GDT: Spring Training

[TwistedLogic]

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

 

But the average probably doesn't mean much yet.

 

Yeah, exactly. The things that jumped out to me most in his small sample of spring training AB's so far were the new max exit velo of 106 and the four balls hit harder than 100. He's definitely got a little more sting in that swing.

 

The 104.4 was also really impressive (I remember watching it.) Scorching line drive homer over the left field wall that surprised the commentators (away booth, iirc)

[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.

 

Hey John...

 

[WryNGinger]

Thornton looked good today. Nice movement on his pitches.

 

Espinal looks like he is taking roids or something for sure. Does he have more acne this year? I knew someone taking roids of some sort and they broke out right away.

 

Impressed by Heineman behind the plate. Looked comfortable back there. Should be a good role model for the young catchers in AAA?

 

Donaldson weak throws and s***** baserunning... Wonder if he has lost it.

 

Love the way the Yanks defense played today. Yah there might have been some Blue Jays babip luck as well...

 

The skinny guy in the grey polo shirt in the stands behind the catcher was filming and hand gesturing after a lot of the pitches. Wonder what that was all about?

[Laika]

Espinal looks juiced up for sure

 

And Leo Jimenez - billed as a slap hitter - legitimately looks like Yandy Diaz.

 

Big offseasons for those two obviously

[L54]

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.

 

This is cool thanks for digging in for us.

[L54]

Pretty hard to fake a max EV and 25% of your batted balls over 100 mph from the year before in 14 AB’s

[AMS528]

Well I'm convinced by the data already. Espinal is going to have a breakout season, and I am ready for it.

[TwistedLogic]

If this is actually Montoyo's ideal lineup for 2022, my respect for him just tripled.

 

Edited March 31, 2022 by TwistedLogic

[Jimcanuck]

Great lineup but:

 

1. The accomplished vetrin Chapman should be ahead of that young guy Kirk (flip them in the lineup).

 

2. Biggio's arm is more suited for LF, Hernandez RF and Biggio LF better.

 

3. Flip Bichette and Hernandez.

 

Quibbling, really. Plus ST they don't care about lineup optimization.

[TwistedLogic]

Great lineup but:

 

1. The accomplished vetrin Chapman should be ahead of that young guy Kirk (flip them in the lineup).

 

2. Biggio's arm is more suited for LF, Hernandez RF and Biggio LF better.

 

3. Flip Bichette and Hernandez.

 

1. Chapman has a 104 wRC+ projection while Kirk has the second-highest on the team at 129. Until Chapman proves his recent offensive woes were as a result of the hip issues and he actually bounces back with the bat, I think the placement of those two guys in the lineup is perfect.

 

2. I like that. I actually didn't realize Biggio was in RF. I just saw he was replacing Gurriel in the outfield and my brain assumed he would be in LF.

 

3. Agreed, that's the only lineup change I would make to the above order (though I don't think it's a big deal).

[THANOS]

If this is actually Montoyo's ideal lineup for 2022, my respect for him just tripled.

 

 

Yeah, honestly, that's a really nice line-up. I'm quite impressed. Kirk hitting 5th is a great choice too.

 

I never even thought of putting Teo hitting 3rd, but that's a great call. I definitely wanted to keep Bo at 4th, and this accomplishes that.

[Stangstag]

1. Chapman has a 104 wRC+ projection while Kirk has the second-highest on the team at 129. Until Chapman proves his recent offensive woes were as a result of the hip issues and he actually bounces back with the bat, I think the placement of those two guys in the lineup is perfect.

 

Wow that’s nuts lol. Hope he actually gets the bulk of games at DH this year instead of riding the pine 3-4 times a week.

[Jimcanuck]

1. Chapman has a 104 wRC+ projection while Kirk has the second-highest on the team at 129. Until Chapman proves his recent offensive woes were as a result of the hip issues and he actually bounces back with the bat, I think the placement of those two guys in the lineup is perfect.

 

2. I like that. I actually didn't realize Biggio was in RF. I just saw he was replacing Gurriel in the outfield and my brain assumed he would be in LF.

 

3. Agreed, that's the only lineup change I would make to the above order (though I don't think it's a big deal).

 

OK I reluctantly agree to your 1. position. I'm a bit like Cito, I guess.

[connorp]

Wow. .855 OPS for Captain K is pretty aggressive by Steamer.

[Stangstag]

Wow. .855 OPS for Captain K is pretty aggressive by Steamer.

 

Right? He wasn’t a highly touted prospect and he has just over 200 MLB plate appearances

[HERPDERP]

Romano slipped while walking his dog

[Laika]

Right? He wasn’t a highly touted prospect and he has just over 200 MLB plate appearances

 

Projections care about numbers, not how touted someone was

 

His MiLB numbers were INSANE

[Jays24]

Springer

Bo

Vlad

Teo

Chapman

Gurriel

Kirk

Biggio

Espinal or whoever is DH

 

Vlad struggled when we put him in the 2 spot last year. It could have been a coincidence but I'd rather stick with what worked already by keeping him in the 3 spot. Ideally whoever is our best fastball hitter should bat 2nd. Bo swings at everything reagrdless so it does feel like a waste having him bat before Vlad.

 

And surprised with Kirk batting 5th. I do like the kid but i think he needs to provide he can be elite for a consistent period before his projections seem believable. Or maybe we're just putting him 5th to show Cleveland that we're offering a middle of the order bat for Ramirez. Hopefully this means no Valera pinch hitting either lol

[HERPDERP]

Springer

Bo

Vlad

Teo

Chapman

Gurriel

Kirk

Biggio

Espinal or whoever is DH

 

Vlad struggled when we put him in the 2 spot last year. It could have been a coincidence but I'd rather stick with what worked already by keeping him in the 3 spot.

 

And surprised with Kirk batting 5th. I do like the kid but i think he needs to provide he can be elite for a consistent period before his projections seem believable. Or maybe we're just putting him 5th to show Indians that we're offering a middle of the order bat for Ramirez. Hopefully this means no Velera pinch hitting either lol

 

He was tired towards the latter end of the summer, so that may have contributed to it vs the #2 spot

[Jays24]

He was tired towards the latter end of the summer, so that may have contributed to it vs the #2 spot

 

But when we moved him back to the 3 spot he regained his swing, which is why we kept him there.

[LGBJ29]

Romano slipped while walking his dog

 

f*** sakes, I had hope this was a joke, how does this team always have the most absurd injuries

[Krylian]

But when we moved him back to the 3 spot he regained his swing, which is why we kept him there.

 

I really don't think spot in the order impacts a hitter as much as others do. If you put Vladdy in the #2 spot and leave him there all season, I'm quite certain he'll be lights out.

[Jays24]

I really don't think spot in the order impacts a hitter as much as others do. If you put Vladdy in the #2 spot and leave him there all season, I'm quite certain he'll be lights out.

 

Ya I'm not doubting that. Just wanted to point out what actually happened. Sometimes it does benefit having players in certain spots because of how you get pitched, which definitely happens for some.

[Jays24]

I will judge Kirk's ability to bat 5th based solely on this at bat.

[Jays24]

Kirk has no business batting 5th #CaseClosed

[max silver]

But when we moved him back to the 3 spot he regained his swing, which is why we kept him there.

 

I don't think Vlad's placement in the lineup had anything to do with his slump at the time, it's purely coincidental. As previously mentioned he fatigued in August and subsequently ended up dialing back the pregame training routines to allow his energy levels to recover.

[Abomination]

Romano slipped while walking his dog

 

All teams have stuff like this happen. Slipping while walking the dog is probably one of the more "normal" ones I've heard.

[TwistedLogic]

I'd be pleased if seven different Blue Jays hit home runs today. Just saying.

[TwistedLogic]

Teoscar's range looked real nice out there on that Baez fly out. Felt like he was gliding out there.

[Solaxys]

I am excited for Gurriel; if he starts his perennial superhuman tear early, maybe we see two blips of it by the end of the season.