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jdeb
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- Aug 5, 2011
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Well, it was a grand time for the most part. The wife was a little sick so we had to cut vacation short. I was planning on going to 2 more games. I was also going to get in a Yankee and Phillie game in as well. Pictures did not come out as well as they usually do but that's how it goes sometimes.
I came away with a few things. Rondon was not as impressive as I was hoping. I watched him from behind the net and his ball was flat. He throws hard but it was straight that night. He falls off the mound a lot, much like Scherzer used to do when he was wild. Sorry to say but I was not impressed and came away with the feeling of over-hype.
Benoit was sharp. His ball had great movement and he had excellent control. He kept the ball down and away, looked like 2011 Benoit. He is so nasty when he keeps the ball down.
Lobstein needs a lot of work. I can see the upside but he is no Furbush by any stretch. No command, weak mound presence. He appeared overwhelmed to me. Curve was hanging and right in the fat part of the strike zone, nearly every time. That thing will get killed in the Show. However, he snapped off 1 or 2 that dropped off the table. Fastball has a lot of movement but he does not know how to command it. If he has any more pitches, I did not see them, he looked like a train wreck, very uncomfortable. He is a project. I see him as a lefty specialist if he can harness command and get some confidence.
Fister was impressive. Not statistically but by the regime of work he needed to do during spring. He had a plan and was sticking to it. He has amazing stuff. To watch him from behind the net is breath taking. Talk about movement on all his pitches. He was working all his pitches. I swear he threw a knuckle ball to Joyce but I can not prove it. I would not be surprised if he won 20 games (realistic 15), he is potentially that good.
VMart is ready. He has that sweet stroke. If he can stay healthy, look out, we will win it all. He was also working with all the catchers before the game. He is such a leader. He was working with Kelly, Prince, and maybe Pena? before the game on tossing the ball to the pitcher and bunt fielding. He is really good at 1B, that shocked me a little.
Kelly is a hard worker. I seen him spending time with Sopo and Russo. He was definitely instructing them. I got there real early on Tuesday and he worked on bunting for a while. He is what he is, a leader. I see him as a Gabe Kapler on a championship team. Necessary evil.
Sopo (Tuiasosopo) at first glance appears as a big man. He really is not, compared to Miggy or Hunter. The sound that comes off of his bat is similar to Jackson but not quite as sweet as Miggy's. Pulls his head up last minute so I would be surprised to see him on the roster mid year.
Hunter is the consummate professional. Fast for his age, perfect defensive placement, strong contact hitter. He is going to be a treat hitting in the 2 hole. Much needed. Arm is amazingly accurate. He gets us over the top.
Avila looks like he needs the DL. Sorry, but this guy looks like he needs 2 knee replacements. The media is writing different but he is banged up. He should sponsor Advil or Alive.
Al Al looked OK. He is a slider away from the DL in my opinion. His mechanics hurt my elbow just watching him.
Darin Downs will fill in for Coke when he becomes the Tigers Closer. He will not miss a beat.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20526920@N06/
I came away with a few things. Rondon was not as impressive as I was hoping. I watched him from behind the net and his ball was flat. He throws hard but it was straight that night. He falls off the mound a lot, much like Scherzer used to do when he was wild. Sorry to say but I was not impressed and came away with the feeling of over-hype.
Benoit was sharp. His ball had great movement and he had excellent control. He kept the ball down and away, looked like 2011 Benoit. He is so nasty when he keeps the ball down.
Lobstein needs a lot of work. I can see the upside but he is no Furbush by any stretch. No command, weak mound presence. He appeared overwhelmed to me. Curve was hanging and right in the fat part of the strike zone, nearly every time. That thing will get killed in the Show. However, he snapped off 1 or 2 that dropped off the table. Fastball has a lot of movement but he does not know how to command it. If he has any more pitches, I did not see them, he looked like a train wreck, very uncomfortable. He is a project. I see him as a lefty specialist if he can harness command and get some confidence.
Fister was impressive. Not statistically but by the regime of work he needed to do during spring. He had a plan and was sticking to it. He has amazing stuff. To watch him from behind the net is breath taking. Talk about movement on all his pitches. He was working all his pitches. I swear he threw a knuckle ball to Joyce but I can not prove it. I would not be surprised if he won 20 games (realistic 15), he is potentially that good.
VMart is ready. He has that sweet stroke. If he can stay healthy, look out, we will win it all. He was also working with all the catchers before the game. He is such a leader. He was working with Kelly, Prince, and maybe Pena? before the game on tossing the ball to the pitcher and bunt fielding. He is really good at 1B, that shocked me a little.
Kelly is a hard worker. I seen him spending time with Sopo and Russo. He was definitely instructing them. I got there real early on Tuesday and he worked on bunting for a while. He is what he is, a leader. I see him as a Gabe Kapler on a championship team. Necessary evil.
Sopo (Tuiasosopo) at first glance appears as a big man. He really is not, compared to Miggy or Hunter. The sound that comes off of his bat is similar to Jackson but not quite as sweet as Miggy's. Pulls his head up last minute so I would be surprised to see him on the roster mid year.
Hunter is the consummate professional. Fast for his age, perfect defensive placement, strong contact hitter. He is going to be a treat hitting in the 2 hole. Much needed. Arm is amazingly accurate. He gets us over the top.
Avila looks like he needs the DL. Sorry, but this guy looks like he needs 2 knee replacements. The media is writing different but he is banged up. He should sponsor Advil or Alive.
Al Al looked OK. He is a slider away from the DL in my opinion. His mechanics hurt my elbow just watching him.
Darin Downs will fill in for Coke when he becomes the Tigers Closer. He will not miss a beat.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20526920@N06/
