4hzglory

I had heard they adjusted his pitch sequencing. I'm sure there are other tweaks, but his K rate has gone up considerably.

It is also more evidence that for some, the difference between AAA and the majors is a significant hurdle. Even Jung, couldn't hit for power at all in Detroit, but has double digit homers in Toledo. Malloy is another example. It doesn't mean they don't have a chance, but it means numbers at a level don't necessarily mean if the player is going to succeed (or fail) at the next level. What are their at bats like? What is their statcast data showing? etc

And if anything, Martin is a bigger bust from that class considering they moved up for him.

A rookie cannot deny a waiver claim. If he is claimed, he is gone. They either must think he’ll get through, or they aren’t concerned if he doesn’t. Maybe they have a claim on someone they think is a better fit? Personally I hope he clears and joins the practice squad.

Good point

Exactly, if they don't make it out of camp, and unless they don't have options due to injuries/etc, Clark and McGonigle will likely be called up the day they will maintain their rookie eligibility for 2027.

Yeah, even with the misses, 3 current and potentially 4 Pro Bowl players in your first 4 picks is hitting pretty well.

lol, that might be a bit far. Duran has been great overall as has Finnegan for us. But definitely get your point.

I still think they are going to sign Smith right after cutdowns, so there’s a spot. Manu may still be one of the developmental guys. And quite frankly, I think they’re more inclined to keep some of the young DL on the roster than Hooker at this point. I also don’t think there’s much risk of losing him to another team’s regular roster so if they want him, could keep him on their practice squad.

Morton was actually pitching pretty well the previous couple months. He was just so awful the first 6-8 weeks his numbers didn’t show it. And he was showing really good K/9 as well.

Yeah, other than us, the only one whose doing well is Duran. i was disappointed we didn’t get Jax or Bednar for what they went for, and hoped we’d get more swing and miss guys, but Finnegan has done great in that regard. I definitely wasn’t on the Fire Harris train and was glad we got all we did for the minimal we gave up. i really liked Morton for his versatility, experience, high K’s and low cost.

Another name who is likely a lock if healthy is Sewald.

All it says on the injury and transaction page is that he underwent tests on his right wrist. It hasn't been updated since the 19th (he was undergoing the tests on the 20th)

Doesn't mean he will be on the playoff roster. Right now I'd say it's unlikely he pitches better in September than one of the other guys, but it is possible. I definitely wouldn't have him as a lock in the pen. I'd think Urquidy even has a better chance at this point of being on the postseason roster.

How about competing in 2 World Series and a draft pick

I think he means in a trade.

Yes, and with the swing and miss as well as experience as a reliever, he gives a lot of options come postseason.

Isn’t he still at league minimum? I don’t think there’s anyway they non-tender him yet. Trade maybe, but not non-tendered.

I wonder if they have an agreement in place for him to sign after all of the rosters are finalized and they make sure they are more likely to be able to pass someone through to the practice squad that they want to keep.

Only question being if they want to carry 3 QB's on the active roster - they only carried 2 last season until signing Bridgewater late.

I could see him clearing waivers and think it's likely with what he's shown so far (unless picked up by our competition just to learn about the offense. IMO, I don't think he brings back even a 7th. At this point, I'd rather have Ewers to develop than Hooker and he went in the middle of the 7th.

He is a FA after the season.

I do agree with this. By Spring training 40 man spots can easily be opened up as guys can go on the 60 day again

And only 3 are free agents after this year, so that’s 6 spots on the 40 man right there.

Not only that, but he hasn't shown he can hit AAA pitching yet, which as was said earlier, is a bigger jump than it used to be with the few minor league teams and more pitchers being shuttled between the majors and AAA. I think it's foolish to think McGonigle would step in right now and be better than Sweeney currently is.