128 replies to this topic

[85Knight]

I also didn't like Mountcastle swinging at the first pitch in that eighth inning, particularly when the pitcher is having trouble finding the plate. Take a pitch and don't try and be a hero with one swing.

That ab was the worst out of many in that game. I am so tired of seeing 1st pitch pop-ups from this team.

[Mackus]

Mountcastle is 11/20 with 3 doubles and 2 HR when he puts the first pitch in play this season but only has a 519 OPS after falling behind 0-1.  I almost always find "take a pitch" arguments to be results-based and not process-based.  He's been hot and he's an aggressive hitter, he should be swinging if he likes the pitch.  If you want to criticize the swing-decision because he swung at a slider that dipped a bit below the zone, go ahead, but "take a pitch" is not a smart approach for that situation, IMO.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Mountcastle is 11/20 with 3 doubles and 2 HR when he puts the first pitch in play this season but only has a 519 OPS after falling behind 0-1.  I almost always find "take a pitch" arguments to be results-based and not process-based.  He's been hot and he's an aggressive hitter, he should be swinging if he likes the pitch.  If you want to criticize the swing-decision because he swung at a slider that dipped a bit below the zone, go ahead, but "take a pitch" is not a smart approach for that situation, IMO.

I think the part this misses is how the pitcher was performing prior to the at bats. No question Mountcastle likes first pitches and is pretty good at hitting them. But he should take into account that the pitcher was struggling and we had the bases loaded. Might be better served to take a look.

[85Knight]

I think the part this misses is how the pitcher was performing prior to the at bats. No question Mountcastle likes first pitches and is pretty good at hitting them. But he should take into account that the pitcher was struggling and we had the bases loaded. Might be better served to take a look.

That's where I was with it. I didn't know his numbers were that good but I was looking at the actual game situation that seemed to call for making the pitcher work a little bit. Those raw numbers only tell part of the story.

[Mackus]

I think the part this misses is how the pitcher was performing prior to the at bats. No question Mountcastle likes first pitches and is pretty good at hitting them. But he should take into account that the pitcher was struggling and we had the bases loaded. Might be better served to take a look.

 

Just speaking anecdotally, but often times when a pitcher is struggling with command they end up leaving a fastball right down the middle or perhaps a cement mixer of a get-me-over breaking ball.  Don't you want Mountcastle swinging if that happens?

 

I get the criticism for him swinging at the pitch he got, I think he chased a bit so very fair to criticize the pitch recognition and plate discipline (i.e. the swing decision).  But I strongly feel that "take no matter what" is a very unsound strategy in that scenario for one of our better hitters who has been on a heater and usually demolishes first pitches.

[russsnyder]

Just speaking anecdotally, but often times when a pitcher is struggling with command they end up leaving a fastball right down the middle or perhaps a cement mixer of a get-me-over breaking ball. Don't you want Mountcastle swinging if that happens?

I get the criticism for him swinging at the pitch he got, I think he chased a bit so very fair to criticize the pitch recognition and plate discipline (i.e. the swing decision). But I strongly feel that "take no matter what" is a very unsound strategy in that scenario for one of our better hitters who has been on a heater and usually demolishes first pitches.

You are describing an approach that most hitters are going to have in that situation. Based loaded, pitcher struggling to throw strikes, and the thought is that the pitcher is going to want to get ahead. In short, Mountcastle was being aggressive and he hit into a DP. I don't have any issues with that approach at all.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Just speaking anecdotally, but often times when a pitcher is struggling with command they end up leaving a fastball right down the middle or perhaps a cement mixer of a get-me-over breaking ball.  Don't you want Mountcastle swinging if that happens?

 

I get the criticism for him swinging at the pitch he got, I think he chased a bit so very fair to criticize the pitch recognition and plate discipline (i.e. the swing decision).  But I strongly feel that "take no matter what" is a very unsound strategy in that scenario for one of our better hitters who has been on a heater and usually demolishes first pitches.

Yeah I guess what I am really criticizing is his inability to recognize that that wasn't a meat ball pitch. Swinging first pitch and being aggressive is fine if see a meatball coming.

[dude]

Yeah I guess what I am really criticizing is his inability to recognize that that wasn't a meat ball pitch. Swinging first pitch and being aggressive is fine if see a meatball coming.

 

Well, you do have a fraction of a second to figure it out.  

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Well, you do have a fraction of a second to figure it out.

Yeah he gets paid $4M to be able to do that.