent Rush/Langston on the radio and fresh blood with Gubicza on TV. Terry Smith adds nothing at all.

I will take being deadline buyers for now. That to me is huge progress over selling the last 3 years. I also think expanded playoffs has an outside chance to happen, in which case I think they are a better then not chance to get in. Not sure what the players have to gain by not agreeing universal DH. It’s more jobs and more money. Imagine a guy like Upton is batting .280/.340./.500 at the deadline but playing atrocious OF. How many NL teams would be interested in a guy that can play OF if needed but also makes a great DH? Not the perfect example (why would we trade him) I know but I don’t get what the players have to lose by swapping DH with playoff expansion. Besides “leverage”.