185 replies to this topic

[Oriole85]

Just depends on the situation, in a close game like I've illustrated with a runner on third with no or one out, you'd ideally not want Nate in there. That's all I'm saying. He's a liability. Now of course, a deep ball to LF, it won't matter who is playing LF, I'm going with the iffy scenario.

[BSLBobPhelan]

Are you disagreeing with the scenario I presented, you didn't seem to debate that point. You'd rather have the stronger arm with the game in doubt like that then the better range IMO.

I guess I am disagreeing. If Reimold is starting in left field and we enter the 9th inning with a one run lead, I'm bringing in McLouth to replace him every time.

[Mackus]

I guess I am disagreeing. If Reimold is starting in left field and we enter the 9th inning with a one run lead, I'm bringing in McLouth to replace him every time.

I agree, even with the weak arm, McLouth is a vastly superior defender to Reimold, IMO.

You don't usually pull the better defender and put in a weaker one with a better arm in the 9th. I don't think I've ever seen that done. I've certainly never seen it done mid-inning once you get to a sac fly situation.

[Oriole85]

I guess I am disagreeing. If Reimold is starting in left field and we enter the 9th inning with a one run lead, I'm bringing in McLouth to replace him every time.

That's not the exact scenario I presented -- runner on third and less than two outs, I would take McLouth out for a stronger arm (if available). Yes, I agree with going into the 9th and a one-run lead if Reimold is in the game, replacing him with McLouth however. But then again, I think McLouth might have the LF job instead of Reimold.

[Oriole85]

I agree, even with the weak arm, McLouth is a vastly superior defender to Reimold, IMO.

You don't usually pull the better defender and put in a weaker one with a better arm in the 9th. I don't think I've ever seen that done. I've certainly never seen it done mid-inning once you get to a sac fly situation.

Yankees did it with Johnny Damon atleast once -- sometime in the playoffs -- I believe in the 2009 ALCS.

[BSLBobPhelan]

Yankees did it with Johnny Damon atleast once -- sometime in the playoffs -- I believe in the 2009 ALCS.

Maybe you do it in the playoffs when you're pulling out all the stops but not in the regular season.

[Oriole85]

Maybe you do it in the playoffs when you're pulling out all the stops but not in the regular season.

Yeah sure, your more likely to in the playoffs, but there's no reason to not pull off this kind of move to win a regular season game if a better option exists -- the same way you would pinch run for Wieters if that was seen as the better option. It's not overusing bullpen arms.

[FlavaDave10]

Yeah sure, your more likely to in the playoffs, but there's no reason to not pull off this kind of move to win a regular season game if a better option exists -- the same way you would pinch run for Wieters if that was seen as the better option. It's not overusing bullpen arms.

McLouth > Reimold (defensively). End of story.

[RichardZ]

McLouth > Reimold (defensively). End of story.

Agree 100%. McLouth should in in the 9th even with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs. Sure, on exactly the same fly ball, Reimold has the better chance of throwing the runner out. BUT McLouth might catch a ball that Reimold doesn't even get too (even though Reimold is close in underway speed). Also, despite a superior arm, Reimold is hit and miss on his accuracy. If he had Jeff Francoeurs arm and accuracy maybe I see it on some level.

[mweb08]

If you want to sub someone in the OF due their arm, Davis is the man for the job.

[RShack]

If you want to sub someone in the OF due their arm, Davis is the man for the job.

Yep...

He's also the man for the job if you want somebody to catch a normal fly ball in a way that gives you a thrill ride watching him do it...

[Mike B]

Yep...

He's also the man for the job if you want somebody to catch a normal fly ball in a way that gives you a thrill ride watching him do it...

True, actually Davis seemed more comfortable catching the ball on the run then camping under it.
All in all for a novice he did okay.

[mweb08]

Roch Kubatko ‏@masnRoch
BIll James Handbook rates McClouth as the #orioles best baserunner, and Markakis and Wieters as worst among regulars

Not much of a surprise imo.

[RichardZ]

Roch Kubatko ‏@masnRoch
BIll James Handbook rates McClouth as the #orioles best baserunner, and Markakis and Wieters as worst among regulars

Not much of a surprise imo.

I think McLouth being the best is no suprise. He's probably the fastest and definitely the best basestealer. I think it's a surprise, even to me, that Markakis is amongst the worst. Again, Wieters is probably the slowest guy on the team but I think a lot of people still think that Markakis has "average speed".

[Mike B]

I think McLouth being the best is no suprise. He's probably the fastest and definitely the best basestealer. I think it's a surprise, even to me, that Markakis is amongst the worst. Again, Wieters is probably the slowest guy on the team but I think a lot of people still think that Markakis has "average speed".

I look at base running and speed as two different things. I am not sure either is a bad base runner, just not real fast.

[RichardZ]

I look at base running and speed as two different things. I am not sure either is a bad base runner, just not real fast.

I agree. IMO, Reimold is a fast base runner who has bad instincts on the bases and is less likely to take the extra base.

[Oriole85]

I look at base running and speed as two different things. I am not sure either is a bad base runner, just not real fast.

I agree with this. That said, it's easier to put a slower baserunner as "worst." To me a bad baserunner, can be fast, but if he gets picked off a lot, than he has bad instincts. Other things like trying to stretch a single into a double when it's not close or running on a ground ball from 2nd(no force) on a ball hit right to the shortstop, where it could be a sure out.

I'm not sure why Markakis is there.

[Icterus galbula]

From Rotographs (fantasy, but relevant)

 

http://www.fangraphs...w-nate-mclouth/
 

Just look at his plate discipline stats and you might think there was an error. Some sort of reversal perhaps. His walk rate (15.7% this year) is where his strikeout rate should be (17.1% career). And his strikeout rate (9%) is where his walk rate should be (10.1% career). It’s a bit too early to believe in the walk rate, but it’s close enough to his peak numbers that it’s fine.

 

Nate McLouth is swinging less than he ever has. He’s swinging at outside pitches less than he ever has. Once before, he swung at pitches in the zone at the rate he’s showing now, but yeah, that’s at a career-low too. And it’s working, as he’s making contact at a career-best rate. His 3.1% swinging strike rate is actually seventh-best in the majors, at home with such contact hitters as Martin Prado and Marco Scutaro.

Basically, McLouth has quit swinging at pitches that are down in the zone.

 

 

There are some cool swing "heat maps" in this link too. 

[You Play to Win the Game]

When I clicked on this thread to see the latest post, it took me to the first page for some reason. I decided to read through the first few pages in any event, just to see folks thoughts when we brought him in. It was fun. Good stuff.

[Adam Wolff]

Nate has become one of my favorite players on the team. Obviously easy to say with how well he's played over the last week or so, but even when he wasn't as hot, he covers solid ground in the outfield and seems to do a good job working counts. I'm ready to see more of him against left handed pitching, mainly because he can't do much worse than the guys who replace him in those spots.