94chem said:

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Gallo broke back on a liner straight over his head last night and made it look easy. He has that big guy athletic ability that you just don't see that often - players like Josh Hamilton and Dave Winfield.

Last night looked a lot like next year's starting lineup, or at least the one I'd try to evaluate.

Profar-Andrus-Odor-Guzman

Chirinos (IKF backup)

Choo-Gallo-Mazara

Beltre DH

Gallo is never going to be Andruw Jones, Kenny Lofton, Mike Trout, or Griffey, Jr. But I still think he can play the position.

And did anybody see the Profar/Odor 5-4-3 last night?

The LF situation with Choo is interesting. If we somehow eat his contract in an off-season deal, there's DD, Calhoun, Tocci, etc., waiting.

Beltre can still play 3rd at times. IKF can backup on the IF.

Seeing through Zonk-colored glasses, but I think this is a lineup that can be competitive both offensively and defensively.

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Choo needs to be done in the outfield, except for occasional times. I didn't even see the whole game last night, and he had two terrible plays. The throw to the plate in the 3rd inning was terrible, way up the line. Then an inning or two later he bobbled a ball for an error. Interestingly, I've seen Mazara make several nice running catches in the past week or so, and he is usually criticized for lack of range, but maybe he has improved in that regard. Mazara does have a pretty good arm.

I think Beltre retires. Injuries are mounting he is hardly even playing in the field. I think he has too much pride for him to limp through another season, but we will see. That would open up LF for Calhoun and DH for Choo. Calhoun played well enough to remain in Arlington, but the Tocci situation forced him to be sent down. Tocci has actually shown some signs of life at the plate lately, after being horrid the first half of the season. But he still needs work.

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Choo is still a liability in the OF.

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LOL. I was typing when you posted that, and was saying basically the same thing. He was bad last night.

KT 90 said:

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Choo is still a liability in the OF.

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LOL. I was typing when you posted that, and was saying basically the same thing. He was bad last night.

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While I know he is a liability, the question is... does his O compensate enough.

Also... Bellinger hit a shot down the line and got a triple... Mazara was slow as all get out, getting to the ball, but made a nice throw to Odor who relayed nicely.

I could live with Choo in LF, until something can be done with him.

Beltre's slugging is down 100 points this year. I can't help but wonder how much is hammy-related. If you watch his batspeed, he still spoils good pitches. I think he still has a very good RBI bat. I wonder if he were fulltime DH if the wheels might stay strong enough to get 31 HR (500).

I'm putting Beltre at 3-1 to play next year.

Today:
Frisco: Pedro Payano (23-RHP): 6.0 IP, 3H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
DEWDs: Alexy (20-R): 6.0 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO

Alexy:
Season: 20 GS, 3.58 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 108.0 IP, 138 SO

Last 10: 2.65 ERA, 54.1 IP, 46 H, 18 BB, 68 SO


His last 5 Games: 28.1 IP, 1.60 ERA, 19 H, 5 ER, 8 BB, 44 K
That's 14K/9IP.

I've been noticing Alexy (from the Darvich trade) in the Scott Lucas emails. Been doing well lately. Looks like he's cutting down on the walks. He is a hope for 2020 or 2021. Needs some time to keep progressing. The strikeout numbers are impressive.

KT 90 said:

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I've been noticing Alexy (from the Darvich trade) in the Scott Lucas emails. Been doing well lately. Looks like he's cutting down on the walks. He is a hope for 2020 or 2021. Needs some time to keep progressing. The strikeout numbers are impressive.

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Yeah... the concerns for him have always been can he reduce the Walks. Everything I've read since the we got him seems to indicate he could be part of the rotation if he fixes that.

Looks like something been figured out, if only for now. Young (20)... I expect him to have some ups and downs. IMO, 2020 still puts him as pretty young, but if the bats don't touch the ball, age doesn't matter.

Any comments from Lucas you can cut-and-paste? I really miss seeing his blog posts.

Perez to bullpen and according to the ticket this morning unlikely to have his option picked up for next year.

Just couldn't get it together.

DallasAg 94 said:

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KT 90 said:

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I've been noticing Alexy (from the Darvich trade) in the Scott Lucas emails. Been doing well lately. Looks like he's cutting down on the walks. He is a hope for 2020 or 2021. Needs some time to keep progressing. The strikeout numbers are impressive.

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Yeah... the concerns for him have always been can he reduce the Walks. Everything I've read since the we got him seems to indicate he could be part of the rotation if he fixes that.

Looks like something been figured out, if only for now. Young (20)... I expect him to have some ups and downs. IMO, 2020 still puts him as pretty young, but if the bats don't touch the ball, age doesn't matter.

Any comments from Lucas you can cut-and-paste? I really miss seeing his blog posts.

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Nothing specific, just the blurbs each time he pitches. Mostly stats with a comment or two added. Next time I see something I can post it, but I delete the emails once I read/skim them. They might posted online someplace as well.

I drove bus said:

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Perez to bullpen and according to the ticket this morning unlikely to have his option picked up for next year.

Just couldn't get it together.

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Doesn't really surprise me. He has not been good at all this year. I think Evan Grant said something like since he's been back opposing batters are hitting above .300 off him

He had the stuff to be a pretty good pitch to contact-type pitcher, but he just constantly nibbled and couldn't overcome his own frustration at times.

jtstanley4621 said:

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I drove bus said:

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Perez to bullpen and according to the ticket this morning unlikely to have his option picked up for next year.

Just couldn't get it together.

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Doesn't really surprise me. He has not been good at all this year. I think Evan Grant said something like since he's been back opposing batters are hitting above .300 off him

He had the stuff to be a pretty good pitch to contact-type pitcher, but he just constantly nibbled and couldn't overcome his own frustration at times.

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Perez led the league in double plays, or close to it a few years ago. I expect him to be another Brofail departure who will become a solid #2 elsewhere. He throws a low 90's sinker, basically a left-handed Kevin Brown. He's a little off in his arm slot or something. He's obviously always had confidence/body language issues, but a sinker ball pitcher has the most margin for error of any pitcher who throws < 100 mph.

For that matter, Tyson Ross is making $1.75M this year with a 4.18 ERA. Too rich for our blood?

I think there's got to be something more to the Perez issue if the option isn't picked up - some kind of personality clash with the front office/coaches to go along with his performance.

Not saying I think he'll ever get it fully figured out, but he'll cost $7.5m next year (and will cost $750k to go away)... That's certainly not chump change, but for a 2019 rotation that currently consists of... Mike Minor(?)... I don't see why a $7m back-end rotation guy that has shown he can be a ~1.5 WAR pitcher when healthy isn't worth it.

I'd get it if we had a lot of arms battling for rotation sports and the young guys were ready to be battle-tested, but you're likely going to fill his rotation spot with an unknown or rehab-type-guy for $5m?

It must be cheaper than getting rid of Brofail...maybe he's got pics/texts of Banny, or better yet, maybe he and Banny are butt buddies?

free_mhayden said:

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I think there's got to be something more to the Perez issue if the option isn't picked up - some kind of personality clash with the front office/coaches to go along with his performance.

Not saying I think he'll ever get it fully figured out, but he'll cost $7.5m next year (and will cost $750k to go away)... That's certainly not chump change, but for a 2019 rotation that currently consists of... Mike Minor(?)... I don't see why a $7m back-end rotation guy that has shown he can be a ~1.5 WAR pitcher when healthy isn't worth it.

I'd get it if we had a lot of arms battling for rotation sports and the young guys were ready to be battle-tested, but you're likely going to fill his rotation spot with an unknown or rehab-type-guy for $5m?

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Last year Perez came out several times against Brocail, although not by name.

Perez learned he was tipping his pitches and seemed upset that Brocail/Pitching staff wasn't able to identify it. When Perez voiced it, Brocail dismissed it as Perez just wasn't throwing good enough. We later find out that Darvish was tipping HIS pitches and it was only when he and people outside the organization voiced it, that it was corrected. Take Hamles. We don't know that he was tipping his pitches, but his sudden return to success in Chicago would indicate Brocail failed to help him.

Astros dumped Brocail with only 2 full season (2012-2013) as Pitching Coach. It is difficult to judge because that was when the Astros moved from the NL to the AL.

Our SP is a disaster. JD has given the team almost nothing in terms of talent and Brocail has done nothing with it. Only JD knows how pitchers perceive Brocail, but few look to want to stay here.

Gallardo came back, but he was gone before Brocail came in (Nov 2015).

Cashner did well, but he was recovering from injury, as were many who have found a home in Arlington the past couple years.

Nick Martinez is in Japan.

Holland left here after his 2016 (4.95), went 6.20 in 2017 (CHW) and is now 3.65 in SFGiants.

Brocail just doesn't get it for me. I love and follow pitching and some of it is just instinct. My instincts tell me he is advising adjustments for pitchers that cause them to tip their pitches... and so, you'll get some success early, but once players figure it out, not only do you get lit up, but you now suck as a pitcher because you have to undo what Brocail got you to do, AND you have to fix the original problem.

If the front office doesn't see Martin as a longterm piece for contention then I have no issues letting him walk. However, the same should be said for Brocail who is obviously not a pitching coach that will be here when the Rangers are next in contention.

I'm expecting Brocail will be leaving after this year. I think its extremely difficult for fans to evaluate the performance of pitching and hitting coaches based simply on the performance of the players, but there is a couple year period now of nothing special in the pitching department, and a change may be appropriate, regardless whether its truly Brocail's fault or not.

It's not just that Brocail hasn't shown much of anything -- it's that he was dumped from another MLB team and certainly wasn't super deserving of the opportunity in the first place.

It seemed very much like a "he's a guy that knows the job and our personalities mesh" kinda hire. Which is fine if you produce.

And I'm far from "bullish" on Perez, but $7m for a 27 year old that has shown he can be a 2WAR pitcher if he stays healthy, and then have the option for 2020 if he does bounce-back in a big way...

Seems like a no-brainer to slot that guy in as your #5 next year, especially for a team that has almost no arms slotted for the rotation next year at all.

Is it really that different than flyers on Minor/Fister/Moore?

Right. Not that much $$$ and he's not blocking anyone. Go get a new pitching coach, pay the $7 mill, and see if you can make some sort of breakthrough. We've always wanted more out of Perez, but this is really the only poor year he's had. On a team with a garbage staff, there's a place for a guy that does what Perez has for his entire career sans 2018

Brocail is a meathead and I get the feeling something has come to a head, likely driven by frustration from both sides. Clearly, they were at odds already in 2017.

It was announced the other day, that the Rotation for the weekend and following days (Sat through Wed) had not been announced.

This article is a bit frightening. And it pisses me off.

I think the Rangers are over-thinking things. They will be burning pitcher unnecessarily which will likely bite them.

You also eliminate almost any potential legitimate starting pitching FA from coming here. "Yes, you will be pitching inning 2 through 7... maybe 8, but maybe we'll bring you in for inning #3."

I believe the idea of a 6-Man rotation is what sunk Hamels. He was very vocal and upset about the idea and the Rangers implemented it in A, A+ and AA.

It is hard to say how it worked and I can't get splits for SP v RP, but they went:
A: 69-64, 3.71 ERA
A+: 58-77, 3.86 ERA
AA: 59-76, 4.85 ERA

For grins, Round Rock went 62-73 (4.46) and so, it isn't like the Rangers are pushing down talent to lower levels.

Maybe it works, we'll see, but I believe this is something you can play with in Fantasy Baseball, but fails in the real world.

With a 40 Man roster and 25 active spots, I just don't see how 12-13 relief pitchers can burn through games. By mid-season, you'll have run out of pitchers.

Moving Perez to the BP could just be a signal that they are going to have an "Opener" for him.

The more I think about this... the more it pisses me off. The way The Ticket was talking about it, reminded me of how minor league teams work.

SO, for 2018, JD said he wanted to go with a 6-Man rotation. He felt the extra rest would allow pitchers to go deeper into games.

I don't think that worked out.

Frisco has 4 SPs, which have been exclusively used as SPs:
Jurado (22): 16 GS, 101.2 IP, 3.28 ERA, 6.1 IP/GS
Benjamin (24): 14 GS, 72.2 IP, 3.72 ERA, 5.19 IP/GS
Hernandez (21): 12 GS, 64.0 IP, 4.92 ERA, 5.1 IP/GS
Richelson (24): 11 GS, 66.2 IP, 2.43 ERA, 6.1 IP/GS

You can add Pedro Payano (23), 21 GS (24G), 113.2 IP, 5.62 ERA. That's only 4.2 IP/G (not GS).

So... NOW... JD wants to experiment with what minor league teams USUALLY do. He wants them to piss LESS innings, but do it MORE frequently. A guy pitches 2-3 IP every 3-4 days.

It used to be SPs in the minors (at least in the Rangers' Org) would start the season slow... They'd go 2.0 IP for 4 to 5 GS, then go 3.0 IP for 4 to 5 GS, then 4.0 IP for 4 to 5 GS. halfway through the season they had ramped up to 5.0 IP. This limited their IP early and let them strengthen as the season went along. You'd also have like 10 SPs.

You'd go 3.0 IP with one guy, then bring in your next SP and go 3.0 IP, then mix it up after that.

There is a HUGE difference, though. The RoughRiders had 40 pitchers pitch for them, so far.

The Rangers have had 28 pitchers, which includes the following relief appearances: Tocci (1), Rua (1), YoMen (1), Gardewine (3), RicRod (4), Hutchison (4), Mann (6), Springs (9), Butler (10). That narrows down to really about 19 pitchers.

You have 12-13 active pitchers on the roster, and then 15 players you can activate from the 40, but must send another down/DL to take off the 25. Those 15 players include guys you have to protect from Rule V, which are not ready. You just can't play the 3-card-monty game with Pitchers in MLB.

It also signals the Rangers will not get a noteworthy FA pitcher. Which means no matter how good the Offense is, we'll have a terrible pitching staff.

KT 90 said:

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Couple of lower level pitchers. Mendoza is 20 years old in Low A and playing well, with a 3.32 ERA over 57.0 IP with 1.86 K/BB and 1.19 WHIP. Ortega is 18 and has looked very good in the DSL, with a 2.11 ERA over 42.2 IP, 4.36 K/BB and 0.89 WHIP.

Well tonight looked promising after that early 6 run lead...

No lead is safe

Seems like an itchy trigger finger on that ejection.

YoMen with the solid start today, Six shutout innings. Now we get to see if he can repeat it and also keep his head screwed on straight.

The future of this season will be without me. I'm out. I was holding off long enough to see who got called up. Happy for YoMen today. Very solid performance.

I think all of the minor league teams finish their regular season tomorrow. I don't think any of the Rangers' affiliates even sniffed a shot.

So far the Rangers have promoted:
RHP Sadzeck
LHP Zac Curtis <- 25 year old waiver claim off Philly 4 weeks ago
C Carlos Perez <- 27 year old waiver claim from Atlanta in May.
RHP Sadzeck <- 26 year old RP. I've followed him and Rangers have to decide what to do with him.
LHP Yo Men <- 23 year old SP. Hopeful for a rotation spot in 2019. If not, RP it is.

Here is the deal. I'm not interested in the "opener" idea of a game. I'm not interested in starters getting pulled in the 1st couple inning of a GS, let alone intentionally sending a guy out there for just 1 or 2 IP. It completely changes how you look at the game and players. I don't believe it will be successful and just oozes of desperation.

Is it that the market for SPs is so flawed that you have to over pay and over sign (years) to get a FA? A realization there just isn't enough talent out there, or trickery to keep the statisticians off and the hitters guessing whom they will be facing? I don't know. Don't care. It is an admission they have given up on this season and an admission they have no clue about next year. Telling Perez they don't plan to pickup his option when he is the #2 SP on the roster seems bizarre. It seems like are abandoning 2019.

We don't have any SP because we haven't adding anything of value in several years. The salary commitment for 2019 is light and having an "opener" would seem to eliminate any real SP options.

I'm out.

DallasAg 94 said:

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It seems like are abandoning 2019.

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SIAP, where are the Rangers going to have their Triple A team next season? Last I heard, maybe San Antonio...

Mr. White said:

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SIAP, where are the Rangers going to have their Triple A team next season? Last I heard, maybe San Antonio...

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SA is the word. I forget the exact date, but nobody can say anything official until a month or so

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I think all of the minor league teams finish their regular season tomorrow. I don't think any of the Rangers' affiliates even sniffed a shot.

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Also one of the Rangers two DSL squads is up 2-1 on the Rays in the five-game league championship series. The other Rangers affiliate lost to the Rays in the semis.