2018 Spring Training Thread

[B Mac]

I actually like Underwood overall and it is Arizona they are in so the ball does carry a bit.

I am debating whether or not to get MLB.tv this year. My issue is I live in an area where there is 4 teams blacked out (Reds, Tigers, White Soxs and Cubs) That’s like 40 something Indians games I cannot watch live.

Save your money.


http://sportsarefree.xyz/

 

[KardiacKat]

If you're not in the conversation to beat out Rajai Davis and Melvin Upton Jr as a 4th/5th outfielder, your potential isn't that high. Naquin is a AAAA outfielder.

 

[bubba52782]

Tyler Naquin was 2 for 3 today with a double and homer. Means very little since it is just a spring training game. But it does make me shake my head thinking about how this pure hitter got screwed by Tito last season.

Third in ROY voting. Led the team in on base percentage as a rookie. Had the highest slugging percentage on the team by a whopping 45 percentage points. Hit the third most homers per plate appearance. Was third on the team in batting average. All this on an offense that scored the second most runs in 2016 in the AL. Naquin was hitting 330 entering September that year only to fall victim to hitting a rookie wall over the final month.

But because he let a ball fall in in the first inning if game 6 of the World Series, Francona gave Tyler a 1 way ticket to Columbus for the whole 2017 season. Meanwhile, PED using cheater and his 230 batting average (Almonte) took Naquin's place on the roster. Incredible. To Naquin's credit. he continued his strong hitting. He ended up the season at Columbus hitting 299.

I'm sure Tito will figure out a way to screw this kid again this year. With Brantley and Lonnie likely walking after the season, Tyler will finally make his mark in 2019.

Maybe if he knew how to play cribbage?!?

 

[LandofClevesMan]

I'm thinking about heading to Arizona with the wife to catch some games next weekend. anyone have some recommendations on some other things to do while in town?

 

[sportscoach]

I'm thinking about heading to Arizona with the wife to catch some games next weekend. anyone have some recommendations on some other things to do while in town?

@Lee since if I remember correctly you are from Arizona so you may be the best person for this question.

 

[Lee]

I'm thinking about heading to Arizona with the wife to catch some games next weekend. anyone have some recommendations on some other things to do while in town?

Your wife.

 

[Lee]

I'm thinking about heading to Arizona with the wife to catch some games next weekend. anyone have some recommendations on some other things to do while in town?

Plenty to do, depends on where you are staying and what you like to do and how long you are here. Reach out if you make some firm plans and I will give you some ideas.

 

[macbdog]

Yonder kicked off the spring with a bomb on the first pitch he saw.

Swung at first pitch- the Anti-Santana. Thanks for pointing this out.

 

[macbdog]

Is Kipnis and Brantley in the lineup?

Better yet, is JD Martinez in the lineup?

No, apparently he has a medical issue holding up the contract. Won't say what it is. Not an immediate injury but something that will pop up later. I suggest starting internet rumor it is AIDS so Boras has to say.

Danny Oterrible already in mid season form, Carlos Torres will give him a run for his money.

2/10

Would love for Alonso to replicate last season's success:

Roughly .260/.360/.500 with 25 HR, 70 RBI, 25 2B would be good production out of him and a solid replacement to Santana.

I fully expect it. Not sure he can necessarily better that, but i think he can be more consistent. Has always been a guy I liked, glad they got him.

 

[Stark]

Kipnis just went yard.

 

[thestatman]

Actually, it's because he can't hit big league fastballs. When pitchers stopped throwing him breaking stuff, he fell off a cliff. He'll be making his mark on someone else's AAA affiliate in 2019.

Hmm. So they quit throwing him fastballs at triple A too last season? The so called myth that Naquin can't hit fastballs kind of fell off the cliff in triple A last season, didn't it.

 

[thestatman]

Naquin only manages 80 games at AAA last year because of the back injury.

Obviously he’s not a .300 big league guy, that small sample was never going to stick.

Way too exposed in certain spots. But he’s a guy who should be a good platoon player long term.

Small sample included well over 300 at bats. He followed that tremendous year up by hitting 299 at triple A. Petty bold prediction on what he will become. For the record, Jim Thome hit 225 over his first 2 major league seasons . Albert Belle hit 225 during his rookie season. But 296 Naquin has no chance of being a 300 hitter. Got it.

 

[thestatman]

And speaking of Naquin. he was the 12th overall pick the year he was drafted...a good bit higher than either Zimmer or C. Frazier.

At the time he was drafted he was labeled a can't miss pure hitter with a cannon for an arm.

I was fortunate enough to be at the 2 signature tribe wins over the pat 2 seasons. I saw Naquin circle the bases with a walk off inside the park homer against Toronto in 2016. I was there last season when the tribe won game 22 in a row. People remember Frankie's 2 out double to tie that game in the ninth. But most don't remember Naquin's key hit to start that rally. Without tat, Lindor never sees the plate that inning.

Naquin was probably the first batter in the history of baseball to lead a team in slugging percentage as a rookie only to be shit canned to triple A the following season. Maybe the Yankees will send Judge down to Wilkes Barre this spring.

 

[AZ_]

Small sample included well over 300 at bats. He followed that tremendous year up by hitting 299 at triple A. Petty bold prediction on what he will become. For the record, Jim Thome hit 225 over his first 2 major league seasons . Albert Belle hit 225 during his rookie season. But 296 Naquin has no chance of being a 300 hitter. Got it.

In what ways are Jim Thome and Albert Belle similar to Tyler Naquin?

 

[AZ_]

And speaking of Naquin. he was the 12th overall pick the year he was drafted...a good bit higher than either Zimmer or C. Frazier.

At the time he was drafted he was labeled a can't miss pure hitter

Nope.

15th. Clint Frazier was 5th, Zimmer was 21st.

Also was not considered any sort of can't miss player. He signed for 500K less than the slot value for the 15th overall pick, because the Indians took a chance on him a bit earlier than other teams would have.

One pick before Lucas Giolito, a few before Corey Seager, Michael Wacha and Marcus Stroman.

Naquin was probably the first batter in the history of baseball to lead a team in slugging percentage as a rookie only to be shit canned to triple A the following season. Maybe the Yankees will send Judge down to Wilkes Barre this spring.

Also nope.