Author Topic: On The Farm  (Read 324203 times)

Deeg

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8655 on: September 23, 2021, 01:09:22 am »
The amazing thing about Davis' swing is that he has almost no follow-through.  It's like a golfer hitting a wedge and trying to get serious action on it.

ticohans

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8656 on: September 23, 2021, 12:16:36 pm »
Really fun commentary from Herz here on developing his changeup last year:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dj-herz-aaron-loup-and-trevor-williams-on-learning-and-developing-their-changeups/

Seems he's *all-in* on the pitch-lab/pitch-design/effective-spin stuff. Comes off as a determined, hard worker, too. And for as much swing-and-miss as Herz has in his repertoire, fascinating to hear him say the change is his go-to K pitch now.

ben

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8657 on: September 23, 2021, 02:58:55 pm »
Thanks for the Herz article, Tico!  Tremendous! 

I loved the part in which he described learning the new grip that has worked so well for him ("This thing is money!")

Herz had a fantastic season and, IF he continues to develop AND avoid significant injury (BIG ifs), he may have a chance to be a TOR pitcher!

That he's LH won't hurt his chances!

ticohans

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8658 on: September 23, 2021, 04:39:48 pm »
Biggest risk for Herz likely command-related. From the videos I've seen, he has an extreme crossfire delivery. As we've seen with Arrieta, when crossfire works, it works REALLY REALLY WELL. But staying synched up on a delivery that complicated is *incredibly* hard, which is why the O's dissuaded Jake from using in the first place.

Given their work with Arrieta, Cubs may be uniquely able to help guide Herz to success, but I would caution too much exuberance based on his results to date. He's an extremely high-risk, high-reward prospect.
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ben

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8659 on: September 23, 2021, 08:35:47 pm »
Tico, I've read that Herz was a 3-sport athlete in high school, so he was quite raw and young when he got to the Cubs.  I've also read that he's made massive improvements in his mechanics because he's both an excellent athlete and a smart guy who is very focused on improvement.

Crossfire delivery typically renders major command/control issues; however, if he can work hard to continue to refine his lead foot strike point AND avoid injury, a crossfire would enable him to hide the ball better than most.  That may be a key part of the reason his strikeout rate is so high.  Other reasons may be a LH mid-90s FB and a change up he's comfortable throwing in any count, a combination A-level guys haven't seen lots of.

Reb

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8660 on: September 23, 2021, 09:06:13 pm »
Baseball folks traditionally frowned on pitchers throwing across their body because of injury concerns. The thought is that it reduces use of the hips as a fulcrum and puts more stress on the elbow and/or shoulder.

Seems less of a concern these days, within reason. At some point, if too extreme, seems like it might be an issue. Chris Sale used to come right over the top early in his college career and then became a totally different (and great) pitcher with that strange motion of his. Sox were very careful to just leave him alone and not try to change him.

So, if Herz continues to be effective with what he’s doing, leave him alone and hope for the best.

CUBluejays

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8661 on: September 23, 2021, 09:25:25 pm »
2,500 RPM spin on the change up is amazing.

ben

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8662 on: September 23, 2021, 10:16:48 pm »
Good point, Reb. 


Bennett

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8663 on: September 24, 2021, 10:26:16 am »
Arizona Fall League rule changes

Automated balls and strikes
15-second pitch clock
Two pick-off attempts per plate appearance
Infielders must be on the dirt, with two players on each side of second base
Larger bases
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davep

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8664 on: September 24, 2021, 02:58:32 pm »
Unless the box score is inaccurate, Morel played 2B yesterday.  If he can do it well, that has to be a career enhancement for him.

Was he signed as a shortstop?

craig

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8665 on: September 24, 2021, 04:41:50 pm »
AZ:
Quote
1. Tyler Schlaffer: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 3/3 GO/AO, 48 pitches (39 strikes)
2. Drew Gray: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K, 50 pitches (29 strikes)


Quote
Cubs 2021 2nd round draft pick James Triantos clobbered a line-drive solo HR over the LF fence and into the backyard of a house on the north-side of 8th Street


Quote
Cubs 2020 4rh round draft pick 6'8 220+ LHSP Luke Little threw mainly a 93-97 FB with an occasional CV and CH mixed-in but pitched mostly from behind in the count, issuing two walks, hitting a batter, and throwing a WP (and surrendering a towering three-run HR) in 2.1 IP of work, LHP Angel Rodriguez was able to throw strikes with a 90-91 MPH FB, CH, and CV mix, but was pounded to the tune of five singles, a double, and a triple in just 2.2 IP, Cubs 2021 14th round draft pick RHRP Frankie Scalzo featured a 93-95 MPH FB but sometimes hung his SL and was hit hard and allowed a HR and five singles, and Cubs 2020 2nd round draft pick LHRP Burl Carraway had very poor command of both a 92-93 T-94 FB and a CV (he threw only 44% strikes and labored to complete his one inning of work).


Gray, very fun.  8K in 2.2 innings? 
-Schlaffer has had a collection of nice outings lately, I'm interested in him, too. 
-The legend of Triantos grows and grows...  I saw a bad video clip from a bad angle on his HR, but it looked like a pretty down-the-middle pitch, and he had another simple, uncomplicated swing.  Doesn't look to be a big load or leg-kick or anything much. 


Feel kinda bad for poor Burl.  Now he not only has zero control, but if he's also now only throwing low-90's, where's the buzz?  In retrospect it's kinda funny that during the week after the draft, people were talking about him being really close, maybe ready to help last year, etc.  Now 15 months later he's looking more like just an average-velocity wildman struggling hard in instructs. 


Might be a real case of pitch-lab work needed, and hopefully able to help.  But yeah, being on the Maples-esque end of the wildman continuum, he might be in the hurt-bag.  Patience, Craig, patience... 




ben

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8666 on: September 24, 2021, 08:12:49 pm »
Nice to hear about Gray, Schlaffer pitching and Triantos with another bomb.  It will be really fun following our Farm next year!

Speaking of the Farm, Davis with a double in 2 ABs so far tonight. 

Also, though it may induce vomiting now, we will be glad by next June if Cubs get swept by the Birds and the Ls continue to fly this season!   

CUBluejays

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8667 on: September 25, 2021, 02:13:44 pm »
Unless the box score is inaccurate, Morel played 2B yesterday.  If he can do it well, that has to be a career enhancement for him.

Was he signed as a shortstop?

Morel has played 2B/SS/3B/LF/CF/RF this year.

ben

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8668 on: September 26, 2021, 07:47:15 am »
Wonder what Christopher Morel's weight is now?  He's young, fast and really light (e.g. 150-160 lbs), but still has excellent power.

His BA wasn't good at AA (e.g. .220 or so), but what an athletic profile the young guy has!

As his musculature develops and he gains experience, he might be able to make the adjustments.  Morel sure seems to be an athletic freak!

davep

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Re: On The Farm
« Reply #8669 on: September 26, 2021, 02:34:14 pm »
I have seen a couple of reports that say he reminds them of Javey in that respect.