The Official 2022 MLB Season Thread

[m0nkey]

That's seemed like a given since Donaldson broke out.

All seemed to stem from this play last week, and then the two chirped again today and benches cleared

 

[arch stanton]

He's a Yankee now so he deserves a good beating regardless of what he said

[Angelsjunky]

Mang hit 2 HR today. But here's the thing: the first was in the 5th when the Cardinals were up 11-0; the second was in the 9th when they were up 15-0.

I remember that Pujols: padding his HR total with meaningless displays of power.

[m0nkey]

3 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

Mang hit 2 HR today. But here's the thing: the first was in the 5th when the Cardinals were up 11-0; the second was in the 9th when they were up 15-0.

I remember that Pujols: padding his HR total with meaningless displays of power.

Up 15-0 and against a position player

[HanfordGuy]

 

[Lou]

Tyler Wade has a higher batting average than Byron Buxton.

[HanfordGuy]

 

[Angelsjunky]

Byron Buxton is fast becoming the game's most overrated player. Yeah, he's really good. But his career high fWAR in a season is 4.1 last year (and yes, in 61 games). His 5.7 WAR in 2021-22 is in 88 games, which is about a 10 WAR pace. So he's really good. But let's see him do it for a full year - or at least 120 games in a single season - before calling him one of the best players in the game, let alone the best. 

Oh, and Manny Machado has more than double his WAR this year.

[arch stanton]

I disagree that he's overrated. He really is that good. He just needs a uniform made of bubble wrap

[Taylor]

12 hours ago, m0nkey said:

Up 15-0 and against a position player

And he didn't even bat left-handed.

[HanfordGuy]

 

[Angelsjunky]

Justin Verlander is amazing. He hasn't really pitched since 2019 (nothing in 2021, 6 IP in 2020) and has a 1.22 ERA, 1.5 WAR in 51.2 IP this year. Age 39.

[Angelsjunky]

While I'm at it, here are the active players in the top 200 in career fWAR:

27. Justin Verlander (39) 73.5

29. Clayton Kershaw (34) 70.5

36. Max Scherzer (37) 67.0

42. Zack Greinke (38) 64.8

123. Adam Wainwright (40) 45.3

124. Chris Sale (33) 45.3

142. David Price (36) 42.3

170. Jacob deGrom (34) 38.9

194. Stephen Strasburg (33) 36.6

198. Corey Kluber (36) 36.5

199. Gerrit Cole (31) 36.5

Obviously there's a big gap between the top four--all of whom are locks for the Hall of Fame--and the rest. Sale is a bit tragic, as injuries have derailed a Hall-bound career. It is hard imagining him rebounding.

DeGrom will be interesting: such a high peak, but he can't stay healthy. He's the only active pitcher with a 9 WAR season (although BR has Aaron Nola with a 9.7 WAR season), and the first since Randy Johnson in 2004. While Hall voters are less beholden to WAR for pitchers, I still think he'll need to get to around 50 WAR to have a chance - not for that specific number, but because it represents about how much more value he needs to add up to his resume. If he does make it, he'll probably be the HOF starter with the fewest innings pitched in modern history (post WW2). Koufax pitched 2324.1 IP; DeGrom's at 1261.1 IP.

Cole has a chance - but he'll need to stay healthy and near peak form for another 3-4 years. The rest are Hall of the Very Good.

 

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by Angelsjunky

[Angel Oracle]

DeGrom’s HOF hopes are hurt by getting a later start at the MLB level (rookie at age 26).

Career ERA+ is identical to Kershaw’s (156).

Edited May 23, 2022 by Angel Oracle

[m0nkey]

I'd say unbelievable, but it's believable in 2022

 

[Lou]

https://nypost.com/2022/05/22/liam-hendriks-josh-donaldsons-jackie-explanation-bulls-t/

 

Hendriks, who was a teammate of Donaldson’s with the Blue Jays in 2015, said players on other teams have had similar experiences with him when they shared a clubhouse.

“My feelings towards the individual in question are pretty well-documented, the fact that we don’t get along,” Hendriks said. “And the fact that I have now spoken to I think it’s four separate clubhouses that he’s been into? And as a whole, none of them have gotten along [with Donaldson]. So him trying to whip out that narrative is complete and utter bulls–t…I don’t understand how he ever thought about it like that. It’s just straight delusional.”

[Lou]

On 5/21/2022 at 8:49 AM, m0nkey said:

#1 prospect still in the minor leagues Adley Rutschman got the promotion to MLB today.

Beaver 

[Lou]

In his last 15 games, Vlad, Jr is batting .200 with 0 extra base hits.

[tdawg87]

Just now, Lou said:

In his last 15 games, Vlad, Jr is batting .200 with 0 extra base hits.

Dude. 

[Lou]

1 minute ago, tdawg87 said:

Dude. 

Qué?

[tdawg87]

Just now, Lou said:

Qué?

He gets 4 games to turn that back around starting Thursday.

[Lou]

3 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

He gets 4 games to turn that back around starting Thursday.

He has the 4 games regardless of what I say.

[Inside Pitch]

Alex Cobb's ERA is now at 6.16.  Dylan Bundy is at 5.14.  Andrew Heaney is still on the DL.

Is Matt Wise still the problem?

I'll go ask in the Angels rotation thread

(narrators note, I won't)

[tdawg87]

3 minutes ago, Lou said:

He has the 4 games regardless of what I say.

Yeah well I'll be here to agree with you if he goes off!

[Lou]

Just now, tdawg87 said:

Yeah well I'll be here to agree with you if he goes off!

Will it matter if we win those games?