I was going to post that article!
For those that don’t know, Fangraphs is an outstanding source for baseball articles and information.
Jayhawker wrote:Hicks is a hell of a talent. The craziest part is how much movement he gets at that speed.
Even worse than the dropped third strike was the tipped pitch that skipped into Yadier Molina’s groin and required surgery.
The fact that he is under 9K/9 innings and at 6.5BB/9 with a high WHIP is concerning. Fan Graphs had a good article on him a couple days ago HERE. At 21, he has time to develop better command and a second pitch, but the Cards need anything resembling a capable arm in the bullpen currently, which means he will have to learn at the hardest level. If he does, that will be quite a weapon.
This is why he is not closing yet. Although the complete meltdown of Greg Holland means we still might see him there eventually. While his K's aren't enough, he is getting outs, as his ERA is just 2.05. and it is only that high because of one horribad outing in his last 10.
With these results, I'm okay with him developing in the bigs.
bhchrist wrote:Jayhawker wrote:Hicks is a hell of a talent. The craziest part is how much movement he gets at that speed.
Even worse than the dropped third strike was the tipped pitch that skipped into Yadier Molina’s groin and required surgery.
The fact that he is under 9K/9 innings and at 6.5BB/9 with a high WHIP is concerning. Fan Graphs had a good article on him a couple days ago HERE. At 21, he has time to develop better command and a second pitch, but the Cards need anything resembling a capable arm in the bullpen currently, which means he will have to learn at the hardest level. If he does, that will be quite a weapon.
This is why he is not closing yet. Although the complete meltdown of Greg Holland means we still might see him there eventually. While his K's aren't enough, he is getting outs, as his ERA is just 2.05. and it is only that high because of one horribad outing in his last 10.
With these results, I'm okay with him developing in the bigs.
True, though I have questions as to the sustainability of those results. His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is 4.88, 10th worst of any 20+ inning reliever in baseball and an xFIP that is the worst. Batters seldom swing at pitches out of the zone against him and when they do swing, they make contact at a very high rate. He is also sitting at a -0.2 WAR in spite of the low ERA.
What has gone well for him is an outstanding 60% ground ball rate, an incredible fastball, age, and potential.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out if he continues to rely on the two seamer as heavily as he has. Without improving his swing and miss rate and ability to throw in the zone, the current results don't feel sustainable. If he does improve, he has the makings of a monster. A fascinating player to watch develop. It sure can happen. I watched it happen last season (and continue this one) with Hader.
Jose Altuve tied the franchise record of 8 hits in a row against jealous hater Tyler Bauer, and then extended it to 10!
Baseball fans, welcome me into your fold!
I recently bought the game Super Mega Baseball 2 and have been having an absolute blast with it. I went into it knowing nothing about baseball, but just playing the game has given me a basic understanding of the rules and strategies and allowed me to start watching the game for realz. I've started by just watching condensed games on youtube to get a feel for it, plus I don't have a team to root for so it's been good to get around the league and see several of the teams in action. I'm from the UK so I don't have a home town to support, so you tell me... WHO SHOULD I ROOT FOR AND WHY?
Baseball fans, welcome me into your fold!
I recently bought the game Super Mega Baseball 2 and have been having an absolute blast with it. I went into it knowing nothing about baseball, but just playing the game has given me a basic understanding of the rules and strategies and allowed me to start watching the game for realz. I've started by just watching condensed games on youtube to get a feel for it, plus I don't have a team to root for so it's been good to get around the league and see several of the teams in action. I'm from the UK so I don't have a home town to support, so you tell me... WHO SHOULD I ROOT FOR AND WHY?
If you don't mind shelling out around $20/mo, definitely subscribe to mlb.tv. Of the major sports in the US, MLB has by far the most robust streaming offering.
The Ringer released their 2 month power rankings last week...check that out if you want to learn a little bit more about each team.
Baseball fans, welcome me into your fold!
WHO SHOULD I ROOT FOR AND WHY?
I like to pick a pitcher with intense eyes, cause you're gonna be looking at 'em a lot. Is Tommy Glavin still playing?
Also, pick a National League team, DH's are for wimps.
Incredible(ly NSFW) video and audio of an ejection from 2016.
That is indeed very interesting!
Update on Jordan Hicks, the man who can't strike guys out with 100+ sinker.
Over his last five appearances he has 12 strikeouts in 6 innings. I think he has figured something out.
Update on Jordan Hicks, the man who can't strike guys out with 100+ sinker.
Over his last five appearances he has 12 strikeouts in 6 innings. I think he has figured something out.
Never said can't, just said hadn't. No arguments. I said I was skeptical but that he could be a monster. Recent performances are a good trend.
Pretty happy currently with the Brewers back to back shutouts of the Cubs after the rare blown lead late and extra-inning loss to start the series.
Jacob deGrom has a 0.87 ERA in his last 10 starts but the Mets are 2-8 in that stretch. Its hard to find a more inept franchise right now.
Incredible(ly NSFW) video and audio of an ejection from 2016.
Update:
Rob Manfred said that the Terry Collins/umpire viral video has been scrubbed from the internet because a collectively bargained agreement with the umpires that said those interactions involving microphoned umpires wouldn’t be made public. MLB is trying to figure out how it leaked
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) June 14, 2018
Update on Jordan Hicks, the man who can't strike guys out with 100+ sinker.
Over his last five appearances he has 12 strikeouts in 6 innings. I think he has figured something out.
Jayhawker wrote:Update on Jordan Hicks, the man who can't strike guys out with 100+ sinker.
Over his last five appearances he has 12 strikeouts in 6 innings. I think he has figured something out.
Sounds right. Matheny’s perversion of The Cardinal Way. It used to mean their process of developing players up the ranks. It is now all about unwritten rules and machismo.
With Bud Norris as the poster child of enforcement of said unwritten rules and machismo.
With Bud Norris as the poster child of enforcement of said unwritten rules and machismo.
Always seems to be some Pitcher with a chronic case of red ass.
Yeah, the season has been pretty much a shitshow, and this explains a lot.
Yikes and yegads. I grew up a cards fan but the whole point was always that there was something more than just wins and losses going on. If that's gone, meeeeeehhh.
Not sure what it is but Matheny has always struck me as creepy, in an unpleasant youth-pastor kind of way.
Aaaannnndddd Matheny is gone. Gotta believe the backlash from his comments and the general listless play of the team over the last few years were a factor. The hitting coach and his assistant were let go too.
Yeah, I’ve been mostly a Matheny defender. Mostly, I think managers get too much credit and blame, and if a guy can navigate a team to to the playoffs on multiple occasions, and even a World Series, he’s at least capable.
But if that story was true, and it seemed to be well sourced enough that no one in the Cardinal organization pushed back, then he really needed to go. That is the kind of stuff that not only hurts morale, but it really kills off any chance of signing in-demand free agents.
It’s a good time for a fresh start.
And how long before the next manager ditches the snitch?
Bryce Harper's dad really does look like Zangief.
I regret tuning out of the All Star Game early because I missed out on Josh Hader's really, really, really bad night. (Warning: really, really, really racist, sexist, and homophobic Josh Hader tweets contained within)
Quite pleased Cutch is a Yankee.
Absolutely dismayed they made him shave. He looks weird.
Quite pleased Cutch is a Yankee.
Absolutely dismayed they made him shave. He looks weird.
Yanks are on a collision course with the A's. It's delicious.
We're this far into both LCS' with nary a post until now: Sources: Red Sox were warned by Indians about Astros attempting to steal signs and information.
HOUSTON – The Boston Red Sox were warned that a man credentialed by the Houston Astros might try to steal signs or information from their dugout after the Cleveland Indians caught him taking pictures of their dugout with a cellphone camera during Game 3 of the American League Division Series, sources with knowledge of the situation told Yahoo Sports.A photograph obtained by Yahoo Sports showed a man named Kyle McLaughlin aiming a cell phone into Cleveland’s dugout during the Indians’ 11-3 loss that ended their season. McLaughlin was the same man caught taking pictures near the Red Sox’s dugout during Game 1 of the AL Championship Series, which was first reported by the Metro Times. McLaughlin was removed by security in Cleveland and Boston, sources said.
Damn, Mua'Dib's in on this?
Damn, Mua'Dib's in on this?
It makes sense if you think about it. 
A Bill Simmons vs. Bill Plaschke World Series. Good grief...
18 innings and no comments? 
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