29 thoughts on “Threshers Recap – 4/6/2019”

1. I knew, when I saw the rosters, LKW was going to have a whole lot of trouble, at least to start the season. The hitters are very young and there are some head scratchers here. The pitchers are being stretched significantly. Last year the staff was full of talent that seemed to jell extremely well. They kept the team in games and waited for the bats to wake up late. It’s early and it’s cold so they might heat up as the spring warms up.

   One thing that surprises me is Jimmy Smith batting 3rd in LKW. He’s 23 yo and a free agent signing after the draft. I’m trying to make sense of it. Maybe LKW doesn’t have a #3 type hitter? I’d put Bohm there but that’s just me. There are a lot of young guys on this team and maybe Jimmy’s there for leadership. I don’t know. He hit .280/.351/.439 in the GCL last year but he was 22 yo in an 18 yo league, Certainly, through 3 games, no one is screaming to say I should be in the #3 hole but Marchan or Gutierrez are two guys who might fit there. I know they don’t want to put too much pressure on the younger guys and maybe after 20 games they’ll feel comfortable and slide right in there.

2. i got to see 4 innings of the second game at LHV. I wish they had a gun for velocity, but De los Santo really looked good. I didnt know he had a good change up like he does. Walding can really play third, first time i have seen Grullon he looks a little heavy, but looks like he can hit a little

   1. roc…..’Grullon he looks a little heavy’….hah…..you should have seen him last year at Reading before he lost some weight this off-season.
      You saw former Phil prospect Willians Astudillo yesterday for the Twins……there you have it.

      1. I was surprised at how big Jakob Hernandez is after watching him pitch yesterday for Reading. They said he’s at 260.

         1. He’s always been big. But, he’s deceptively quick for his size. Batters who think they can bunt on him usually have extra time to reconsider as they walk back to the dugout.

   2. De Los Santos could be the real deal. I saw him this spring and the stuff was electric. He could displace someone in the rotation if he keeps on this pace. More proof that the isolated smaller trades are often the best ones. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the players from the smaller trades – Eflin, Pivetta, De Los Santos – are doing better than those that were in the blockbusters – Alfaro, Eickhoff, Williams. My view is that some of the most dangerous trades are the 5 for 1 blockbusters. You are almost always better off getting 1 or 2 really great prospects in a big trade than you are getting 5 good prospects. As if the Curt Schilling trade were not warning enough.

      1. There is some proof in what you say.
         One of the metric sites…BP or Fangraphs …analyzed all the 3 for 1… or 4 for 1 trades…superstar for prospects….and most showed the team receiving all the prospects did not fare as well WAR- wise as the team receiving just the one superstar.
         Of course that can be skewed in that some of the prospects took a little longer to come around and eventually some had moved onto other teams..ie Justin Smoak for example….or Cliff Lee.
         But initially, after the transaction season of the trade , the trades would favor the team receiving the superstar..

3. Happy about Eickhoffs results. Any word on fastball velocity??

   1. Mostly 89. Might have been a 90 or 91 but vast majority 89, couple 88.

4. What are the next steps for Roman Quinn and if/when he gets the call, who is affected on the Major League Team?

   1. Speculation is that Altherr would be DFA’d to make room.

      1. Of course. They’ll try to trade him for something.

5. Jim … any velo reports on Grant Dyer? I remember him hitting 96 after being drafted, but before TJ surgery.

   1. 88-89 touching 91 last night during the inning I paid attention.

6. DeLos Santos and Parkinson did great in their first starts. Moniak getting us all excited and Reading looks strong. Nice to see Gutierrez get a couple of hits. Lakewood is young and will struggle a bit initially but they’ll find their footing.

7. I’m curious about Parkinson and whether his stuff will translate at higher levels. He’s certainly done great in his minor league career thus far.

8. One scouting report on Parkinson coming into this season is revealing:
   ” The six-foot-three 214-pounder is equipped with a pitch repertoire that features a fastball that resides in the low 90’s, a very good (to plus) change up, a curve ball and a slider. With some offerings that are rated about average (breaking balls), his efforts play up with a deceptive delivery. He also touts great command.”
   MLB.com otoh, has him only as 50 with most pitches and 55 with his change-up….and overall 45.
   So there are some mix reports….but all seem to indicate mid- to- back of the rotation starter right now.

   1. How does Parkinson compare to Irvin, Romero and/or Sanchez?

      1. Denny…..I think Parkinson, Suarez and Irvin are more similar to each other based on their overall stuff. They are not high velo guys…even for LHPs, but collectively they do have good command.
         Romero I just do not know how he would compare to Parkinson….he does have more velo.

9. While the extra pop from Moniak is nice to see, that is not what is most encouraging to me. I had always assumed that he would add weight and more power. Almost all prospects do.

   What is most encouraging to me is his 3 walks in 15 PAs. His lack of walks and plate discipline have always been the most concerning aspect of his early career performance to me. When I saw him in spring training this season, I noted on this blog that he swung at every pitch, including several balls, and had no plate discipline. Maybe he was just pressing being in MLB camp. Last year, it took him 16 games (67 plate appearances) to get his 3rd walk. This year only 3 games and 15 PAs. This change is great to see.

10. Video of Enyel’s nastiness

    Not one … Not two … Not three …

    Enyel De Los Santos struck out TEN Red Wings in just five innings of work. pic.twitter.com/zq44ypQcqY

    — IronPigs (@IronPigs) April 7, 2019

    1. He was up to 96-97. That one K elevated in the clip is a 97 (stadium gun). I was thinking perhaps with the 7-inning game he was putting aside thoughts of going deep into the game and just letting it rip. Good to see, either way.

       1. 10 Ks in 5 IP is exceptional at any level. Great addition with the velo reports. How do you think he would play out of the pen this year with big club?

          1. As far as I’m concerned, DLS is a Phuture Phillies reliever. It’s eventually going to happen (probably at some point this year). He looked really good in that role for the short time he did it last season.

             1. Like Ryan Madson he has the two plus pitches…the FB and CU.
                If he gets the FB up a few more ticks for an inning or two in relief, it should work well. Shame he cannot harness a break neck slider.

                1. Romus he threw a good change up last night too.only seen him once. My question is can we do a package of williams for a left hand starter.

                2. roc…like I mentioned a lot….offer to the DBacks Williams, Vinny and Cole Irvin for Robbie Ray. And see if they will take the offer up.
                   But it really is too early to make trades, most GMs want to see what they got for awhile.

                   BTW…..sometimes your handle is ” rocco moffo” and other times ‘roccom;
                   I think it changes when you ‘reply’ to a poster and then when you post a new comment it may be the other handle.
                   You must have corrupted your system somehow.
                   You may need to contact Jim and probably back out of everything and re-register.
                   I don’t know.

       2. looks more muscular especially in legs. Looks like different pitcher than one I saw last year with Phillies.

11. yes i cant figure it out

Comments are closed.