Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
The affiliates won three games. Justin Nicolino and Aaron Sanchez were almost unhittable with just three hits allowed in eight combined innings.


Las Vegas 5 Memphis 2

Andrew Carpenter had a nice start with just one earned run in six innings of work. He allowed five hits and two walks. He also induced nine ground-ball outs. Jim Hoey, Ryota Igarashi and Chad Beck each worked a scoreless inning. Ruben Gotay went 3-for-4 with two RBI out of the nine-hole. Travis d'Arnaud, and Adeiny Hechavarria each had two hits. David Cooper went 1-for-3 with a walk. Anthony Gose was 1-for-3 with a double and a K. Adam Lind was 1-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout and an error.

Trenton 8 New Hampshire 3

Joel Carreno allowed two runs in 4.1 innings. He walked two and allowed three hits. Relievers Matt Daly, Clint Everts, and Sam Dyson each allowed two runs. Dyson was particularly bad by walking two batters, two wild pitches and throwing just nine of his 22 pitches for strikes. Hitting at the top of the batting order, Ryan Goins and John Tolisano each had two hits. Michael McDade and Sean Ochinko, recently promoted in the wake of A.J. Jimenez's injury, each had a home run.

Dunedin 4 Bradenton 1

Casey Lawrence had a nice start. He allowed just one run in 6.0 innings. He allowed five hits and did not walk a batter. He struck out five hitters and six ground-ball outs. Scott Gracey worked the final three innings and allowed just one hit and one walk. Leadoff hitter Gabe Jacobo had three hits, including a double. He also stole a base. Jake Marisnick, in an extended slump, Jake Murphy, and Kevin Nolan each had two hits. Jon Talley, one of the club's hottest hitters, was held scoreless.

Lansing 2 Lake County 0

The young tandem of Justin Nicolino and Aaron Sanchez dominated the game. The lefty started and allowed just two hits (and no walks) in 4.0 innings. He induced seven ground-ball outs and struck out three batters. Sanchez relieved him and gave up just one hit and one walk in 4.0 innings. The right-hander struck out five and induced five ground-ball outs. Ajay Meyer saved his 15th game.  Jonathon Berti went 2-for-3 and stole his 20th base on the year. He was also picked off. Andrew Burns went 2-for-3 with two extra base hits (double, homer). Chris Hawkins went 2-for-4. K.C. Hobson went 0-for-4 with three Ks. The 6-through-9 hitters went a combined 0-for-14 with five Ks.

The Three Stars:
3. Andrew Burns, 2-for-3, double, homer
2. Justin Nicolino, 4.0 shutout innings
1. Aaron Sanchez, 4.0 shutout innings
Nicolino, Sanchez Dominate... Again | 48 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
greenfrog - Sunday, May 20 2012 @ 09:11 PM EDT (#256734) #
Thanks Marc - a few questions:

- Any thoughts on d'Arnaud's major-league readiness / timetable? Any chance he could get recalled this summer as a third C/DH/PH, or is September more realistic, no matter how well he hits and plays defence?

- Is Hechavarria making real progress in his offensive approach, or are his respectable numbers this year mostly just the Vegas effect?

- Any word on Nicolino's velocity in this start? Someone mentioned that he was up to 94 in his last start - is he adding significant velo this year, or is he still sitting around 89-91 (if in fact that was his baseline last year)?
Gerry - Sunday, May 20 2012 @ 09:50 PM EDT (#256735) #
Can I just say that "up to" is a phrase to be ignored in pitcher evaluation. "Up to" usually means on one pitch which might not have been anywhere near the strike zone. Usually it is a high pitch, well above the strike zone, where you get the biggest velocity.
greenfrog - Sunday, May 20 2012 @ 09:55 PM EDT (#256736) #
OK thanks - so what would be the appropriate terminology to describe the pitcher's highest velocity for quality or non-wild pitches in the zone?
Gerry - Sunday, May 20 2012 @ 11:30 PM EDT (#256737) #
If a pitchers "sits" at 91-92 then that means he regularly hits that number. Or people often say he pitches "at" a number.
hypobole - Sunday, May 20 2012 @ 11:47 PM EDT (#256739) #
greenfrog, your terminology was correct, but Gerry is pointing out that pitching up to or hitting a number is far less important than where they sit. In the case of Nicolino's 94 mph pitch the other day, it was pointed out that same pitch was crushed for a rather massive home run. Sitting at 89-91 with good movement and command is far more effective than a straight 94 mph FB.
92-93 - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 12:13 AM EDT (#256740) #
Parnell pitched up to 101 today, and it worked.
hypobole - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 02:50 AM EDT (#256741) #
"Parnell pitched up to 101 today, and it worked."

Parnell pitched 1 inning, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs.
Lugnut Fan - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 06:23 AM EDT (#256742) #
Nicholino has consistently been at 89-91 this season. They were on the road yesterday, so I can't comment on his velocity in that start.

Nicholino did hit 94 on the gun with AA in the stands and I think he may have had a little more juice than normal. That is the only time this season that I have seen him struggle with his command and his offering at 94 was hit a long way into a coffee shop parking lot across the street.

89-91 I believe is where Nicholino should be to get the movement and location that he needs.
tstaddon - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 06:42 AM EDT (#256744) #
Even in short stints, and going once/twice through an order, it's hard not to be very impressed with Aaron Sanchez. If the breaking ball is as devastating as the reports floating around out there, we could be in for a real treat.

It also continues to excite watching Andrew Burns deliver with consistency. He might be among the system's most interesting prospects by season's end. Nice to see Carlos Perez hit another home run, too. He's stagnated a bit the past year+ but with the injury to Jimenez the door is clearly open for him to receive the call to Dunedin if he can earn it.

China fan - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 09:08 AM EDT (#256746) #
Is anybody starting to think that there might be a chance for Sanchez or Nicolino to be promoted to Dunedin this season, despite earlier plans for a full season at Lansing? They seem too good for their league.
bpoz - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 09:58 AM EDT (#256748) #
Good question China fan. I am guessing that you think a promotion is being earned. I feel that way as well.

But if you read AA's comments on his visit to Lansing about 1 week ago, he says they are doing well and expects to keep them in Lansing all year because he like to go slow with teen age prospects.
IMO that answer is nice & convenient. There are 7 starters in Lansing. IMO moves will be made once the 1st half playoff winners are determined. The short season will start in 1 month, with extended deciding assignments. Then there should be promotions, that happened last year. This is my take on the subject.

I have no idea on the GCL roster. Last year they were not a strong team. I think this year they will be younger with a lot of high upside prospects. Last year the DSL started at the end of May, so that roster should be decided already. When it is published we will know who is not on it.



China fan - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 11:05 AM EDT (#256751) #
Sounds like poor unlucky Jesse Litsch is finished. His shoulder has worsened and he can't throw, according to tweets today from Dunedin by Barry Davis. He might be done for his career.

In other injury news: does the minor injury to Francisco create enough playing time to keep Gomes on the team after Lawrie's return? Gomes deserves to stay, but he needs playing time and he won't have much at 3B any more.
Chuck - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 11:38 AM EDT (#256753) #

does the minor injury to Francisco create enough playing time to keep Gomes on the team after Lawrie's return?

Francisco does seem to be entirely fungible. The fact that he is an outfielder is almost virtually moot given how little he has taken the field thus far, so replacing him with Gomes, even fulltime, hardly hurts the team's outfield depth. And given that Gomes can spell EE at first, serve as emergency catcher and can sub in for Lawrie durring his next suspension/injury would seem to make him a valuable bench player.

But this is all predicated on the Jays seeing Gomes' major league future as a role player rather than a starter. I don't pretend to have any idea how the organization sees him but a cursory look at his minor league record does not, to my eyes, scream out "major league starter".

Unless he catches. I have no idea what his defensive rep is (Gerry?) and I wonder if the organization might not want to give Gomes a bunch of AB in AA now that there is an opportunity. Can't have enough catchers.

Lind's departure, Snider's wonky wrist, and Francisco's injury (and overall mehness) would seem to combine to create some opportunities for more major league ABs for Gomes if the organization deems him worthy.

Tangential to all this, it would be entirely underwhelming if the ultimate next shoe to drop, in light of Lind's departure, would be Guerrero's promotion. I think people are looking at Guerrero through rose-coloured glasses. This version of the man only shares the same name, and dreads, as the eventual Hall of Famer. My fear is that he'll hit more like Wilton at this point in his life.

Beyonder - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 12:33 PM EDT (#256757) #
I dont think Gomes stays up unless they think they can find him a significant window of at bats. With two overripe prospects on the horizon (Snider and Cooper), if we find ourselves with a window of at bats I would dearly love to see one of them get it. I think Gomes has done enough to push his stock to the level of a B prospect. I would send him down to NH or Vegas feeling good about himself and hope that he can build on his success. I realise neither Snider nor Cooper have Gomes's versatility, but i think it's worth sacrificing some versatility in order to finally see what these guys can do.

If Cooper doesn't get a chance this year I expect he'll end up next offseason's Brad Mills.
92-93 - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 12:40 PM EDT (#256758) #
"Parnell pitched 1 inning, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs."

And yet that 101.5mph pitch struck out Yan Gomes. It worked.
92-93 - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 12:50 PM EDT (#256759) #
"But this is all predicated on the Jays seeing Gomes' major league future as a role player rather than a starter."

Well, even if you think he's a future role player you still might want him to get everyday ABs this year in the minors for the first time in his career.

And say what you want on Guerrero, but even the 2011 version is a strong upgrade on what we've been getting from Lind. Also, it's not a guarantee he gets worse - maybe after last year's load he has a better handle on how to get his body through the season and produce. Derek Jeter declined at 36 and bounced back at 37, and is having an even better year at 38. These guys aren't always done when you say they are.
Chuck - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 12:58 PM EDT (#256763) #

With two overripe prospects on the horizon (Snider and Cooper)

I think that Snider would be here were it not for his injury. He would certainly be the prime candidate to take over Lind's at-bats.

I will disagree with you about Cooper. I don't see a ton of upside there.

I realise neither Snider nor Cooper have Gomes's versatility, but i think it's worth sacrificing some versatility in order to finally see what these guys can do.

If we reframe the argument as "Francisco or Gomes", however, then there's room for both a Lind replacement (Snider, Guerrero) and Gomes. Again, if the organization is not worried about turning Gomes into a role player and denying him fulltime at-bats. Frankly, he turns 25 this summer so a career as a 200-AB role player may be a more realistic future. And in this world of short benches, that versatility will be a valuable asset.

 

Chuck - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 01:09 PM EDT (#256764) #

And say what you want on Guerrero, but even the 2011 version is a strong upgrade on what we've been getting from Lind.

Well, this is true but irrelevant. You'd hope the organization would be setting the bar a wee bit higher for Lind's replacement than merely bettering Lind's numbers.

Derek Jeter declined at 36 and bounced back at 37, and is having an even better year at 38. These guys aren't always done when you say they are.

Well, I'm not the one who said Guerrero was done (though I agree he probably is). Major league GM's decided this when none offered him a contract in the off-season.

As for Jeter, that's an unfair comparison. Jeter is healthy and athletic whereas Guerrero is prematurely old and broken down. And even beyond that, Jeter's age-38 renaissance is an exception, not a rule.

Yes, Guerrero could surprise me and hit like he did in 2010, rather than in 2011. I don't claim categorically that he won't. How could I? I don't really know.  I'm just stating what I believe to be a likelihood. And I hope I'm wrong. A reborn Guerrero would make for an interesting summer.

greenfrog - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 01:09 PM EDT (#256765) #
High velocity is a useful asset, but it doesn't always get the best results. Alvarez actually seemed too powerful (hitting 97 and 98 on the Sportsnet broadcast) when he was roughed up a bit in the first inning yesterday. Could it be that he's better around 92-95 with sink and movement? Drabek is another pitcher who seems to have benefitted from relying more on movement and location.

On the other hand, sometimes the high heat gets the job done, as we saw with both Parnell and Francisco. Aroldis Chapman also seems to be enjoying his 100+ MPH heater just fine (22.1 IP 7 H 0 ER 7 BB 39 K).
China fan - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 01:47 PM EDT (#256767) #
Gomes as a future catcher is interesting. His hitting has steadily improved, so it would be intriguing to develop him as a catcher. Yet he's been a back-up for most of his career -- which suggests that the Jays don't see him as having the defensive abilities of a Jiminez, a Perez or a d'Arnaud. I'm guessing that the decision has already been made that his future is unlikely to be at catcher. That's probably why they started giving him games at 3B and 1B this year. So, realistically, his future will be determined by his bat. Yet that doesn't necessarily mean that he's a role player. His hitting has improved so much this year that I believe he still has the potential to be a major-league regular at 1B or 3B if he continues to develop the hit tool.
Gerry - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 02:58 PM EDT (#256770) #
I have seen Gomes catch a few times. It's hard to get a good read in a short view (as a backup he would only catch one game of a series) but I thought he has fine behind the plate. His arm is strong but I did think it was a bit wild. But to be realistic it's hard to expect a guy like Gomes, with not a lot of minor league experience at catcher, to suddenly become a solid major league backup on a team that thinks it is a contender.

Francisco's BA is down to the low 200's and it is hard to put him out there against anyone but a left handed pitcher. I think the Jays would prefer a left handed hitter to slot in there at first or at DH. Guerrero is a Francisco replacement when he is ready.

The first priority for the Jays is to win now. They will give Gomes more at-bats to see if he can replace Lind, even if he is right handed. If Gomes cools off he will be sent down and some left handed hitter will be recalled with Cooper and McDade as the favourites right now.

If Gomes is sent down then development becomes his priority and as I said over the weekend Gomes could be sent to AA to get full playing time at catcher.
China fan - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 04:06 PM EDT (#256774) #
Thanks, Gerry. Sounds like Gomes still has a chance to be a catcher -- although maybe as trade bait for another team, since the Jays have such depth at the position.

Gomes is not in the starting lineup tonight. instead, both JPA and Mathis are in the lineup (as DH and catcher respectively). Over the next few days, the DH could be a rotating cast of Gomes, Francisco, Thames, etc. Or perhaps Gomes will get a game or two at 1B, with Encarnacion at DH. In any event, Gomes will get a few more opportunities before the Jays decide about Cooper or McDade.
Mike Green - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 04:22 PM EDT (#256776) #
Throwing from third, Gomes' tosses have a significant tail.  It is probably the same or worse from behind the plate.  Personally, I see his future as a bat, a DH who can also back up first and third and be a third catcher.  He'll have to control the strike zone a little better to get there, but he's not a bad looking hitter.
Mike Green - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 04:30 PM EDT (#256777) #
The Lugnuts are running away with the first-half crown, while the D-Jays have a more modest 4.5 game lead.  If the D-Jays do win the first-half title in the FSL, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Sanchez and/or Nicolino are promoted.  Nicolino is already 20 and Sanchez will be turning 20 on July 1.  This is not particularly young for the Midwest League, and given the extent of their dominance over the league (particularly Sanchez'), you would like to make sure that they are challenged. 
Mike Green - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 09:05 PM EDT (#256778) #
Brett Cecil threw 5.2 innings of no-hit ball with 8 strikeouts tonight for New Hampshire.  His focus seems to be back.
JB21 - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 09:17 PM EDT (#256779) #
I can't help but feel bad for Travis Snider. He would almost certainly be up with the big league team at this point, if not for the wrist injury.
uglyone - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 09:51 PM EDT (#256780) #
"Well, I'm not the one who said Guerrero was done (though I agree he probably is). Major league GM's decided this when none offered him a contract in the off-season."

meh, a whole bunch of vets lasted to the very end of the offseason, and a bunch of our AL East competitors took similar flyers on guys like Ibanez, Scott, and Pena this offseason, and not just as extras but to fill significant holes on their team.

Guerrero's no worse a gamble than any of those guys, IMO.
Gerry - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 10:03 PM EDT (#256781) #
Nice no-hitter in New Hampshire tonight. Congrats to Brett Cecil, Danny Farquhar and Ron Uviedo, as well as the fielders.
Mike Green - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 10:07 PM EDT (#256782) #
...and the F-Cats complete the no-hitter with Danny Farquhar and Ronald Ulviedo  finishing the job.
Super Bluto - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 10:37 PM EDT (#256784) #
Time to move Cecil up to Las Vegas?


hypobole - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 10:52 PM EDT (#256785) #
When they sent him down, the Jays asked Cecil where he would like to pitch (N. H. or Vegas) and he chose N. H., since it's close to his family.
PeteMoss - Monday, May 21 2012 @ 11:18 PM EDT (#256788) #
The thing with Guerrero is he can't play the field. That limits the teams who'd have any interest in him. You are basically down to contending teams who need DH help which rules out Boston, Detroit and Texas for example.
acepinball - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 12:28 AM EDT (#256790) #
I'm not so sure Snider would be up. He's still striking out too much. Thames hasn't completely fallen on his face, so until Snider shows he can make adjustments he'll be in Nevada.
John Northey - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 04:34 AM EDT (#256792) #
Given they are leaving Encarnacion at 1B it seems then a DH is what is required.

As to Thames, before last night he was hitting 256/307/392 - 699 for a 88 OPS+. He was 1-3 (single) on the night so those stats didn't shift much (258/307/391). That isn't enough for a defensively challenged LF to be producing. Not a panic yet but not enough to hold the job if Snider was pounding the ball. Of course, Rasmus' 206/283/338 - 621 67 OPS+ is worse.

As to the lineup pre-last night...
100+ OPS+: JPA (105), Bautista (111), Johnson (113), Encarnacion (136)
85-99: Thames (88), Lawrie (91)
65-84: Rasmus (67), Escobar (70)
Sub-60: Lind (58)
Bench: Vizquel (-24), Francisco (46), Davis (112), Mathis (114), Gomes (220)

Now, last night we saw Escobar go 2 for 4 with a HR so that helps. Rasmus also was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles. That shows hope for our 2 worst hitters. Lawrie & Mathis were a combined 0 for 7 which hurts as we need Lawrie to get it going at some point - with his great D we can live with an OPS+ around 90 but a great bat was hoped for as well.

Still, the offense is looking good. Early slumpers JPA and Bautista have fully recovered, EE is still hitting well as is Johnson. Rasmus & Escobar show hope as well. Just Lind never got it going.

The pitching though is getting scary. Another 6 walks for Drabek (yikes!) but somehow just 2 runs in 6 IP. Watching the defensive alignments though you can see why the Jays are doing so well with that wildness - often balls seemed to be hit right at guys and that was with guys in odd positions (Lawrie in short RF for one play for example). I suspect the Jays advance scouts and whoever is responsible for defensive alignments are doing great jobs.

Still, we can't have Drabek walking 5+ per 9, Romero 4+, and Hutchison 3.5+ and expect continued success. I mean, pre-tonight Drabek was walking over 5 per 9, giving up 1.2 HR/9 (worst of the starters) and he walked another 6 and gave up another HR. That is not a recipe for success. His tightrope is scarier than Alvarez' low K high HR rate.
China fan - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 05:14 AM EDT (#256793) #
Has anyone got a Hentgen Translator device? I've been reading what he's saying about the young Lansing pitchers (in a Griffin article in the Star), but I have no idea what it means. He's on and on about fish and hammers.

“I mean Sanchez is 95-98, with a hammer that’s a 90-mile-an-hour fish,” Hentgen said.

"Nicolino is a polished kid pitching in A-ball. He could throw his fish three-four times in a row for strikes and that’s not an easy thing to do."
Gerry - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 07:29 AM EDT (#256798) #
Hammer is generally a curveball.

Fish is often a change-up, i.e. a dead fish, it just drops.

I am not sure how you combine the hammer and fish though.
Mike Green - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 10:40 AM EDT (#256804) #
I think there was a slight communication error between Hentgen and Griffin.  "with a hammer that's 90 mph fish" probably should be "with a hammer that's 90 mph-ish", i.e. a good  very hard curveball.  I hope that Sanchez isn't throwing his change at 90...
Brent S - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 10:50 AM EDT (#256805) #
I am not sure how you combine the hammer and fish though.

If you do, it gets pretty messy.

Beyonder - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 11:30 AM EDT (#256806) #
Had same question. Griffin just RT'd:

"Fish as in Hook ... either curve slider"
hypobole - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 11:39 AM EDT (#256807) #
"I suspect the Jays advance scouts and whoever is responsible for defensive alignments are doing great jobs."

I believe they use spray charts for the alignments. They have been posting the charts in the dugout. I heard KLaw recently mention some teams are doing away with advance scouts and just using video, since all games are available.

As far as the "HR" Drabek gave up last night, it was a high popup to medium centre that hit something in the Trops roof support. Ground rules called it a HR.
Beyonder - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 11:42 AM EDT (#256808) #
Just noticed this in Griffin's write-up of the Lind demotion. Anyone hear anything about "clubhouse" issues with Lind?


"Lind, in 34 games with the Jays, has three homers and 11 RBIs, with a .186 average, a .586 OPS and has had visible struggles on the field and in the clubhouse."
John Northey - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 01:00 PM EDT (#256817) #
If you saw your career going in a spiral downhill when you should be at your peak you'd probably become a bit of a clubhouse issue too :P

I wonder if Lind was getting depressed and noisy about being moved from the cleanup slot and that might have been why Farrell put him back there for a game shortly before Lind was demoted (he went 0 for 3), just to see if he responded positively. Given his 0-3 followed by a 1-4 the next night before being demoted I suspect it wasn't viewed as a success. They probably were looking for more positive stuff from Lind in the clubhouse and on the field and might not have had either.

Interesting that B-R has WPA for each game, showing Lind as a positive offensive force in 12 games, negative in 22. 6 times he was a -0.1 or worse (10% or more of the cause of a loss is what it implies), 6 times a +0.1. Not good for a guy whose value is in his bat. Escobar, a SS also having a poor offensive year, has 18 + vs 23 - you cannot have your SS hitting poorly yet having a better offensive year by any measure than your 1B.

Interesting doing some digging....
Escobar leadoff: 530 OPS (237 BABIP), batting 2nd: 840 OPS (350 BABIP)

Lind didn't crack 20 PA in any slot other than cleanup where he had a 609 OPS (234 BABIP) for a 58 sOPS+ (OPS+ vs league in that slot).
uglyone - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 01:17 PM EDT (#256821) #
Lind's nickname is "Sleepy". Hard for a guy to be a positive clubhouse presence with a name like that.
Thomas - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 02:11 PM EDT (#256824) #
With regards to defensive positioning, the Jays also added Kevin Cash as an advance scout this offseason. I think he's doing a mixture of video and live scouting, but I can't remember for sure.
John Northey - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 03:02 PM EDT (#256826) #
That makes sense. There are elements you cannot get from video as the camera does not focus where you want it to at all times. I'd think a mix of a live scout at games, a video scout, and a stats scout (who checks what is provided via various services, some public some not) would allow a master scout to put it all together for the players. The live scout looks for small details in the most recent games (a nagging injury that may not showup otherwise for example or how a guy is showing more pull in bp than in games thus might be adjusting his game or something), the video scout digs into details and enhances the live scout reports, the stats one gets multi-month/year data together to allow more depth to the position charts. The master scout goes through it all and condenses it to a level that players & coaches can work with before/during a game.

Yeah, there would be some cost there but if, say, a $500k cost (3 people, equipment, travel) can produce a few more outs/etc. it might be well worth it.
Gerry - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 03:26 PM EDT (#256827) #

Most major league teams buy scouting reports, spray charts, etc. from one of a  number of companies that supply that information such as Stats Inc, Baseball Information Systems and Bloomberg Sports.  The Kevin Cash's of the world are there to supply updated scouting information such as who is hot, who is not, who is looking inside, or outside or struggling with a particular pitch.

In other words the scouting service provides long term information while the advance scout provides short term information.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 04:08 PM EDT (#256828) #
"Fish as in hook" for a curveball?  Really?  I'll lay off the hammerhead shark jokes. 
vw_fan17 - Tuesday, May 22 2012 @ 04:37 PM EDT (#256830) #
Hammer is generally a curveball.

Wikipedia says it's also sometimes called a "yellow hammer/yellowhammer".

I think a fish is a change-up as in "the batter was fishing for it" or "I'll try to get the batter to fish for my change-up".
Nicolino, Sanchez Dominate... Again | 48 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.