Lott:Kevin Seitzer likes what Ryan Goins brings to plate

[Graham's Cracker]

After the Jays fired Chad Mottola and hired Seitzer, the new coach called his hitters to say hello and said he would be pleased to provide room and board at his Kansas City home if they were interested in a day or two of winter workouts. Goins jumped at the offer and spent last weekend with his new tutor.

“I picked him up at the airport, I fed him, kept him at my house, took him to work out and watched movies with him, just to get to know him,” Seitzer said during a break from working at the club’s prospect camp this week.

“I felt like he needed to kind of simplify some things with his stance and his setup, keeping his legs underneath him a little bit more and letting his hands work in a little better position, staying inside the ball,” Seitzer said. “He had a little tendency to get out and around on pitches that were in. We just did some drill work and I showed him a couple little techniques that he could do with his hands that got him pretty excited.”

Seitzer owes his new job to the relationship he developed with Toronto manager John Gibbons when both were coaches with Kansas City from 2009 through 2011. He says much of his work involves helping hitters cope with the inside pitch.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/01/09/blue-jays-new-hitting-coach-kevin-seitzer-likes-what-ryan-goins-brings-to-plate/

[torontoaces04]

Smart move by Goins. He hasn't ever been tagged as a good hitter, at any level coming up, so just assuming he will be once he hits the majors is a stretch. I think he is going to struggle to hit .225 next season, given a full-time role next season.

[MikeM]

Well now I like Ryan Goins.

[dagger]

Smart move by Goins. He hasn't ever been tagged as a good hitter, at any level coming up, so just assuming he will be once he hits the majors is a stretch. I think he is going to struggle to hit .225 next season, given a full-time role next season.

I'd take .225 with plus D and a few more walks if we added a starting pitcher or two. The JPA impact on the batting order is history now, hopefully a healthy Melky can raise his averages a bit, Lawrie and Jose Reyes gets off to a better start, etc.

[satyr9]

Goins is almost assuredly going to be the 9th guy. As long he provides actual, rather than matador, defense in the middle, I think I can stomach it.

I checked it out a bit and I'd really like to add Jeff Baker for the 13th man this year. He's a great lefty hitter, a corner OF who has/can? manned 2B, leaving tons and tons of time for him to give Melky, Ryan, and Adam days off.

[Graham's Cracker]

Goins is almost assuredly going to be the 9th guy. As long he provides actual, rather than matador, defense in the middle, I think I can stomach it.

I checked it out a bit and I'd really like to add Jeff Baker for the 13th man this year. He's a great lefty hitter, a corner OF who has/can? manned 2B, leaving tons and tons of time for him to give Melky, Ryan, and Adam days off.

Baker would be great given his versalitity as long as he's healthy. Ideal bench player especially if we sacrifice bench depth for extra arms.

[Graham's Cracker]

Well now I like Ryan Goins.

Great approach by Seitzer too. Love to see him get an early start with the hitters, especially those looking to put in extra time like Goins.

[Michael Bradley]

If Goins is going to start at 2B, then I hope Seitzer really is worth 58 runs over an average hitting coach.

[akakalakin]

Smart move by Goins. He hasn't ever been tagged as a good hitter, at any level coming up, so just assuming he will be once he hits the majors is a stretch. I think he is going to struggle to hit .225 next season, given a full-time role next season.

I'd take .225 with plus D and a few more walks if we added a starting pitcher or two. The JPA impact on the batting order is history now, hopefully a healthy Melky can raise his averages a bit, Lawrie and Jose Reyes gets off to a better start, etc.

The catcher will also be hitting around that, the inevitable few others - suddenly half the lineup is. The problems of April/May last year have not been dealt with.

[Idontknowurlife]

if he's going to hit 225 they should just use kawasaki.

[Lateral Quicks]

if he's going to hit 225 they should just use kawasaki.

This.

[zong]

Didn't Goins hit that salami in the first game of Spring Training? ah the good 'ol days

[spykelee]

“If we’re down by three runs and Encarnacion’s up and it goes to a 3-1 count, we need to be taking that pitch right there,” Seitzer said. “He’s not going to hit a three-run homer with nobody on and we’ve got a chance to start a rally, get a baserunner that will put us in position to bring the tying run to the plate late in the game.”

[BigLeagueChew]

“If we’re down by three runs and Encarnacion’s up and it goes to a 3-1 count, we need to be taking that pitch right there,” Seitzer said. “He’s not going to hit a three-run homer with nobody on and we’ve got a chance to start a rally, get a baserunner that will put us in position to bring the tying run to the plate late in the game.”

Not sure If I agree with this. Understand the concept but we are talking about Encarnacion here not Arencibia. Edwin is not one of the hitters we need to change their approach or improve that much more he's fine and does not need to change very much in his approach. Very rarely does he chase a bad pitch anyways and his walk rate has been more than acceptable the last 2 years. They could use someone to stay healthy and hit well behind him, last year we would be asking Edwin to walk and trust Arencibia to do something.

[InfraRedshaw]

if he's going to hit 225 they should just use kawasaki.

That is a NEGATIVE, they both play the middle infield, but Goin's younger with better defense, at a bigger position of need. so no just no.

[spykelee]

Not sure If I agree with this. Understand the concept but we are talking about Encarnacion here not Arencibia. Edwin is not one of the hitters we need to change their approach or improve that much more he's fine and does not need to change very much in his approach. Very rarely does he chase a bad pitch anyways and his walk rate has been more than acceptable the last 2 years. They could use someone to stay healthy and hit well behind him, last year we would be asking Edwin to walk and trust Arencibia to do something.

I don't quite get it either. The guy is our best hitter. Down 1 run, 3 runs or 10 runs, I'd really prefer if he'd swing the bat. Like you said, we really don't need to be messing with E5's approach. I get the idea, but I was dumbfounded to actually read that quote.

[Michael Bradley]

Maybe this is just paranoia based on what happened in 2008, but Seitzer scares me.

In 2008, the Jays hired a hitting coach (Gary Denbo) who allegedly preached "going the other way" and working the count and all that nice fancy stuff. The offense subsequently sucked prior to him being let go when Gibbons was fired mid-season, and the team didn't get things going again until Tenace came on board when Gaston was hired. Matt Stairs then went on a tirade about how Denbo messed everyone (specifically himself and Alex Rios) up.

If Seitzer is smart, he will leave the good pull hitters (Bautista and Encarnacion in particular) alone and work with the hitters that need help.

[Graham's Cracker]

Not sure If I agree with this. Understand the concept but we are talking about Encarnacion here not Arencibia. Edwin is not one of the hitters we need to change their approach or improve that much more he's fine and does not need to change very much in his approach. Very rarely does he chase a bad pitch anyways and his walk rate has been more than acceptable the last 2 years. They could use someone to stay healthy and hit well behind him, last year we would be asking Edwin to walk and trust Arencibia to do something.

I don't quite get it either. The guy is our best hitter. Down 1 run, 3 runs or 10 runs, I'd really prefer if he'd swing the bat. Like you said, we really don't need to be messing with E5's approach. I get the idea, but I was dumbfounded to actually read that quote.

Especially when he's referring to a 3-1 count. 3-1 is a lot different than 3-0. If we're down 3 runs and EE has a 3-1 count I want him to hit a good pitch. You have to trust good hitters that they're going to swing at a good pitch. Maybe some players haven't earned the right to that approach, but you've got to trust your best hitters.

[BigLeagueChew]

Yeah I guess the plan could work in some instances? Just trying to picture us in the situation being down by 3 runs. Many times people let that 3-1 pitch go and it's the best pitch they will see all at bat.

If it was a playoff game would we have the same line of thinking? Down by 3 against the Red Sox in game 5 of the playoffs, Edwin pops out on a 3 and 1 pitch. i think I would be alright with it , Edwin has earned the right to swing whenever he wants. As has JBau, Reyes and a few others. Just make sure it's something you can hit. Good to talk baseball strategy mid January, looking forward to this season.

[flatjacket1]

It's important to swing differently in different situations, but most players do that already. I agree with the approach completely, but at the same type if you become too predictable it's fatal. I hope it's a philosophy and not Seitzer in the dug out with a take sign taped to his hat.

When the hit and run is on, you better get that ball on the ground. No lazy fly balls/lasers. It's team baseball.

Best hit and run guy on the team has to be Thole. Guy has executed perfectly time and time again. Important for a hitter of his caliber.