Aaron_Kennelly

Nice job, Miggy!

lol

Nobody has made any such claims that him drawing more walks will correlate to him being a patient hitter that will also walk in the majors. And, yes, he might fail spectacularly if his defense isn't really as good as advertised, or he is so anemic with the bat that pitchers can pound the strike zone without him being able to make them pay. That would explain why most people have soured on him a lot over the last couple of years. However, if given the choice of him walking more or him walking the same, or (somehow) even less, I am going to take him walking more. It is a positive development from a guy who hasn't had many in his time in our system.

Yeah, the thing is: Almora hitting for power has never been a thing. Nobody expected it. Nobody was hitching their wagons to him because they thought he might hit for power. He doesn't need to hit for power to be an effective major league ballplayer. I am not worried about his power, because I never expected him to hit for power. Maybe I thought he would hit for a little more power than he has. But I never soured on him because of his lack of power. I soured on him because he couldn't get on base, for a couple of reasons: 1. He rarely walked. 2. He didn't hit very well. If he can show more discipline, wait for pitches he can drive (even if it's only into a gap for a double, or on a line for a single), and get on base, then he becomes intriguing again. Albert Almora with a 4% BB% is kinda ugly. Albert Almora with an 8-10% walk rate is somewhat exciting. Albert Almora with a .250 ISO is basically Mike Trout. I am not expecting Mike Trout, so I don't care that he doesn't have a .250 ISO. But, back to how this started: Yes, I get it, he doesn't hit for power. That is something about him that is not good. And pointing it out isn't something that I would find exasperating. I just think that citing his SLG% 6 games into the season is absurd.

Come one, dude. You can't be citing SLG% 6 games into the season. I know I am touting his walk-rate way too early, too. But, he also started walking more last year. So it's not like this is something that just crept up out of nowhere, 6 games into the season. It's not really a small-sample-size issue, when it already began last year. But, seriously, you are complaining about his slugging a week into the season?

Javy with a single. Almora is 1-2 and picked up his 5th walk in 6 games.

Wow. This thing is so weird. And he just doubled down on what made him come off bad originally. As for him quitting, whatever, I don't care. That's his own choice and I really just don't care whatsoever. Not my business. But, when you start saying things like this, then I have some questions: And, why exactly is that?

After the off-day, I'm going to need to see double my usual expected share of dongs tonight, so... 8 dongs.

Arismendy Alcantara with a homer. Javy is 0-2 with a K so far.

Also, it should be noted that our walk total is not solely because we go up to the plate with the intention of not bringing our bats off of our shoulders. A lot of it has to do with the fact that we have a bunch of dongsmiths that opposing pitchers are afraid to serve up a meatball. So they are more cautious and nibble. So, maybe the opposition should pitch us some damn strikes, so we can smack them out of the yard instead.

It's terrible when you have to watch your players not swing at pitches out of the zone.

It's because scoreboard watching won't even be worth it by July.

Juan Nicasio is getting roughed up. Looks like Mr. Searage has his work cut out for him there.

I like Caratini with this pick. Right now, he is Contreras-lite to me. He's got a great approach at the plate, an approach that resembles Contreras' a lot. They also both have shown doubles power, without being dongsmiths. And, like Contreras, I just don't know what to expect from him defensively. But, being a catcher that has a chance to stick back there and be decent, he is certainly intriguing. This year will be an important year for him, but I wouldn't be shocked to see a big leap up this list from him if he can put together a full season. Anyway, I really like him. And this is an obvious choice for me. I like Zagunis a lot, too, and thought of casting a vote for him. But I think this will be a pretty close vote. So I abstained from taking a second player, because it's all Caratini for me right here. I do like Zagunis, though. I am a sucker for guys that walk a lot, especially ones that don't carry with them an overabundance of strikeouts. And he, obviously, passes that test in spades. But, Caratini gets the nod because of positional value. I just have a hard time putting a corner outfielder on the same plane as a catcher, when they both share similar attributes offensively. I also thought about including Hudson, mainly because I think his upside plays well at this point in the rankings. I need to see something from him first in pro-ball before giving him a nod over some more established players, though.

I enjoy this string of three consecutive posts from the same poster at GatewayRedbirds: Don't worry, buddy; there will be plenty more of that to go around this season. I liked the guy right before that: Yep. Yeah, it's makes for a nice little short story. It runs the gamut of emotions. I think that four-post stretch will be a microcosm of their summer.

I enjoy this string of three consecutive posts from the same poster at GatewayRedbirds: Don't worry, buddy; there will be plenty more of that to go around this season.

I'm torn. I absolutely loved him playing it tonight. And part of me thinks it would be cool to hear it once per game, as a nod to Starlin, and because it is awesome. But, part of me says we need to move on from the past to other fun and exciting new things. Eh, horsefeathers it, play it very game.

Great win. I don't remember the last time I was going that crazy during a game in April. Nice job, Addison. I really hope he can put a big year offensively. That would be a major boost to an already stacked line-up. That was a big hit for J-Hey, too. He's a notorious slow starter and struggles against lefties. And he came up really big in his first home game as a Cub. Great to see. And, despite a ridiculously generous zone, even if you credit Ross some for his pitch framing, Rondon looked fantastic again. This team just keeps rolling. #wearenotgood #weareamazinggood

Great day. 4 BB for Almora through 4 games. Contreras just keeps hitting. Nice to see those two start out strong. Plus a JavyBomb! I am anxious to see Eloy and Eddy Martinez in person in a few weeks.

You've got to be [expletive] me.

Maybe not...

He's horsefeathering out.

stupid baseball, quit being so stupid.

Only because this guy is afraid to face him.