Tuesday, September 9

Baseball

Effectively Wild Episode 2011: Who Was That Mascot Man?
Baseball

Effectively Wild Episode 2011: Who Was That Mascot Man?

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter concerning the main leagues’ sudden inflow of 24-year-old right-handed pitchers with the surname “Miller,” the Rays’ surprisingly precarious place within the AL East (7:48), and the Cubs, the Brewers, and the state of the NL Central (12:45), earlier than focusing their bat-resuscitating powers on Trea Turner (17:22), with virtually fast impact. Then they discuss to David Raymond, the unique Phillie Phanatic performer, Gritty co-conceiver, frequent crew mascot guide, and founding father of the Mascot Boot Camp and Mascot Hall of Fame, about all of their mascot questions, the mascot design course of, and what it’s wish to be inside a mascot costume, plus updates and a Past Blast from 2011 (1:26:54). Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”Aud...
These former Top 100 prospects are chickening out in ’23
Baseball

These former Top 100 prospects are chickening out in ’23

For many gamers, changes are wanted to go from the higher Minors to going through one of the best gamers on the planet on the MLB degree. Before finally discovering MLB success, some gamers want on a regular basis reps, adjustments to their pitch combine or strategy on the plate or perhaps a demotion again to the Minors. It's a fragile course of that takes gamers by many ups and downs whereas they attempt to discover their place within the huge leagues. So far in 2023, we have seen a lot of these gamers make that transition and rework themselves into authentic MLB-caliber gamers. Here are 10 former Top 100 MLB Pipeline prospects who've taken flight and established themselves on the MLB degree. Included with every participant is their highest prospect rating based on Pipeline. The following...
Nolan Gorman, Balanced Bludgeoner
Baseball

Nolan Gorman, Balanced Bludgeoner

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports If Nolan Gorman have been filling out a hitting resume this 12 months, he may battle with the “weaknesses” part. “I care too much,” he might need to accept, or “my teammates say I have trouble letting go after work.” It must be a kind of foolish platitudes; he’s within the midst of an admirably full season. It’s not simply his .301/.392/.636 slash line, although that’s nice. He’s been good towards four-seam fastballs, good towards sinkers, good towards curveballs, good towards cutters and changeups; the one pitch he’s struggled with even a bit bit is the slider, and he’s nonetheless roughly common there. He’s hitting for energy and common, taking his walks, and even holding his personal towards opposing lefties. That steadiness is all of the extra spec...
McClanahan (7 Ok’s) turns into first pitcher to eight wins in ’23
Baseball

McClanahan (7 Ok’s) turns into first pitcher to eight wins in ’23

ST. PETERSBURG -- Not lengthy after struggling probably the most lopsided loss in franchise historical past, the Rays made it clear they had been able to overlook about it and transfer ahead. And what higher approach to take action than with their ace to the mound? Left-hander Shane McClanahan put collectively one other gem on Wednesday evening at Tropicana Field, crusing by way of seven innings and getting sufficient early run help within the Rays’ 7-3 win over the Blue Jays. McClanahan is the primary eight-game winner within the Majors this season, as his newest efficiency improved him to 8-0 with a 1.97 ERA. McClanahan allowed only one run on 4 hits, placing out seven and not using a stroll as Tampa Bay received for the tenth time in his first 11 begins of the yr. The lefty additionally...
Lars Nootbaar Desires To Hit More Balls within the Air
Baseball

Lars Nootbaar Desires To Hit More Balls within the Air

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports Lars Nootbaar aspires to drive extra balls within the air, and understandably so. The 25-year-old St. Louis Cardinals outfielder has a 120 wRC+ this season — his profession mark is one level decrease — however he additionally has a 55.7% groundball charge, which ranks sixth highest amongst certified hitters. Not coincidentally, his slash line is an OBP-heavy .267/.390/.382. Nootbaar does possess the power to make onerous contact. His common exit velocity was within the ninetieth percentile a yr in the past, though he has admittedly backslid this season to the much less spectacular 53rd percentile. And once more, he’s killing too many worms. Moreover, not solely has his groundball charge risen — final yr’s mark was 43.8% — the share of balls he’s hit pull as...
Gunnar Henderson Is off to a Slower Begin Than Anticipated
Baseball

Gunnar Henderson Is off to a Slower Begin Than Anticipated

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports Coming into the season, two gamers have been the apparent entrance runners for his or her respective league’s Rookie of the Year award: Corbin Carroll and Gunnar Henderson. Not solely have been they every elite within the minors in 2022, they each got here as much as assist their massive league membership late within the season and continued their unimaginable all-around play. Carroll hasn’t skipped a beat in 2023. He has a 140 wRC+ and 13 stolen bases, and has performed good protection. But regardless of posting a 125 wRC+ in 132 plate appearances in 2022 — a efficiency that steered he would hit, hit, and simply carry on hitting — Henderson has struggled to this point. After 161 plate appearances this yr, he sits at a 103 wRC+. The holes that have been...