GDT: SS Jays @ Braves / CAN jr. @ Jays (March 15)

[KingKat]

Some interesting chatter on the Jays broadcast about Gillick's athlete's first drafting philosophy (Ainge, Shroeder, some other QB).

[ElNik2013]

dude has two levels, coast and balls to the wall.... His A game is great and his B game is NOT attractive. Need him hitting and we really need him to be getting to balls up the middle. you could count on one hand the diving plays he made up the middle last year.

 

 

 

That's the way you see it. I just think we're seeing him in decline rather than him not trying.

 

All good, we just see things differently.

[gruber92]

Smoak can't start in Buffalo.

 

No options? Oh well, i really hope AA doesn't hold on to the inferior player based on the option game. I'm sick of it.

[KingKat]

Ramon Fields with a 3 run homerun scoring Travis and Alford (walk).

[o2cui2i]

That's the way you see it. I just think we're seeing him in decline rather than him not trying.

 

All good, we just see things differently.

 

in decline, you dont ever make the play you used to (ala Derek Jeter the last 3 years of his career) Reyes isn't as fast as he used to be, but he can still turn it on. If he stays healthy we will see which it is.

[KingKat]

D. Pompey with a hit. Beaureagard getting battered after 2 1/3 of scoreless pitching. Nay in to pinch hit for Kawasaki.

[KingKat]

Colby Hyland, shortstop for Canada, makes his third error of the day. Nay gets on and another run scores.

[KingKat]

12-2 Jays over Canada after 5

[KingKat]

Jeff Francis in to face his country mates. Strikes out Tristan Pompey in a three up, three down inning.

[Laika]

Canadian development needs to take more trips to the Dominican. This country cannot develop shortstops.

Remember Cale Iorg in the WBC? No wonder Russ Martin wanted to play SS so badly.

[Atothe]

Canadian development needs to take more trips to the Dominican. This country cannot develop shortstops.

Remember Cale Iorg in the WBC? No wonder Russ Martin wanted to play SS so badly.

 

Cale Iorg really isn't Canadian.

[Stangstag]

I'll chime in on the Travis debate. I agree with Gruber, he has bobbled ALOT of balls hit to him, not just 3. I watched a game a couple weeks ago and specifically remember him bobbling the only 2 balls that were hit to him. This could be a concern, but im sure he'll improve.

 

Travis actually reminds me of Lawrie on defense when he first came up. Lawrie improved drastically, im confident that Travis improve.

[Stangstag]

in decline, you dont ever make the play you used to (ala Derek Jeter the last 3 years of his career) Reyes isn't as fast as he used to be, but he can still turn it on. If he stays healthy we will see which it is.

 

Reyes is still a very good hitter, he just wont be getting many infield singles anymore

[Atothe]

I'll chime in on the Travis debate. I agree with Gruber, he has bobbled ALOT of balls hit to him, not just 3. I watched a game a couple weeks ago and specifically remember him bobbling the only 2 balls that were hit to him. This could be a concern, but im sure he'll improve.

 

Travis actually reminds me of Lawrie on defense when he first came up. Lawrie improved drastically, im confident that Travis improve.

 

Lawrie is athletic, Travis is not major league "athletic".

[Angrioter]

Canadian development needs to take more trips to the Dominican. This country cannot develop shortstops.

Remember Cale Iorg in the WBC? No wonder Russ Martin wanted to play SS so badly.

 

I saw Canada team in Dominican. Quantrill kid and Morgan looked good.

[Laika]

Cale Iorg really isn't Canadian.

 

Exactly! And he was the best they could do...

[burlingtonbandit]

Lawrie is athletic, Travis is not major league "athletic".

 

Yeah I have to 2nd this. Lawrie was a freak athlete, Travis is like 5'8 who's range is probably just average.

[Stangstag]

Lawrie is athletic, Travis is not major league "athletic".

 

I'm specifically talking about the hands thing. Everybody kept saying "lawrie has stone hands" and stuff like that. Now he is one of the best defenders at 3B in the league.

[Stangstag]

Yeah I have to 2nd this. Lawrie was a freak athlete, Travis is like 5'8 who's range is probably just average.

 

Someone who is 5'8 can't be a good athlete?

[Atothe]

I'm specifically talking about the hands thing. Everybody kept saying "lawrie has stone hands" and stuff like that. Now he is one of the best defenders at 3B in the league.

 

But that narrative was false almost immediately with Lawrie. Everything they said about his defense in the minors was proven wrong. Travis we don't have a clear idea yet but I'm hoping for the best

[burlingtonbandit]

Someone who is 5'8 can't be a good athlete?

 

Sure they can, but if they aren't by 24 then they probably never will be. I was also talking more elite athlete as I would classify Lawrie as that.

[saskjayfan]

that goins kid is hitting pretty good this spring training...maybe we should give him a shot

[King]

that goins kid is hitting pretty good this spring training...maybe we should give him a shot

 

You can't be serious? ROFL

[Orgfiller]

You can't be serious? ROFL

 

I think "kid" is an obvious sarcasm giveaway.

[Stangstag]

But that narrative was false almost immediately with Lawrie. Everything they said about his defense in the minors was proven wrong. Travis we don't have a clear idea yet but I'm hoping for the best

 

You must remember all of the bobbled balls and botched plays from Lawrie when he was first called up? Everyone on the old forum was going nuts saying that he sucked on defense. He ended up getting better. Im saying that the same could easily happen with Devon Travis.

 

Anyways, bottom line is that Travis has looked shaky on defense so far this spring. Hopefully he can improve.

[JaysAllMighty]

nm misread

[Boxcar]

I don't think people were wrong when they said Lawrie didn't have good hands. The reason he's good defensively is because he has a tremendous first step and great range, something scouts have never been able to assess accurately.

[tpurewal97]

Maybe, or maybe there's a legit reason on why they moved him to CF.

 

Because the Tigers were stacked at the 2B position and weak in CF position in the prospect pool.

 

And also they have Kinsler.

[burlingtonbandit]

Martin with another 2 pb while catching Dickey. Looks like Thole may be staying around for the start of the season.

 

You can't start the season with Navarro and Thole on your bench, it gives you no flexibility.

[KingKat]

You can't start the season with Navarro and Thole on your bench, it gives you no flexibility.

 

I that happens, I think it means the end of Justin Smoak. Navarro would basically be taking his place. Valencia plays 1B against lefties with Encarnacion at DH and Navarro would DH against righties with Encarnacion playing 1B or possibly Navarro is a full time DH and Valencia is more or less wasted glued to the bench.