Fall Scrimmage Thread

[SPAL]

Probably because his fastball is hitting 87

[SPAL]

Another K for him. His stuff is nasty. Changes eye level

[SPAL]

Simms beats out another if hit that was routine to the 1b, and beats the pitcher to the bag. Then steals 2nd after getting caught leaning. Then scores from 2nd on a nice single from scroggins.

Guys, this guy is the speed we been missing. He is the fastest player I've personally seen suit up for us.

[SPAL]

We need to keep an eye on this scroggins kid. 2-3 by my count with 2 ribs

[SPAL]

Rodriguez has impressed me the most on the mound. He is making these guys look silly. Keeping batters guessing by changing speeds. His velo isn't good, but his pitch selection is great.

[SPAL]

By my count, Simms is 3-3 with 2 runs scored, a stolen base, and has yet to hit one out of the infield

[SPAL]

J rod back out for another inning

[SPAL]

You guys are going to love Bennighoff. This dude is Charlie Hustle first of all. Everything he hits is solid. He squared everything up. Even his foul balls were rockets. He roped one to first and was robbed by a nice diving play by catron. He dove into first. He was told not to do it again....but the hustle was there.

He is gonna be an average and power guy. And I haven't even mentioned his potential in the field.

[SPAL]

Catron looking good with the glove

[SPAL]

Pate struggling to get his curve ball over. Tends to overthrow it and it bounces. When he does start it in the middle of the zone, it breaks off beautifully. It is a solid pitch if he gets it over. Still struggling with his command of his fastball.

[SPAL]

New pitcher is Josh alberius

[SPAL]

JA has pinpoint location right now.

[SPAL]

Simms swinging bunt in front of the plate and beats it out again, but they called him out.

[flippinhogmana]

I think Benninghoff or Simms plays center, the other plays right (depending on arm strength and consistent hitting of course).  boni would figure more for LF.

Who does he heir apparent seem to be for third?

[SPAL]

The cannon on the mound now. Josh Alberius looked really good. May have added a mph to his velo

[SPAL]

I think Benninghoff or Simms plays center, the other plays right (depending on arm strength and consistent hitting of course).  boni would figure more for LF.

Who does he heir apparent seem to be for third?

Right now, scroggins. But it is really anybody's guess

[SPAL]

Don't hit it to jack attack. Nice diving catch in center. Early favorite for fan favorite

[SPAL]

Cannon looks untouchable. I'm trying not to be overly positive, but he had a nice 123

[SPAL]

Spanberger is really struggling. Not seeing the ball at all.

[SPAL]

Scroggins doesn't have the arm that Bobby had. Not even close

[flippinhogmana]

thanks spal for the thread, to you uca for chipping in too

[SPAL]

Canyon continues to dominate

[flippinhogmana]

wasnt the problem with both Chadwick and Sanburn last year location?

[SPAL]

With Chadwick, he did struggle with location. Sanburn wasn't so much location, as he was didn't have control. I guess you could lump them both together, but not being able to locate and not having control is different to me. Chadwick was around the plate, sanburn wasn't close.

I will write up some notes later.

[SPAL]

Was told that d. Simms ran a 3.97 h2f today.

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

Good stuff. Thanks SPAL!

[Scott7703]

Great job on the updates.

[Amityvillehogger]

Good stuff sir.

[ucahogfan]

Was told that d. Simms ran a 3.97 h2f today.

[SPAL]

Campbell- big ole righty with a fastball that touched 91 but was sitting 88-90 most of the time. He was one of the new guys that was able to get his curve ball over for a strike. It is tight with late break. Very slow getting off the mound. Struggled commanding his fastball his first inning but regrouped in his 2nd. When he was down in the zone he can be effective. He got hit hard in that first inning because he was up in the zone too much. Don't expect much from him this year. Maybe a midweek middle reliever.

Hunter Hart- not effective at all. Control was all over the place. Walked the bases loaded twice. Fastball didn't seem overly powerful. Has a nice changeup when he could get it over. Hard to say much cause he was so wild. So bad in one inning, coaches changed sides without finishing the inning.

I'll add some more later

[trippigs]

Scroggins doesn't have the arm that Bobby had. Not even close

Something seemed amiss. I saw him overthrow to first numerous times between innings. His glove looked smooth enough

[flippinhogmana]

Something seemed amiss. I saw him overthrow to first numerous times between innings. His glove looked smooth enough

I used to play third mostly and I would sometimes over throw first when the ball took off on me.  I would have somewhat natural movement when I threw hard.  I threw hardest when I rushed it.  As long as I stayed in control I always threw okay, but if I bobbled the ball especially and I thought the play was on me or if I was just trying to be heroic, the ball too often took off on me.  I dont know if that in any way fits the problem with Scroggins, but its one explanation.  It shouldnt be what is troubling him on just simply warming up between innings though.

[bulldog04]

I used to play third mostly and I would sometimes over throw first when the ball took off on me.  I would have somewhat natural movement when I threw hard.  I threw hardest when I rushed it.  As long as I stayed in control I always threw okay, but if I bobbled the ball especially and I thought the play was on me or if I was just trying to be heroic, the ball too often took off on me.  I dont know if that in any way fits the problem with Scroggins, but its one explanation.  It shouldnt be what is troubling him on just simply warming up between innings though.

It could be his grip also.  Remember Brian Anderson's throwing woes

[flippinhogmana]

It could be his grip also.  Remember Brian Anderson's throwing woes

Youre right.  Thats what it was with me.  When I took my time I griped the ball in a two seam manner, when I didnt I either must have gripped it four seamed or whatever causes a knuckle effect.  If Scroggins is throwing it normally sometimes, but over throwing (not wild left or right), I would almost guarantee its grip. 

[SPAL]

So, you say I'm wrong in saying his arm isn't comparable to wernes because he overthrew first base a couple of times between innings? He has a decent arm, but it isn't close to Bobby.

I actually liked his game a d think he may  do some good things next year but I'm not gonna come on here and get everybody's hopes up by telling them he is as good as Bobby. 

[flippinhogmana]

So, you say I'm wrong in saying his arm isn't comparable to wernes because he overthrew first base a couple of times between innings? He has a decent arm, but it isn't close to Bobby.

I actually liked his game a d think he may  do some good things next year but I'm not gonna come on here and get everybody's hopes up by telling them he is as good as Bobby.

I think you are relatively safe saying he wasnt anywhere near as good as Bobby.  Since the twenty years before I dont think we have had anyone as good as Wernes, especially the last year, I doubt it will happen this year either.  Not only did Wernes have great arm, he also made great stops with the glove, hit with average, and with power.  I am speaking about his last year primarily on his offense.  Decent glove, decent arm, and decent hitting I think is the very best we need look for this year.

[ucahogfan]

I think Benninghoff or Simms plays center, the other plays right (depending on arm strength and consistent hitting of course).  boni would figure more for LF.

Who does he heir apparent seem to be for third?

Can't forget about Shaddy in the OF.  He isn't a C, but his bat will be in the lineup somewhere.  An OF of Bonfield, Benninghoff, and Shaddy can be a very good one.

[flippinhogmana]

Matt Reynolds really wasn't all that bad. Neither was Zack Cox.

no they were both very serviceable in the field, reynolds I think more than cox, but good hitters, I think in that category, Cox was the better of the two.

[SPAL]

Instead of writing a bunch of reports on players for 3 or 4 people to read....just ask any questions you may have and I will answer them the best I can.

[flippinhogmana]

Can't forget about Shaddy in the OF.  He isn't a C, but his bat will be in the lineup somewhere.  An OF of Bonfield, Benninghoff, and Shaddy can be a very good one.

I agree with Shaddy in the batting order most enthusiastically.  Whether its a smorgasboard rotation of c, 1B, dh, or lf, just keep a combination of the best defensive and best hitting at the time outfield on the field and I will be most pleased.

SPAL who else, has impressed at all at third, and who has been the best couple hitters so far, combining power and average.  Finally how does Bonfield look?  I take it we arent going to see either Tacco or McKinney this fall, so tell me who your couple of most impressive pitchers seem to be?

[knoxvillehog]

Instead of writing a bunch of reports on players for 3 or 4 people to read....just ask any questions you may have and I will answer them the best I can.

Not that one more person reading adds to the list, but I am reading and greatly appreciate the updates. Please keep them coming as your time allows.

[Scott7703]

Instead of writing a bunch of reports on players for 3 or 4 people to read....just ask any questions you may have and I will answer them the best I can.

Really enjoy the updates. Thanks for all you do!

[jry04]

Interesting to see this alignment in the OF.  With our OF all leaving from last year, all three spots are open.  I think Benninghoff and Bonfield are two guys who will start out there with the third spot being open right now.

According to DVH, Eagan has a spot in the OF.

[jry04]

You guys are going to love Bennighoff. This dude is Charlie Hustle first of all. Everything he hits is solid. He squared everything up. Even his foul balls were rockets. He roped one to first and was robbed by a nice diving play by catron. He dove into first. He was told not to do it again....but the hustle was there.

He is gonna be an average and power guy. And I haven't even mentioned his potential in the field.

Best arm in the OF, too. I have been excited to see him play for a while now.

[SPAL]

I agree with Shaddy in the batting order most enthusiastically.  Whether its a smorgasboard rotation of c, 1B, dh, or lf, just keep a combination of the best defensive and best hitting at the time outfield on the field and I will be most pleased.

SPAL who else, has impressed at all at third, and who has been the best couple hitters so far, combining power and average.  Finally how does Bonfield look?  I take it we arent going to see either Tacco or McKinney this fall, so tell me who your couple of most impressive pitchers seem to be?

Scroggins has impressed me with the bat. He is patient and gets good balls to hit. and he usually squares them up. Benninghoff is really stroking the baseball. Just hits rockets. He finds gaps and when he finds a glove, it is solid. Bonfield hasn't really stood out to me. That doesn't mean he hasn't lived up to anything, just that he hasn't stood out.

pitching wise, the usual suspects aren't doing much. McKinney is still on crutches. LIke I said previously, I really like Rodriguez. Cannon is the most dominant pitcher right now.

[Knot2brite]

Who is on first if not Eagan

[flippinhogmana]

Shaddy or Spanberger, Silky for starters

[Big Nasty 34]

Shaddy or Spanberger, Silky for starters

Gassaway too perhaps.

[SPAL]

silky has been playing first, but keep in mind that this isn't like football where there is a first team/second team. He isn't going to be the starter there. In fact, I wouldn't take much from fall ball in terms of who is going to start.

[Oklahawg]

Thanks for the updates, SPAL.

Good to read that there are bodies in the pipeline to keep us humming along.