Comments on: Whose arm helps the team, and whose hurts it? http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/ A New York Yankees Blog Mon, 28 May 2012 05:26:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Some fans will have obstructed views in the New Yankee Stadium…. | Yankees Rumors - NYYankeesRumors.com http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-285815 Some fans will have obstructed views in the New Yankee Stadium…. | Yankees Rumors - NYYankeesRumors.com Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:57:03 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-285815 [...] Whose arm helps the team, and whose hurts it? / A-ROD AND THE HR CHASE [...] [...] Whose arm helps the team, and whose hurts it? / A-ROD AND THE HR CHASE [...]

]]> By: Fans will have obstructed views in the New Yankee Stadium…. « Zell’s Pinstripe Blog http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281934 Fans will have obstructed views in the New Yankee Stadium…. « Zell’s Pinstripe Blog Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:41:03 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281934 [...] Whose arm helps the team, and whose hurts it? / A-ROD AND THE HR CHASE [...] [...] Whose arm helps the team, and whose hurts it? / A-ROD AND THE HR CHASE [...]

]]> By: tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281693 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:07:39 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281693 But, even if Melky has a <i>stronger</i> arm than Brett, if Brett takes better paths to the ball that leaves him in a better and quicker throwing position once he has the ball, and has better range meaning he gets to more balls in general, and has a more <i>accurate</i> arm than Melky meaning his throws are truer and less off-line meaning they get to the intended base in position for the other defender to make a play more frequently, it’s easy to see how Brett can have a more <i>effective</i> arm that saves more runs despite it being much weaker. Melky may save a certain number of runs a season over Brett by having a stronger arm but may give those runs right back by having a less accurate arm or by putting himself in poor throwing position leading to a slower release. But, even if Melky has a stronger arm than Brett, if Brett takes better paths to the ball that leaves him in a better and quicker throwing position once he has the ball, and has better range meaning he gets to more balls in general, and has a more accurate arm than Melky meaning his throws are truer and less off-line meaning they get to the intended base in position for the other defender to make a play more frequently, it’s easy to see how Brett can have a more effective arm that saves more runs despite it being much weaker.

Melky may save a certain number of runs a season over Brett by having a stronger arm but may give those runs right back by having a less accurate arm or by putting himself in poor throwing position leading to a slower release.

]]> By: MattG http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281620 MattG Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:01:38 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281620 Just say, "Oops, I missed that part of the post. Sorry." Just say, “Oops, I missed that part of the post. Sorry.”

]]> By: Matt http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281616 Matt Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:54:42 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281616 I don't think he strikes out too much. His minor league numbers indicate that striking out was never really a problem. He only struck out more than 80 times once, in 2006 splitting time between Tampa and Trenton. He struck out a lot in the majors this past season because he was coming up to a new level and he seems to have a track record of struggling once he reaches a new level, but then settling in fine the year after. Once he adjusts to major league pitching, I think we'll see the strikeouts drop and the walks begin to rise, along with more singles. I don’t think he strikes out too much. His minor league numbers indicate that striking out was never really a problem. He only struck out more than 80 times once, in 2006 splitting time between Tampa and Trenton.

He struck out a lot in the majors this past season because he was coming up to a new level and he seems to have a track record of struggling once he reaches a new level, but then settling in fine the year after. Once he adjusts to major league pitching, I think we’ll see the strikeouts drop and the walks begin to rise, along with more singles.

]]> By: Tom Zig http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281613 Tom Zig Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:45:17 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281613 I don't think it would go over well if Gardner called Cashman saying "This is Brett calling on behalf of Brett, Brett wants to play" I don’t think it would go over well if Gardner called Cashman saying
“This is Brett calling on behalf of Brett, Brett wants to play”

]]> By: Tom Zig http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281608 Tom Zig Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:41:29 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281608 You're on fire already I see. You’re on fire already I see.

]]> By: steve (different one) http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281602 steve (different one) Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:38:17 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281602 the difference between Gardner and guys like Randolph is that Gardner strikes out WAAAAAAY too much for someone with his skillset. that's the difference that everyone ignores. Randolph rarely struck out, so by putting a ton of balls in play, he kept his average up. Gardner approaches his AB's like a power hitter, working deep counts trying to draw walks instead of trying to slap the ball the other way and beat out base hits. in the majors, those 3-2 counts are going to turn into K's instead of the BB's he gets from minor league pitching. now, that's not to say he CAN'T change his approach. he can, and i expect that he will, and become a somewhat useful player. but there are a LOT of people that just look at his minor league OBP and assume it will translate to the majors. that is pretty unlikely. he's going to have to bunt more and start putting the ball into play more often to be successful, and unfortunately, he's going to walk less as a result. but if he doesn't, he's going to wind up hitting .250/.330/.360, which isn't going to help anyone. the difference between Gardner and guys like Randolph is that Gardner strikes out WAAAAAAY too much for someone with his skillset.

that’s the difference that everyone ignores.

Randolph rarely struck out, so by putting a ton of balls in play, he kept his average up.

Gardner approaches his AB’s like a power hitter, working deep counts trying to draw walks instead of trying to slap the ball the other way and beat out base hits.

in the majors, those 3-2 counts are going to turn into K’s instead of the BB’s he gets from minor league pitching.

now, that’s not to say he CAN’T change his approach. he can, and i expect that he will, and become a somewhat useful player.

but there are a LOT of people that just look at his minor league OBP and assume it will translate to the majors. that is pretty unlikely.

he’s going to have to bunt more and start putting the ball into play more often to be successful, and unfortunately, he’s going to walk less as a result. but if he doesn’t, he’s going to wind up hitting .250/.330/.360, which isn’t going to help anyone.

]]> By: Dirt http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281597 Dirt Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:25:51 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281597 So you're taking an inference over what Joe actually wrote? That seems flawed to me too... So you’re taking an inference over what Joe actually wrote? That seems flawed to me too…

]]> By: Matt http://riveraveblues.com/2009/02/whose-arm-helps-the-team-and-whose-hurts-it-7960/#comment-281589 Matt Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:16:45 +0000 http://riveraveblues.com/?p=7960#comment-281589 That I disagree with because Gardner has a better track record of on-base skills, something that Podsednik lacked. Defensively, as well, I think Gardner projects to be above Podsednik. Meh, we'll see. If Melky mashes in ST and Bretty doesn't hit well, I'd be fine putting Melky out there in CF and having Gardner as the back up or vice versa. We'll see in a few weeks. That I disagree with because Gardner has a better track record of on-base skills, something that Podsednik lacked. Defensively, as well, I think Gardner projects to be above Podsednik. Meh, we’ll see. If Melky mashes in ST and Bretty doesn’t hit well, I’d be fine putting Melky out there in CF and having Gardner as the back up or vice versa. We’ll see in a few weeks.

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