AL Central Discussion

[dtgold88]

Interesting blurb on Watson.... @Shanemansj13 @dtgold88

In addition to the financial relief, the Guardians are buying low on a one-time top prospect. Watson, a 20-year-old infielder, was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 draft. The high school product was widely regarded as a top five to ten player in the class on talent, only dropping to the middle of the first round because of a lofty bonus demand.

His first two full seasons in pro ball haven’t gone as anticipated. Watson struck out in nearly 36% of his plate appearances in Low-A a year ago, hitting .231/.296/.395 over 83 games. He also missed some time last season on a team-imposed disciplinary absence after a confrontation with an umpire, as Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs wrote in his write-up of Miami’s farm system.

Watson still ranked in the upper third of the Marlins’ top 30 prospects at both FanGraphs and Baseball America, though he’s no longer seen as a top 100 talent around the league. He’s hitting .206/.337/.362 over 243 trips to the plate in High-A this year. He’s connected on seven homers, walked at an elite 14.4% clip and stolen 14 bases. Yet he’s still striking out an alarming rate — 28% of the time. There’s clearly plenty of variability in Watson’s profile, but he has huge bat speed and the chance to stick at a middle infield position. It’s an upside play for Cleveland at a much lower cost than would’ve been required to pry him away 12 to 18 months ago.

worth a flier

 

[VikingFan2k2]

FUCK this guy!

Joe Ryan has proven that the first half was a fluke and he's the mediocre 3/4 starter that Tampa Bay thought he was.

 

[bksballer89]

Joe Ryan is really disgusting lol

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Getting trucked again.

Gonna be 1-6 in our last 7 and still have a 2 game lead(it was 4) LOL.

55-54 division leaders!!

Nothing I love more though than getting mowed down by Dakota Hudson while Vazquez and his .601 OPS hits when we have Jeffers and his .829 OPS playing less than 50% of our games.

Really well run team.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

FUCK this guy!

Joe Ryan has proven that the first half was a fluke and he's the mediocre 3/4 starter that Tampa Bay thought he was.

He had a 3.5 last year too.

Its an organizational issue and Pete Maki.

We are not having any of our guys developing pitches and refuse to do anything other than fastball/slider(if they have them).

Yesterday we should have lost when we had Jax throw a breaking ball to Arenado for no reason. That was a Twins philosphy. Luckily he got under it and missed the 3 run homer.

We dont develop shit.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Biggest problem with this team is coaching. We have no hitting or pitching coach.

Teams adjust to us and we have no answer because we dont........coach.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Coming into last nights game(Lopez gave up 1 run in 6 with Jeffers)

Lopez had a 3.3 ERA with Jeffers and a 4.9 with Vazquez

Jeffers has a OPS thats over 230 pts higher and our pitchers pitch better to him, but he starts less than 50%. Hes also the best catcher in baseball and blocking balls in the dirt.

Its incredible how poorly run we are.

 

[broncosmitty]

Good thing the White Sox didn’t trade Cease.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Coming into last nights game(Lopez gave up 1 run in 6 with Jeffers)

Lopez had a 3.3 ERA with Jeffers and a 4.9 with Vazquez

Jeffers has a OPS thats over 230 pts higher and our pitchers pitch better to him, but he starts less than 50%. Hes also the best catcher in baseball and blocking balls in the dirt.

Its incredible how poorly run we are.

tons of GM's do the same shit. Myles Straw got an extension so he plays- when obviously there are better candidates. Sucks- but GM's just cant get passed that shit. 2 more years of VAzquez after this one too

I am just glad the Guardians actually bit the bullet and got rid of Bell- it hurts short term because he was starting to play a little better- but having a GM that can own a mistake is rare.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Guardians August schedule is brutal. Twins are gonna be fine.

 

[WiggyRuss]

3x vs. CHW
3x vs. TOR
3x vs. TAM
2x vs. CIN
4x vs. DET
3x vs. LAD
3x vs. TOR
3x vs. MIN

6 games against Minnesota still left towards end of August/being of September.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Guardians August schedule is brutal. Twins are gonna be fine.

One thing that has been awesome about this season. Is I am making a TON of money off betting Twins and Guardians games.

All I do is bet against the Twins every game. And bet on the Guardians every game.

If Twins win, I just up the next bet so that if they lose that one I profit over the 2 games. Same thing on the Guardians side.

Its been perfect because of just how mediocre these two teams have been all year. Guardians longest losing streak is 4. Twins longest winning streak is 4.

Just been money all year long.

 

[navamind]

Not often you see a Twins pitching staff leading the league in K's. Joe Ryan's looking more and more like a star.

5.92 ERA since I made this post. Sorry @mr.hockey4242

 

[dtgold88]

tons of GM's do the same shit. Myles Straw got an extension so he plays- when obviously there are better candidates. Sucks- but GM's just cant get passed that shit. 2 more years of VAzquez after this one too

I am just glad the Guardians actually bit the bullet and got rid of Bell- it hurts short term because he was starting to play a little better- but having a GM that can own a mistake is rare.

released Zunino too.

Love this FO but those were a couple big mistakes......part of the blame has to go to the owner, though, and his lack of spending.

 

[WiggyRuss]

5.92 ERA since I made this post. Sorry @mr.hockey4242

it was bound to equal out. He was pitching over his head which I said t wo months ago- but I was told I was crazy.

As a person that plays fantasy baseball- one thing is clear- things usually regress to the mean-

for instance- Brandon Lowe is getting hot pretty much when he always does- he has stunk- but will probably get to where he usually gets to.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

5.92 ERA since I made this post. Sorry @mr.hockey4242

I'll let you slide.

We all have known he needs another pitch. But right now its a clear Maki/Vazquez issue. You are exempt.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

it was bound to equal out. He was pitching over his head which I said t wo months ago- but I was told I was crazy.

As a person that plays fantasy baseball- one thing is clear- things usually regress to the mean-

for instance- Brandon Lowe is getting hot pretty much when he always does- he has stunk- but will probably get to where he usually gets to.

Just like Gimenez.

His OPS has somehow plummetted further haha

 

[navamind]

it was bound to equal out. He was pitching over his head which I said t wo months ago- but I was told I was crazy.

As a person that plays fantasy baseball- one thing is clear- things usually regress to the mean-

for instance- Brandon Lowe is getting hot pretty much when he always does- he has stunk- but will probably get to where he usually gets to.

Yeah, the home runs are a real issue. He gives up way too many fly balls. I do expect some regression the other way (he has a 4.23 xFIP over said timeframe; still not great, but it's more than 1.5 runs lower than his ERA).

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Brooks Lee called up to AAA. His overall numbers at AA(still very solid) dont tell the story of how hot hes been the last month or so.

Assuming Royce is back soon I wouldnt bet on it but I definitely would not completely rule out a Lee appearance come September if he stays hot through August and the Twins are still scuffling.

Again, wouldnt bet it. But it might be Brooks time sooner than 2024.

 

[catman]

To no one's surprise, Joe Ryan was placed on the 15-day IL today with a groin strain. Something has obviously been wrong for a month or so, as his performance has been noticeably below standard for his last 4 starts.
Dallas Keuchel was recalled to take his place in the rotation. Lets see what he has left.