Sam Pepper

Hip Hip Bleday!

You see a lot of former players talk about a player like this and their approach. They want to see more of this:. I get it. But they aren’t taking into account how difficult this is. This is more difficult in today’s game than hitting 25 homers. Loads of guys attempt what Edwards, arraez, Frelick, kwan and others do but it’s much harder to do today than it was 15 yrs ago. when it’s not going well, it’s really ugly. IE kwan this year and their value tanks. Chasing exit velo is as much about maximizing misses than hitting balls yo the moon

This is a great moment to recognize that the issue may not be how we assess hitters, but rather that we attempt to do it in a box Hitters at all levels and of all sizes are different, which means they bring different things to the lineup Assess what you need and what value they bring before assessing whether they "fit the mold"

@Vishal70191934 I so don’t start him 😂 Sorry I got busy this afternoon

@HitterishFB hows the Nats matchup for Lodolo today? debating if i should start

@RotoGut Angel and Brooks Lee will be getting Christmas cards from me

Angel Martinez when I take him out of my damn lineup

Left elbow posterior soreness for Fried. I’d be concerned with loose bodies

In fact, he's making contact 3 inches further out in front

Zach Neto leads the league in K's. 🌬️ I was going to do a breakdown of his swing past and present but he does a great job talking about it and the video will show everything I need First, why are both setups extreme? The most aggressive leg kick to start his career and now, a huge rotational toe tap Here's my issue with the toe tap. He says he can get on his back side and let the ball get deep. The problem is, because he stops his momentum, he has to start again from somewhere. Often he's not simply rotating. He's pushing to rotate which is making him contact the ball further out in front. This is making him vulnerable to breaking ball but also to FB top of the zone At least with his leg kick, while big and hard to control, there was a fluid swing that could get through balls to the big part of the yard. I mean, visually you can just see how much easier it is for him to move How bout we meet in the middle with an abbreviated leg kick?

@YankeeSource Of the reasons to struggle and leave a start, think I’d take a blister

I hope Max Fried is not dealing with a blister. He had one last year in July, and it had a similar impact on his effectiveness.

Max Fried went down into the tunnel after the third inning. Matt Blake immediately called down to the bullpen and got Paul Blackburn warming up

@BaseUnstitched @AthleticsRants @SleeperAth @SleeperRockies @SleeperMariners @SleeperSFGiants @BayAreaTrev @blakestbanter @UpWestSports @uprootedoakland is there a more perfect pic?

Top 5 Hitters in High-Leverage Situations (wRC+): 1. Shea Langeliers - 362 wRC+ 2. Nick Kurtz - 345 wRC+ 3. Cole Young - 290 wRC+ 4. Troy Johnston - 290 wRC+ 5. Rafael Devers - 268 wRC+ Does anyone on this list surprise you?

@thestevenwoods @BKG_98 I agree about the offensive development but if that's true, why keep him in the minors if it's not going to help? May as well see if he can provide something more than what you have. It wouldnt be too hard. With the added bonus of a LH bat

@BKG_98 Hahhaahha...they're responsible for his defensive development as well though and as everyone has said...he's ready now

YOU DONT SEE THE RISK? Have you not seen the shitty position player development from this team? @thestevenwoods

The 3 walks and this pulled rocket for a 3B. I can't remember a more impressive debut from someone I was unsure about. Still more to see the rest of the week but a heck of a start

@thestevenwoods By far the GOAT. He was so good, I dont even care about the roids

Barry Lamar Bonds and it's not close 😂

@FAmmiranteTFJ yeah this actually makes sense "for him". A lot of guys need to move faster in the cage but I can see how Junior main flaw is getting too big

Yikes

If I’m the A’s and Jacob Wilson is going to miss a decent amount of time.. Leo is my guy. My favorite prospect behind Griffin

When you drafted Griffin Jax to be a closer and Jacob Latz to be a starter

@Smada_PLive This swing is 🔥

Anything more hype than this? Love it Also give Smitty a follow if you are somehow not already

@SamulskiNYC Yeah I got nothing. Not sure what Benson offers them at this point now that Bleday is here

@HitterishFB Steer could play RF, as he has a lot this season, and Lowe would play 1B

Nathaniel Lowe is hitting .260 with 6 HR in 29 games but he sits for two straight games so they can play Benson.

I think this is going to end up meaning Garrett Mitchell loses playing time. Chourio could get time in CF with Bauers moving to LF. I suppose Frelick could miss some starts but he adds a contact bat where Bauers (tho better) plus Mitchell have the ability to K too much.