Quote from fenn68 on March 13, 2024, 1:54 pm

Quote from JasonE135 on March 13, 2024, 1:35 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 13, 2024, 2:59 am

Watched the game yesterday. Thorpe started and went 4 shutout innings but it is going to be really interesting to see how (if) he succeeds in the long run.

Now the national types have him a Top 100 prospect … he was dominant in his first full season in the minors so clearly the scouting folks see him succeeding .

However, it sure did not look as though he had much in his arsenal. First, his FB is maybe only around 90 and looks pretty straight. Did not see much beyond heavy use of his change up. However, his delivery coupled with the change and very good command seemed to dominate the hitters. His command on both pitches was there and he consistently dropped the ball around the knees and more often than not on the outside corner at the knees to RHH.

I wonder once ML hitters see him a few times whether they can start hitting his stuff … especially the 2nd/3rd time through the line-up.

On the other hand, Padres had this guy named Hoffman who survived with a career based on a dominant change up … as a closer.

Thorpe, dominant change up … outstanding command … keeps the ball at the knees, does sound like a recipe for a an end of game RP.

Thorpe actually has 4 pitches: sinking FB, cutter, slider and changeup. He appears to tunnel these pitches exceptionally well. His FB and cutter look the same until the cutter makes a little cut and drop at the last second. His breaking balls drop and either sweep in or cut away from from RH batters. He throws a lot of sliders. He has 4 pitches and it appears that the hitter never knows which one is coming until after it has been caught. He looks more like Greg Maddux than Trevor Hoffman to me.

Probably why he is a Top 100 prospect … I will take a young Greg Maddux.

If he was using the full repertoire yesterday … it was very very subtle. Agree that his delivery along with the ability to make all the pitches start looking the same before changing is maybe his ticket to success over pure “stuff”. And that is fine.

Quote from JasonE135 on March 13, 2024, 2:00 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 13, 2024, 1:54 pm

Quote from JasonE135 on March 13, 2024, 1:35 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 13, 2024, 2:59 am

Watched the game yesterday. Thorpe started and went 4 shutout innings but it is going to be really interesting to see how (if) he succeeds in the long run.

Now the national types have him a Top 100 prospect … he was dominant in his first full season in the minors so clearly the scouting folks see him succeeding .

However, it sure did not look as though he had much in his arsenal. First, his FB is maybe only around 90 and looks pretty straight. Did not see much beyond heavy use of his change up. However, his delivery coupled with the change and very good command seemed to dominate the hitters. His command on both pitches was there and he consistently dropped the ball around the knees and more often than not on the outside corner at the knees to RHH.

I wonder once ML hitters see him a few times whether they can start hitting his stuff … especially the 2nd/3rd time through the line-up.

On the other hand, Padres had this guy named Hoffman who survived with a career based on a dominant change up … as a closer.

Thorpe, dominant change up … outstanding command … keeps the ball at the knees, does sound like a recipe for a an end of game RP.

Thorpe actually has 4 pitches: sinking FB, cutter, slider and changeup. He appears to tunnel these pitches exceptionally well. His FB and cutter look the same until the cutter makes a little cut and drop at the last second. His breaking balls drop and either sweep in or cut away from from RH batters. He throws a lot of sliders. He has 4 pitches and it appears that the hitter never knows which one is coming until after it has been caught. He looks more like Greg Maddux than Trevor Hoffman to me.

Probably why he is a Top 100 prospect … I will take a young Greg Maddux.

If he was using the full repertoire yesterday … it was very very subtle. Agree that his delivery along with the ability to make all the pitches start looking the same before changing is maybe his ticket to success over pure “stuff”. And that is fine.

His cutter looks almost exactly like his FB, only with a little "hump" at the end. It is hard to distinguish on film, but apparently it is enough to prevent solid contact.

Quote from WindsorUK on March 13, 2024, 4:54 pm

I think it's safe to pencil Wade onto the OD roster.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 14, 2024, 9:13 am

Unconfirmed but apparently the roster for the spring prospect game tomorrow has been updated taking both Pauley and Merrill off suggesting both are on the plane to Korea.

However, Rosario remains … suggesting he is not headed towards Korea and making it more likely Wade is making the 26 man.

Also, does that (at least for Korea) have Sullivan on the 26 man (vs the taxi squad) if not who else? Is Preller closer than we think on adding another bat?

Quote from fenn68 on March 14, 2024, 12:17 pm

Saw a quote from Preller that the roster they will set for the LAD in Korea will not necessarily  the opening day roster in SD vs SF.

The mind jumps to a FA signing or trade … but could simply mean a player or two carried to Korea were placeholders for a short series while others remained in Peoria to keep sharp for SF … and we see some “call-ups” at the end of the month.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 15, 2024, 9:57 am

Saw the revamped Spring Training Breakout roster and had to smile when I looked at the pitchers on this list.  All have at least flashed skills that will make them interesting to watch in 2024, but I could list at least a half dozen more who could have easily made this roster.  Going to watch a whole lot of MiLB broadcasts to see who is developing this year because it could be a really good growth year for dozens of pitching prospects.

Quote from sportwarrior on March 15, 2024, 2:12 pm

Bummer. Looks like they just postponed the Padres spring breakout game. I hope they actually get to play it tomorrow.

Quote from BoosterSD on March 15, 2024, 5:01 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on March 15, 2024, 2:12 pm

Bummer. Looks like they just postponed the Padres spring breakout game. I hope they actually get to play it tomorrow.

The weather should be fine here tomorrow, it is blowing its way out now. So as long as they didnt cancel, and just postponed it, should be no problem for tomorrow.

Quote from sportwarrior on March 15, 2024, 5:06 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on March 15, 2024, 5:01 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on March 15, 2024, 2:12 pm

Bummer. Looks like they just postponed the Padres spring breakout game. I hope they actually get to play it tomorrow.

The weather should be fine here tomorrow, it is blowing its way out now. So as long as they didnt cancel, and just postponed it, should be no problem for tomorrow.

97.3 just posted that the game was canceled on facebook. Double bummer.