Around Baseball 2024

[Stangstag]

I recall reading a blurb from Baseball America prior to the season stating that Addison Barger intentionally focused on contact instead of launch angle in 2023, so his contact rates improved significantly but he was hitting line drives and GB's instead of home runs (he hit 26 HR's between 3 levels in 2022 and then 9 in 2023). I'm not a hitting expert by any means, but when I read that I thought why would you take someone that hits the ball really hard and in the air, and try to get him to hit the ball in the air less? Seems like the Guardians took the opposite approach with Kwan, wanting more damage (sorry Donnie) instead of contact, and it has worked, but then again Kwan was so good at making contact that even if his contact ability regressed a little bit it likely wouldn't have been that drastic. The fact that it improved even with the added power is remarkable. Really shows how complicated hitting is.

 

Tons of evidence of this happening to ALL our players…. Hmmm

[Laika]

Amazing 7 year span.

 

Didn't have a real MLB season until age 25 though and he's already 32

 

Howant more great seasons is enough to call him that?

 

I kind of think he's already there

 

He won't have an elite career WAR but his best seasons are better than Miggy, Pujols

 

Like 2022 and this year 2024 are going to potentially both be ALL TIME seasons. How many players have two of those? I feel like only the legends do it.

 

And he also has the 8 WAR, 52 homer 2017

 

How many players have 3+ 50 HR years, or a 50 and two 60+ HR years? If you ignore the steroid era guys, then it's... Babe Ruth? And nobody for the latter other than steroid guys.

 

How many modern players have multiple seasons at 200+ wRC+? Almost none. Some guys have one. To see multiple 200+ wRC+ years you kind of need to look at old greats like Williams, Ruth, Mantle. Or Barry Bonds.

 

Like, he has almost no peers when you look at specific accomplishments.

[Laika]

Kelenic up to an .781 OPS

 

What a rollercoaster player

 

Was amazing for one month in 2023 and then bad the rest of the year

 

Now in 2024 he is doing the opposite. Was struggling for months (platoon player, not even crushing RHP) now all of a sudden he's a star in June.

 

shrug

[jaysblue]

I kind of think he's already there

 

He won't have an elite career WAR but his best seasons are better than Miggy, Pujols

 

Like 2022 and this year 2024 are going to potentially both be ALL TIME seasons. How many players have two of those? I feel like only the legends do it.

 

And he also has the 8 WAR, 52 homer 2017

 

How many players have 3+ 50 HR years, or a 50 and two 60+ HR years? If you ignore the steroid era guys, then it's... Babe Ruth? And nobody for the latter other than steroid guys.

 

How many modern players have multiple seasons at 200+ wRC+? Almost none. Some guys have one. To see multiple 200+ wRC+ years you kind of need to look at old greats like Williams, Ruth, Mantle. Or Barry Bonds.

 

Like, he has almost no peers when you look at specific accomplishments.

 

Hope Aaron Judge could stay healthy into his mid-to-late 30's. Definitely one of the faces of MLB and one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Looks like he may even surpass his monster 2022 season! Unbelievable!

[jaysblue]

Kelenic up to an .781 OPS

 

What a rollercoaster player

 

Was amazing for one month in 2023 and then bad the rest of the year

 

Now in 2024 he is doing the opposite. Was struggling for months (platoon player, not even crushing RHP) now all of a sudden he's a star in June.

 

shrug

 

He's still only 24 as well. Up to 1.0 WAR and a 118 wRC+.

 

He's been playing everyday now with Acuna on the shelf. Was pretty awful in April and May as a platoon bat.

 

Nice buy low trade from Atlanta in the offseason. They had to take on some salary from Gonzales and White, but worth the potential reward if Kelenic breaks out. Still some untapped offensive potential with his bat.

[Brownie19]

Kelenic up to an .781 OPS

 

What a rollercoaster player

 

Was amazing for one month in 2023 and then bad the rest of the year

 

Now in 2024 he is doing the opposite. Was struggling for months (platoon player, not even crushing RHP) now all of a sudden he's a star in June.

 

shrug

 

We should trade for Seattle hitters too. If Teo couldn't see well there, I suspect several others can't either. Just trade for them and they'll immediately get a 20% boost.

[Brownie19]

Malcolm (Duke) Baxter III (@dukebaxter) • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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2,618 likes, 92 comments - dukebaxter on June 27, 2024: "This is crazy! The new base running technique. Hmmmm! What are your thoughts? Would you do this a 9-12u? - - Video Cred: @baseballdoesntexist".

 

Well that's certainly interesting!!!

[Omar]

Malcolm (Duke) Baxter III (@dukebaxter) • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

---

2,618 likes, 92 comments - dukebaxter on June 27, 2024: "This is crazy! The new base running technique. Hmmmm! What are your thoughts? Would you do this a 9-12u? - - Video Cred: @baseballdoesntexist".

 

Well that's certainly interesting!!!

 

I think we had a big discussion on this last year when the Cards did it.

[Brownie19]

I think we had a big discussion on this last year when the Cards did it.

 

If it becomes "a thing", MLB will have to step in. Can't have runners just blowing through 2nd base and running into left center field. I think if they round 2nd and run into a fielder trying to make a play at 2nd base, that has to be interference on the runner.

[Omar]

If it becomes "a thing", MLB will have to step in. Can't have runners just blowing through 2nd base and running into left center field. I think if they round 2nd and run into a fielder trying to make a play at 2nd base, that has to be interference on the runner.

 

yup.

[Laika]

If it becomes "a thing", MLB will have to step in. Can't have runners just blowing through 2nd base and running into left center field. I think if they round 2nd and run into a fielder trying to make a play at 2nd base, that has to be interference on the runner.

 

I don't see any issues with this tactic generally speaking

 

If there is actual interference by the runner they can just call that

 

no need for new rules or more of MLB "stepping in"

[Brownie19]

I don't see any issues with this tactic generally speaking

 

If there is actual interference by the runner they can just call that

 

no need for new rules or more of MLB "stepping in"

 

I'm just talking about the situation where a fielder obstructs a runner. If the SS goes to 2nd base to catch a throw and the runner beats the throw to the bag, doesn't stop and runs into the SS - one might suggests that's obstruction by the SS. But you're right, as otherwise, the runner can't interfere with the fielder making a play. This seems quite clear on normal plays, but gets dicey around the bags - especially if runners don't slide. All probably a moot point, as I don't see this play becoming mainstream, but who knows!

 

My other thought is that if a runner can't slide past the bag (to try and breakup a double play) - why would they be allowed to run past the bag like you see in that one example?

[John_Havok]

I'm just talking about the situation where a fielder obstructs a runner. If the SS goes to 2nd base to catch a throw and the runner beats the throw to the bag, doesn't stop and runs into the SS - one might suggests that's obstruction by the SS. But you're right, as otherwise, the runner can't interfere with the fielder making a play. This seems quite clear on normal plays, but gets dicey around the bags - especially if runners don't slide. All probably a moot point, as I don't see this play becoming mainstream, but who knows!

 

My other thought is that if a runner can't slide past the bag (to try and breakup a double play) - why would they be allowed to run past the bag like you see in that one example?

 

I think it's such a niche play that doesn't happen very often it's pretty much a moot point. The real key is the play at 2B needing to be actually close enough for it to matter.

 

However.... MLB rules thought of this already:

 

Rule 6.01(a)(5)Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate

 

However.....

 

Rule 6.01(a)(5) Comment: If the batter or a runner continues to advance or returns or attempts to return to his last legally touched base after he has been put out, he shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders.

[L54]

Throw the baseball in their teeth if they don’t slide

 

Guys will stop running through the bag really quick

[thatoneguy]

I kind of think he's already there

 

He won't have an elite career WAR but his best seasons are better than Miggy, Pujols

 

Like 2022 and this year 2024 are going to potentially both be ALL TIME seasons. How many players have two of those? I feel like only the legends do it.

 

And he also has the 8 WAR, 52 homer 2017

 

How many players have 3+ 50 HR years, or a 50 and two 60+ HR years? If you ignore the steroid era guys, then it's... Babe Ruth? And nobody for the latter other than steroid guys.

 

How many modern players have multiple seasons at 200+ wRC+? Almost none. Some guys have one. To see multiple 200+ wRC+ years you kind of need to look at old greats like Williams, Ruth, Mantle. Or Barry Bonds.

 

Like, he has almost no peers when you look at specific accomplishments.

 

Agreed with all of this. Even monster, all-time great hitters like Mantle and Willie Mays didn't put up two 60 HR seasons (or 3 50 HR seasons).

[Masterbather]

Throw the baseball in their teeth if they don’t slide

 

Guys will stop running through the bag really quick

 

I tend to agree that violence is always a good deterrent, but in many of those plays they're not really in a position to throw it into the guy's teeth, it's a bang-bang situation. Maybe you stick the point of your elbow out to defend yourself, that might smash enough teeth to work.

[G-Snarls]

Asstos are on. 9-1 run and got themselves back into relevance

This sucks for multiple reasons

[glory]

Asstos are on. 9-1 run and got themselves back into relevance

This sucks for multiple reasons

 

The Astros are going to win the West again. Was hoping they'd have a down year and let someone else win it for once. I don't believe in the Mariners offense to maintain 1st place.

[Jimcanuck]

Gore, Abrams, Wood all looking like elite, all-star calibre players. The Nats-Padres Soto deal turning out quite nicely for the Nats.

 

Preller is a f***ing moron.

[BTS]

Gore, Abrams, Wood all looking like elite, all-star calibre players. The Nats-Padres Soto deal turning out quite nicely for the Nats.

 

Preller is a f***ing moron.

 

Preller will probably be fired within a couple years, leaving a half-dozen albatross contracts behind

[Carlos Danger]

Jackie… Errr I mean Tim Anderson DFA.

 

What a fall…

[wilko]

Jackie… Errr I mean Tim Anderson DFA.

 

What a fall…

 

That fight made him forget how to play baseball. Also, I think he's in some heat off the field... had baby with side chick.

[L54]

Jackie… Errr I mean Tim Anderson DFA.

 

What a fall…

 

One of the more unlikeable players in the league

[BTS]

Tim Anderson's lasting contribution to the game of baseball will be "DOWN GOES ANDERSON"

[Omar]

Tim Anderson's lasting contribution to the game of baseball will be "DOWN GOES ANDERSON"

 

Let the Toronto reclamation project begin.

[Jimcanuck]

Let the Toronto reclamation project begin.

 

trading Bo for prospects, and signing Tim for the min would be a great move

[Omar]

trading Bo for prospects, and signing Tim for the min would be a great move

 

Atkins rubbing his hands together as he shouts to his administrative assistant, " get me the Marlins on the phone, now!"

[Carlos Danger]

I have to be honest. This Team is hard to cheer for now. You add TA to the mix I will have to join the Orioles Board

[Omar]

I have to be honest. This Team is hard to cheer for now. You add TA to the mix I will have to join the Orioles Board

 

https://forum.orioleshangout.com/.

[Spanky__99]

Royce Lewis goes down again, c-poop. lol