Quote from Randy Manese on March 8, 2023, 10:22 am

Big write-up on KBO star Jung Ho Lee on the mlb.com website.  Hope to get to see him in action soon.  If he is posted and signs, he'll be 25 years old to start his MLB career.  The great Ichiro started at 27.  As a foreign player in a lesser league, his stats in the KBO indicate Lee may be likened to an "Ichiro light" in some ways because of his OBP, low K rate and BA but he doesn't have the speed or quite the power of Ichiro.

Not sure that type of player draws the big bucks in today's game but Masataka Yoshida got $90M from Boston over 5 years and from what I've read Lee is considered better than Yoshida.  Besides Yoshida is already 29 while Lee won't be 25 until August this year.  Boston seems to have really overpaid for Yoshida but it just takes one team to drive up the signing amount.  Hopefully, Ha-seong Kim is nudging him toward the Padres during the WBC - with his bat control seems an ideal #2 hitter.

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2023, 11:19 am

Padres minor leaguer Jarryd Dale (22, INF) is on the Australia roster … so keep an eye out of watching one of their games.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 8, 2023, 11:33 am

Interesting to see if Dale has added a little more strength to his frame.  Was forced to play shortstop full-time at Ft. Wayne after Padres traded Euribiel Angeles just before season started; not his best position but held up well over the course of the season.  This could have affected his hitting so I'm hoping a second year at Hi A will bring that bat around, especially if he plays 2nd or 3rd base.  Has some speed but likely a utility role at the big leagues at best - very far away from that, however.

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 8, 2023, 1:24 pm

So far I have enjoyed watching the WBC and the games tonight are on FS1 ( Cox 26 )and FS2 (Cox 315) with start times an hour apart.

Lots of big league players but the pitching velocity seems to be down

Quote from Randy Manese on March 8, 2023, 11:52 pm

Had my first look at Jung Hoo Lee tonight and I'm going to have to see more of him.  Very balanced at the plate and can cover all sectors with outstanding hand-eye coordination and a great eye at the plate.  Not sure he's going to be able to generate much power in the MLB but looks like he can spray the ball all over the field and into the gaps.

To me, looked like he misplayed a ball hit to him in CF in a critical part of the game.  He seemed to be decoying the runner on 1st into thinking he was going to make the catch and he, in fact, didn't get to the ball.  However, it seemed like he should have been able to make the catch if he ran in a little harder.  I think Grisham easily makes the play.

Bogaerts had a great game for the Netherlands and Nelson Cruz belted a home run in the DR's exhibition game against Atlanta - it was really smashed!  Old friend Jurickson Profar also had a HR and definitely is playing for a roster spot somewhere.

3fingersplit is definitely right about pitching velocity being down in the WBC games - most pitchers don't get over the low 90's from what is being reported.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 9, 2023, 7:23 am

Ohtani's velocity definitely wasn't down. He touched 100. I just read that China's pro league shutdown due to COVID in 2019 and has yet to reopen. Having to face Ohtani after that almost seems unfair.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 10, 2023, 4:43 pm

Watched the first couple of innings of the the Japan/Korea game last night and taped the rest.  Starting to appreciate Jung Hoo Lee more.  Beautiful swing that always seems to get the barrel on the ball.  Doesn't seem have the lower body mass or strength to be a 20+ HR hitter but as long as he retains his speed, will be a productive hitter in the MLB - results remind me of former Padre John Kruk although the body type is certainly not Kruk-esque!

Darvish breezed through the first couple of innings but left one over the plate for a 2 run HR - he does that on occasion.  Bad defensive plays and great hustle by Ha-seong Kim gave Korea their 3rd run.  Kim's been hitting the ball hard but good defense against him.

After watching him in both Japan games, Ohtani's persona is amazing and probably the biggest marketing draw in all of Japan if not all of Asia.  Don't think we'll be able to outbid LA & NY to sign him but what a line-up (besides a top of the rotation SP) we would have with him in.  He's definitely one of a kind.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2023, 8:29 am

Man Roki Sasaki looked deGrom like. I can see why there's so much buzz around him. Ohtani, Darvish, Sasaki and Yamamoto still to come. Japan's rotation is crazy.

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2023, 7:47 am

Sullivan is doing well catching for Italy. Never had him high on the prospect list but his performance should solidify his role on the roster (and AAA).