turnin' two

I have to say, I don't understand why it seems so many are still down-ish on Rutherford. He is just 21 (and will be until May) he has really risen to the challenge this year. He has been in WS all year and is hitting .297/.347/.416. Yeah, it would be nice to see more power, but he is still young and has hit 22 2B and 8 3B this season. Gonzalez has probably out played him this season, but Blake is a year and a half younger and they are now at the same level. I don't want to seem like I am tearing down Gonzalez, I am not. I am on the bandwagon. I just feel they are pretty darn similar in terms of their status, while it seems most have Rutherford as an afterthought. I guess I just think that year is a big deal. If Rutherford started next season in Kanny, that would be similar to where Gonzalez was this season. I would love a lineup that had Rutherford Robert and Gonzalez in the OF, with Adolfo and Eloy alternating at 1B and DH (or however that works out). Though I wouldn't be surprised if Call, Basabe, Walker, Booker or someone else made their way in either.

Wasn't Harold Baines a pretty good prospect?

I knew who you were talking about, I just couldn't understand how you could make that statement. Please show you work on how the 22 year old in A ball with a .919 OPS --- in A ball --- is a better prospect than the 21 year old in AAA with an OPS of .994 --- since we are only counting current level apparently and not the entire year. Please make the case that shows how it is inarguable. Imagine what Eloy's OPS would be if he were in A ball -- next season. I'm not trying to beat up on Gonzalez, again he has been great. But Eloy has been a complete monster.

Seems to be a lot of nonsense in this thread. Gonzalez has been great. He has completely produced and done everything he could have possibly done this year. He is also a year older than most his OF prospect teammates. There are are arguments, and good ones, that can be made for Eloy (duh), Robert (also duh), Rutherford, Basabe (younger at a higher level), among others. To say flat out that Gonzalez is inarguably the best OF prospect is just complete nonsense.

Huh? Have you heard of Kyle Schwarber?

Huh?

Huh?

And they were winning big.

nm

the 3/8 SBs are more concerning that his lack of power. Power will likely never be a part of his game. But really, he is a guy that was just drafted this year that is already holding his own in A+. There isn't really anything with which to be concerned at this point. He has been in pro ball for 28 games.

Best part about these guys, is that you don't have to pick one. It will be great to hopefully be running these guys out one after another. That could make it quite difficult on opposing hitters late in games.

Soria

If I am the Brewers, yeah I probably would. None of their starters are going deep into games and their bullpen seems to be wearing down a bit. They need a guy that can keep them in games into the 7th inning every now and then.

Yes it does. All the time. Lester's peripherals were down because his stuff falling off. Do I think Rodon is a mid 2 ERA pitcher, no probably not (though I wouldn't rule it out) so maybe his number come back a bit, but do I think he is a mid 4 ERA pitcher? No way in hell. His stuff is too good, he motion is easy and repeatable. I think this is the breakthrough season for Carlos.

Isn't that what they have to do now? Except they even have to guess what the umpire will call a strike and what he won't. At least with a roboump there would be a consistent strike zone, and strikes would be strikes and balls would be balls. Quite the novel concept.

My top reason for wanting robot umps. To kill the framing conversation.

Framing shouldn't even be part of the conversation unless the pitch is around the margins of the strike zone. If an ump misses a blatant call like that there is no way it should be a mark against the catcher.

Am I remembering correctly that there was some sort of irregularity about his signing? Like he was signed, then he wasn't, then he was? Seems like that could have been due to medicals. Or maybe I am just making the whole thing up.

Yeah, that is the main component. I don't think it is a very helpful stat, though I've had this conversation before so I won't go down the rabbit hole.

Wow. That is pretty amazing. He has much better K-zone judgement that the umps do when he is hitting apparently.

Yeah. I really hope they don't trade him. He is the guy they should build around. He could be a good anchor on a staff loaded with young talent.

The umps have been killing him all year. It is unreal. Does any site have the ability to show all the strikes called against a batter? Couldn't find what I was looking for on Brooks... Any help would be appreciated.

I know what you are saying, but that is on the ump. It is literally his job. That isn't a close pitch, it is a strike.

He gave up a homer to Trout? What a bum!!! The thing you are missing is that he was pitching in the 8th inning. You only do that those days if you are an ace. Q has pitched 21.1 innings in the 8th inning. His ERA in those innings is 5.48. In 3 fewer career starts, Sale has pitched 117.1 more innings. He has recorded 352 more outs in 3 fewer starts. Those outs matter. Those are outs that aren't being heaped upon mediocre relievers. They are saving the arms of your more important relievers. In my opinion, that is a huge part of being a number 1. Going deep into games and IP are factors that are completely undervalued. I would say IP is the second most important pitching statistic behind ERA.

How many times in has career has Sale fit the "throwing batting practice" mantra. I can't think of too many. What high leverage situations did he have a chance to pitch in? But anyways, someone who misses this guy: 4.22 ERA/ 120 IP/ 105K/ 54 BB/ 1.375 WHIP more than this guy: 1.97/ 146/ 219/ 33/ .849 well, you obviously aren't having an objective discussion. The Sox traded Q as the bottom was falling out, yet still got peak valu;e for him. Sale was likely at peak value due to his contract situation but as a pitcher, he has been better than he was with the Sox. He is an astounding talent that is worth whatever headaches you have to put up with. Q is basically a guy. There are tons more like him in the league. Sale is elite. There are very few pitchers that can do what he does.