Official 2014 Texas Rangers Spring Training Thread

[jta4437]

I feel like now that people care more about BA and RBI in regards to hitting that players that only play elite defense will not last as long in baseball. Elvis for one. If he never develops that hit tool for a whole season, is his glove going to carry him the next decade in the league? I love the guy and everything he does, but if he could do what he did in the second half of last season from start to finish then he's a borderline MVP candidate.

A little more offense would be nice, hopefully he can back to hitting more doubles like he did a couple years ago, hopefully this is the year he puts it all together; gap power, OBP, defense, baserunning, etc...

 

[RevSader]

In 15 years all we'll hear is Player Enhanced Gentetics is ruining the game.

I really am shocked there hasn't been some super brand of athletes being genetically engineered and cloned somewhere.

 

[Broseidon]

I really am shocked there hasn't been some super brand of athletes being genetically engineered and cloned somewhere.

Dirk: the super youth prophecy fulfilled

 

[RevSader]

Dirk: the super youth prophecy fulfilled

Dirk is the most nonathletic super star of all time and I love him every day for it. I cannot think of any other player that at the time they played was able to do more with less physical gifts than Dirk. Would love to hear some suggestions for other players. He's going to finish close to top 5 ever in NBA scoring, and it's because he had the will and hard work to do it. I love that man.

 

[donaldson79]

Sounds like we need to genetically engineer some kids without UCL or come up with some unbreakable fiber.

There was a pretty article this morning about that, but I can't recall where it came from. But the guy was talking about Parker (A's), Harvey (Mets), Medlin (Braves) and Corbin (AZ), and how the injuries on young arms is very alarming. Pretty good read.

 

[jta4437]

There was a pretty article this morning about that, but I can't recall where it came from. But the guy was talking about Parker (A's), Harvey (Mets), Medlin (Braves) and Corbin (AZ), and how the injuries on young arms is very alarming. Pretty good read.

Breaking balls at too young of an age

 

[Justinkm83]

Dirk is the most nonathletic super star of all time and I love him every day for it. I cannot think of any other player that at the time they played was able to do more with less physical gifts than Dirk. Would love to hear some suggestions for other players. He's going to finish close to top 5 ever in NBA scoring, and it's because he had the will and hard work to do it. I love that man.

Larry Bird is the only one I can think of right now

 

[RevSader]

There was a pretty article this morning about that, but I can't recall where it came from. But the guy was talking about Parker (A's), Harvey (Mets), Medlin (Braves) and Corbin (AZ), and how the injuries on young arms is very alarming. Pretty good read.

Yet, these are the generation of pitchers that are more heavily guarded than any previously right? They are on pitch counts from little league and have set rotation work and limited days they are allowed to start per week. They could all be anomalies though, or pitchers might just get hurt regardless, because it could be entirely random. I really don't know. I am not Dr. James Andrews.

 

[romeo212000]

Breaking balls at too young of an age

That's exactly right. There's no reason for a 13 year old to be throwing curve balls.

 

[RevSader]

Breaking balls at too young of an age

I've read that it's pretty inconclusive either way on breaking balls. I think one of the conclusions is they haven't proved they are safe or dangerous. A Biomechanical Comparison of Youth Baseball Pitches

 

[Broseidon]

Dirk is the most nonathletic super star of all time and I love him every day for it. I cannot think of any other player that at the time they played was able to do more with less physical gifts than Dirk. Would love to hear some suggestions for other players. He's going to finish close to top 5 ever in NBA scoring, and it's because he had the will and hard work to do it. I love that man.

I love Dirk. His work ethic and loyalty is legendary. But, being 7 ft tall is a big physical gift.

 

[donaldson79]

Yet, these are the generation of pitchers that are more heavily guarded than any previously right? They are on pitch counts from little league and have set rotation work and limited days they are allowed to start per week. They could all be anomalies though, or pitchers might just get hurt regardless, because it could be entirely random. I really don't know. I am not Dr. James Andrews.

There has been some speculation that kids concentrate on one sport too much now, and the repetition of motion takes a toll quicker now.

But like you, there's no MD attached to me.

 

[RevSader]

I love Dirk. His work ethic and loyalty is legendary. But, being 7 ft tall is a big physical gift.

He's a 7 foot 2 guard. I really think he'd be just as good if he was 6'5.

 

[RevSader]

There has been some speculation that kids concentrate on one sport too much now, and the repetition of motion takes a toll quicker now.

But like you, there's no MD attached to me.

I've read that too. I think there was a hypothesis that suggested by specializing so young didn't allow for a total development of their muscles etc. Each sport works out different parts of the body, so someone who played every sport might end up more developed potentially if that hypothesis is accurate.

 

[jta4437]

He's a 7 foot 2 guard. I really think he'd be just as good if he was 6'5.

Being able to cover the slower, less athletic guys helps him A LOT

If he was 6'5" he'd get run off the court defensively, and he wouldn't be able to shoot over guys like he does now

 

[jta4437]

Gotta love that batting eye on Choo, that was a really close pitch

And I can't believe Danks is only 28, it does seem lik he's been around forever

 

[RevSader]

Being able to cover the slower, less athletic guys helps him A LOT

If he was 6'5" he'd get run off the court defensively, and he wouldn't be able to shoot over guys like he does now

I do agree about the defense. I think he would still find a way to score if the situation were different is all I am saying. He was smart enough to make his one legged fade nearly indefensible by using his height to his advantage there. I remember a sports science about that.

Kobe is much shorter but he can still rise up and get those shots off.

 

[RevSader]

Gotta love that batting eye on Choo, that was a really close pitch

And I can't believe Danks is only 28, it does seem lik he's been around forever

Do not have TXA, so cannot see it...

Yeah Danks is like Beckett in that regard. He's been around forever but he's relatively young.

 

[Justinkm83]

Being able to cover the slower, less athletic guys helps him A LOT

If he was 6'5" he'd get run off the court defensively, and he wouldn't be able to shoot over guys like he does now

 

[donaldson79]

Man, that sun must be awful. Anything in the air today is going to be an adventure.