Spring Training

[NWinAZ]

Actually those are fans from NW who paid to come watch their team play meaningless games. Not taking sides, but not cheap to come watch which to me means they are more than bandwagon fans. Just saying.

 

[cezero]

I think a lot of Pac NW baseball fans just have romanticized memories of Dan Wilson and notions of catchers in general.

I love Wilson, but he had 1300 plate appearances in the minors before getting called up to the majors, and didn't hit better than Zunino in the majors until he had 400+ MLB plate appearances...so a total of 1700+.

Zunino just broke 1000 total plate appearances towards the end of last season.

With his catching ability, and his power and ability to hit 20+ homers per season, I'm willing to give him another 600 PA's (so a season's worth) more before freaking out too badly. Wilson's highest OPS+ ever was 96, and I'd love to see Zunino get close to that this year, which isn't that unrealistic, IMO.

 

[NWinAZ]

I agree and I am willing to wait especially since we have no other options. But with that said, I do see why a lot of people are down on him. Golden Spikes winner, top drop pick, and the past history of M's catchers gone bad.

If he can bat .225 this year and still hit 20-25 homers, I will call it a success. Then build on that the following year. My goal for him is to hit .250 at some point with 20 homers and 60 RBI's on a regular basis.

It is way too early to pass judgement on him, but hoping for improvement like Wilson.

 

[wazzu31]

I agree and I am willing to wait especially since we have no other options. But with that said, I do see why a lot of people are down on him. Golden Spikes winner, top drop pick, and the past history of M's catchers gone bad.

If he can bat .225 this year and still hit 20-25 homers, I will call it a success. Then build on that the following year. My goal for him is to hit .250 at some point with 20 homers and 60 RBI's on a regular basis.

It is way too early to pass judgement on him, but hoping for improvement like Wilson.

I don't even feel he needs to get to .250 if he can keep his power number and a slight improvement of his average I can live with with how he handled the staff last year.

 

[NWinAZ]

He is too good to be a .200-.220 hitter in my book even with his good defense. I mean 20-25 homers is nice, but what about the other 500-550 AB's? Obviously I don't satisfy easily.

 

[NWinAZ]

Went to the game again tonight:

1- Walker looked good.

2- Miller gave me flash-backs with that first throw from his ankles.

3- Alex Jackson is a big kid. Big legs. He might just turn out to be the real deal for once.

4- Jabari Blash is also a big kid and he can move. Th ball exploded off his bat.

5- Peterson hasn't done much since his first AB (homer), but still looks the part. Maybe 6 months to a year away.

6- Kivlehan looks closer. I still feel he may be the next Romero, but I am hoping not. Like the kid.

7- Baker or Sucre for backup? Like the fact Baker is a lefty and Sucre has options left.

 

[unlvmariners]

Leaving Vegas in the early AM going to try and make it to the Rangers game. Then hit the Padres game in the evening. Let you all know how it goes.

 

[unlvmariners]

Went to the game again tonight:

1- Walker looked good.

2- Miller gave me flash-backs with that first throw from his ankles.

3- Alex Jackson is a big kid. Big legs. He might just turn out to be the real deal for once.

4- Jabari Blash is also a big kid and he can move. Th ball exploded off his bat.

5- Peterson hasn't done much since his first AB (homer), but still looks the part. Maybe 6 months to a year away.

6- Kivlehan looks closer. I still feel he may be the next Romero, but I am hoping not. Like the kid.

7- Baker or Sucre for backup? Like the fact Baker is a lefty and Sucre has options left.

Able to watch the game on tv tonight. I haven't seen a ton of Kivlehan AB's but he seems like a good hitter that needs maybe a little approach refinement.

I was thinking the same thing about Baker. Majority of pitchers are right handed and if the team is going to give Zunino days off then they could plan it around facing a starting RH pitcher. I do like Sucre though, I think he is a very well rounder catcher defensively probably doesn't give you much hitting but Baker probably won't either. I would be fine with either option at this point with a little bit of an edge towards Sucre.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Zunino is like Javier Baez. Cut your homers in half and watch the average rise by .50 along with a freakish amount of doubles. Someone just needs to coach up Zunino and slow him down a bit.

 

[gowazzu02]

DJ peterson needs to get rid of that little bat out pointed at pitcher, right hand on his helmet, wait and hold.... until the pitcher gets set... lol

 

[cezero]

 

[NWinAZ]

Leaving Vegas in the early AM going to try and make it to the Rangers game. Then hit the Padres game in the evening. Let you all know how it goes.

Maybe I will see you there. I will be sitting down. Look for me.

 

[NWinAZ]

Fun game in the sun today.

1- Alex Jackson...stud. First MLB homer and he is like 19? He made the final out with the go ahead run on base in the 9th but it was a ripped shot to 3B on a 94 MPH fastball by a MLB pitcher.

2- Zunino hits two out. All or nothing Z, but if he can do that 30+ times...lol.

3- Furbush struggles again.

4- Elias can't make it through 5.

5- Did I mention Alex Jackson is a stud?

 

[dude82]

Fun game in the sun today.

1- Alex Jackson...stud. First MLB homer and he is like 19? He made the final out with the go ahead run on base in the 9th but it was a ripped shot to 3B on a 94 MPH fastball by a MLB pitcher.

2- Zunino hits two out. All or nothing Z, but if he can do that 30+ times...lol.

3- Furbush struggles again.

4- Elias can't make it through 5.

5- Did I mention Alex Jackson is a stud?

I don't remember any of our other starters being sent out for the 5th yet, so it makes sense that he could make it through that inning. It's good to see Alex Jackson perform well in the chances he's gotten so far. I'd settle for Zunino's HR output being the same as last year if his average comes up and he hits a bunch of doubles.

 

[NWinAZ]

I don't remember any of our other starters being sent out for the 5th yet, so it makes sense that he could make it through that inning.

Elias: 4 innings, 72 pitches. Couldn't get anyone out in 5th.

 

[cezero]

elias looks to have done pretty well to me, though walker is clearly the frontrunner for any starting spot they're in contention for.

looks like he's the first of the bunch that they've increased innings for. gotta do it gradually. the rest of the starting candidates will be doing the same over the next couple of weeks.

 

[NWinAZ]

I wasn't referring to the number of pitches or him being stretched out gradually. I was pointed out hi biggest flaw...72 pitches for 4 innings. That is 18 pitches per inning which works out to about 5 to 5.3 innings which is not good enough. He needs to start getting quicker outs and working towards the 7 inning mark.

 

[cezero]

for sure

 

[wazzu31]

He is too good to be a .200-.220 hitter in my book even with his good defense. I mean 20-25 homers is nice, but what about the other 500-550 AB's? Obviously I don't satisfy easily.

I hear you and would love for him to be a well rounded hitter, but to me catcher is not vital position for average, and especially the way Jack likes to construct teams that on paper should be high OBP guys I don't mind at all having a guy who is a potential 3 run homer guy. If anyone on this team needs to improve his average/slash approach it needs to be Jackson or whoever the eventual CF will be IMO.

 

[NWinAZ]

My last spring training game for now. Got to see Cubs newer stadium for the first time. About an hour drive and it was okay. Check that one off my list.

The Cubs kids look impressive. Give them another year to mature baseball wise and look out. Bryant is the next real deal. He may takes some lumps, but he will be a Stanton type offensive player.

Felix struggled. Time to trade him.

Zunino ripped a double down the 3B line. That to me was more impressive than his 2 homer game yesterday.

Some sloppy play all around, but that is spring ball