Forum
Forum Navigation
Minor League Discussion
#351 · July 20, 2018, 5:09 pm
Quote from Cptjack on July 20, 2018, 4:32 pmQuote from David Nevin on July 20, 2018, 4:05 pmI would wager 9 of 10 injuries while sliding are head first.
1 in 300 vs 1 in 450 for injuries from face/feet first slides. A person stealing a base might need to protect his speed more than his digits, it's short term vs long term consequences.
You can reasonably protect yourself against injury with a feet first slide with proper technique. There are more variables with a head first slide because of the proximity of delicate body parts (fingers/hand/wrist) to sources of risk (glove/bag/player/spikes). Sure, breaking an index finger isn't going to hurt your speed around the bases, but your chances of breaking it are way higher than your chances of breaking your ankle when you slide correctly.
What increases your chances dramatically more than head OR feet first sliding, however, is just plain BAD sliding. Many feet first injuries are due to BAD slides, with poor form from less athletic players like pitchers or big first baseman. Those injuries aren't going to be mitigated with head first slides.
To Mr.Padre's question, some players think that sliding headfirst gives you a little more body control and gives you a few more options in sliding away from the bag. Plus it really does just sort of "feel" faster.
#352 · July 21, 2018, 5:04 am
I blame Pete Rose for the head first slide (don't really know but never liked him) and for decades ... yes decades .... fans, media, ex-players all have universally criticized that approach .... and yet it has expanded. Why?
First I discount players "thinking" and concluding by their own logic head first slides are better ... clearly not to the almost universal adoption of the head first slide. So the "why" may need a different line of reasoning. How about:
1. "It is easier" .... if a player is running there is a natural forward lean allowing for the casting of the body in one motion rather than a more involved body shift to the lower body for feet first ... not better but "easier"
2. If it is "easier" (and we all know most take the easy way out) means they don't have to repeatedly practice a quality feet first slide ... and we know how players don't like to practice anything that does not improve their stats (or at times at all)
3. If they don't practice ... makes the feet first slide more problematic and uncomfortable ... so just abandon it.
Same narrative for years ... bad approach ... no change ... expect the same to continue.
#353 · July 21, 2018, 8:31 am
I did read some studies and they do say that headfirst is faster.
But only slightly.
The bodies momentum going forward is not slowed as much when going headfirst as it is sliding feet first.
But my contention is that the advantage of a split second isn’t worth the injury risk for players making many millions of dollars on teams who’s goal is the World Series.
If the Angels for instance lost Trout for a couple months late in the season it would end them.It would kill the season for the team and their fans.
There’s a reason some players wear hand protection.....maybe “at least” make that mandatory?
#354 · July 21, 2018, 4:33 pm
I think you'll see Tatis use the oven mitt next season. Seems like it takes an injury like this to get some of them to use one.
San Antonio will be happy to get River Stevens back soon. He's certainly not Tatis, but he can play infield and contribute at the plate too.
#355 · July 21, 2018, 8:14 pm
Baez: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO. 50 K's/13 walks in last 8 starts after 17 walks, 27 SO's in first 7 starts
#356 · July 22, 2018, 5:17 am
When does Brett Kennedy come into the discussion for a ML spot? Is he looked at kind of like Kyle Lloyd? More of an organizational piece? The guy has been nails this year and I think can be exposed to Rule 5 in the offseason
poolie has reacted to this post.
poolie
#357 · July 22, 2018, 12:15 pm
Roster move notes - Jose Quezada, 2018 draftee is in Fort Wayne after throwing a grand total of 1 inning in the Northwest League.
#358 · July 22, 2018, 12:19 pm
Quote from Ryan Payne on July 22, 2018, 12:15 pmRoster move notes - Jose Quezada, 2018 draftee is in Fort Wayne after throwing a grand total of 1 inning in the Northwest League.
Fort Wayne really needs a closer
#359 · July 22, 2018, 2:22 pm
Something to tuck in the back of your minds .... Josh Naylor as the LEFT FIELDER of the future.
Yes, I recall the negatives tossed about in spring about his body type and lack of power for a "big man" but taking a careful look at his development in AA is beginning to warm me to the idea (remember the powerful Cubs have Schwarber out in LF and he is no twinkle toes ... works for them as a winner).
First, Naylor just turned 21 (in June) and is playing in AA after aggressive placement by the Padres since the acquired him. Clearly the Padres are full bore converting him to LF since he has started 61 in LF and only 25 at 1B (and that was early in the season).
Second, he has the bat in an era (and with an organization) that is lacking hitters in the upper levels. We have been consistently frustrated with the lack of balls in play and strikeouts from about everyone ... Naylor sure looks like he may be the opposite. Consider this year:
1st Half (278 AB) 313/385/478
2nd Half (98 AB) 327/450/490 getting better ... excellent OBP and SLG
He makes contact with only 51K vs. 50BB ... ball is in play. He can hit RHP (.862 OPS) and LHP (.941 OPS) ... so not "side challenged".
The power ... 14 HR so far is his best season but also note that 3 were at home at the Wolff (hard place to hit) and 11 were on the road ... clearly improving his power number and if not playing at the Wolff could be very impressive.
He has all the makings of a spectacular run in 2019 in the PCL with both average and power ... and will start AAA at age 21. Something to look forward to .... 2020?
#360 · July 22, 2018, 4:13 pm
Naylor's not a left fielder. No Francisco Mejia again for El Paso. This situation is very odd.