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Tigers Hire A.J. Hinch As New Tigers Manager and New Coaches

https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/02/03/saturday-survey-63/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have expanded their MLB level coaching staff. Like most teams, they now have a double-digit number of coaches reporting to the manager. It is not unusual for some teams to have 13-14 coaches.

The Tigers now have 10, an increase from last year?s total of 6. Half of this year?s coaching staff are brand new to the organization. The other 5 came in under the Hinch regime.

The Tigers have added a third coach to both pitching and hitting. All coaches have different specialties and will be working with players in different ways and focusing in on different aspects. Some coaches will be working with players on the field while others will be focused on using and translating technology/video/stats. And then a couple with kinesiology/biomechanics backgrounds who will be addressing physical movement issues. There will be no overlap in their work but each department will be coordinating with each other.

They have also added a catching coach who will work directly with catchers and be involved in helping plan game strategy.

What do you think about the expansion of coaches? Do the players need all the help they can get? Do they need to keep up with what the rest of MLB is doing? Or is this too much?

What do you think about the Tigers now having 10 coaches?

1. About time they modernized and kept up with the rest of MLB.

2. Not sure. Need to see some of the season play out.

3. Not thrilled. Prefer a smaller number of coaches.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/03/02/the-fans-have-spoken-5/
THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN.
Totally Tigers

How many of you return a day or two later to check the final results of our weekly polls?

We really have an excellent cross-section of fans and historically, this group of readers almost always tend to be spot on about what they see happening with the Tigers. I am hoping that those with offices at Comerica read what the fans are saying and consider it when they are discussing strategy.

As background, each poll is carefully constructed, offering the full spectrum of options as well as avoiding the possibility of leading readers to a specific answer. And they are also tamper-proof. Unlike the All-Star voting, it?s 1 reader, 1 vote. The blog platform kicks out any additional votes submitted by a reader who has already voted once.

Let?s now take the time to review all of the major polls completed in February. What you may find most interesting is the often-seen difference between how the overall population of fans feel compared to the published reader comments. Sometimes, the most vocal of fans are in the minority. Some of you may be surprised at what you see.

What is also fun to discover is how far apart ? or how close ? fans are in voting.

As you peruse the questions, it may also be interesting to see how often you were in the majority ? or in the minority. This blog has always been about exploring baseball more deeply and being receptive to different theories and opinions. Where one stands in each of these polls is a great way to expand one?s thinking about the game.

Here are the questions, with the winner and percentage listed at the top in bold.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/11/watercooler-wednesday-80/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.

Let?s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you back in actual offices, here?s a question to take with you ? or use via Zoom ? as you talk to your co-workers.

Here is today?s topic??..

For multiple years now, the Detroit Tigers have failed to control the strike zone, leading them to sit at the bottom of most offensive categories. Last year, they set a record for lowest offense.

PoBO Scott Harris said that controlling the strike zone ? on both sides of the plate ? is the priority. Teams with hitters who do that best score more runs and get to play October baseball.

In the Tigers first 9 games of this year, they have MLB?s 3rd highest strikeout rate (26.9%), 5th lowest walk rate (7.4%), 5th highest chase rate (32.4%) and the sixth-lowest contact rate (73.5%).

The team hired Anthony Iapoce, a well-known hitting guru to take over AAA Toledo and instill a more disciplined hitting strategy with their prospects. They also hired well-known hitting coaches for the MLB level.

But it does take time for coaches to get to know players and figure out how to best advise them. And the learning process is not linear. It takes awhile for players to practice at a level where new techniques come more easily and consistently.

But how much change can Detroit?s new coaches inspire? Do results come mainly from coaching or from talent? Or is it a bit of both?

Currently, we are seeing very little proof that Detroit?s hitters have changed their approach at the plate. Is it too early?

Will it take longer? Or is this something that is too hard to change?

When do you believe we will start to see fewer strikeouts, more walks and a lower chase rate?
When do you believe we will start to see improvement in controlling the strike zone?

1. 1-2 months.

2. Second half of the season.

3. Not with this current group of players.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/05/11/five-for-friday-67/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Last Friday, we asked readers to name their top 5 positional player picks as building blocks for this team going forward. To qualify, each of them had to have spent some time on the 26-man roster. Those currently on the IL also qualify.

So who made the list? Here are the top 5 in order according to the votes cast:

THE TOP

RILEY GREENE

MATT VIERLING

KERRY CARPENTER

JAKE ROGERS

ZACH McKINSTRY

It was almost a dead heat between Greene and Vierling. They received the most votes by far. Note that 4 of the 5 weren?t on last year?s roster (Carpenter?s September call-up doesn?t count).

RUNNERS UP

SPENCER TORKELSON

JAVIER BAEZ

ERIC HAASE

There was a big gap between the first group and this one. All three here were very close in voting.

NEEDING TO STEP IT UP

ZACK SHORT

NICK MATON

AKIL BADDOO

ANDY IBANEZ

Three or fewer votes for each of these players.

For the record, 6 of us picked the identical group that got the most votes. Joining me is McWatt, KJO, David Varwig, Chief and dslwat. Congrats!
Your honorary GM credentials are in the mail?.

What do you all think of these results? Has the Tigers? current play changed your minds at all?
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/05/12/saturday-survey-77/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

After a horrible start to the year and ending up as MLB?s 2nd worst team, the Tigers have gone on a prolonged winning streak and currently sit just 3 games (through Thursday) out of 1st place. They have won 6 of their last 8 series.

Granted, they are probably unlikely to keep up this current pace, but doesn?t their performance so far have you re-thinking how this year may go?

PECOTA is considered to be the best projection system in baseball and they have the Tigers winning 65 games while losing 97. It is not determined via hunches but uses a complex system of calculations that usually end up being mostly correct.

What do you think about the Tigers chances this year? Will they perform similar to last year in which they finished 66-96? Will they be marginally better? Will they take a big step forward (15+ more wins) in the win column?

How well do you believe the Detroit Tigers will perform this year?

1. Similar to last year.

2. Marginally better than last year.

3. Significantly better than last year.

VOTE
 
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