WTH Chavis, that's your ball to flip to Quintana, but instead make your starting pitcher almost jam his pitching shoulder
OT: Raise the Jolly Roger: Congrats to the Houston Cheaters on their win
- Thread starter Zirakzigil
- Start date
-
Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it. Click Here for Updates
- Status
DanielPlainview
Registered User
- Apr 28, 2009
- 8,914
- 3,163
I mean, he's showing what the "doubters" said he would but I'll give him a few weeks before judging
A KeByran Hayes HR! Too rare
Empoleon8771
Registered User
A Hayes HR that he pulled, wow.
Also I think the Pirates broadcast is going too hard at the "Cruz is god". He's going to have struggles and it's not going to help him if fans have consistently increasing expectations for him.
Also I think the Pirates broadcast is going too hard at the "Cruz is god". He's going to have struggles and it's not going to help him if fans have consistently increasing expectations for him.
DanielPlainview
Registered User
- Apr 28, 2009
- 8,914
- 3,163
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
I never thought he was going to come up and dominate. I had my doubts, more so defensively, but there were always going to be struggles at the plate as well.
I just know we'll see the very same people who have been howling about him for a month plus, getting screwed over, will turn on him without hesitation after a rough first week.
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
Precisely. They're pulling the same shit they did with Polanco. Walk almost brought the Bonds comparison out the other night.
Madris has flat out been better to this point and while nobody expects that to continue, it's cringeworthy to see and hear the over the top analysis of every little thing he does.
DanielPlainview
Registered User
- Apr 28, 2009
- 8,914
- 3,163
The problem was the proponents acted like he was the difference between a functioning and non-functioning offense. Then he had a hot first couple of games and they were self-satisfied at their proclamations.
Like with Archer, they will die on this hill and never admit they were wrong even in the face of absolute disaster.
I'm obviously rooting for him to be a great player but the yinzer hype was intolerable.
Like with Archer, they will die on this hill and never admit they were wrong even in the face of absolute disaster.
I'm obviously rooting for him to be a great player but the yinzer hype was intolerable.
DJ Spinoza
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2003
- 25,966
- 4,536
Baseball isn't a sport where you can draw meaningful general conclusions about any specific thing that you observe. With a player as anomalous and as talented as Cruz, this is magnified, because he's easy to project onto given that there really is no blueprint for him. At most he seems like a faster version of Aaron Judge, who also plays a much different position.
So if you see him take a bad swing? You start saying that he has bad plate discipline. And on and on. People just need to chill out. His callup has been overdue because he needs to be challenged by better pitchers than guys like Jerad Eickhoff. He's making the plays in the field and has also held his own at the plate, generally seeing a lot of pitches and making fine swing decisions. Today a decent lefty has gotten him to chase the slider for Ks, but that's a likely outcome that he needs to work through as he settles into everyday playing time at this level.
I do not think it is possible to understate how important he is for the immediate success of the team. Yes, baseball is a team sport, but Cruz is basically the main impact talent that we have, and so him hitting some of his upper ring outcomes is crucial for how quickly we can get the playoff window open.
So if you see him take a bad swing? You start saying that he has bad plate discipline. And on and on. People just need to chill out. His callup has been overdue because he needs to be challenged by better pitchers than guys like Jerad Eickhoff. He's making the plays in the field and has also held his own at the plate, generally seeing a lot of pitches and making fine swing decisions. Today a decent lefty has gotten him to chase the slider for Ks, but that's a likely outcome that he needs to work through as he settles into everyday playing time at this level.
I do not think it is possible to understate how important he is for the immediate success of the team. Yes, baseball is a team sport, but Cruz is basically the main impact talent that we have, and so him hitting some of his upper ring outcomes is crucial for how quickly we can get the playoff window open.
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
Agree 100%. We live in a society that is incredibly self centered and based on instant gratification. These people could not be reasoned with no matter how much logic you brought to the table. Cruz was not transforming this team in April. He clearly didn't deserve a call up when he was hitting .170/.550 a few weeks in AAA ball.
Today, 2 at bats vs a meh lefty? 2 pretty bad K's where he was clearly over matched. Hasn't looked comfortable the past couple of games after the huge 1st appearance. He's not a finished product and has a long way to go to reach maximum ability.
With all that being said, I'm not passing judgement on the guy less than a week into his career. It just sucks that so many will start to do so after today and will only become louder when the K's pile up and the numbers continue to dwindle. And worst of all, a lot of the people bitching will be the same people who, behind the handle on a message board, called the Pirates cheap, and stupid, for not having him up from day 1.
Not looking forward to the world where Cruz doesn't perform well.
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
Solid outing from Quintana. 70 pitches through 5, should be able to hopefully get us 6 and maybe even 7 if things go really well.
There's an adjustment period of course, and there's always people who criticize. I'm of the mind if he's still trying to get comfortable by the end of next season, and not allowing his natural ability to take over then I might start to worry, unless this staff is over coaching him.
DJ Spinoza
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2003
- 25,966
- 4,536
About 85 pitches from Steele, so maybe we'll see him for the 6th. Cruz is due up 4th and I'd like to see him face him for a third time.
These are two bad teams, it borders on comedy, and the commentary in the booth is as bad as the plays on the field. Quintana pitching like he wants out of Pgh
Last edited:
Empoleon8771
Registered User
I was about to say Cruz looks bad against lefties but then he laced that into the gap.
I do think the Pirates need better batters against lefties, though. Cruz and Suwinski will mash righties, but I think both will struggle against lefties.
I do think the Pirates need better batters against lefties, though. Cruz and Suwinski will mash righties, but I think both will struggle against lefties.
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
Cruz has shown more adjustment to me in 4 games than Polanco ever did in his 8 years here.
That was a hellova 0-2 win for him. He did it the other night from the 1st to 2nd AB and was able to drive a ball that had been giving him fits the first 2 AB's today.
RBI streak lives!
Cubs are absolutely worse than us. What a clown show on defense all series long.
That was a hellova 0-2 win for him. He did it the other night from the 1st to 2nd AB and was able to drive a ball that had been giving him fits the first 2 AB's today.
RBI streak lives!
Cubs are absolutely worse than us. What a clown show on defense all series long.
Coastal Kev
There will be "I told you so's" Bet on it
DJ Spinoza
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2003
- 25,966
- 4,536
The other day there was also a I think a 1-1 count where he spit on a pretty decent slider that was below the zone. I don't think the AB even resulted in a positive outcome but it's the type of thing I'm encouraged by. He's generally working counts and seeing a healthy amount of pitches.
That AB was interesting because it seemed like he just guessed wrong on pitch 1, then Steele had him mixed up on pitch 2, so it was looking like he'd just fold. The impressive thing -- though I want to again reiterate what we are all saying about chilling -- is that for the double, he's in protection mode and really doesn't even seem like he's going to make good contact with the ball, and the EV still is what it is and it easily goes to the wall.
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
If his hand to eye is elite he'll be able to drive a ball out of any park as long as he makes solid contact
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
DJ Spinoza
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2003
- 25,966
- 4,536
That's the exact kind of play where it's easy to yank the throw on. I think @Gallatin's point about going all out every time is right, though I think a little bit of it is just going to be general experience and sort of working himself into the pace of the game rather than having things speed up or slow down on him.
To me, that's the biggest thing that's been impressive about him over the past two seasons. He has ABs where he looks out of sorts, but it doesn't happen for extended periods, and he makes poor defensive plays but I don't think it's a regular thing. He can also make above average and excellent plays at short with frequency, which is why I don't think errors tell the whole story. Then, it should also be added, in most cases even very good players still need to make constant adjustments and improve parts of their game when they get to this level.
In the end, I am still a bit bitter about how long it took to call him up, but I'm glad there's enough season left where he will be able to have a bad week and try to shake it off. IMO the best plan would be to rest him on Sunday vs. McClanahan, but otherwise to keep him playing every single day and playing at shortstop.
To me, that's the biggest thing that's been impressive about him over the past two seasons. He has ABs where he looks out of sorts, but it doesn't happen for extended periods, and he makes poor defensive plays but I don't think it's a regular thing. He can also make above average and excellent plays at short with frequency, which is why I don't think errors tell the whole story. Then, it should also be added, in most cases even very good players still need to make constant adjustments and improve parts of their game when they get to this level.
In the end, I am still a bit bitter about how long it took to call him up, but I'm glad there's enough season left where he will be able to have a bad week and try to shake it off. IMO the best plan would be to rest him on Sunday vs. McClanahan, but otherwise to keep him playing every single day and playing at shortstop.
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
I'd like to see his ability to handle balls to his left where he takes a few strides stops and sets to throw, is it going to be a chore when you're 6' 7"? I haven't followed him in the minors, and that's a lot of human to stop once it gets going.
ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
Gallatin
A Banksy of Goonism
Thing is - the tools are for the most part superior to Bonds - so I get it. Barry struggled while flashing greatness early in his career. I expect similar from Oneil, and will get my juice from the insane physical freak show he puts on.
Doubt most see it that way though.
- Status
