Thurs. 4/13 - All Evening Action, Including Two in Biloxi

[Brewcrew82]

4 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

He's pushing. Really overdoing it because he's frustrated. But, he's still giving 100% 100 mph effort. It will shift. These spells happen.

Yeah. At least he's still not striking out. Nice thing about him. 

[Joseph Zarr]

I really can not believe the amount of absolute basic fundamental mistakes I am seeing across all levels in early 2023. The defense, the throws, the catching...there have just been so many silly moments of plays I would expect at a high school game (reminds self several young men are actually of high school age in the lowest levels 😂). A lot of ugly baseball moments that shouldn't be happening in games. 

Just a case and point example. A Chiefs player just ripped a double deep to left center off the wall. Je'Von Ward let up as he should lest he want to smash into the wall. Doston corrals it. Tosses it lightly to Eric Brown Jr. in the shallow OF grass. He turns and throws the ball to 2B where Jesus Chirinos is running in but the throw is high for the bigger man and it deflects off his glove and into the RF grass. We just gave the runner a free base. Just as Wood gave Salem the free out rounding 2B because he wasn't watching the 3B coach in a crucial situation. And, that runner just scored on a grounder to RF. He would have held had he been at 2B. Instead of a 3-2 deficit it's now 4-2. Those mistakes are everything in tight games.

It's early and it's often ugly. Let's get back to the fundamentals and tighten it up, men.

[Joseph Zarr]

Hey now, INF Tyler Black's first hit in Double-A is a solo jack oppo blast over the wall in far LF. Beautiful swing. Beautiful result. Let's get it going, Tyler!

[Joseph Zarr]

Sounds double steal and INF Eddie Alvarez continues to cause havoc in the batting order. He nabs third and the throw bounces into LF giving the Sounds a huge insurance run in the 7th frame. 4-2 Sounds now. RHP Luis Contreras and Cam Robinson each with excellent evenings. Have I mentioned the Sounds bullpen? I think I might have. Contreras has really impressed this season in his action. This is a great bounce back outing for Cam. 0 ER, 8 K combined (4 apiece) in 5 IP. That's just solid stuff.

I'll be very interested to see Contreras compiled Statcast numbers after tonight's outing. Previous to tonight, he had 2400 plus spin on both his four seamer and his curveball. We'll have 50 pitches to add to his previous 44.

[Joseph Zarr]

Hey it's an INF Patrick Dorrian sighting! Nice. Glad to see him back in the ranks. He was fantastic for the Sounds late in the 2022 season.

[Joseph Zarr]

I continue to LOVE the ongoing early work of LHP Clayton Andrews. Just pounding the zone with 95 mph heat with wicked off-speed stuff. The slider development is such a boon to his MLB potential. That pitch really works well with his already highly dangerous change-up. Batter 1: K. Batter 2: grounder to 3B. Batter 3: a full count punch out on the outer stripe on a beautiful frame from C Alex Jackson (probably a wee low but who cares?!). That's now 4 1/3 IP, 8 K, 1 BB. 

Oh, and that vaunted Sounds Pen I keep drooling over? 

7 IP / 12 K / 2 BB / 5 H / 0 ER

They are just incredible. They are the clear early season Sounds MVP.

[wiguy94]

1 minute ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I continue to LOVE the ongoing early work of LHP Clayton Andrews. Just pounding the zone with 95 mph heat with wicked off-speed stuff. The slider development is such a boon to his MLB potential. That pitch really works well with his already highly dangerous change-up. Batter 1: K. Batter 2: grounder to 3B. Batter 3: a full count punch out on the outer stripe on a beautiful frame from C Alex Jackson (probably a wee low but who cares?!). That's now 4 1/3 IP, 8 K, 1 BB. 

He's looking absolutely filthy. Seemingly hitting his spots every single time. 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, wiguy94 said:

He's looking absolutely filthy. Seemingly hitting his spots every single time. 

I still can't believe the ball that rifles from that frame. He's such a bulldog. Easily becoming one my favorite baseball players anywhere. I pray he stays healthy and gets his shot. I really do.

[Joseph Zarr]

Chourio has made very hard contact on his past two AB's just right at the other team. His bat speed, swing strength, and wrist turn is incredible. Such an incredible swing.

[Joseph Zarr]

Let's take a look at that gorgeous Tyler Black home run swing:

Missed HR number 2 by about 6' with the wind blowing in fairly hard from RF. Fell dead at the warning track.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

3 hours ago, Mass Haas said:

 

Wow, this would be huge. That slide didn't look good when it happened.