Cleveland Sports Forum

Very interesting conversation between the Rockies announcers last inning. One of the guys doing color commentary is a former Rockies player who is a smart guy, and is into analytics.

He said the highest average exit velocity off the bat comes on 3-0 pitches. 95 MPH average.

It is 93 MPH exiting off 3-1 counts. And 91 off 2-0 counts.

We should remember that the next time one of our guys swings at a 3-0 pitch and we start to complain.

And with many teams into analytics and looking for ways to help their players, the Indians being one, you can bet that info is being told to players.

Jeez

Even I can figure out that exit velocity crap stat. Of course, hitters that swing at 3-0 pitches, believe that pitcher is going to throw a fastball right down the middle. Wouldn't you swing harder?

Seagull, google exit velocity and educate yourself. And get back on whatever med you stopped taking.

Jordan Bastian @MLBastian
Francona, on Yandy Diaz not being on 40-man: "If we feel likes he's ready to help us, I don't think that roster spot will get in the way."

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I would certainly hope not.

They played Urshela at SS yesterday and he made a fantastic play on a ball hit up the middle, diving grab and throwing him out. But in my mind you have to get some offense from the corners in the AL. If they don't want to give the job to Yandy I think they should just plug Gonzalez in at 2B until Kipnis returns. He'll give you good D and as much O as Urshela.

At some point you have to quit moving guys around and just let them settle in at their spot. Let's not screw with Ramirez like they have been Yandy. You want to find a home for the hot shot prospect, like you should, look at RF where you have a lifetime .260 hitter who gets on base at a .310 clip, strikes out 3 times more than he walks, and is only good for around 10 homers a year.

Francona also said today that Lindor would probably be back in lineup Saturday. And that Roberto has been sitting too much, so they'll be looking to get him in major and minor league games, catching and at DH.

Both Chisenhall and Gonzalez had to leave todays game. Chiz ran into the wall and banged his shoulder up a bit. Gonzo got hit with a pitch on the hand or forearm area.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Yandy Diaz has spent a lot of time on the backfields at the Indians' complex over the past couple of weeks. An opportunity exists for him at third base, so Diaz has been working hard with third-base coach and infield instructor Mike Sarbaugh, like a student cramming for an exam. "It is Spring Training, but if a guy can hit, a guy can hit. I think he's hit at every level he's been. So now, the position part of that, to be fair to him, it's hard in 10 days to say, 'Hey, be a big league third baseman.' "But, we're working toward that. He has the athleticism. He has all the intangibles. It's just getting that consistent work." Cleveland is leaning toward shifting third baseman Jose Ramirez to second until Kipnis returns.

Tribe signs Jose Ramirez to a big extension. 4 years 26 mill, with two option years of 11 mill and 13 mill. Could end up 6 years 50 mill.

Indians Prospective @indiansPro
Source inside #Indians organization - Lonnie Chisenhall (Shoulder) & Erik Gonzalez (hand) are both fine & have avoided any serious injuries.

Guys, you have to listen to this clip of Hammy calling this game. He brought in the GM's young son, Brody Chernoff and started asking him questions. At the 3:55 mark Brody answers a question that his dad is not going to be happy with!!

https://tribevibe.mlblogs.com/brody-che ... .k8nmar4hi

Indians had to make a decision on Austin Jackson today, and they have informed him he will make the major league roster.

Never a doubt since they signed him......

Almonte has had a great spring, hitting near 400, but since he has a final option remaining he seems to be heading to Columbus unless Brantley is not ready or Chisenhall needs a little time on the DL

On Monday, manager Terry Francona told reporters in Goodyear, Ariz., that Brantley would play three straight spring-training games starting Tuesday. It could be his last test to prove his right shoulder is sound enough to open the regular season with the Indians on Monday.

"I think Michael has done terrific," said Francona, before Monday's game against the Cubs. "He's off tonight and then the plan is for him to play three in a row. If it needs to change, we can always change that."

Should Brantley and his shoulder get through this test, there's a chance he could open the season with the Indians against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

"He looks very good. He feels very good," said Francona. "It's pretty exciting. We just don't want to put more on his plate because he's done such a terrific job. But again, it's gone well. I'd rather have it be going like this than going the other way."

When asked if Brantley could start opening day, Francona said, "I think there's a chance. I just don't think we know. I think we're trying to be fair to him.

"Last year he pushed so hard for opening day. It's important. Having your players is important. But we need to be sure we do right by him because that will end up being right by us."

Indians Prospective @indiansPro
#Indians set to add both Yandy Diaz & Michael Martinez to the 40 man meaning both players have made the 2017 opening day roster.

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Don't really care for the Martinez news. He must have naked pics of Tito. He just won't go away.