Quote from BoosterSD on June 7, 2019, 6:43 am

The horrific "slide" attempt into 3rd after tagging up on the fly ball, could have cost us the game. And is the type of action that can lead to injury of Machado. Hope Green discussed that with him after the game. Have not seen much of this from him this year, hope to not see much more.

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 7, 2019, 7:39 am

There was a play a few games ago where he grounded out hard to 2b....defender bobbled the ball "twice" yet still threw him out.

This was the first instance(that i've seen) where he definitely would have been safe had he been hustling from the start.

He didn't start running hard until he saw the bobble...too late.

Quote from fenn68 on June 7, 2019, 8:00 am

I am not yet going down the "lack of hustle" route with Machado. I don't see much difference in his level effort on ground balls than MOST other ML hitters. Just the reality of ML players today. Sure you get a few players make every play as though the hair was on fire but that is not the norm (different debate on whether it should be the norm.)

On Machado, waiting on his offense kicking into gear .... which it should given his history. 99 games to go ... so a lot of time this season.

Quote from fenn68 on June 7, 2019, 8:11 am

Actually quite impressed with Lucchesi's effort yesterday based on his rebound from a ugly 1st inning ... a sign of maturity and mental strength. Innings 2 - 5 were strong ... he is still in the development cycle so need to watch for these things.

Nice snap back from Wednesday by Wingenter and Stammen. Wisler's effort was impressive in his one inning ... 3K on I think 10 pitches. He may have the chance (working with Balsley) to be a very effective late RP. He has always had the rep of a plus slider with a decent FB but little else. That does not bode well for a starter BUT if those two pitches become the focus could make for a very good RP.

Good rebound game from Wednesday especially after the rocky 1st inning.

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 7, 2019, 9:21 am

Quote from fenn68 on June 7, 2019, 8:00 am

I am not yet going down the "lack of hustle" route with Machado. I don't see much difference in his level effort on ground balls than MOST other ML hitters. Just the reality of ML players today. Sure you get a few players make every play as though the hair was on fire but that is not the norm (different debate on whether it should be the norm.)

On Machado, waiting on his offense kicking into gear .... which it should given his history. 99 games to go ... so a lot of time this season.

I've never mentioned it before either...was "letting it go",but it also would be even less of an issue if he was playing "offensively" like the

player we paid.

I still believe he will....just saying his less than stellar first two months doesn't help.

I really think having Tatis back(hopefully the rest of the way) will help Manny more than anyone.

 

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 7, 2019, 9:24 am

Quote from fenn68 on June 7, 2019, 8:11 am

Actually quite impressed with Lucchesi's effort yesterday based on his rebound from a ugly 1st inning ... a sign of maturity and mental strength. Innings 2 - 5 were strong ... he is still in the development cycle so need to watch for these things.

Nice snap back from Wednesday by Wingenter and Stammen. Wisler's effort was impressive in his one inning ... 3K on I think 10 pitches. He may have the chance (working with Balsley) to be a very effective late RP. He has always had the rep of a plus slider with a decent FB but little else. That does not bode well for a starter BUT if those two pitches become the focus could make for a very good RP.

Good rebound game from Wednesday especially after the rocky 1st inning.

I was thinking while watching Lucchesi after his first 15 pitches or so how nice it was that he was throwing strikes and would keep his pitch count down....then the wheels fell off for an inning and a half.If it's one thing I've noticed it's that we don't have any starters really who have an above average number of low pitch innings.

We throw "way" too many pitches in the first 3-4 innings.

I don't know if this is coincidence....skill level,philosophy,competition or just bad luck.

But it's a trend i hope changes.

 

 

Quote from BoosterSD on June 7, 2019, 9:57 am

Like Fenn said, I think its part of the learning curve for younger pitchers that we would not normally see because it happened in AA or AAA versus seeing it every night on the MLB broadcast.

Although we all want playoffs as soon as we can get it, I think it needs to be said again that this time is exceeding any real predictions from the talking heads this year, and we have a team over .500 in JUNE!!! If they play better in the 2nd half as they do often the last few years, we could have an exciting run to the end of September. Even if they dont, this season has to be seen as a success and good step forward to relevance in the baseball world again.

Quote from fenn68 on June 7, 2019, 10:10 am

IF the Padres are going to contend in the future, I am now convinced that they need to upgrade from Hedges. Yes, Fangraphs has him as the #1 defensive catcher right now BUT he is turning 27 in August and offensively he is what he will ever be.

Career: 1079 PA .... 207/259/372 yielding a miserable 66 wRC+.

2019: 158 PA ......... 188/259/333 yielding a 58 wRC+ ... one of the lowest in MLB for a catcher.

Basically running him and the pitcher to the plate in the same inning just throws away the inning from an offensive standpoint ... 3 / game or so potentially.

Not sure offensively how much A.Allen or Mejia can be better but hard to envision if they played regularly they can't be better plus not all that sure that Hedges superior defense really offsets his lack of offense in trying to win games.

Not sure what they do with Hedges ... but in 2019 think they need to start the process of fully evaluating the alternatives ... maybe to start more of a 50/50 sharing of the catching duties with A.Allen. Later bring in Mejia if Allen is found wanting or Hedges just implodes fully.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 7, 2019, 11:35 am

I wonder what the Padres level of offense they feel is enough for Hedges considering he is obviously the best choice defensively?

I wonder how much the Pitching staff prefers working with Hedgey versus the offense they have to give up in their support with him behind the plate?

There has to be a time where the better defense is not enough.

As you say....we can't realistically expect a sudden turnaround from Hedges.

But...he can be a streaky hitter.

He could suddenly get ahold of a few and hit some homers.

But I am with you it's time we give Allen and Mejia more AB's to see what our other option/s are.

If not this year....when?