General 2020 Blue Jays Discussion Thread

[Krylian]

 

This was always their plan. Merryweather was stretched out during spring training to debut in a starters role before an oblique strain set him back. His stuff plays as a starter, just need to keep him healthy. We joked that Merryweather would have more impact than Pearson this season, looking good so far. At the very least he’s an impact high leverage reliever in the playoffs. His mound presence has also been impressive.

 

I'd love to see him turn into an effective starter but dudes making his MLB debut at 28...not because he's not good enough, but because he's made of glass. Do we really think he can withstand the rigors of being a starting pitcher? But then again, Buntoyo will yank him after 4-5 innings and 72 pitches every 5th day anyway so there's that.

[Laika]

Keith Law clearly said that Biggio couldn't hit MAJOR LEAGUE Fastballs. All this shows is that Biggio hasn't ever faced a pitcher with a good fastball. Not once, in his whole career. Keith Law shall not be impugned!

 

I will be the Devil's (Keith Law's) advocate. I haven't looked at the numbers.

 

"Hitting" MLB fastballs does not necessarily mean having a good wOBA against them. It falls miles short of an actual criticism of the player, but maybe Biggio's wOBA against fastballs as driven largely by patience or feasting on s***** sinkers.

 

Okay, I will look up some stats.

 

Biggio 2019 vs 4 seamers

xBA .235

xwOBA .393

 

2019 vs sinkers

xwOBA .412

 

2020 vs 4 seamers

xwOBA .274

 

2020 vs sinkers

xwOBA .504

 

Note that he is having a big problem with 4 seamers this season. In 2019 he didn't. He's seeing a bit more fastballs this year.

 

Maybe he does have a 4 seam weakness that pitchers have not been able to exploit? We might see

[Ex Player]

Maybe he does have a 4 seam weakness that pitchers have not been able to exploit? We might see

If he does scouts will quickly catch on to that

[Deadpool]

I'd love to see him turn into an effective starter but dudes making his MLB debut at 28...not because he's not good enough, but because he's made of glass. Do we really think he can withstand the rigors of being a starting pitcher? But then again, Buntoyo will yank him after 4-5 innings and 72 pitches every 5th day anyway so there's that.

 

Man do I hope that the starting pitchers next year aren't under the control of Chuckles...

 

Merryweather is found money at this point, and he was handling a normal starter's workload for a couple of years before injury (24 starts in 2016, 25 in 2017). I can't find much info on his "injury history" before 2018, where he was admittedly out for almost two complete seasons, which is never good, but based on number of starts, he was pretty healthy for 16 + 17, and he pitched ~120 innings in his first two minor league seasons (14 + 15) combined. That seems okay for a guy who just turned pro and was getting used to the workload.

 

If the medical staff thinks he can start, I'd like to see what he can do. He's looked ridiculously good in the majors so far (0.4 WAR in 5.1 innings, which definitely holds up via the eye test).

[Laika]

If he does scouts will quickly catch on to that

 

Knowing about it being able to execute against it are two different things. If there is a scouting opinion that he has trouble with a good FB, it's already out there. I mean if Keith Law is writing about it then other people think it too.

 

But pumping a guy with plus fastballs up and in (or whatever the specific hole is) is easier said then done. Biggio is great at laying off things outside. He'll just take borderline fastballs all day and take his walks.

 

It really is Biggio's one shortcoming though. He does not do damage on meatballs to the extent that most MLB hitters do.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/swing-take?playerId=624415

[Ex Player]

Knowing about it being able to execute against it are two different things. If there is a scouting opinion that he has trouble with a good FB, it's already out there. I mean if Keith Law is writing about it then other people think it too.

 

But pumping a guy with plus fastballs up and in (or whatever the specific hole is) is easier said then done. Biggio is great at laying off things outside. He'll just take borderline fastballs all day and take his walks.

 

It really is Biggio's one shortcoming though. He does not do damage on meatballs to the extent that most MLB hitters do.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/swing-take?playerId=624415

BTW Laika please check your PM box

[Deadpool]

Knowing about it being able to execute against it are two different things. If there is a scouting opinion that he has trouble with a good FB, it's already out there. I mean if Keith Law is writing about it then other people think it too.

 

But pumping a guy with plus fastballs up and in (or whatever the specific hole is) is easier said then done. Biggio is great at laying off things outside. He'll just take borderline fastballs all day and take his walks.

 

It really is Biggio's one shortcoming though. He does not do damage on meatballs to the extent that most MLB hitters do.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/swing-take?playerId=624415

 

Yeah, when you have an eye as elite as Biggio's, it takes some serious paint work to exploit. I mean, if you just pump 4 seamers down the heart of the plate, you're going to get burned regardless of the batter (okay, maybe not Alford, but...). It's also quite likely that Biggio just doesn't sit fastball, as he is obviously is one of the better hitters in baseball against other pitches.

 

If it was possible to get him out by throwing 3 95MPH heaters down the middle, that would already be on every single catcher's scouting report and he wouldn't have an OBP of almost .400.

Edited August 28, 2020 by Deadpool
removed repititious repeated redundancy.

[wilko]

How about this one.. from the same chat, lol

 

Frank N.: When will you admit the Biggio take was just plain bad? You’re very quick to let everyone know the wins of your evals, but quiet on what you missed on…and missed on big time.

Keith Law: I have posted a column every year listing players I missed on for at least six years now, so that’s just some ********. And no, I didn’t miss on Biggio. He can’t hit major-league fastballs, and even during this tiny sample where he’s produced that’s held true.

 

Man Keith Law is a f***ing tool.

[Olerud363]

Man Keith Law is a f***ing tool.

 

Fernando Tatis Jr is now only at .300

 

Despite the small sample size there is no way Fernando Tatis Jr. is for real. His k-rate is way too much, his strike zone judgement is awful, and anyone who advocated for him or still does is a complete moron.

 

OK. I don't know if the above is true, I am now rooting for.

 

Vladdy to hit to all fields with a few more fly balls and become the next Albert Pujols (young version)

 

Biggio to be patient as all hell, take every close curveball, and recognize the fastball. I want him to be the best player every who can't hit the fastball. In every interview I want Biggio to concede he can't hit the fastball, but he can get into a 3-1 count, recognize it very earlier, and "hit" it with guess work and recognition despite the fact that Kieth Law has correctly identified that Biggio has poor bat speed.

 

Finally I want Fernando Tatis JRs lack of plate discipline and huge k-rate to catch up, and his D to be about average. Don't want the guy to fall apart but just to be the fourth best player of Vlad, Biggio, Bo and himself.

 

Oh yeah, and for Bo to be the player Kieth Law thinks Tatis will be

 

2021 projections

 

Vlad - .320 28 hr, 43 doubles, 88 walks .408 opb - greatness

Biggio - .267 28 hr, 124 walks .410 opb (can't hit fastball but gets into good counts and starts bat very early) - greatness

Bo - .338 31 hr - greatness (gets numbers Kieth thought Tatis would get)

 

Tatis

 

.256 29 hr 33 walks 199 ks .277 on base - (after hot start to career sees a year of breaking stuff out of the zone and does the best he can with it)

 

That would be funny

[Olerud363]

For those with short attention spans Yo-Bro version of above

 

Kieth law claims Biggio can't hit fastball and numbers are short season sample size issue. Well Biggio has played about the same amount of games as Tatis jr. Maybe it is Law's love boy Tatis JRs numbers that are the short sample size illusion, and Tatis can't control the strike zone, Law can't recognize Tatis' weakness and is folled by sample size and Law should resign when it is proven that Tatis is the next Jeff Francoeur.

[gruber92]

Rain to start at 9pm in Buffalo. Tomorrow evening and Sunday are good. Let's sweep this series, no f***ing around.

[connorp]

For those with short attention spans Yo-Bro version of above

 

Kieth law claims Biggio can't hit fastball and numbers are short season sample size issue. Well Biggio has played about the same amount of games as Tatis jr. Maybe it is Law's love boy Tatis JRs numbers that are the short sample size illusion, and Tatis can't control the strike zone, Law can't recognize Tatis' weakness and is folled by sample size and Law should resign when it is proven that Tatis is the next Jeff Francoeur.

 

I can’t tell if this is in jest? Tatis leads the league in hard hit %, does he not? It’s not like 10% in an awful walk rate where he has no patience. He clearly means it when he swings and so you take the 26% K rate. He’s a f***ing beast.

[devo]

I can’t tell if this is in jest? Tatis leads the league in hard hit %, does he not? It’s not like 10% in an awful walk rate where he has no patience. He clearly means it when he swings and so you take the 26% K rate. He’s a f***ing beast.

 

Its Olerud363. Its always in jest.

[connorp]

Its Olerud363. Its always in jest.

 

My bad. Read a couple times and couldnt tell. That would make sense though if he’s satire poster

[Olerud363]

I can’t tell if this is in jest? Tatis leads the league in hard hit %, does he not? It’s not like 10% in an awful walk rate where he has no patience. He clearly means it when he swings and so you take the 26% K rate. He’s a f***ing beast.

 

Cavan is a beast too. His ozone swing rate is remarkable, just as Tatis' hard hit percentage is.

 

Just pointing out that if Cavan's numbers are fake because of low sample size, Tatis's should be too.

 

Both players have played around 120 games, both are hitting better then their minor league numbers indicated, both have very unique skill sets.

 

Either or both could regress.

 

I also don't even know what Law is saying. Is he saying Cavan isn't a .275 hitter but really a .235 hitter like last year?? OK. If so still a good player. Or is Law saying Cavan totally can't hit the fastball at all, and will hit .150 with no walks once they start throwing only fastballs at the middle at him.... ummmm not likely but OK.

[BlueRocky]

Maybe they’re both studs? Just a hunch.

[BlueRocky]

[TheDragon]

Fernando Tatis Jr is now only at .300

 

Despite the small sample size there is no way Fernando Tatis Jr. is for real. His k-rate is way too much, his strike zone judgement is awful, and anyone who advocated for him or still does is a complete moron.

 

OK. I don't know if the above is true, I am now rooting for.

 

Vladdy to hit to all fields with a few more fly balls and become the next Albert Pujols (young version)

 

Biggio to be patient as all hell, take every close curveball, and recognize the fastball. I want him to be the best player every who can't hit the fastball. In every interview I want Biggio to concede he can't hit the fastball, but he can get into a 3-1 count, recognize it very earlier, and "hit" it with guess work and recognition despite the fact that Kieth Law has correctly identified that Biggio has poor bat speed.

 

Finally I want Fernando Tatis JRs lack of plate discipline and huge k-rate to catch up, and his D to be about average. Don't want the guy to fall apart but just to be the fourth best player of Vlad, Biggio, Bo and himself.

 

Oh yeah, and for Bo to be the player Kieth Law thinks Tatis will be

 

2021 projections

 

Vlad - .320 28 hr, 43 doubles, 88 walks .408 opb - greatness

Biggio - .267 28 hr, 124 walks .410 opb (can't hit fastball but gets into good counts and starts bat very early) - greatness

Bo - .338 31 hr - greatness (gets numbers Kieth thought Tatis would get)

 

Tatis

 

.256 29 hr 33 walks 199 ks .277 on base - (after hot start to career sees a year of breaking stuff out of the zone and does the best he can with it)

 

That would be funny

 

HR/FB % (37.1%)... unsustainable...

[connorp]

HR/FB % (37.1%)... unsustainable...

 

So you’re going out on a limb and saying he won’t hit the 90hr over a full season like he’s on pace for?

[BlueRocky]

[jerb]

 

Rob Longley

@longleysunsport

 

#Bluejays are on a major league record streak of 61 games (dating back to last season) of not having a starter make it to the seventh inning. Hyun-Jin Ryu will try tonight and Taijuan Walker (who has done it twice this season) is up tomorrow.

[Brownie19]

 

Rob Longley

@longleysunsport

 

#Bluejays are on a major league record streak of 61 games (dating back to last season) of not having a starter make it to the seventh inning. Hyun-Jin Ryu will try tonight and Taijuan Walker (who has done it twice this season) is up tomorrow.

 

holy f***.

[Ex Player]

How many other MLB teams dont have starters make it to the 7th or 8th though??

 

Complete games seem to be a fine, lost art

[jerb]

 

Kaitlyn McGrath

@kaitlyncmcgrath

 

#BlueJays roster moves:

- Taijuan Walker added to active roster, to make room, Brandon Drury optioned to alternate site

- Thomas Pannone cleared waivers and has been outrighted to alternate site.

[Orgfiller]

How many other MLB teams dont have starters make it to the 7th or 8th though??

 

Complete games seem to be a fine, lost art

 

It's literally an MLB record. Other teams may have few, but we obviously have the worst.

[TheDragon]

So you’re going out on a limb and saying he won’t hit the 90hr over a full season like he’s on pace for?

 

In infinite universes there's one where he hits a hr in every AB

[glory]

Drury optioned. Finally.

 

On the negative side, lefty on the mound for the Orioles, and Panik starts at short.

[BlueRocky]

- Taijuan Walker added to active roster, to make room, Brandon Drury optioned to alternate site

- Thomas Pannone cleared waivers and has been outrighted to alternate site.

 

Edited August 28, 2020 by BlueRocky

[Laika]

Drury optioned. Finally.

 

On the negative side, lefty on the mound for the Orioles, and Panik starts at short.

 

It’s a changeup lefty though. Would probably eat Espinal alive

[Orgfiller]

It’s a changeup lefty though. Would probably eat Espinal alive

 

Espinal also may have pulled something the last game so he could be getting a(nother) day off.