Ask Bimbo

[petes999]

What's going on with Nikhazy? He was a floor/pitchability over stuff pick with supposedly good control. Didn't expect him to struggle so much at that level after dominating the SEC. I guess he's working on something, but would like to know more specifics if possible, thanks.

Can’t speak for Bimbo, but remember Guardians changed his deliver (crossing over or something that cost him some speed). His May numbers were better than April (.295 BAA vs .185) but last start for him and Mace were too good for walks.

Yet, that front landing foot play havoc on control. Hopefully, it is just that and taking time to readjust like Benson (bringing cage/side work to games.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Any internal relief that the guys playing 1B have matched/out produced Matt Olson so far, especially considering both the financial and prospect cost, or does that one still sting a bit?

No. Not overly on the sting part, that went away quick too.

For a market like Cleveland when someone goes beyond what you are comfortable with in a trade, which Atlanta did, you don't keep kicking yourself after the trade has been made and they end up elsewhere.

And 1B or OF, there is a reason this team has valued Naylor so highly that he is one of the few LHHs Tito has in the lineup everyday even if a LHP is going and was when he was struggling a bit after his trade here. He is finally rewarding that confidence too.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Seems like we have a lot of talent at SS & 2B, long term, who would you think fills those positions?

Second, wtf the happened to pur pitching?

I think long term it will be Arias at SS and Rocchio at 2B. But Gimenez will get the first crack to take SS after Rosario is moved and Miller or Freeman will get the first crack at 2B after that.

Nothing happened to the pitching. 12th in FIP, 10th in ERA as a staff. Doing that while taking it slow with the starters to keep them healthy this year. Have a borderline top 5 bullpen as well, a bullpen that had a ton of questions surrounding it before the season started.

We've become too accustomed to this team having the best pitching staff in the AL or the league as a whole that we are wondering what is going on while the staff still is performing above average as a whole.

 

[BimboColesHair]

How is Oscar Gonzales defensively in right? He seems about average which doesnt seem terrible to me with his potential bat and power. Are my eyes correct, decent speed, ok jumps, just not a fluid athlete like a Straw, but few are.

Larger sample size will most certainly show his deficiencies. He has a very strong throwing arm which he has already shown and saved 2 runs with already. But after that everything is average to below average. Now, if he was someone who half-assed it in the minors on the defensive side to avoid injury or focus solely on his offensive numbers but turns it on at the MLB level to keep a job (seen it before) we will need to wipe his scouting profile clean defensively. He's already made a couple plays he would have never made in the minors. Is that effort or is that the 3rd level making it easier to track balls for him.

He's been solid so far though. Rooting for the kid to put it all together.

 

[yrm0019]

No rush on answering this BCH, very much appreciate your insights. Regarding Josh Naylor, does the club view his injury more like a 2-year recovery? I ask because he looks very awkward trying to navigate the bases and even moving around 1B. I'm not sure that he looks any better now than he did two months ago. He has worked so hard to get to this point, would hate to see him re-injure the leg (rare, I know) or get injured in another way compensating for that leg. Granted, Josh was never the most graceful of players, but some days look like a real struggle for him.

 

[Lee]

Larger sample size will most certainly show his deficiencies. He has a very strong throwing arm which he has already shown and saved 2 runs with already. But after that everything is average to below average. Now, if he was someone who half-assed it in the minors on the defensive side to avoid injury or focus solely on his offensive numbers but turns it on at the MLB level to keep a job (seen it before) we will need to wipe his scouting profile clean defensively. He's already made a couple plays he would have never made in the minors. Is that effort or is that the 3rd level making it easier to track balls for him.

He's been solid so far though. Rooting for the kid to put it all together.

3rd level making it easier to track balls? What does that mean. Doesnt have to be Bimbo who answers, i am sure others know what he meant, lol

 

[Gson]

3rd level making it easier to track balls? What does that mean. Doesnt have to be Bimbo who answers, i am sure others know what he meant, lol

number of seating decks.. contrasting background..

 

[PocketMonger]

I think long term it will be Arias at SS and Rocchio at 2B. But Gimenez will get the first crack to take SS after Rosario is moved and Miller or Freeman will get the first crack at 2B after that.

Nothing happened to the pitching. 12th in FIP, 10th in ERA as a staff. Doing that while taking it slow with the starters to keep them healthy this year. Have a borderline top 5 bullpen as well, a bullpen that had a ton of questions surrounding it before the season started.

We've become too accustomed to this team having the best pitching staff in the AL or the league as a whole that we are wondering what is going on while the staff still is performing above average as a whole.

That's a pretty bullish assessment on Arias and bearish on Gimenez.

Not sure why Gimenez still doesn't get much love. Highly regarded prospect, good glove and arm, second best hitter this season, turns 24 by seasons end with four years of control after this year. Meanwhile Arias is sputtering in AAA with reemerging whiff issues, Rocchio can't hit right handers and Freeman has power issues.

Gimenez has earned the benefit of the doubt over the kids at this point. He's top dog both short term and long term until someone else starts producing in the bigs.

 

[Lee]

number of seating decks.. contrasting background..

Wow, that is some next level shit that the number of seating decks affects ability to track balls, lol

 

[33Y0]

@BimboColesHair

Floor and ceiling for Valera, Espino, and Williams?

 

[CDAV45]

That's a pretty bullish assessment on Arias and bearish on Gimenez.

Not sure why Gimenez still doesn't get much love. Highly regarded prospect, good glove and arm, second best hitter this season, turns 24 by seasons end with four years of control after this year. Meanwhile Arias is sputtering in AAA with reemerging whiff issues, Rocchio can't hit right handers and Freeman has power issues.

Gimenez has earned the benefit of the doubt over the kids at this point. He's top dog both short term and long term until someone else starts producing in the bigs.

Why is that bearish on Gimenez? I didn't take it like that at all, but maybe I misunderstood.

I do think that a few are so enamored by Gimenez's performance so far this season that it's clouding their judgement on a kid like Arias. Personally, I'm fine with Gimenez at SS, but the possibility of Arias' offense shouldn't be ignored. SS is Gimenez's to lose, but if Arias reaches his potential there may be little that Gimenez can do to hold him off.

Andres has earned the benefit of the doubt and if any "kid" takes SS from him then they will have earned it or Andres has faltered. Nothing will be given in this loaded organization going forward.

 

[PocketMonger]

Why is that bearish on Gimenez? I didn't take it like that at all, but maybe I misunderstood.

I do think that a few are so enamored by Gimenez's performance so far this season that it's clouding their judgement on a kid like Arias. Personally, I'm fine with Gimenez at SS, but the possibility of Arias' offense shouldn't be ignored. SS is Gimenez's to lose, but if Arias reaches his potential there may be little that Gimenez can do to hold him off.

Andres has earned the benefit of the doubt and if any "kid" takes SS from him then they will have earned it or Andres has faltered. Nothing will be given in this loaded organization going forward.

I ageee that’s it’s Gimenez’s job to lose at this point. But I also feel like people should be more excited about his breakthrough season but aren’t because of his 2021 struggles. Gimenez is on pace for a 8 WAR season right now.

 

[CDAV45]

I ageee that’s it’s Gimenez’s job to lose at this point. But I also feel like people should be more excited about his breakthrough season but aren’t because of his 2021 struggles. Gimenez is on pace for a 8 WAR season right now.

I think we're all excited about Gimenez's performance this season. If you're a Cleveland fan how can you not be. Thing is, I don't think we should close the door on any prospect because Gimenez has had a very good third of a season. I'd guess you'd probably agree with that.

 

[DCTribefan]

I think we're all excited about Gimenez's performance this season. If you're a Cleveland fan how can you not be. Thing is, I don't think we should close the door on any prospect because Gimenez has had a very good third of a season. I'd guess you'd probably agree with that.

He also had a very good 1/3 season with the Mets in 2020.

 

[CDAV45]

He also had a very good 1/3 season with the Mets in 2020.

He was pretty solid with the Mets in 2020, especially considering his age. His numbers were league average though with 101 OPS+ or 105 wRC+, whichever you prefer. Compared to the 73 wRC+ and 73 OPS+ of last season that's a world of difference. I'm not completely confident he can maintain what he is currently doing although I hope he does.