IST: Chicago Cubs (5-3) hosting San Diego Padres (6-4)

[SilenceS]

A quick note on the 9th inning with Coke and Rondon. While somewhat annoyed, I wasn't that upset about it. Sometimes major league hitters hit major league pitchers...it's not the first time and won't be the last. It's part of the game. What I did like is that they forced them to swing the bat and not walk anybody. That's what drives me nuts....Marmol used to make me crazy with his walks and beanballs. They threw strikes but got hit...it happens.

I did not see the game because I was hanging with me people but if you say is true then yes I agree. Getting hit happens. Walking someone is on yoi


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[beckdawg]

I don't. I think he will strike at 30 percent or more because of his style. Shields worked him because he wAits for the perfect pitch. If he can adjust to a good enough pitch, then I see it. Until he does it, he is going to k at a mark Reynolds rate


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I don't mean this to sound dickish but it will probably come off that way.... you don't think he'll ever improve? Because that seems to be what you're saying. If for example you'd said he's 6'5 and that it's hard for guys his size to cover the entire zone I feel like that's a more plausible reasoning(have heard some others suggest this). The whole perfect pitch narrative has never set well with me. Bryant is a smart guy from everything we've heard about him. To be frank, since he's been drafted he never needed to change that approach because he's crushed every level. Presumably the MLB level will finally challenge him some. If he learns to do something productive with areas he doesn't cover well the sky is literally the limit with him. I'd be surprised if he's the same player 5 years from now that he is today. That's why i'm not 100% sure he'll k a lot. I don't know what that change will be.

 

[CSF77]

I don't mean this to sound dickish but it will probably come off that way.... you don't think he'll ever improve? Because that seems to be what you're saying. If for example you'd said he's 6'5 and that it's hard for guys his size to cover the entire zone I feel like that's a more plausible reasoning(have heard some others suggest this). The whole perfect pitch narrative has never set well with me. Bryant is a smart guy from everything we've heard about him. To be frank, since he's been drafted he never needed to change that approach because he's crushed every level. Presumably the MLB level will finally challenge him some. If he learns to do something productive with areas he doesn't cover well the sky is literally the limit with him. I'd be surprised if he's the same player 5 years from now that he is today. That's why i'm not 100% sure he'll k a lot. I don't know what that change will be.

I see him as having a select pitch zone that he will swing at. He wants to extend his arms so Shields exploited it with starting a slider over the plate. Ross's slider has more of a vertical tilt so it was not sweeping off of the plate.

He will adjust but at least he has a good idea of what he is doing up there vs swinging at any offering put out there and hoping to connect.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I don't. I think he will strike at 30 percent or more because of his style. Shields worked him because he wAits for the perfect pitch. If he can adjust to a good enough pitch, then I see it. Until he does it, he is going to k at a mark Reynolds rate


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I thought Shields worked him because Bryant swung at everything pitched to him first AB. He was nervous and did the opposite of patiently looking for his pitch. Obviously YMMV.

 

[JosMin]

Today's lineup

Fowler CF
Soler RF
Rizzo 1B
Bryant 3B
Castro SS
Coghlan LF
Ross C
Lester P
Herrera 2B

 

[Shawon0Meter]

Good thing Montero got benched after how he struggled yesterday

 

[JosMin]

Good thing Montero got benched after how he struggled yesterday

:lol:..... still trying to figure out the Cubs' catching situation. I mean, unless they're really sold on Schwarber being able to stick at catcher or know something we all don't know about Victor Caratini, I'm not seeing why Castillo isn't getting more PT. To me, what defensive value Ross adds to the mix is totally negated by his inability to put the ball in play consistently.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I am wondering again if Ross was brought in to not only work with Lester as his personal catcher, but also help Castillo frame better. Castillo certainly looked good the other day. Ross is old. He isn't going to last through Lester's contract. They (management) have to allow someone else to step up and move Ross to waivers or coaching staff at some point in the not too distant future.

 

[beckdawg]

:lol:..... still trying to figure out the Cubs' catching situation. I mean, unless they're really sold on Schwarber being able to stick at catcher or know something we all don't know about Victor Caratini, I'm not seeing why Castillo isn't getting more PT. To me, what defensive value Ross adds to the mix is totally negated by his inability to put the ball in play consistently.

This is a barrier to entry thing.... as in the barrier to entry to be a starting MLB catcher is considerably lower than the other positions. My guess is they are just trying to get by with what they have for the next 2-3 years and by then hopefully someone in their system will have the framing they want and can hit even a little. That's the thing though because with what the cubs should have for offense they don't need Buster Posey. If they can get a good defensive catcher with average OBP for a C they'd likely be happy.

I floated the idea of Ross as essentially a player/coach previously. It's an interesting narrative but from what I've heard framing isn't just something you pick up over night. So, like I said I think they are trying to get guys they can teach in the minors and get by in the majors until those are ready. Probably not going to be Schwarber but they do have some other ok options. Gioskar Amaya is a guy they converted from 2B to C. He hit .276/.379/.369 in Daytona last year with 4 HRs and 14 SB. Obviously it might take some time for him to come around but he's kind of what I'm talking about. You mentioned Caratini. They also drafted Mark Zagunis in the third last year.

Additionally, if none of that works out for them they will likely have loads of money and a lot of prospects they can move to find someone.

 

[chibears55]

@JJStankevitz: #Cubs announce they've selected the contract of RHP Gonzalez Germen and optioned OF Matt Szczur to Triple-A.

Im confused , unless im missing someone are they going with just 4 bench players now ?

Ross, Castillo, Alcantara, Donorfia

I knew the bench was going to be questionable but this is nuts..

 

[chibears55]

I am wondering again if Ross was brought in to not only work with Lester as his personal catcher, but also help Castillo frame better. Castillo certainly looked good the other day. Ross is old. He isn't going to last through Lester's contract. They (management) have to allow someone else to step up and move Ross to waivers or coaching staff at some point in the not too distant future.

I was thinking the same thing with Ross and Castillo.
Probably why they haven't pulled trigger on a deal yet..

Im still believing Ross ends up on DL soon and then retires and be added on as a coach ...

As far as he and Lester goes, it hasn't mattered the first 2 starts..

 

[SilenceS]

I don't mean this to sound dickish but it will probably come off that way.... you don't think he'll ever improve? Because that seems to be what you're saying. If for example you'd said he's 6'5 and that it's hard for guys his size to cover the entire zone I feel like that's a more plausible reasoning(have heard some others suggest this). The whole perfect pitch narrative has never set well with me. Bryant is a smart guy from everything we've heard about him. To be frank, since he's been drafted he never needed to change that approach because he's crushed every level. Presumably the MLB level will finally challenge him some. If he learns to do something productive with areas he doesn't cover well the sky is literally the limit with him. I'd be surprised if he's the same player 5 years from now that he is today. That's why i'm not 100% sure he'll k a lot. I don't know what that change will be.

Yes, I expect him to get better. Doesnt mean he still wont k a ton.

 

[knoxville7]

hopefully today is going to be lesters 1st QS

 

[Diehardfan]

I think part of Lester's problem is that the National league has a lower strike zone. At least that's what I see when watching games. He throws a lot of fastballs down and National league hitters are used to seeing them and can hit those pitches which IMOP are pitches he was used to getting outs with in the American league. He just needs a bit of adjustment.

 

[TL1961]

:lol:..... still trying to figure out the Cubs' catching situation. I mean, unless they're really sold on Schwarber being able to stick at catcher or know something we all don't know about Victor Caratini, I'm not seeing why Castillo isn't getting more PT. To me, what defensive value Ross adds to the mix is totally negated by his inability to put the ball in play consistently.

But everyone in baseball knows otherwise.

 

[JosMin]

Great snag by Castro!

 

[knoxville7]

nice stab there from castro to open the game and help lester out

 

[TL1961]

MLB TV missed it.

 

[SilenceS]

Castro has played superb D the past couple of series. I am sure the next error he makes peeps will call him a horrible defensive SS again. lol

 

[JosMin]

Ohhhh! 94 on the black for Lester. This is the guy we signed up for, right?!?!?!!!

:cubs: