Around Baseball

[Arkadium]

Yeah like Thole is tearing it up. At least Blanco is better defensively,imo.

 

Thole is in his prime though and he was tearing it up in AAA. I don't know what to attribute his lack of offensive success since his return though. Trying too hard maybe? Lack of BABIP luck?

[digiblader]

Well, the race is getting interesting in the AL:

 

EAST:

Red Sox

Rays 1.0 GB

CENTRAL

Detroit

Cleveland 2.0 GB

KC Royals 6.5 GB

WEST

Oakland

Texas 3.5 GB

 

WILD CARDS

Rays (+4.0 GB) (1st WC)

Indians (0.0 GB)(2nd WC)

Baltimore (0.5 GB)

Texas (0.5 GB)

Yankees (3.5 GB)

Royals (4.5 GB)

 

And the Jays stink at 10 GB(tied with Seattle)

 

Boston gets the D-backs, Lastros, Royals and Jays next--Rays get the Giants, D-Backs and Dodgers. Indians have Miami(easy series) and a key matchup with the Tigers. Oakland plays Texas this weekend--key series for Texas if they want to play in October, considering they have a deep gap in the AL West. Detroit gets Chicago, Cleveland, then the Yankees.

 

Kansas City gets an easy sked with the Mets and Twins--then the 1st place Red Sox. Keep an eye on those Royals as well--they could make it interesting in the Central and wild card, especially if Detroit slips.

 

Weren't the Angels, Jays, and Yankees supposed to be near the top? Looks like those "critics" who predict in the preseason screw up again.

[digiblader]

Oh, and the NL isn't a race at all--print those playoff tickets in:

 

East: Atlanta

Central: Pittsburgh, St. Louis(WC1), Cincinnati(WC2)

West: Dodgers

 

STILL IN MIX:

D-Backs (3.5 GB of LA, 4.5 GB of Wild Card)

 

Only Cincinnati could be considered on the bubble(.500 team in last 30 games, 4-6 in last 10). And their schedule gets no easier(Cardinals this weekend). Cubs aren't pushovers either(they're actually playing close to .500 in their last 30--but they need bullpen help!)

[Deadpool]

Thole is in his prime though and he was tearing it up in AAA. I don't know what to attribute his lack of offensive success since his return though. Trying too hard maybe? Lack of BABIP luck?

 

60 Plate appearances?

 

Note: JPA has 364 PAs to Thole's 60. JPA has 14 walks to Thole's 8.

[DuckDuckGose]

60 Plate appearances?

 

Note: JPA has 364 PAs to Thole's 60. JPA has 14 walks to Thole's 8.

 

Josh Thole has a wRC+ of 18. As bad as JPA is doesn't change the fact that Thole isn't an MLB catcher either, the guy simply can't hit. The Jays should target McCann/Lucroy/Ruiz but at the end of the day if they could just get Mathis back it would be a 2 win improvement on anyone they have on the roster right now.

[Deadpool]

Josh Thole has a wRC+ of 18. As bad as JPA is doesn't change the fact that Thole isn't an MLB catcher either, the guy simply can't hit. The Jays should target McCann/Lucroy/Ruiz but at the end of the day if they could just get Mathis back it would be a 2 win improvement on anyone they have on the roster right now.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wRC+ is also subject to the laws of sample size, and when getting playing time (and not injured) he's been a league average catcher in his career, so I'm not prepared to judge a guy based on a 60 PA sample size, particularly when he's shown that he's been better in the past and he's only 26.

 

Thole has been a solid MLB catcher in the past, and I don't know of any tangible reason why he couldn't be again in the future. He's certainly better than our other options, though I'm not against an upgrade at the position by any means.

[DuckDuckGose]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wRC+ is also subject to the laws of sample size, and when getting playing time (and not injured) he's been a league average catcher in his career, so I'm not prepared to judge a guy based on a 60 PA sample size, particularly when he's shown that he's been better in the past and he's only 26.

 

The guy has been bad his entire career. The stats look alright in 2010 and 2011 and then you realize he shows enormous platoon splits and was used in a sheltered role. I don't want a starting C that can't hit LHP at all and I certainly don't want a back-up that can't. Thole isn't a MLB player, he's a AAAA C.

 

Thole has been a solid MLB catcher in the past, and I don't know of any tangible reason why he couldn't be again in the future. He's certainly better than our other options, though I'm not against an upgrade at the position by any means.

 

Yes, other players have been worse than Thole, namely JPA. That doesn't mean Thole is any good.

[Arkadium]

60 Plate appearances?

 

As I said... bad BABIP luck

[DuckDuckGose]

As I said... bad BABIP luck

 

Even if Thole had a BABIP of .400 he'd be hitting under .250 at this point. He isn't a starting MLB, just watch him at the plate. He has no idea what to do up there and looks like he's in Narnia at times.

[z3r0s]

Josh Thole has a wRC+ of 18. As bad as JPA is doesn't change the fact that Thole isn't an MLB catcher either, the guy simply can't hit. The Jays should target McCann/Lucroy/Ruiz but at the end of the day if they could just get Mathis back it would be a 2 win improvement on anyone they have on the roster right now.

 

It will be really interesting seeing what McCann gets on the market. I'd really love to see him in a Jays jersey. What a difference on both sides of the ball.

[DuckDuckGose]

It will be really interesting seeing what McCann gets on the market. I'd really love to see him in a Jays jersey. What a difference on both sides of the ball.

 

Probably 5 win difference right there and that's without the added pitcher's confidence. Can't contend with AAAA filler behind the dish everyday.

[Deadpool]

The guy has been bad his entire career. The stats look alright in 2010 and 2011 and then you realize he shows enormous platoon splits and was used in a sheltered role. I don't want a starting C that can't hit LHP at all and I certainly don't want a back-up that can't. Thole isn't a MLB player, he's a AAAA C.

 

Slightly more than 26% of pitchers in the MLB are left handed. I would much prefer someone who hits RHP well over someone who hits LHP well (ideally you want both, but beggars and choosers etc.). He's also seemingly solid defensively.

 

I don't find your argument that he's an AAAA C very compelling, even with the data (including spits, at which I am looking currently) in front of me. Is he an all star catcher? probably not, but judging anyone by a 60 PA sample size is a fool's errand and I disagree with your assertion that he "has been bad his entire career".

[DuckDuckGose]

Slightly more than 26% of pitchers in the MLB are left handed. I would much prefer someone who hits RHP well over someone who hits LHP well (ideally you want both, but beggars and choosers etc.). He's also seemingly solid defensively.

 

I don't find your argument that he's an AAAA C very compelling, even with the data (including spits, at which I am looking currently) in front of me. Is he an all star catcher? probably not, but judging anyone by a 60 PA sample size is a fool's errand and I disagree with your assertion that he "has been bad his entire career".

 

Your argument is his stats look fine. If you adjust his stats to playing everyday, ie) 26% of his AB's to match the 26% of P who are left handed, he has been a terrible player. His defense is fine, he isn't a defensive whiz like Mathis or Molina were, nothing better than your average MLB C. I'd agree that a C that shows decent RHP splits is preferential to the reverse. That being said I think a platoon at C is idiotic. I want a guy I can play everyday consistently without worrying about who the other team is throwing out there. In a backup I want a defensive whiz or a slugger, Thole is neither.

[DuckDuckGose]

Found this GIF online, thought it would be appreciated here. Your 2013 Blue Jays;

 

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/796125113.gif

[Arkadium]

Found this GIF online, thought it would be appreciated here. Your 2013 Blue Jays;

 

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/796125113.gif

 

If we can't cheer for them at least we can laugh at them! Someone on my softball team did this and it was bad then. This is a Major League baseball player.

[Deadpool]

Your argument is his stats look fine. If you adjust his stats to playing everyday, ie) 26% of his AB's to match the 26% of P who are left handed, he has been a terrible player. His defense is fine, he isn't a defensive whiz like Mathis or Molina were, nothing better than your average MLB C. I'd agree that a C that shows decent RHP splits is preferential to the reverse. That being said I think a platoon at C is idiotic. I want a guy I can play everyday consistently without worrying about who the other team is throwing out there. In a backup I want a defensive whiz or a slugger, Thole is neither.

 

Well, if you assume 1/4 left handed pitchers then you assume 3/4 starts for a guy who hits RHP well. 3/4 is a pretty decent amount of playing time for a starting catcher, IMO.

[Angrioter]

Found this GIF online, thought it would be appreciated here. Your 2013 Blue Jays;

 

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/796125113.gif

 

Melky, Mexican f***ing s***.

[DuckDuckGose]

Well, if you assume 1/4 left handed pitchers then you assume 3/4 starts for a guy who hits RHP well. 3/4 is a pretty decent amount of playing time for a starting catcher, IMO.

 

But then you are letting other teams dictate your catching schedule or late game catcher. It's not that Thole can't be an average C against RHP it's that I don't like the idea of a platoon player behind the plate and he doesn't have the ideal skill-set for a backup C. He's an ideal AAA depth guy.

[Arkadium]

Fernandez last 2 games

 

16IP 7H 2R 1BB 27K

 

WTF... guy belongs in a league above MLB

[Pinkfloid]

If we can't cheer for them at least we can laugh at them! Someone on my softball team did this and it was bad then. This is a Major League baseball player.

 

Pretty much sums up the entire season. Lol! Quite fitting.

[Angrioter]

Fernandez last 2 games

 

16IP 7H 2R 1BB 27K

 

Hasn't had a bad start since May 27th.

 

His DIPS numbers are just ridiculous. On pace for 207 K, 65 BB, 12 HR.

 

Young talent bro.

f*** Jays, AA and FO; RA Dickey is a stud And Syndergaard is a bust

[Boxcar]

Fernandez last 2 games

 

16IP 7H 2R 1BB 27K

 

 

Jesus and this guy never played above A+.

[Dylan]

Wright on 15-day DL with strained right hamstring

[BlueJayWay]

Royals are 3 wins over .500

[o2cui2i]

jamie erdahl is hot!!!

[Arkadium]

Puig probably out for a while after this play:

http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=29391953

[8D]

wicked face plant. i love puig.

[8D]

dat effort

dat recovery

dat arm

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29409919&topic_id=11493214

 

handsome jake.

[Abomination]

Smoak with a 15 pitch at-bat against Chen, ending in a single.

[havok24]

Smoak with a 16 pitch AB that ends with a line drive single.