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Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 3:41 pm
by Santoki
Hey guys,
I figured we would need this thread to keep track of any news that comes up in Spring Training related to actual baseball. This is a contract-free zone.
Also, we can track information about the Spring Training games here. Yesterday the Jays played and Stroman started and we didn't hear really anything about any of their performances. Not that it's important right now, but we should have a place to at least discuss it.
Anyways, I'll start us off with some Jays news...
http://www.tsn.ca/osuna-storen-saying-right-things-about-closer-role-1.446260The article discusses the closer competition between Osuna and Storen, but I found the bits about Osuna interesting for those interested in his route to becoming a starter.
Osuna, who one Blue Jays’ observer described as “the best pitcher in the organization … and it’s not even close,” isn’t ready to take his vast repertoire of pitches into the starting rotation. He’s three years removed from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery and there’s a further complicating factor: the club considers him high risk for re-injury. Osuna throws hard and his mechanics – the infamous “inverted W” through his delivery – are a dangerous combination. With that in mind, there continues to be internal debate as to whether Osuna would be best suited to a long career as a dominant late-game reliever.
It’s too bad if that’s the case because the kid has the top-of-the-rotation potential.
Osuna’s elbow is clearly on his mind and it should be. The likelihood of big-league success lessens significantly following a second Tommy John.
“I would like to be a starter in a couple of years but not yet,” said Osuna. “I don’t want to injure my elbow; I don’t want to get hurt again, so I’ll be a reliever for now. Hopefully I’ll be in the starting rotation in a couple of years or whatever.”
Also, we have our first "forearm tightness" of the season award and the winner is Aaron Loup!
Aaron Loup is suffering from tightness in his left forearm; the Blue Jays are hopeful it’s nothing serious.
“He’s feeling better. The next couple of days he’s going to throw and then we’ll have a better idea,” said Gibbons. “The doctors didn’t think it was too big a deal. They told him to take five days off.”
Finally, for those interested in the 4th OF competition, it looks like Pompey won't be in the running. He either needs to win the starting job or he'll be in the minors according to Gibby.
If Dalton Pompey doesn’t land the starting job in left field, which seems likely, he’ll begin the season in the minor leagues.
“If he’s not an everyday player right now, especially in the beginning of the season, he needs to be playing; otherwise you stunt his growth,” said Gibbons. “He’s still polishing his game.”
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 5:29 pm
by Lateral Quicks
If Pompey doesn't start, who's the fourth outfielder? Is Carrera still around?
As for Osuna's mechanics, the place for a major overhaul to a delivery is in the low minors. I don't see that happening any more.
And how about those new warmup caps. Count me as not a fan.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 5:46 pm
by RapsAndJays21
can we skip to April please..
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 6:19 pm
by Santoki
Lateral Quicks wrote:If Pompey doesn't start, who's the fourth outfielder? Is Carrera still around?
At the moment it seems like it will be an open competition between Junior Lake, Domonic Brown, Carrera and Ceciliani for that spot. I couldn't tell you anything about Lake or Ceciliani or who the front-runner would be, so it'll be interesting to see who emerges.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 8:46 pm
by Raps_Swingman
Santoki wrote:Lateral Quicks wrote:If Pompey doesn't start, who's the fourth outfielder? Is Carrera still around?
At the moment it seems like it will be an open competition between Junior Lake, Domonic Brown, Carrera and Ceciliani for that spot. I couldn't tell you anything about Lake or Ceciliani or who the front-runner would be, so it'll be interesting to see who emerges.
I have a feeling they'll give Dominic Brown a long hard look there. He's a 1st round pick 2 years removed from a All Star season(3.1 WAR).
Guys like that always get another shot based on talent/projections/change of scenery type of dreams.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 8:48 pm
by Skin Blues
I think Brown and Ceciliani are the most interesting names, as far as upside. At this point we can be fairly certain that Junior Lake and Ezequiel Carrera are terrible hitters. Brown has been brutal the past couple years but the slim chance of another 2013 is at least interesting, and it wasn't considered a fluke at the time given his prospect pedigree. Ceciliani is in all likelihood terrible but at least there's some unknown in him. It'd be really nice if Saunders could stay healthy though, otherwise it's likely crossing our fingers with Dom Brown.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 10:00 pm
by Lateral Quicks
Raps_Swingman wrote:Santoki wrote:Lateral Quicks wrote:If Pompey doesn't start, who's the fourth outfielder? Is Carrera still around?
At the moment it seems like it will be an open competition between Junior Lake, Domonic Brown, Carrera and Ceciliani for that spot. I couldn't tell you anything about Lake or Ceciliani or who the front-runner would be, so it'll be interesting to see who emerges.
I have a feeling they'll give Dominic Brown a long hard look there. He's a 1st round pick 2 years removed from a All Star season(3.1 WAR).
Guys like that always get another shot based on talent/projections/change of scenery type of dreams.
I think you're probably right. I thought Carrera actually had a decent season last year, but I just checked his stats and it was rather abysmal. BBREF has him at -1.4 WAR on defense alone (lol).
If we go with Brown I guess Saunders would get the call spotting Pillar in CF on the rare occasion he needs a rest.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 10:08 pm
by The_Hater
Skin Blues wrote:I think Brown and Ceciliani are the most interesting names, as far as upside. At this point we can be fairly certain that Junior Lake and Ezequiel Carrera are terrible hitters. Brown has been brutal the past couple years but the slim chance of another 2013 is at least interesting, and it wasn't considered a fluke at the time given his prospect pedigree. Ceciliani is in all likelihood terrible but at least there's some unknown in him. It'd be really nice if Saunders could stay healthy though, otherwise it's likely crossing our fingers with Dom Brown.
Lake seemed to jump a level in AAA last year, he hit well and finally showed some patience at the plate. Perhaps the light bulb finally went on?
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Wed Mar 2, 2016 11:05 pm
by Randle McMurphy
Assuming Pompey is not an option, Brown would have to be awful during ST to not get the 4th OF job among that group. Which, considering his history, he might just be.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Thu Mar 3, 2016 11:52 pm
by North_of_Border
Storen should be the closer. He is a proven veteran but also because if the Jays view Osuna as a future Starter, he should be in a position were he will see multiple innings. He should be the setup man..... then in 2017 he would get a look as a starter.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a Huge Osuna fan.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Fri Mar 4, 2016 7:04 am
by Kinger95
Storen should be the closer.
At least then if he pitches poorly and looses the job to osuna you can just swap them but if the opposite happens and Roberto loses his closing job to storen you don't know how it could affect Roberto mentally. Plus if storen saves a ton of games this year he could have draft pick compensation attached to him come next FA which could net us a much needed high pick or let us get him for under market value
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Fri Mar 4, 2016 12:07 pm
by Lateral Quicks
Agree 100%, Storen should be the closer. Use Osuna in higher leverage spots throughout the games, and occasionally for two innings at a time to build up his stamina.
Apparently Venditte is impressing so far, and with Loup potentially injured for a while he might be in the running for a spot. In the very tiny sample of 48 PA's against lefties last year, he had an opposing OPS of .447. Against righties it was above .800. If that differential were to play out over a larger sample, I'd question whether he should just throw left-handed all the time.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Fri Mar 4, 2016 3:53 pm
by Santoki
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Fri Mar 4, 2016 3:58 pm
by chargerxthirty
Was at the game yesterday... Junior lake looked really anxious at the plate to me... On a positive note... Ceciliani had a nice game... Anthony Alford showed impressive patience at the plate. I got to see venditte throw and afterwards when I talked to him and have positive encouragement.. He was true class. He was surprised I even knew who he was and was really appreciative of the recognition and quite humble. Got autographs from Saunders go go and gibby. I literally wish gibby was my uncle or something... Such a great guy. The Pittsburgh crowd was great. The resounding thought amongst the pirates faithful was .... "you guys stole Joey bats from us" ... Mckechnie was gorgeous but Bradenton was a bit of a dump.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Fri Mar 4, 2016 4:32 pm
by Santoki
chargerxthirty wrote:Was at the game yesterday... Junior lake looked really anxious at the plate to me... On a positive note... Ceciliani had a nice game... Anthony Alford showed impressive patience at the plate. I got to see venditte throw and afterwards when I talked to him and have positive encouragement.. He was true class. He was surprised I even knew who he was and was really appreciative of the recognition and quite humble. Got autographs from Saunders go go and gibby. I literally wish gibby was my uncle or something... Such a great guy. The Pittsburgh crowd was great. The resounding thought amongst the pirates faithful was .... "you guys stole Joey bats from us" ... Mckechnie was gorgeous but Bradenton was a bit of a dump.
I've always wanted to get down to Dunedin for a week and take in Spring Training. I'll have to do it one of these years. Thanks for the story!
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Fri Mar 4, 2016 6:44 pm
by vaff87
That poor guy had such brutal luck with the Jays.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Sat Mar 5, 2016 2:34 am
by Fairview4Life
vaff87 wrote:That poor guy had such brutal luck with the Jays.
Other than the being paid millions of dollars part.
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Sat Mar 5, 2016 3:34 pm
by super_balls
For anyone who has been paying attention.. How has Brown and Alford been?
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Sat Mar 5, 2016 6:24 pm
by s e n s i
lol nola getting lit up
Re: Spring Training News & Grapefruit League Action
Posted: Sat Mar 5, 2016 7:15 pm
by RINSE
Saunders!