2015 Spring Training Game Thread

[ctcf]

Szczur Bomb #5

[Guest]

Has he made a swing adjustment that lets him tap his raw power better? Because this is getting kinda crazy

[ctcf]

Has he made a swing adjustment that lets him tap his raw power better? Because this is getting kinda crazy

 

I do believe the announcers talked about him making some adjustments at some point this spring.

[TruffleShuffle]

Szczur Bomb #5

 

[Clem Fandango]

If this swing adjustment does indeed allow him to tap into his power, could we have a Carlos Gomez 2.0 situation on our hands?

 

Fun Fact: Matt Szczur has more home runs this spring in less than 50 PA's than he has had in his previous 1,031 plate appearances over the past two seasons.

Edited March 31, 2015 by The Logan

[ctcf]

If this swing adjustment does indeed allow him to tap into his power, could we have a Carlos Gomez 2.0 situation on our hands?

 

Pump the brakes there, buddy.

[Clem Fandango]

If this swing adjustment does indeed allow him to tap into his power, could we have a Carlos Gomez 2.0 situation on our hands?

 

Pump the brakes there, buddy.

 

LET ME DREAM DAMNIT

[Guest]

Has he made a swing adjustment that lets him tap his raw power better? Because this is getting kinda crazy

 

it really is

 

10 HR in his last 1607 professional PA since the beginning of 2012, has 5 HR in around 45 PA in spring training

[Guest]

almost crazy as that time theriot had 3 HR within a week or something

[ctcf]

If this swing adjustment does indeed allow him to tap into his power, could we have a Carlos Gomez 2.0 situation on our hands?

 

Pump the brakes there, buddy.

 

LET ME DREAM DAMNIT

 

To be fair, I had not realized just how little power Gomez had displayed pre-2012. Wow.

[Sammys Boombox]

These Rangers announcers are awful.

[Clem Fandango]

If this swing adjustment does indeed allow him to tap into his power, could we have a Carlos Gomez 2.0 situation on our hands?

 

Pump the brakes there, buddy.

 

LET ME DREAM DAMNIT

 

To be fair, I had not realized just how little power Gomez had displayed pre-2012. Wow.

 

Yeah, basically Gomez was brought up and groomed to be a speedy lead off slap hitter. IIRC, he asked Milwaukee management if he could make an adjustment and start swinging how he wanted to swing so they let him, and now what you see is what Gomez apparently had always been able to do, he just didn't because he was mismanaged and told to be something else.

[ctcf]

If this swing adjustment does indeed allow him to tap into his power, could we have a Carlos Gomez 2.0 situation on our hands?

 

Pump the brakes there, buddy.

 

LET ME DREAM DAMNIT

 

To be fair, I had not realized just how little power Gomez had displayed pre-2012. Wow.

 

Yeah, basically Gomez was brought up and groomed to be a speedy lead off slap hitter. IIRC, he asked Milwaukee management if he could make an adjustment and start swinging how he wanted to swing so they let him, and now what you see is what Gomez apparently had always been able to do, he just didn't because he was mismanaged and told to be something else.

 

Yeah he just didn't hit well at all pre-2012

[Guest]

If this swing adjustment does indeed allow him to tap into his power, could we have a Carlos Gomez 2.0 situation on our hands?

 

Fun Fact: Matt Szczur has more home runs this spring in less than 50 PA's than he has had in his previous 1,031 plate appearances over the past two seasons.

I'd put him on a watch list to end up suspended for PEDs rather than some sustainable mechanical change.

 

Or just a fluky run.

[Thrilho]

almost crazy as that time theriot had 3 HR within a week or something

 

The nice difference between this and what Theriot did is that I don't remember Theriot ever hitting one like the one Szcur hit today. Crushed out beyond the berm, somewhat on a line, with a nice level swing. Its tough to look at that video and believe the spring power is a complete mirage.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Isn't that 5 on the spring for Szczur? Same as Olt and Baez last year.

 

If he's got some kind of new ability, let him show it in iowa in April and May.

[Guest]

almost crazy as that time theriot had 3 HR within a week or something

 

The nice difference between this and what Theriot did is that I don't remember Theriot ever hitting one like the one Szcur hit today. Crushed out beyond the berm, somewhat on a line, with a nice level swing. Its tough to look at that video and believe the spring power is a complete mirage.

Szczur's also always been a guy recognized as a really good athlete that had the strength to hit for more power.

[Clem Fandango]

almost crazy as that time theriot had 3 HR within a week or something

 

The nice difference between this and what Theriot did is that I don't remember Theriot ever hitting one like the one Szcur hit today. Crushed out beyond the berm, somewhat on a line, with a nice level swing. Its tough to look at that video and believe the spring power is a complete mirage.

 

For review purposes, Here's video of all the Matt Szczur HR's that are available, plus some other hits...

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/0/v58317683/chctex-szczur-hits-a-long-solo-homer-in-the-5th

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/69972428/v57285883/chckc-szczur-lifts-tworun-homer-to-center-field/?player_id=519333

http://m.mlb.com/video/v46548383/chcmil-szczur-blasts-a-linedrive-homer-to-left/?player_id=519333

 

GR Double: http://m.mlb.com/video/v44013383/chccle-szczers-groundrule-double-keeps-cubs-alive/?player_id=519333

Triple: http://m.mlb.com/video/v54269183/chcsea-szczur-drives-in-alcantara-with-rbi-triple/?player_id=519333

 

And for reference, here's his HR's from last season:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v36532003/stlchc-matt-szczur-drills-a-solo-dinger-to-left/?player_id=519333

http://m.mlb.com/video/v36229565/chcpit-szczur-clubs-his-first-major-league-home-run/?player_id=519333

 

He appears to be a little lower in his stance this spring than he was last season.

 

Spring | 2014

http://i.imgur.com/ZfbPykc.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/UpUZ5aL.png

[Guest]

His hands are much lower.

[Clem Fandango]

His hands are much lower.

 

And that obvious thing too that I totally caught when I was looking at them

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

let's get keith law's thoughts

[Guest]

Juan Pierre: 0 HR in nearly 600 Spring Training PA

[Guest]

Isn't that 5 on the spring for Szczur? Same as Olt and Baez last year.

 

If he's got some kind of new ability, let him show it in iowa in April and May.

Trade bait or to develop into a full time starter? If he's gonna hit for a little pop, and add value in the bases and CF not sure why you wouldn't want him on the bench adding MLB value.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Isn't that 5 on the spring for Szczur? Same as Olt and Baez last year.

 

If he's got some kind of new ability, let him show it in iowa in April and May.

Trade bait or to develop into a full time starter? If he's gonna hit for a little pop, and add value in the bases and CF not sure why you wouldn't want him on the bench adding MLB value.

 

Power aside, he put up a .315 OBP in the PCL last year and .273 in the majors. In order to be useful even in a bench role, he'll have to show a whole new level of ability in more than just power.

 

Right now, he's the 5th outfielder by default because Denorfia is hurt and Lake is just as terrible, but he needs to prove at AAA that he has what it takes to be a long-term reserve outfielder in the majors.

[mul21]

Isn't that 5 on the spring for Szczur? Same as Olt and Baez last year.

 

If he's got some kind of new ability, let him show it in iowa in April and May.

Trade bait or to develop into a full time starter? If he's gonna hit for a little pop, and add value in the bases and CF not sure why you wouldn't want him on the bench adding MLB value.

 

Power aside, he put up a .315 OBP in the PCL last year and .273 in the majors. In order to be useful even in a bench role, he'll have to show a whole new level of ability in more than just power.

 

Right now, he's the 5th outfielder by default because Denorfia is hurt and Lake is just as terrible, but he needs to prove at AAA that he has what it takes to be a long-term reserve outfielder in the majors.

 

Right, but don't we normally see more OBP with added power due to pitchers nibbling a bit more? I mean, Theriot and Barney's eventual downfalls were because pitchers just weren't afraid to throw them strikes because they knew they couldn't do any serious damage.