A Participant’s View piece that ran right here at FG a month in the past was one in every of my favorites to place collectively all season. Entertaining in addition to informative — good anecdotes have been in abundance — it was self-explanatorily titled: Pitchers Weigh In On Their Catch Play Companions (Some Are Nasty). As evidenced inside, an off-the-cuff tossing of baseballs forwards and backwards is much from what is definitely occurring.
Final weekend, I discovered that Bubba Chandler has scratched Paul Skenes from his companions checklist.
“We’ve skilled collectively the final two off-seasons, and we’ve performed catch,” the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie informed me. “I don’t wish to give him his flowers, however my imaginative and prescient isn’t nice, and he’s a man who throws exhausting and his pitches transfer loads. The eyes can’t actually sustain with the ball. And then you definitely’re throwing in 50-degree climate with clouds and a light-weight mist — or perhaps it’s a super-bright day — and you’ll’t see it. And he’s simply freaking ripping it. I’ll by no means play catch with him once more.
“I obtained friggin’ popped in Baton Rouge this 12 months, and that was really indoors,” continued Chandler. “He threw his silly sinker, and it didn’t sink. It rose off the highest of my glove, proper to my shoulder. So yeah, I’ll by no means do it once more.”
As is frequent for starters, Chandler usually does his in-season catch play with a bullpen catcher — a breed whose job necessities make catching most anybody a comparable piece of cake. However what about different pitchers? Is Chandler a simple associate, or somebody greatest to keep away from?
“All through the week I’m a simple catch-play, however the day earlier than I pitch, I let it eat a bit bit,” stated the righty, whose heater flirts with triple digits. “It’s not loads of quantity, perhaps simply 20-25 throws, however that’s the day I throw exhausting and it strikes fairly good. I assume guys don’t wish to play catch with me on that day.”
Chandler, who has made three aid appearances since being known as up in late August, is scheduled to make his first MLB begin this afternoon.
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RANDOM HITTER-PITCHER MATCHUPS
Eddie Mathews went 18 for 36 in opposition to Moe Drabowsky.
Carl Yastrzemski went 10 for 16 in opposition to Invoice Gogolewski.
Greg Luzinski went 15 for 34 in opposition to Andy Messersmith.
Invoice Mazeroski went 20 for 50 in opposition to Don Nottebart.
Ted Kluszewski went 23 for 50 in opposition to Warren Hacker.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong was a high-profile prospect once I approached him on the again fields of the Chicago Cubs spring coaching advanced in 2023. The younger outfielder’s ideas on his growth as a hitter is what I have been after, and one of many issues he stated in our comparatively transient dialog stood out: “I really feel such as you’re most likely going to ask me in regards to the energy.”
Two-and a-half years later, PCA, as he’s affectionally known as by Cubs followers, has 28 residence runs and a .496 slugging share in his second full season within the massive leagues. With that in thoughts, I reminded him of what he had stated to me in Mesa. Wanting again, was he self-conscious, or maybe a bit defensive, about his energy potential?
“That was type of the subject of dialog in my offensive recreation on the time,’ Crow-Armstrong informed me at Wrigley Filed on Friday. “I used to be very ready to be approached in regards to the lack of energy. What all people at all times wished to speak about was how my hitting was like… I believe that everyone knew that I might play protection, however all people was at all times extra skeptical about my bat. Rightfully so. So, I used to be at all times ready to reply questions on what was missing in my offensive recreation.”
Crow-Armstrong had additionally informed me in our back-fields trade that his energy has “at all times been there.” Does he have extra now than he did within the minors?
“I really feel like I’ve developed into my energy,” he stated to that query. “I’ve the identical wiry energy, however you’re seeing the pure evolution of a rising human being that’s gotten higher at what he does.”
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A quiz:
Nolan Ryan (at age 44, in 1991) is the oldest MLB pitcher to throw a no-hitter, whereas Amos Rusie (at age 20, in 1891) is the youngest. The subsequent 4 youngest pitchers threw theirs between 1901-1912.
Who’s the youngest pitcher to throw a no-hitter up to now 100 seasons? (A touch: he gained a Cy Younger award and three World Sequence rings.)
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NEWS NOTES
Wealthy Hinton, a left-hander who appeared in 116 video games whereas taking part in for 5 groups from 1971-1979, died lately at age 78 (per Newsweek). Pitching primarily with the Chicago White Sox, Hinton was credited with 9 wins and three saves.
Davey Johnson died yesterday at age 82. A highly-successful supervisor following his taking part in days, the second baseman made 4 All-Star groups and gained three Gold Gloves whereas strapping on the cleats from 1965-1978. Primarily a Baltimore Oriole, Johnson hit 43 residence runs for the Atlanta Braves in 1973.
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The reply to the quiz is Vida Blue, who threw a no-hitter in September 1970, 55 days after his twenty first birthday. In case you guessed Wilson Alvarez, his August 1991 no-hitter got here 140 days after his twenty first birthday.
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Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt was requested about Fenway Park’s outfield dimensions previous to this previous Monday’s vacation matinee in Boston, and as do many managers, he pointed to not the Inexperienced Monster, however slightly to the massive expanse on the opposite aspect of the diamond.
“It’s like a middle area in proper area,” Vogt informed a cadre of reporters. “There are such a lot of cool nooks and crannies. That’s why I really like baseball. Not one area is similar. However yeah, we’ve obtained to get our work in. Despite the fact that it’s a day recreation, we’ve obtained to return out get appears and perceive what we’re coping with.”
I had a query for Vogt concerning the opponents the Guardians have needed to cope with. Which is the perfect crew you’ve performed up to now this season?
“That’s a superb query,” Vogt replied. “I’m stumped right here. The Dodgers are clearly… once we performed the Dodgers it was a very good crew. However I’ve a lot respect for everyone. There are such a lot of actually, actually good groups on the market. So yeah. I don’t know.”
The Guardians misplaced two of three video games once they hosted the Dodgers in late Could.
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FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Munetaka Murakami has 18 residence runs and a 246 wRC+ over 152 plate appearances in his return to motion following an indirect damage (which was preceded by elbow surgical procedure final winter). The 25-year-old Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger is taken into account a robust candidate to be posted following the NPB season.
Sung-mun Tune is slashing .314/.389/.528 with 24 residence runs and a 149 wRC+ over 581 plate appearances with the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes. The recently-turned-29-year-old third baseman/second baseman has reportedly requested to be posted following this season.
Cody Ponce broke the KBO’s single-season strikeout document this previous week. The 31-year-old Hanwha Eagles right-hander has fanned 228 batters whereas going 16-0 with a 1.76 ERA over 163-and-two-thirds innings. Ponce went 1-7 with a 5.86 ERA pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020-2021.
Eric Stout is 7-4 with a 2.45 ERA over 113-and-two-thirds innings for the Chinese language Skilled Baseball League’s TSG Hawks. The 32-year-old left-hander out of Butler College appeared in 23 video games for 3 MLB groups, principally the Pirates, from 2018-2022.
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A random obscure former participant snapshot:
Gene Hiser’s lone big-league residence run was particularly memorable. Batting with two out within the backside of the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs trailing the New York Mets by a rely of 3-2, the outfielder cleared the suitable area fence at Wrigley Discipline to ship the sport to extras. The house crew then walked off the June 19, 1973 contest within the tenth on a Jose Cardenal single that plated Billy Williams.
The remainder of Hiser’s profession wasn’t a lot to jot down residence about. All informed, the College of Maryland product performed in 206 video games for the Cubs from 1971-1975, logging 53 hits and a forty five wRC+. He did have success in opposition to a Corridor of Famer. Hiser went 3-for-8 in opposition to St. Louis Cardinals legend Bob Gibson.
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Eric Binder performs a key function in Cleveland’s pitching-development program, in addition to within the group’s draft selections. I lately requested the assistant normal supervisor for his ideas on a pair of 19-year-old pitchers whom the Guardians chosen in final 12 months’s newbie draft.
“A younger right-hander starter who lately transitioned from [the Arizona Complex League] to Lynchburg,” Binder stated of Joey Oakie, who was chosen 84th-overall out of Ankeny, Iowa’s Centennial Excessive Faculty. “Excessive velocity. A fastball that we’re all enthusiastic about. How his supply operates and with the profiles we’re seeing out of hand, he’s creating an fascinating demand on the hitter with how that will get pieced collectively.
“One other man from final 12 months’s draft class,” Binder stated of Braylon Doughty, who was taken Thirty sixth-overall out of Temecula, California’s Chaparral Excessive Faculty. “He broke with the Lynchburg crew out of spring coaching. An unimaginable athlete, and also you see that translate to his supply. Some pure really feel to create loads of totally different shapes, with plus underlying spin traits. A pure strike thrower. We’re actually excited to see him progress with us, as nicely.”
Doughty — seventh on our up to date Guardians checklist, with a forty five+ — has a 3.48 ERA, a 2.84 FIP, and a 27.3% strikeout charge over 85-and-a-third innings with Lynchburg. Oakie — twenty third on our checklist, with a 40+ FV — has a 5.31 ERA, a 4.59 FIP, and a 26.8% strikeout charge over 54-and-a-thirds between the AZL and Lynchburg. Topping out at 99 mph, Oakie has fanned 22 batters and allowed only one hit over nine-and-two-thirds innings in his final two outings.
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FARM NOTES
Kendall George has a most-in-the-minors 101 stolen bases (in 125 makes an attempt) to go together with a .295/.409/.370 slash line, three residence runs, and a 131 wRC+ over 514 plate appearances for the Excessive-A Nice Lakes Loons. No. 25 on our up to date Los Angeles Dodgers Prime Prospect checklist with a 40 FV, the 20-year-old outfielder was drafted Thirty sixth general final 12 months out of Humble, Texas’s Atascocita Excessive Faculty.
Gabriel Gonzalez is slashing .329/.397/.508 with 13 residence runs and a 148 wRC+ over 510 plate appearances throughout three ranges. At the moment with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, the 21-year-old outfielder was acquired by the Minnesota Twins from the Seattle Mariners as a part of the January 2024 Jorge Polanco commerce. Gonzalez is No. 9 in our up to date Twins rankings, with a forty five FV.
Micah Ashman has a 1.95 ERA, a 1.55 FIP, and a 33.5% strikeout charge over 55-and-a-third innings between Excessive-A and Double-A. An Eleventh-round decide final 12 months out of the College of Utah, the 23-year-old left-hander was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles from the Detroit Tigers in trade for Charlie Morton at this summer time’s commerce deadline.
The Midwest League’s West Michigan Whitecaps have the perfect document within the minors at 90-39. The Detroit Tigers’ Excessive-A affiliate has a plus-289 run differential.
The Dayton Dragons (Excessive-A Cincinnati Reds) gained 15 consecutive video games earlier than dropping to the Lansing Lugnuts 5-4 on Thursday evening. The Dragons have the Midwest League’s worst document at 51-76, and a minus-114 run differential.
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Kenya Huggins was caught unexpectedly when he discovered that he’d been dealt from the Reds to the Athletics at this summer time’s commerce deadline. A fourth-round decide by Cincinnati in 2002 out of Chipola Junior School, the 22-year-old right-hander was consuming a bowl of cereal when he acquired the information.
“It’s the craziest expertise I’ve ever had,” stated Huggins, who has been with Excessive-A Lansing since altering organizations. “It’s humorous, we have been really taking part in right here [at West Michigan]. I had simply gotten promoted to Dayton, and I used to be going to be pitching the subsequent day. My supervisor pulled me into the workplace and stated, ‘Hey, I want to speak to you.’ I used to be like, ‘Cool, let’s go chat.’ I used to be consuming a bowl of Cap’n Crunch. Had simply are available from shagging. Only a common day. No downside.
“So, I’m going within the workplace,” continued Huggins. “He informed me, ‘Hey, I wished to let you realize earlier than you have a look at your telephone that you simply’ve been traded for a big-leaguer. Miguel Andujar goes to the Reds and also you’ll be heading to the Athletics.’ At that second, I had no phrases. All I might say was, ‘I respect you.’”
The hard-throwing native of New Orleans appreciates his breakfast cereal, as nicely. I discovered as a lot once I requested if he completed the bowl of Cap’n Crunch.
“Yeah, I completed it,” Huggins replied with a smile. “I drank the milk, took within the data, and that was that.”
Huggins has a 3.81 ERA and a 3.80 FIP over 78 innings on the season. He’s No. 13 with a 40+ FV in our newest A’s prospect rankings.
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LINKS YOU’LL LIKE
At NBC Information, David Okay. Li checked out how the Girls’s Skilled Baseball League goals to take advantage of important impression on ladies’s baseball because the All-American Women Skilled Baseball League, which operated from 1943 to 1954.
Former Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Yonny Chirinos is pitching for the KBO’s LG Twins this season. Jee-ho Yoo wrote about him for Yonhap Information Company.
MLB.com’s Matthew Leach wrote about Minnesota Twins prospect Kala’i Rosario, who has 25 residence runs and 25 steals for Double-A Wichita Wind Surge.
MLB.com’s Sarah Wexler launched us to a prolific songwriter who has recorded a whole bunch of baseball tunes, lots of them about particular MLB gamers.
Texas Rangers supervisor Bruce Bochy is 70 years previous and within the final 12 months of his contract. Is that this his swan tune? Barry Bloom delved into the query at Sportico.
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RANDOM FACTS AND STATS
Milwaukee’s Quinn Priester is 11-0 with a 2.79 ERA since Could 30. The Brewers have gained all 17 video games he’s appeared in since that point.
be aware from ESPN’s Jesse Rogers on Friday afternoon: “The wind is blowing out at Wrigley for simply the sixteenth time in 68 video games this season. Groups have mixed to common 12.9 runs per recreation when it blows out, in comparison with seven when it blows in.
Luis Arraez recorded his 1,000th profession hit earlier this week. The three-time batting champ presently has 1,005 hits, together with 221 extra-base hits, in addition to 224 walks and 211 strikeouts.
Freddie Freeman has 938 extra-base hits, probably the most amongst lively gamers. He’s tied with Corridor of Famer Eddie Mathews for 58th all-time in that class.
Rafael Devers has 16 residence runs and a 136 wRC+ in 70 video games with the San Francisco Giants. He had 15 residence runs and a 144 wRC+ in 73 video games with the Boston Pink Sox previous to being traded in June.
Ichiro Suzuki and Troy Tulowitzki went a mixed 0-for-28 in opposition to Ryan Vogeltune. Omar Infante and Billy Hamilton went a mixed 13-for-19 in opposition to Vogelsong.
On right now’s date in 1971, Mickey Lolich went the space to run his document to 23-10 because the Detoit Tigers blanked the Washington Senators 3-0 at RFK Stadium. Lolich completed the season 25-14 with a 2.92 ERA over 376 innings. He threw full video games in 29 of his 45 begins.
The Boston Braves swept a doubleheader from the Brooklyn Dodgers on right now’s date in 1948, profitable by scores of 2-1 and 4-0. Warren Spahn went the space within the 14-inning opener, then Johnny Sain threw a whole recreation of his personal whereas throwing half as many frames. The nightcap was known as on account of darkness after the Dodgers batted within the prime of the seventh.
Gamers born on right now’s date embody John Pawlowski, a right-hander who made eight aid appearances for the Chicago White Sox throughout the 1987-1988 seasons. A longtime school coach following his taking part in profession, Pawlowski was on the profitable finish of his lone choice, the W coming courtesy of a Carlton Fisk walk-off residence run in opposition to Oakland’s Eric Plunk.
Additionally born on right now’s date was Stan Pawloski, an infielder whose big-league profession comprised two video games and one hit in eight at-bats for the Cleveland Indians in 1955. The Wanamie, Pennsylvania native spent 9 seasons on the farm, the primary of them with the 1949 Stroudsburg Poconos, a crew that went 101-36 earlier than happening to prime the Peekskill Highlanders within the North Atlantic League championship sequence.
