Around Baseball 2021

[G-Snarls]

I didn't think they'd ever find a commissioner worse than Bud Selig, but those crazy bastards went and did it on their very next try!

 

Theo Epstein next?

[Brownie19]

It's pretty crazy to see the top 14 seasons by K% are 2021, back to 2008 in exact order.

[G-Snarls]

Depends what you want to see. A balance would be nice.

 

I like strikeouts and watching an amazing pitching performance, but I like watching good hitters do well too

 

When you have numbers like those and multiple no hitters a week it's clearly too much in favour of the pitching

[connorp]

They don't

 

If anything the Mets are worse

 

Well, they could’ve backed the silly rat/raccoon story, which they didn’t. So I’ll give them that at least

[connorp]

Some not-so-fun facts about the "deadened" ball this year:

 

The MLB as a whole in 2021 currently has the lowest batting average, literally, in baseball history. Lower than the 1800s, lower than the dead-ball era and yes, 3 points lower than even the 1968 "year of the pitcher" that resulted in the mound being lowered.

 

 

2021 also has the highest strikeout rate in history at a whopping 24.1 K% leaguewide. To put that into perspective, Nolan Ryan had a career 25.3% strikeout rate. The MLB as a whole at this point is essentially Nolan Ryan when it comes to drawing strikeouts.

 

 

Wow. That’s insane.

[Abomination]

Some not-so-fun facts about the "deadened" ball this year:

 

The MLB as a whole in 2021 currently has the lowest batting average, literally, in baseball history. Lower than the 1800s, lower than the dead-ball era and yes, 3 points lower than even the 1968 "year of the pitcher" that resulted in the mound being lowered.

 

2021 also has the highest strikeout rate in history at a whopping 24.1 K% leaguewide. To put that into perspective, Nolan Ryan had a career 25.3% strikeout rate. The MLB as a whole at this point is essentially Nolan Ryan when it comes to drawing strikeouts.

 

 

It's pretty early in the season. Usually the bats pick up over the summer as the weather heats up and the air becomes less dense. The increasing strikeout trend is interesting though, particularly given little change in most other areas.

[Laika]

It's actually kind of insane to think that this guy changes the ball every year. I feel like teams should be more upset by this depending on what kind of hitters/pitchers they have.

 

Can you imagine changing the puck every year?

 

Bring back glow puck

[glory]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdBAVo-5m_o

 

In case this wasn't posted, interview with Theo Epstein about "how to fix baseball". I wonder how much of what the league is trying in the minors has Epstein's fingerprints on it since that appears to be why he was hired. He definitely articulates his vision better than Manfred ever could.

[Olerud363]

Here are some radical ideas

 

1. 11 man pitching staff limit - just forces both starters and relievers to go longer and to go longer they will have to pace themselves

 

2. 10 million dollar bonus for batting title winner, followed by 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 million for top 10

 

3. Serious scientific effort to change the ball.

 

It wasn't changing the ball that is the issue, it was changing it by idiots. Ball doesn't go as far, but apparently has high seams and moves more. Dumb. They can get some smarter people to carefully change the ball, so it both doesn't go as far, and breaking stuff moves less.

 

4. Consistent strike zone

 

Robot umps? Before Robot umps, I'd first be interested in every game being Robot umped in parallel, then very serious repercussions financial and career wise for umpires calling ******** out of the zone strikes.

[G-Snarls]

Are the Red Sox for real?

 

I thought they were at most the 3rd best team and more likely the 4th best team in the division.

 

Seems like the Yankees (who I thought would win the division) are finding their way but still the Red Sox have just been hitting so well it's crazy. Can they keep it up?

[G-Snarls]

Matt Harvey has been announced as the starter for the Orioles when they play the Mets in New York on Wednesday

 

Fire up the eating popcorn gifs now

[Krylian]

Matt Harvey has been announced as the starter for the Orioles when they play the Mets in New York on Wednesday

 

Fire up the eating popcorn gifs now

 

Gotta get a nice fresh batch ready before we eat...

 

[Eat My Shatkins]

Are the Red Sox for real?

 

I thought they were at most the 3rd best team and more likely the 4th best team in the division.

 

Seems like the Yankees (who I thought would win the division) are finding their way but still the Red Sox have just been hitting so well it's crazy. Can they keep it up?

 

I don't think they're 1st place in the entire MLB good, they've played a ton of games against Baltimore, Texas, Minnesota (who has struggled), Seattle, etc

[Jimcanuck]

Big Diesel has signed with the Braves. AA has always had an affinity for fat turds.

[Deadpool]

Big Diesel has signed with the Braves. AA has always had an affinity for fat turds.

 

Major league deal? 'cause like... big off if so.

[Krylian]

Are the Red Sox for real?

 

I thought they were at most the 3rd best team and more likely the 4th best team in the division.

 

Seems like the Yankees (who I thought would win the division) are finding their way but still the Red Sox have just been hitting so well it's crazy. Can they keep it up?

 

What do you mean 'for real'. Playoff team? No. But they may linger around .500. I still think they're a sub .500 team

[Terminator]

Are the Red Sox for real?

 

I thought they were at most the 3rd best team and more likely the 4th best team in the division.

 

Seems like the Yankees (who I thought would win the division) are finding their way but still the Red Sox have just been hitting so well it's crazy. Can they keep it up?

 

I think they are a pretty decent team. Suspect pitching but a solid lineup could help them ride a hot start into year long contention. Despite their recent penny pinching, if they are in it I bet they'll add at the deadline too.

[King]

Jarred Kelenic 2021 predictions?

[Laika]

Jarred Kelenic 2021 predictions?

 

Broken hamate

[Jimcanuck]

Jarred Kelenic 2021 predictions?

 

Overshadowed by Wander

[G-Snarls]

Jared Walsh now the full time 1B in LA

 

To celebrate he went 4-4 with a walk last night

 

Now hitting .325/.405/.544 with a .405 wOBA

[Brownie19]

Jared Walsh now the full time 1B in LA

 

To celebrate he went 4-4 with a walk last night

 

Now hitting .325/.405/.544 with a .405 wOBA

 

Not bad for a 39th round pick (1185th overall)

[godJPA]

Jarred Kelenic 2021 predictions?

 

Hoping for big things since I own him in all my fantasy leagues.

 

Curious to know what's your predictions for him?

[G-Snarls]

Mlbtr:

 

After spending parts of 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, veteran right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has announced his retirement, via a statement released by the Brewers

[G-Snarls]

Cody Bellinger posted a video of himself running:

 

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Still not clear when he might play again

[Stangstag]

Mlbtr:

 

After spending parts of 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, veteran right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has announced his retirement, via a statement released by the Brewers

 

110 Million dollars for 5.63 ERA over 5 years. Big yikes. Don't understand how he was so solid with Washington then just completely lost it.

[Orgfiller]

lol at this throw https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/10/20ce82b5-6cb0ea05-b2861a22-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4

 

I feel bad for Khris Davis honestly. 70-80 grade power in his prime (not anymore) with a 20 arm. This throw is cartoonishly bad, it's the kind of throw you make in your dreams. I think he's had the yips in the outfield with his throwing for years now.

[BTS]

lol at this throw https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/10/20ce82b5-6cb0ea05-b2861a22-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4

 

I feel bad for Khris Davis honestly. 70-80 grade power in his prime (not anymore) with a 20 arm. This throw is cartoonishly bad, it's the kind of throw you make in your dreams. I think he's had the yips in the outfield with his throwing for years now.

 

My god. The outfielders on my beer league softball team make better throws.

[wilko]

lol at this throw https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/10/20ce82b5-6cb0ea05-b2861a22-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4

 

I feel bad for Khris Davis honestly. 70-80 grade power in his prime (not anymore) with a 20 arm. This throw is cartoonishly bad, it's the kind of throw you make in your dreams. I think he's had the yips in the outfield with his throwing for years now.

 

That's embarrassing.

[Brownie19]

My god. The outfielders on my beer league softball team make better throws.

 

My 10 year old throws better than that.