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2020 Spring Training Thread
#171 · March 4, 2020, 9:40 pm
I am trying to find an answer for this, but their doesnt appear to be a direct one. Maybe one of you can find it. But the question is...
In order to be considered a legit two-way player you have to log I believe 100 innings in the field and pitch 20 innings (or 20 appearances on the mound). Cronenworth only had 7.1 IP last year. Could the Padres have him meet both requirements in Triple-A, then call him up as a legit two-way player with him classified as a hitter but still able to pitch whenever? Rules do not say they have to be 20 MLB innings.
If not, FWIW it means that he could only pitch if it was a 6+ run game or if extras, and considering how good our pen is, he probably wouldnt need to pitch anyway. It is more just a fun loophole
#172 · March 5, 2020, 1:37 am
It's definitely major league innings, which I believe is a flaw in the rules that is destined to be changed. Also, it seems as though it's 60 plate appearances across 20 starts, not 100 innings in the field.
To qualify for the two-way designation, a player must pitch 20 Major League innings and have 20 games played as a position player or designated hitter, with at least three plate appearances in each of those 20 games, in either the current or previous MLB season.
#173 · March 5, 2020, 4:18 am
Not sure MLB really wants a lot of 2 way players ... especially RP.
I am not sure but I guess a player has to be one of the 13 pitchers first to qualify (get the needed innings) but can play in the field to get the position player qualification. The following season (or later in the current season), he can become a 2 way player ... and make the roster as a position player.
Hard to quality the other way ... position player first ... given the limitations on usage on position players pitching to extra innings and in blowouts.
Seems to fit SP better than RP and starting position players over bench players. More of an accommodation for Otani than anything else. MLB does not want to make it easy and create a loophole that allows a bunch of fringe players to circumvent the 13 pitcher limit.
#174 · March 5, 2020, 5:08 am
How long at the start of the season until we need a 5th starter?
Doesn’t Lucchesi have options left?
So....could we start the season with four starters and Cronenworth rostered as a pitcher?
Then let him start acquiring some innings.....won’t get 20 before we need a fifth starter but it would be a start.
As good as our Pen is why not list Cronenworth as a pitcher anyway until he gets his 20 ip?
There are no restrictions on pitchers playing in the field or hitting.
#175 · March 5, 2020, 5:34 am
Quote from MrPadre19 on March 5, 2020, 5:08 amHow long at the start of the season until we need a 5th starter?
Doesn’t Lucchesi have options left?
So....could we start the season with four starters and Cronenworth rostered as a pitcher?
Then let him start acquiring some innings.....won’t get 20 before we need a fifth starter but it would be a start.
As good as our Pen is why not list Cronenworth as a pitcher anyway until he gets his 20 ip?
There are no restrictions on pitchers playing in the field or hitting.
Open the season with 7 straight games ... day off ... then 6 straight games. So, need that 5th starter out of the blocks.
As for Cronenworth, the two way storyline is fun but in reality he has only pitched 7 innings in his minor league career (all last season), so projecting him as anything more than the filler RP in extra innings or blow outs is maybe a bit of a stretch ... and OK with that. IF the Padres really saw pitching potential at the ML level, they would be better off optioning him and given him 2020 to develop his pitching in the minors while working as a two way player and then pursue the ML strategy in 2021.
I am still holding a bit of "wait and see" evaluation of Cronenworth even as a hitter. Prior to last season in AAA, he was a "nice" hitter but not all that impressive. In the TB organization (good farm) he was a mid-level prospect and was placed mid-level when dealt to the Padres. Might need to see him late in ST against consistent ML quality pitching who are actually working to get into a regular season form.
Looks like a player who can "do it all" ... but with a lot to prove whether he can "do it" at the ML level.
#176 · March 5, 2020, 6:11 am
Follow-up on Cronenworth ... he is #17 on the new MLBPipeline Padres' Top 30 (just as on the last list) and is rated "45" as a position player and "45" as a pitcher. Does not mean he will not succeed in the ML but supports the "wait and see" approach.
#177 · March 5, 2020, 4:18 pm
So, what's the plan if Pham can't go opening day? He's yet to throw from the outfield so we have no idea if when he does, his arm will be okay, or how long it will take to be in game shape.
#178 · March 5, 2020, 5:11 pm
Quote from fenn68 on March 5, 2020, 6:11 amFollow-up on Cronenworth ... he is #17 on the new MLBPipeline Padres' Top 30 (just as on the last list) and is rated "45" as a position player and "45" as a pitcher. Does not mean he will not succeed in the ML but supports the "wait and see" approach.
Remember, he literally can't pitch unless up/down (?) by 6? 7 ? runs... which is the only time he would anyway.
The # of appearances a guy has to make at each to be true 2-way makes it almost impossible to qualify. Basically you need to be a (defined) "Pitcher" that's good enough to DH or take the field (i.e. Ohtani) ... not the other way around.
#179 · March 5, 2020, 5:12 pm
Quote from WindsorUK on March 5, 2020, 4:18 pmSo, what's the plan if Pham can't go opening day? He's yet to throw from the outfield so we have no idea if when he does, his arm will be okay, or how long it will take to be in game shape.
Think they're just going ultra-cautious with him, but need to play it safe early in the season... days off, sub out big up/down, etc....
We need to carry 5 true OF largely b/c of this. At least to start the season.
#180 · March 5, 2020, 5:48 pm
Quote from Brian Connelly on March 5, 2020, 5:12 pmQuote from WindsorUK on March 5, 2020, 4:18 pmSo, what's the plan if Pham can't go opening day? He's yet to throw from the outfield so we have no idea if when he does, his arm will be okay, or how long it will take to be in game shape.
Think they're just going ultra-cautious with him, but need to play it safe early in the season... days off, sub out big up/down, etc....
We need to carry 5 true OF largely b/c of this. At least to start the season.
Appears they are “slow walking” him to opening day and have a very conservative plan. The one report is they want him throwing from 200 feet before he returns to the OF ... as of now he is doing the 120 foot throws but at least he is throwing and apparently with no ill effects. Three weeks should be enough if all goes right.
I guess as long as his elbow is not hurting (effecting his swing) ... they will just trot him out to LF even if he lacks some arm strength and just tell him to not try to over throw.
Then again potentially one bad throw could land him on the IL for a long spell. Something to worry about.