GDT: Spring Training

[Spanky99]

That catcher is Jacked!!! Lukes wrecked that ball.

[TwistedLogic]

I was curious on how much of my perception on Espinal's power uptick was anecdotal so I decided to dive into the game logs (since StatCast doesn't show cumulative stats for spring training, reeee).

 

Here are all of Espinal's recorded exit velocity numbers in spring training so far:

 

67.9

95.8

102.5

95.7

90.4

102.6

99.5

79.8

104.4

91.3

106.2

67.6

94.2

67.7

 

That shakes out to a 90.4 average exit velocity, which is in between Vladdy's 2019 and 2020 numbers

 

Espinal had an average EV of just 84.8 in 2021. He hit 17 balls over 100 MPH all season long last year, with a high of 104.2. He's already hit four balls above 100 MPH in the above 14 at-bats, with a high of 106.2, the single hardest hit ball of his career.

 

Espi's power gains are legit. Breakout incoming.

[Ray]

I was curious on how much of my perception on Espinal's power uptick was anecdotal so I decided to dive into the game logs (since StatCast doesn't show cumulative stats for spring training, reeee).

 

Here are all of Espinal's recorded exit velocity numbers in spring training so far:

 

67.9

95.8

102.5

95.7

90.4

102.6

99.5

79.8

104.4

91.3

106.2

67.6

94.2

67.7

 

That shakes out to a 90.4 average exit velocity, which is in between Vladdy's 2019 and 2020 numbers

 

Espinal had an average EV of just 84.8 in 2021. He hit 17 balls over 100 MPH all season long last year, with a high of 104.2. He's already hit four balls above 100 MPH in the above 14 at-bats, with a high of 106.2, the single hardest hit ball of his career.

 

Espi's power gains are legit. Breakout incoming.

 

Nah. Apparently, it's just "wind" that's aiding him.

[gruber92]

I was curious on how much of my perception on Espinal's power uptick was anecdotal so I decided to dive into the game logs (since StatCast doesn't show cumulative stats for spring training, reeee).

 

Here are all of Espinal's recorded exit velocity numbers in spring training so far:

 

67.9

95.8

102.5

95.7

90.4

102.6

99.5

79.8

104.4

91.3

106.2

67.6

94.2

67.7

 

That shakes out to a 90.4 average exit velocity, which is in between Vladdy's 2019 and 2020 numbers

 

Espinal had an average EV of just 84.8 in 2021. He hit 17 balls over 100 MPH all season long last year, with a high of 104.2. He's already hit four balls above 100 MPH in the above 14 at-bats, with a high of 106.2, the single hardest hit ball of his career.

 

Espi's power gains are legit. Breakout incoming.

 

He may not get enough consistent playing time to do so, unless you'd consider DHing him over Kirk.

[John_Havok]

I was curious on how much of my perception on Espinal's power uptick was anecdotal so I decided to dive into the game logs (since StatCast doesn't show cumulative stats for spring training, reeee).

 

Here are all of Espinal's recorded exit velocity numbers in spring training so far:

 

67.9

95.8

102.5

95.7

90.4

102.6

99.5

79.8

104.4

91.3

106.2

67.6

94.2

67.7

 

That shakes out to a 90.4 average exit velocity, which is in between Vladdy's 2019 and 2020 numbers

 

Espinal had an average EV of just 84.8 in 2021. He hit 17 balls over 100 MPH all season long last year, with a high of 104.2. He's already hit four balls above 100 MPH in the above 14 at-bats, with a high of 106.2, the single hardest hit ball of his career.

 

Espi's power gains are legit. Breakout incoming.

 

How many PA does it take for average EV to stabilize? Understand I’m not saying your wrong, I’d just like to know that it’s not a small sample size alert

[Spanky99]

*sighs*

[Grant77]

I was curious on how much of my perception on Espinal's power uptick was anecdotal so I decided to dive into the game logs (since StatCast doesn't show cumulative stats for spring training, reeee).

 

Here are all of Espinal's recorded exit velocity numbers in spring training so far:

 

67.9

95.8

102.5

95.7

90.4

102.6

99.5

79.8

104.4

91.3

106.2

67.6

94.2

67.7

 

That shakes out to a 90.4 average exit velocity, which is in between Vladdy's 2019 and 2020 numbers

 

Espinal had an average EV of just 84.8 in 2021. He hit 17 balls over 100 MPH all season long last year, with a high of 104.2. He's already hit four balls above 100 MPH in the above 14 at-bats, with a high of 106.2, the single hardest hit ball of his career.

 

Espi's power gains are legit. Breakout incoming.

 

I'm curious what Greg Bird's exit velocities are and whether it is really wise to base an opinion off of 3 games worth of at-bats against minor league pitchers.

[Spanky99]

I'm curious what Greg Bird's exit velocities are and whether it is really wise to base an opinion off of 3 games worth of at-bats against minor league pitchers.

 

It's on baseball savant, if you want to delve in.

[Jimcanuck]

He may not get enough consistent playing time to do so, unless you'd consider DHing him over Kirk.

 

c'mon man, there are 9 positions on the field and Espinal can play 4 or 5 of them. If he's hitting, he'll get his reps

[Spanky99]

I think he was out at 3rd. No replay...

[Spanky99]

Nah. Apparently, it's just "wind" that's aiding him.

 

Hahaha... Ray! Chucking shade, I'm proud.

[John_Havok]

c'mon man, there are 9 positions on the field and Espinal can play 4 or 5 of them. If he's hitting, he'll get his reps

 

Definitely. He’s already guaranteed to be the late and close defensive replacement, and the starter against lefties for Biggio. That right there is 300+ PA. Add in the occasional start at 3b to give Chapman a day at DH and there’s plenty out there for him.

[John_Havok]

Hahaha... Ray! Chucking shade, I'm proud.

 

Yeah it’s easy to toss shade with a straw man argument. I only suggested 1 PA was wind aided, not all of them.

[Spanky99]

Yeah it’s easy to toss shade with a straw man argument. I only suggested 1 PA was wind aided, not all of them.

 

Take the L man.

[John_Havok]

Take the L man.

 

When it’s proven I will. Im sure Twisted is looking to EV stabilization as we speak. If he comes back and shows that average exit velocity is reliably stable over 14 PAs. I will gladly admit that Espinal has demonstrated an improvement that can be expected to continue.

[Spanky99]

When it’s proven I will. Im sure Twisted is looking to EV stabilization as we speak. If he comes back and shows that average exit velocity is reliably stable over 14 PAs. I will gladly admit that Espinal has demonstrated an improvement that can be expected to continue.

 

K......

[Jimcanuck]

Definitely. He’s already guaranteed to be the late and close defensive replacement, and the starter against lefties for Biggio. That right there is 300+ PA. Add in the occasional start at 3b to give Chapman a day at DH and there’s plenty out there for him.

 

He'll play in order of frequency 2B, 3B, SS, LF, maybe even RF a few times

[Spanky99]

He'll play in order of frequency 2B, 3B, SS, LF, maybe even RF a few times

 

Where'd you hear that?

[Laika]

I was curious on how much of my perception on Espinal's power uptick was anecdotal so I decided to dive into the game logs (since StatCast doesn't show cumulative stats for spring training, reeee).

 

Here are all of Espinal's recorded exit velocity numbers in spring training so far:

 

67.9

95.8

102.5

95.7

90.4

102.6

99.5

79.8

104.4

91.3

106.2

67.6

94.2

67.7

 

That shakes out to a 90.4 average exit velocity, which is in between Vladdy's 2019 and 2020 numbers

 

Espinal had an average EV of just 84.8 in 2021. He hit 17 balls over 100 MPH all season long last year, with a high of 104.2. He's already hit four balls above 100 MPH in the above 14 at-bats, with a high of 106.2, the single hardest hit ball of his career.

 

Espi's power gains are legit. Breakout incoming.

 

Max EV is a measure of power so this may not be irrelevant data.

 

But the average probably doesn't mean much yet.

[John_Havok]

Max EV is a measure of power so this may not be irrelevant data.

 

But the average probably doesn't mean much yet.

 

Yay! Chalk one up on the side of rational thinking

[Jimcanuck]

Where'd you hear that?

 

the voice in my head

[Deadpool]

Max EV is a measure of power so this may not be irrelevant data.

 

But the average probably doesn't mean much yet.

 

Yeah, "He literally hit a ball harder than he ever has before" is a strong signal that there's at least something there.

[Jimcanuck]

Max EV is a measure of power so this may not be irrelevant data.

 

But the average probably doesn't mean much yet.

 

Espinal is clearly jacked. Eye test doesn't lie

[Spanky99]

the voice in my head

 

Figured that, bruh...

[Spanky99]

Yay! Chalk one up on the side of rational thinking

 

Who wouldn't rationally think that, though? Rationally thinking, is that ball hit was a legit dinger.

[John_Havok]

Who wouldn't rationally think that, though? Rationally thinking, is that ball hit was a legit dinger.

 

I already acknowledged that. What I’ve yet to acknowledge is whether his current ST average exit velocity (which would put him about 2.5 mph above league average last year) is indicative of something that should be expected to continue.

 

The signs are encouraging, but are by no means certain. I’m sure someone could go back through his last three years and find 2 or 3 week stretches where his average EV was 90.4 also and it didn’t stick. So, tell me why this 14 PA sample size is a sure thing?

 

That’s called rational thought.

[Grant77]

Yeah it’s easy to toss shade with a straw man argument. I only suggested 1 PA was wind aided, not all of them.

 

The narrative has already been formed and the pitchforks are out. What you actually said no longer matters. That has been demonstrated time and time again on this forum.

 

I have doubts that a 14 AB sample in spring training is a useful predictor of future performance as well.

[Laika]

Yeah, "He literally hit a ball harder than he ever has before" is a strong signal that there's at least something there.

 

Actually two this spring harder than his max last year

[Spanky99]

I already acknowledged that. What I’ve yet to acknowledge is whether his current ST average exit velocity (which would put him about 2.5 mph above league average last year) is indicative of something that should be expected to continue.

 

The signs are encouraging, but are by no means certain. I’m sure someone could go back through his last three years and find 2 or 3 week stretches where his average EV was 90.4 also and it didn’t stick. So, tell me why this 14 PA sample size is a sure thing?

 

That’s called rational thought.

 

Right, but the AB was aided by wind holds, nothing. In this particular play. Is wrong.

[Spanky99]

He crushed that Mofo!!