General 2016 Blue Jays discussion thread

[Atothe]

How is Happ an A- but Sanchez a B?

[Governator]

Jays now have the lowest ERA in the AL. Oo

[Slade]

Who would of thought 8th for offence and 1st for pitching.

[Spanky__99]

We don't know that yet. It was his first post.

 

I have brothers who have played ball all their life (including college ball) and they think Ryan Goins is awesome.

 

They're dumn.

[Spanky__99]

Starter

 

Marcus Stroman: C+

 

Looks like many teams (especially teams in the AL EAST) are now figuring out how to hit Stroman's pitches. And he is missing his spot too.. It is really concerning because Stroman is short guy. It is easier to hit a pitches thrown by short pitcher He is trying to pitch lower consistently, but sometimes he pitches too low. He is getting hit hard in May as well.. His Opponents batting average was 0.208 in April, but it is 0.289 in May.

He need to find his spot, and trying to approach every batters differently every time.

 

Marco Estrada: A

 

Some people may say last year was a fluke year for him, but it looks like it is not. Many stats are proving that as well. His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was 1.8 last year, but right now (about 1/3 of the season), it is already 1.3. He ranks 4th in opponents batting average (0.207), Clayton Kershaw, Drew Pomeranz, Jake Arrieta are the only three guys with lower OBA than Estrada. His fastball averages only 88mph, but it is hard to hit due to it's vertical movement. Among qualified pitchers, he has the best vertical movement with 13.1 inches.. Better than Kershaw (12.4). I know there are still many games to go, but I'm hoping he can pitch consistent and batters can give him a run support

 

JA Happ: A-

 

He became a completely different pitcher from 2014. He recorded quality start in every game this year except one game against the Rays when he got hit hard. His fastball velocity is down compared to 2014, but he started to use more slider and less curveball. The good record shows it is working well for him. I can also see that he is trying to locate his pitches in the lower part of the strike zone as well.

 

Aaron Sanchez: B

 

He is definitely better than his first stint as a starter. His velocity is better, and he can better locate his pitches. The only thing he need to improve is his third pitch. His fastball has great sinking movement, and his curve is getting better. However, it is not enough to get through those batters with only two pitches. He need to develop his changeup which will eventually become his third pitch. It will be better if he can throw one like King Felix or Greinke.

 

RA Dickey: D

 

In April, I could give him F because he was horrible. Looks like he is getting better as season goes on. However, I think his performance need to be more consistent

 

Roberto Osuna: A

 

He is becoming one of the most masterful closers in the league. I don't know if he will convert to the starter or stick to the closer, but I like what he is doing right now.

 

Drew Storen: D-

 

His performance is definitely below parity. Last year, he was good as a closer, but when Papelbon stole his role in the Nats, he went rocky. Unfortunately, that rocky performance is still going on with the Jays. I don't think he can be a set-up or 7th inning guy unless he can prove everyone that he can be better.

 

Jesse Chavez: B-

 

When the Jays traded Liam Hendriks for him, many fans thought we got ripped.. However, looks like he is doing what Hendriks did last year. (Hendriks is doing terrible in the A's) He just need to be consistent and be able to induce some groundballs.

 

Joe Biagini: A

 

Looks like he can end up as the best rule 5 draftee in 2015. (With Joey Rickard in the Orioles is declining significantly) Didn't expect him to be this good. I can see he is consistently pounding lower part of the strike zone with mid 90 fastball and great curveball. If he can continue his performance, he can be one of the best one in the league.

 

Gavin Floyd: B

 

He is doing alright

 

Terrible evaluation, terrible.

[Spanky__99]

I didn't mind his grades. But he's been warned about starting threads all the time. So I felt like I had to put my fist down on this one. We'll have midseason grades in a month, posted by one of the regulars.

 

Thanks Hurl. No jokes, kill these folk.

[RealAccountant]

Who would of thought 8th for offence and 1st for pitching.

 

We are starting to score runs though.

 

In the last 11 games we have scored 60 runs going 9-2

[VE2OH]

A two game sample size doesn't really mean anything, Goins is not a major league caliber hitter. There's no case to be made for him over Barney when the latter continues to contribute to our surge. Travis is miles ahead of Goins as a hitter as well, and Dominguez played because we needed someone to fill in at 3B.

 

It appears everyone including Gibbons believes there is only batting that makes up an inning. The game last night was an example of the work Travis does in the field. He is timid, does not see the ball come off the bat, and will not attempt any play that might make him hit the ground.

The batters know this and hit right past him.

His bat is not that hot either.

I for one like the defence side of the game watching Goins, Pilar and Donaldson inaction is something else. Also the double play almost disappears when he is not playing.

I hope they trade him to a team that appreciates his talent.

Slowly Gibbons is eroding the defence for hitting and the results will show in a pennant race.

[LGBJ29]

it appears everyone including gibbons believes there is only batting that makes up an inning. The game last night was an example of the work travis does in the field. He is timid, does not see the ball come off the bat, and will not attempt any play that might make him hit the ground.

The batters know this and hit right past him.

His bat is not that hot either.

I for one like the defence side of the game watching goins, pilar and donaldson inaction is something else. Also the double play almost disappears when he is not playing.

I hope they trade him to a team that appreciates his talent.

Slowly gibbons is eroding the defence for hitting and the results will show in a pennant race.

 

lol

[Pendleton]

It appears everyone including Gibbons believes there is only batting that makes up an inning. The game last night was an example of the work Travis does in the field. He is timid, does not see the ball come off the bat, and will not attempt any play that might make him hit the ground.

The batters know this and hit right past him.

His bat is not that hot either.

I for one like the defence side of the game watching Goins, Pilar and Donaldson inaction is something else. Also the double play almost disappears when he is not playing.

I hope they trade him to a team that appreciates his talent.

Slowly Gibbons is eroding the defence for hitting and the results will show in a pennant race.

 

The difference between Travis and Goins at the plate easily makes up for Goins having a better glove. It's not even a conversation man, Goins is a defensive replacement for the bench at best, and Travis is an every day player.

[VE2OH]

we will see.

When will he start hitting.

Didn't see much yesterday.!!!!!

[Sammy225]

we will see.

When will he start hitting.

Didn't see much yesterday.!!!!!

 

Your right but what are you going to do when you don't even get a week of rehab games after being off for almost a year.... Ya he must just suck.

[Pendleton]

we will see.

When will he start hitting.

Didn't see much yesterday.!!!!!

 

Sample size

[Brownie19]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/sunday-notes-jays-harris-indians-psychology-quirky-records-otero-more/

 

Good update on Jon Harris there - who's having a pretty good year so far (thank god). Little blurb on Darwin too.

[BigCecil]

Papi wRC+ 200 and has a 2.7 WAR already as a DH lol.

 

He is a great hitter but he isn't Bonds. No way at 40+ he tops or come close to 175...his best year ever. Looking forward him cooling off big time.

[Grant77]

It appears everyone including Gibbons believes there is only batting that makes up an inning. The game last night was an example of the work Travis does in the field. He is timid, does not see the ball come off the bat, and will not attempt any play that might make him hit the ground.

The batters know this and hit right past him.

His bat is not that hot either.

I for one like the defence side of the game watching Goins, Pilar and Donaldson inaction is something else. Also the double play almost disappears when he is not playing.

I hope they trade him to a team that appreciates his talent.

Slowly Gibbons is eroding the defence for hitting and the results will show in a pennant race.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=2b&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=50&type=8&season=2016&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=14&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

 

Thanks for coming out.

[mtljaysfan]

Osuna A+

Biagini A

Floyd B

Chavez B-

Storen C+

 

 

 

 

 

Estrada A+

Happ A

Sacnhez A

Dickey C

Stroman C-

 

Agreed

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Over his last 7 starts Dickey has an ERA of 2.74 while averaging almost 7 innings a game.

 

That's pretty shocking. Good to see him warming up.

[BigCecil]

Over his last 7 starts Dickey has an ERA of 2.74 while averaging almost 7 innings a game.

 

That's pretty shocking. Good to see him warming up.

 

He has been better than Stro lately. Wrap your head around that for a second.

[RealAccountant]

Over his last 7 starts Dickey has an ERA of 2.74 while averaging almost 7 innings a game.

 

That's pretty shocking. Good to see him warming up.

 

I could see an NL team getting interested

[burlingtonbandit]

lol Kevin Pillar has a 62 wRC+ and has been the teams 2nd most valuable player with 1.5 WAR. His defense is so good.

 

Darwin Barney up to 1.1 WAR as well. He's definitely not this good of a hitter but I've been impressed with his defense at SS. He might be better than Goins and Tulo at the position (defensively)

[burlingtonbandit]

Over his last 7 starts Dickey has an ERA of 2.74 while averaging almost 7 innings a game.

 

That's pretty shocking. Good to see him warming up.

 

His numbers really haven't changed much tbh. His BABIP is just way way lower, actually striking out less batters and the walks are the same.

[Orgfiller]

lol Kevin Pillar has a 62 wRC+ and has been the teams 2nd most valuable player with 1.5 WAR. His defense is so good.

 

Darwin Barney up to 1.1 WAR as well. He's definitely not this good of a hitter but I've been impressed with his defense at SS. He might be better than Goins and Tulo at the position (defensively)

 

Pillar's swing just looks awful right now, seems like he's purely uppercutting everything. His plate discipline remains awful as well.

[burlingtonbandit]

Pillar's swing just looks awful right now, seems like he's purely uppercutting everything. His plate discipline remains awful as well.

 

Yeah for sure. His swing is really weird right now and the result has been a top of popups. The plate discipline was actually pretty good through the first month and a half I remember his O-Zone swing rate is around the 30% mark at one point and whiff rate was around 6% but those have climbed lately.

 

His defense is so good you can't take him out of the lineup though so you kind of just hope he can hit enough to not be a complete waste at the plate. He has the best UZR in MLB by a lot and he's had 12 DRS already this year.

[mtljaysfan]

Pillar's swing just looks awful right now, seems like he's purely uppercutting everything. His plate discipline remains awful as well.

 

I'm waiting the day Pillar comes in peace with his offense, to accept his limitations and to do the little things in offense:

- stay patient, stop hacking

- try to go opposite, try bunting ...

 

When he does that and with his defense, he will be a good contributor to our team for years.

[BigCecil]

I'm waiting the day Pillar comes in peace with his offense, to accept his limitations and to do the little things in offense:

- stay patient, stop hacking

- try to go opposite, try bunting ...

 

When he does that and with his defense, he will be a good contributor to our team for years.

 

I don't think ^ is ever going to happen. 93 wRC+ with his D was worth 4.3 WAR last year. I don't think he will ever be a league avg bat for his position. Last year offensively might be his ceiling. He is still a valuable player especially @ league min.

[Krylian]

I'm waiting the day Pillar comes in peace with his offense, to accept his limitations and to do the little things in offense:

- stay patient, stop hacking

- try to go opposite, try bunting ...

 

When he does that and with his defense, he will be a good contributor to our team for years.

 

Never. I get the feeling that Pillar went to the Arencibia school of baseball. "I won't adjust and I'm better than everyone knows I am."

[burlingtonbandit]

I'm waiting the day Pillar comes in peace with his offense, to accept his limitations and to do the little things in offense:

- stay patient, stop hacking

- try to go opposite, try bunting ...

 

When he does that and with his defense, he will be a good contributor to our team for years.

 

Why the f*** does this "he needs to come to grips with what kind of player he is" always go hand in hand with bunting more often. Bunting isn't going to make him a better offensive player.

 

I'm sure he knows as well as anyone how much he is struggling with the bat and is trying to make the adjustments of fixing it. The thing is this game is really difficult and making those adjustments is pretty damn hard to do. Pillar just likely doesn't have the skill to become a good hitter which is fine because of how good of a fielder and baserunner he is.

[HERPDERP]

Pillar's best case scenario is a Lorenzo Cain. But he thinks he's more of a power hitter...

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Lol funny how when we put an excellent hitter in the lead off spot instead of someone like Pillar we start rattling off a bunch of wins.

 

Anyways, Pillar had a .585 OPS to close out May last year and everything evened out during the summer. He can't possibly continue to put up a 2.2 BB% right? You almost have to try to have a number that low.

 

Also he's hitting more ground balls than last year and is hitting more to the opposite field so that kind of defeats the upper cut swing argument. His timing is just off. Not worried.