sneakypower

http://i.imgur.com/itQeb6f.jpg

Bailey's off-speed pitch is 87 Hendricks's on-speed pitch is 87

using George Springer (24.5% MILB career K%) as a comparison, Springer averaged 155 wRC+ throughout the minors and is projected by ZiPS for a 116 wRC+ right now, almost exactly 75% of his MILB career rate production - also, it may be worth noting Bryant has been at least about a year younger than Springer was, coming up through the ranks Bryant (26.3% K%) has averaged 210 wRC+ (lolol) and using same arbitrary 75% benchmark would give him 157 wRC+ projection, which would be 9th-best figure right now, identical to Puig/J. Batista/N. Cruz current production, slightly trailing 8th-place Stanton (160) i know it's nearly meaningless back of the napkin math stuff, but i was curious what that process would reveal, so i'm sharing my admittedly specious findings BONUS LAUGHS: Bryant's post-April numbers

if we can sign the Cuban OF (Tomas), it allows us better to deal for Stanton or perhaps even another star-level position player without creating a replacement-level hole

didn't somebody already point out they'll probably send him down to play in the PCL ASG? i'm willing to bet he'll be up for good shortly after that

the Bucs kept down Polanco even though they had serious playoffs aspirations (and are currently 1.5 games out of playoff position)

maybe he broke the sound barrier or the light barrier

great to get a high 5 from those double plus hands

http://images.amcnetworks.com/ifc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/network-03072011.jpg

fwiw: Betts (would-be #12), Swihart (#14), Owens (#15) are Theo-era draftees

lol, it's like you two have a text alert for this type of post

he was a kind of quad-A guy on the Rays for what seemed like for-ev-er http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/r0H6R7xRytk/hqdefault.jpg

He's a top 10 prospect for over half of MLB teams. after the year he's had? to me, he's Matt Dominguez; take that for what it's worth

on the Soler topic, it's funny (for me) to think these guys would balk at trading Clint Frazier for Soler but he'll come up and do Brian Jordan things and i guess everybody can act surprised about it when it happens

it's been assumed he's due for a visit with Dr. Andrews (edit: what raisin said)

you just hurt Ryan Dempster's feelings

Bryant: Developmental Update: Bryant continues to launch home runs, rack up strikeouts, rake at an eye-popping clip, and show a discerning eye at the plate. Through 371 plate appearances between Double A and Triple A, Bryant is slashing .357/.453/.717 and finds himself knocking on Wrigley’s door. He has proven himself without question to be the loudest bat in the minors and a potential impact mainstay in the middle of the Cubs order for the foreseeable future. –Nick Faleris Baez: Developmental Update: Baez has the best bat speed in the minors, and it’s not even close for me; a lethal weapon that could make him the premium power bat in the game. But his approach is below average, and he routinely puts himself in bad hitter’s counts and conditions. With more refinement, the ceiling is cathedral but the risk is still quite high despite the fact that the 21-year-old is more than holding his own at the Triple-A level. –Jason Parks Russell: Developmental Update: From a skill-set perspective, Addison Russell has the most well-rounded profile at the shortstop position in the minors, with above-average chops in the field (including double-plus hands), and impact potential with both the hit and power tools. Russell has lost half a season to injury, but could challenge for the top spot in the minors with a strong second half. The ultimate upside is a perennial all-star at a premium spot, and the future could start as early as 2015. –Jason Parks Al Contra: Developmental Update: I’ve always liked Alcantara, but I was too low on him coming into the season, despite a skill set that has three-way impact potential at the highest level (hit/glove/run). Now that the 22-year-old has taken his talents to Triple-A, and exceeded expectations at the plate and on base, the future first-division player has jumped the list and emerged as a top 20 prospect in the game. --Jason Parks Almora: Developmental Update: Almora’s had a rough start to his season. His lack of production in half a season at High-A as a 20-year-old shouldn’t obfuscate the tools he still has. Almora makes loud, consistent contact and plays a very good center field due to his ability to make early reads off the bat. The baseball IQ is high and it helps the other tools play up. He’s not the sexy name in the Cubs system, but don’t forget about him. –Mauricio Rubio

BA's midseason 50 2 Bryant 5 Russell 7 Baez 33 Al Contra no Almora, Soler

technically, positioning isn't a shift...Adams parks his ass on the foul line (i've seen this) and robs a double, but other fielders are playing mostly straight up

it's mostly defensive positioning (see: Matt Adams' UZR); Jose Oquendo should be an all-star

A little concerned and yes, the BABIP should temper the results a little bit. He's been more like an 1.100 OPS guy than a 1.200 OPS guy. I haven't seen North harp on his contact numbers so I just assumed they were in an acceptable range (unlike where Javy was with his historically low numbers a few weeks ago). 80% in July, but 65% overall at Iowa he'll K a lot, but who cares

i love Len's contempt for meatballs, best personified by his no-hitter trolling

i think he's probably just one of those idiots who substitutes OPS for SLG

lol that clears up nothing