2023 Guardians Spring Training Thread

[Wham with the Right Hand]

When Amed had two strikes on him last year he hit .202 (regardless of how many balls). When he hit the ball with zero or one strike he hit .358.

He needs to either get better at hitting with two strikes (mostly laying off bad pitches) or have more at-bats where he puts the ball in play before getting to two strikes (for example, laying off bad pitches in 1-1 counts so he's in a 2-1 count instead of 1-2). Only 13.5% of Rosario's strikeouts were looking compared to a league average of 22.9%. Once he got two strikes on him he swings at anything close - he only got called out 15 times in 153 games. No wonder he only hit .202 with two strikes. He's so afraid of getting called out that he'll chase pitches well out of the zone.

His chase percentage last year was 42.5% - the highest since his rookie season of 2017 and third highest in baseball last year. His walk percentage was just 3.7%.

If he wasn't so overanxious at the plate to the point of swinging at over 42% of pitches out of the zone he'd be a hell of a hitter and make a lot more money.

 

[Lee]

Prediction: Amed gets less than 9 figures to play 3B not SS. I think it'll be closer than some may think though. See: Willson Contreras

I dont think Amed has the arm for 3rd to be honest.

 

[daddywags]

When Amed had two strikes on him last year he hit .202 (regardless of how many balls). When he hit the ball with zero or one strike he hit .358.

He needs to either get better at hitting with two strikes (mostly laying off bad pitches) or have more at-bats where he puts the ball in play before getting to two strikes (for example, laying off bad pitches in 1-1 counts so he's in a 2-1 count instead of 1-2). Only 13.5% of Rosario's strikeouts were looking compared to a league average of 22.9%. Once he got two strikes on him he swings at anything close - he only got called out 15 times in 153 games. No wonder he only hit .202 with two strikes. He's so afraid of getting called out that he'll chase pitches well out of the zone.

His chase percentage last year was 42.5% - the highest since his rookie season of 2017 and third highest in baseball last year. His walk percentage was just 3.7%.

If he wasn't so overanxious at the plate to the point of swinging at over 42% of pitches out of the zone he'd be a hell of a hitter and make a lot more money.

Just curious - do you know what's average for MLB hitters with two strikes? If my math is correct, the Guardians as a team hit .180 with two strikes (all counts). .202 might not be that bad.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Just curious - do you know what's average for MLB hitters with two strikes? If my math is correct, the Guardians as a team hit .180 with two strikes (all counts). .202 might not be that bad.

It's a good point.

Also, it's much likelier that good pitchers (or pitchers that match up well against you) will get to two strikes.

Bad pitchers, or pitchers you match up well against, are much more likelier to let you get the bat on the ball before two strikes.

We don't take those factors into account when we hear statistics like that, but they are critical for framing the topic correctly.

 

[MirORich]

 

[Gson]

Wow.. so revealing..

Now it can be said that CA is optimistic that everyone who is mentioned by anyone within and not within the Guardians' sphere has a chance to be extended because CA said so...

..whatever that means..

..btw... can you imagine the unneeded and negative press if CA said he doubted any extensions for anyone who was mentioned by anyone within and not withing the Guardian sphere was contemplated?..

...does this, in any way, change the "net" of either comment?????

It's call GM Speak.. it needs to be recognized from a very cynical perspective.. It's stated for the benefit of everyone while not actually being a benefit or having any truth to it....

 

[KluberSociety]

I dont think Amed has the arm for 3rd to be honest.

He does, his arm strength was 51 percentile for SS. More importantly he has a solid glove and just isn't as good at getting to balls which isn't quite as important for 3B.

Jose Ramirez probably has a slightly weaker arm but he is handling 3B just fine...

 

[MirORich]

Wow.. so revealing..

Now it can be said that CA is optimistic that everyone who is mentioned by anyone within and not within the Guardians' sphere has a chance to be extended because CA said so...

..whatever that means..

..btw... can you imagine the unneeded and negative press if CA said he doubted any extensions for anyone who was mentioned by anyone within and not withing the Guardian sphere was contemplated?..

...does this, in any way, change the "net" of either comment?????

It's call GM Speak.. it needs to be recognized from a very cynical perspective.. It's stated for the benefit of everyone while not actually being a benefit or having any truth to it....

I know what it is and everyone here knows what it is. Not sure anyone needed an explanation or professiorial lecture to be educated.

Still gonna post most quotes from CA, TF, etc
Spring training is more than halfway over, we know the Guardians shut down contract negotiation as the end of FA 95% of the time, and thus it’s in people’s minds and topical.

Edit: @Gson hadn’t had my morning coffee yet when I posted that so if it came out a bit abrasive, apologies

 

[Gson]

A few notes..

Pukington has pitched his way to Columbus..

The last bullpen spot is certainly not decided.. but.. a couple of guys have moved ahead of others.. As the saying goes... there's still time.. to either solidify their spot.. of reject it..

Perhaps the most telling note from Tito was his statement regarding the play (both offensively and defensively) of Gabriel Arias:

"...“He’s doing a good job because he’s hitting the ball the other way,” Francona said. “But defensively, he looks like he’s maturing too. Making some plays that we’ve kind of seen [Andrés Giménez] make...”

Andres makes some amazing plays.. at 2B.. If it's Arias making the "amazing plays" at whatever position he's at.. good for us...

Bieber on the hill with the pill today..

 

[CDAV45]

Agree to disagree. He doesn't turn 28 until November, put up 4.2 BWAR in 2022..

A repeat or improvement in performance in 2023 definitely gets noticed by any semi-deep pocketed team with a need at SS. Possibly 3rd or even 2nd base.

He puts up another subjective 4WAR year, the bidding starts at 12 mil a year at the bottom.

His WAR value is due to his speed and that's the first skill to diminish. He'll be 28 for the 2024 season. He's not getting anywhere near $100M and he's not getting a 5-6 yr deal. There's no way or should I say I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[CDAV45]

I dont think Amed has the arm for 3rd to be honest.

He sure as hell doesn't have the bat regardless of his arm strength.

 

[CDAV45]

A few notes..

Pukington has pitched his way to Columbus..

The last bullpen spot is certainly not decided.. but.. a couple of guys have moved ahead of others.. As the saying goes... there's still time.. to either solidify their spot.. of reject it..

Perhaps the most telling note from Tito was his statement regarding the play (both offensively and defensively) of Gabriel Arias:

"...“He’s doing a good job because he’s hitting the ball the other way,” Francona said. “But defensively, he looks like he’s maturing too. Making some plays that we’ve kind of seen [Andrés Giménez] make...”

Andres makes some amazing plays.. at 2B.. If it's Arias making the "amazing plays" at whatever position he's at.. good for us...

Bieber on the hill with the pill today..

Arguing over which one is the better SS is splitting hairs. Like I said before, if our future SS is any of Gimenez, Arias or Rocchio we're in good hands.

 

[CDAV45]

Prediction: Amed gets less than 9 figures to play 3B not SS. I think it'll be closer than some may think though. See: Willson Contreras

What team would want him for 3B? I'm struggling to think of one.

 

[Gson]

Another good outing by a Guardians' starter.. after Plesac dominated the M's in the night cap yesterday.. Bieber dominated the Rox today.. Nice to see the rotation guys put together a good / dominating outing.. Perhaps we'll see some of the that "who's next/one upmanship" from just a few years ago with our starting staff..

Not much offense today.. by either team.. fwiw..

 

[Benway]

What team would want him for 3B? I'm struggling to think of one.

Platoon players are pretty much a dead issue anymore, but Amed's bat vs. a LHP can play anywhere. (Except P or C.)