Re: Minor Matters
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:02 am
From a posting on Lets Go Tribe:
I took my daughter down to Pawtucket last night to see the Clippers, whose lineup was featuring the newly acquired James Ramsey and Zach Walters, in addition to Francisco Lindor, Jesus Aguilar, Giovanny Urshela, and Carlos Moncrief. The Clippers ended up getting mowed down most of the night by Red Sox pitching prospect Matt Barnes, who threw 7 no-hit innings with 10 Ks before being removed for pitch count (106) reasons. He dominated the Clippers lineup with a mix of fastballs (ranging from 91 to 97 MPH) and eventually more offspeed stuff.
A few first-hand reactions: •Lindor has incredibly quick hands at short. There was a play that didn’t result in a DP, but Lindor’s transition from glove to throw was insanely fast.
•Lindor had a throwing error that showed off the strength of his arm. He got to a ball deep in the hole between short and third and gunned the ball to first, ultimately sailing a bit high and forcing Aguilar off the bag. The steady rain during the game certainly didn’t help, but it was an impressive show of arm strength.
•Aguilar also had a throwing error, though on a reasonably athletic diving stop on a ball hit down the first base line. He looked adequate at first base, in general.
•Lindor’s approach at the plate is clean and quick. Very little extra motion in his hands, and a nice, compact, direct swing.
•Walters has a quick, but loopy swing. I can see how he gets so many Ks. But when he makes contact, I can see where his power comes from. Late in the game he drove a pitch deep to right center that would have been a HR on most nights, but last night got batted down by the wind and the rain.
•Walters made good plays on a couple of bullets hit to second. His range, especially going to his left, seemed limited. But his hands looked good at the position.
•Ramsey made a nice diving catch in center and showed a good batting eye at the plate
•The player I was most excited by was Moncrief. This was the first time I have seen him in person and he is built like a linebacker. He has some crazy hand action at the start of his swing that doesn’t do him any favors, but once he starts his forward action he has a quick, level, line-drive generating swing. (Red Sox prospect) Matt Barnes was chewing up the entire lineup on a steady diet of 93-97 fastballs, but Moncrief was the one guy who almost broke up his no-no effort. On a first-pitch 96 mph fastball Moncrief turned and drilled a line drive down the RF line that was foul by inches. Later in the game he actually did break up the no-hitter with another nice line drive hit. I’d really love to see him in Cleveland.
•I can see why Aguilar doesn’t generate as much power as you would expect given his size. His swing almost looks artificially compact. Aguilar stood out on the field and basepaths, though, as perhaps the most vocal member of the team.
•Urshela, sadly, didn’t really get any action in the field or at the plate.
• Vinnie Pestano was sitting at 88 with his fastball (#sadface)
If you have a chance to catch the Clippers in action during the next few weeks, I would highly recommend it. The team is loaded with future Tribe players.
I took my daughter down to Pawtucket last night to see the Clippers, whose lineup was featuring the newly acquired James Ramsey and Zach Walters, in addition to Francisco Lindor, Jesus Aguilar, Giovanny Urshela, and Carlos Moncrief. The Clippers ended up getting mowed down most of the night by Red Sox pitching prospect Matt Barnes, who threw 7 no-hit innings with 10 Ks before being removed for pitch count (106) reasons. He dominated the Clippers lineup with a mix of fastballs (ranging from 91 to 97 MPH) and eventually more offspeed stuff.
A few first-hand reactions: •Lindor has incredibly quick hands at short. There was a play that didn’t result in a DP, but Lindor’s transition from glove to throw was insanely fast.
•Lindor had a throwing error that showed off the strength of his arm. He got to a ball deep in the hole between short and third and gunned the ball to first, ultimately sailing a bit high and forcing Aguilar off the bag. The steady rain during the game certainly didn’t help, but it was an impressive show of arm strength.
•Aguilar also had a throwing error, though on a reasonably athletic diving stop on a ball hit down the first base line. He looked adequate at first base, in general.
•Lindor’s approach at the plate is clean and quick. Very little extra motion in his hands, and a nice, compact, direct swing.
•Walters has a quick, but loopy swing. I can see how he gets so many Ks. But when he makes contact, I can see where his power comes from. Late in the game he drove a pitch deep to right center that would have been a HR on most nights, but last night got batted down by the wind and the rain.
•Walters made good plays on a couple of bullets hit to second. His range, especially going to his left, seemed limited. But his hands looked good at the position.
•Ramsey made a nice diving catch in center and showed a good batting eye at the plate
•The player I was most excited by was Moncrief. This was the first time I have seen him in person and he is built like a linebacker. He has some crazy hand action at the start of his swing that doesn’t do him any favors, but once he starts his forward action he has a quick, level, line-drive generating swing. (Red Sox prospect) Matt Barnes was chewing up the entire lineup on a steady diet of 93-97 fastballs, but Moncrief was the one guy who almost broke up his no-no effort. On a first-pitch 96 mph fastball Moncrief turned and drilled a line drive down the RF line that was foul by inches. Later in the game he actually did break up the no-hitter with another nice line drive hit. I’d really love to see him in Cleveland.
•I can see why Aguilar doesn’t generate as much power as you would expect given his size. His swing almost looks artificially compact. Aguilar stood out on the field and basepaths, though, as perhaps the most vocal member of the team.
•Urshela, sadly, didn’t really get any action in the field or at the plate.
• Vinnie Pestano was sitting at 88 with his fastball (#sadface)
If you have a chance to catch the Clippers in action during the next few weeks, I would highly recommend it. The team is loaded with future Tribe players.