Any chance all the days off for Vladdy are effecting his rythm/comfort at the plate?

[5ToolPhenom]

I'm really having a hard time understanding why Vlad is given so many days off. He's 20 years old, I'd have him in the lineup everyday as long as he's healthy and feeling good. If you take into consideration the off days, he's spending quite a lot of time off the field for being our best prospect. If they want to make sure he doesn't spend too much time on his feet and don't wanna overwhelm him at 3rd, they could give him a break by starting him at DH every once in awhile.

 

I'm just getting the feeling like he's having a hard time getting locked in at the plate, so I'm not seeing the rationale behind having him ride the pine every 4 or 5 games.

[5ToolPhenom]

It's like Mike Trout says, "Let the kids play!" haha

[BlueRocky]

2019 is all about development and some of that happens off the field. While I agree he could rest less and DH more to find consistency, we really have no idea about his mental state or health status to really question the manager’s decision. Maybe getting hit on the hand is still bothering him, we don’t know.

 

They showed a pic of him stressed out about that pinch-hit grounding out from the previous game. I feel like he just has to get back out there and enjoy playing ball again, there’s too much going on between the ears. He wasn’t like this in the minors and I followed him pretty closely since Dunedin.

 

One thing is for sure, he looks a bit frustrated and going through his first struggles in baseball.. pretty much for the first time in his pro career. Stress relief, time off, and this all-star break might not be a bad thing. Just to step away for a bit and “soft reset” on his season, similar to Gurriel going down to Buffalo.

 

Just to put things into perspective, in the minor leagues the amount of times Vladdy didn’t reach base in 3 consecutive games can be pretty much counted on one hand. He was so dominant (and advanced for his age, while being the youngest player at his level), that he regularly had hits and walks in games, and once a week go ham with multiple XBH. (3/4 with XBH and BB is a normal weekly routine for Vlad). That’s how he was putting up 150-200 wRC+ Barry Bonds/Willie Mays type numbers and stretches of batting .400 with .500 wOBA.

 

There’s too much talent there and he just needs to go through these rookie slumps to figure stuff out.

Edited July 6, 2019 by BlueRocky

[Bobthe4th]

Vlad has never played more than 120 games in a year in the minors. He was never going to play every day straight away. One day off a week gives him more time to recover, rather than playing through any little niggles or general wear and tear.

 

In a non-competing season where wins are irrelevant, putting the best lineup out every day is not very important compared to sticking to a managed rest program for Vlad in his rookie season.

 

I’d argue that playing every day, on top of the stress of better opponents, less forgiving umpires (as a rookie instead of the best player in the minors), and pressure to perform has just as much chance of getting him into bad habits. Spending time with and getting help/advice from coaches and veteran players is vital, and of course it’s not like he’s away from the team on his days out of the lineup.

[Spanky99]

I'm really having a hard time understanding why Vlad is given so many days off. He's 20 years old, I'd have him in the lineup everyday as long as he's healthy and feeling good. If you take into consideration the off days, he's spending quite a lot of time off the field for being our best prospect. If they want to make sure he doesn't spend too much time on his feet and don't wanna overwhelm him at 3rd, they could give him a break by starting him at DH every once in awhile.

 

I'm just getting the feeling like he's having a hard time getting locked in at the plate, so I'm not seeing the rationale behind having him ride the pine every 4 or 5 games.

 

Nah, just a 20 year old pressing in the MLB, nothing to see here. Also he DH's too.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Well saying he has never played 120 games before is umm true maybe here in the minors but do not believe any of those leagues play

120 games either ! Back home growing up

He may have played 120 games in a year !

And did they rest him every what 5th day in the minors too ? Idk what was his rest schedule in Buffalo?

 

I think some of baseballs coddling is a funny

Like the CFL adopting non contact practices

For a Full Contact sport !

 

Dogs need to Hunt , let them be dogs !

[Daniel Labude]

I'm really having a hard time understanding why Vlad is given so many days off. He's 20 years old, I'd have him in the lineup everyday as long as he's healthy and feeling good. If you take into consideration the off days, he's spending quite a lot of time off the field for being our best prospect. If they want to make sure he doesn't spend too much time on his feet and don't wanna overwhelm him at 3rd, they could give him a break by starting him at DH every once in awhile.

 

I'm just getting the feeling like he's having a hard time getting locked in at the plate, so I'm not seeing the rationale behind having him ride the pine every 4 or 5 games.

 

Yes it probably is...but the biggest issue is his timing is slow on fastballs and early on breaking balls...seems in between too much

[5ToolPhenom]

2019 is all about development and some of that happens off the field. While I agree he could rest less and DH more to find consistency, we really have no idea about his mental state or health status to really question the manager’s decision. Maybe getting hit on the hand is still bothering him, we don’t know.

 

They showed a pic of him stressed out about that pinch-hit grounding out from the previous game. I feel like he just has to get back out there and enjoy playing ball again, there’s too much going on between the ears. He wasn’t like this in the minors and I followed him pretty closely since Dunedin.

 

One thing is for sure, he looks a bit frustrated and going through his first struggles in baseball.. pretty much for the first time in his pro career. Stress relief, time off, and this all-star break might not be a bad thing. Just to step away for a bit and “soft reset” on his season, similar to Gurriel going down to Buffalo.

 

Just to put things into perspective, in the minor leagues the amount of times Vladdy didn’t reach base in 3 consecutive games can be pretty much counted on one hand. He was so dominant (and advanced for his age, while being the youngest player at his level), that he regularly had hits and walks in games, and once a week go ham with multiple XBH. (3/4 with XBH and BB is a normal weekly routine for Vlad). That’s how he was putting up 150-200 wRC+ Barry Bonds/Willie Mays type numbers and stretches of batting .400 with .500 wOBA.

 

There’s too much talent there and he just needs to go through these rookie slumps to figure stuff out.

 

Great post, a lot of good points made. The guy is still so young, so it's understandable that he might come up and be a little overwhelmed, especially with all of the pressure that the Toronto/Canadian media put on him. A lot of highly touted prospects come up and struggle initially, it's part of the game.

 

Still, I'd be lying if I said that Vladdy's season so far hasn't been a little disappointing.

[5ToolPhenom]

Vlad has never played more than 120 games in a year in the minors. He was never going to play every day straight away. One day off a week gives him more time to recover, rather than playing through any little niggles or general wear and tear.

 

In a non-competing season where wins are irrelevant, putting the best lineup out every day is not very important compared to sticking to a managed rest program for Vlad in his rookie season.

 

I’d argue that playing every day, on top of the stress of better opponents, less forgiving umpires (as a rookie instead of the best player in the minors), and pressure to perform has just as much chance of getting him into bad habits. Spending time with and getting help/advice from coaches and veteran players is vital, and of course it’s not like he’s away from the team on his days out of the lineup.

 

Maybe, but there's something to be said about letting a kid come up letting him have at it. Even if he struggles, let him work through it. From what I understand, Vlad also partakes in winter ball, so I don't think he needs to be treated with such a fragile mindset. There's been times where he busts out and has a huge game after struggling and then Montyo benches him the very next game.... I just don't see the rationale behind it. He's not some worn down veteran.

Edited July 7, 2019 by 5ToolPhenom

[5ToolPhenom]

Nah, just a 20 year old pressing in the MLB, nothing to see here. Also he DH's too.

 

I hear ya Spank. I'm not worried either, but I still didn't foresee him being replacement level after his first 250 AB's. I think most of us are pretty bright baseball minds, this isn't our first rodeo, but damn... Would've been nice to see a better start to his career.

[wilko]

This is the only reason I can think of...

 

[BlueRocky]

This is the only reason I can think of...

 

LOL okay.

[glory]

I'm basing this off nothing but once he moves off 3B, he will become a beast offensively. Watch. I mean, he'll probably be a beast anyway, but more beastly.