I don't know if I can wait all the way to March 1 for these guys to get back on the field. I want them available TODAY!
Interesting changes to Giolito’s slider today vs last year. The shape is actually pretty similar to how it looked a couple of years ago.Lucas Giolito tjStuff+ from today
Giolito threw a much different slider today, which helped out its grade compared to 2023.
2023 vs Today:
Slider
84.087.1 mph
0.6"
1.6"
98
And/or asking them to pitch against full mlb lineups with batters like Judge, Guerrero Jr., et al.
I've never watched Giolito before. But his delivery also hit me as 'short arming it' with his hands tighter to his body. But he somehow 'uncoils' his mechanics to get some good velo on his pitches.
Yea he short arms it and hides the ball behind his head.
Including this here to echo @SouthernBoSox with a little more info. Houck's velo is up, too.
That's followed by a discussion of changes to Giolito's slider, as noted by @6-5 Sadler upthread. Though this quote was interesting about what they're actually doing. This was probably the thing they showed him in their pitch meeting that was so eye-opening.
So, early returns seem good for the new pitching program?
I seem to recall a reliever we had hereabouts in the aughts, pitched a consequential inning or so. Stabbed a memorable comebacker to end one particular year rather well.
(I greeted him warmly and wished him luck this season, and he was polite. His parents didn't give me the stink eye that I noticed.)
I love this. SoSH is the best.- I was telling my friends during Sunday's game that the offseason had been a little rough and the mood going into Breslow's first season would be not great if they didn't sign Montgomery... only to have none other than Craig Breslow come to sit in front of me 5 minutes later... next to his parents, who it turned out had been sitting in front of me while I explained this.
Indeed, that's as good a synopsis as you could ask for about the Sox spring training experience. Thanks.
Excellent scouting report all around -- thanks!Just getting back from a great weekend in Ft. Myers.
Game notes:
- I was telling my friends during Sunday's game that the offseason had been a little rough and the mood going into Breslow's first season would be not great if they didn't sign Montgomery... only to have none other than Craig Breslow come to sit in front of me 5 minutes later... next to his parents, who it turned out had been sitting in front of me while I explained this.
- Spotted Theo chatting with some of the Sox staff who were watching behind home plate on Sunday, for what that's worth?
- Saturday it felt like Bello was working through some things. Obviously I have no idea whether he was practicing certain pitches or working on other things, but it looked to me like he didn't have great control, missing his spots at times.
- Crawford really looked good Sunday. Not qualified to scout the pitches or mechanics, but as a former HS catcher to me he just looked confident, if that makes sense? Never really shook his head in frustration after a pitch, seemed to be dealing easily, almost always seemed to pop the mitt exactly where the catcher set up.
- O'Neill really is massive. Haven't seen anyone with his body type on the Sox since... Gabe Kapler?
- Devers just looks so comfortable in the field, making a lot of nifty plays with ease. I was impressed.
- Watched some drills this AM on the back fields, mostly minor leaguers I didn't recognize, but did see Fitts who fortunately upgraded from baseball's worst organization to its best this offseason. Binelas was peppering home runs to CF off a pitching machine.
Ft. Myers notes:
- The JetBlue park tours by the guides remain a wonderful way to spend $10. Love wandering behind home plate and standing next to the Monster (which was in Fenway ~1976-2002).
- Traffic in the area feels like it's getting worse. We were staying in Cape Coral and it took 45+ minutes unless we did the drive at 9pm or later.
- Saturday night we went to what turned out to be one of the absolutely most delicious, most impressive Korean BBQ restaurants I've ever been to. The service is some of the best I've ever seen outside of Michelin starred meals (literally within seconds of a fork hitting the floor someone appeared to replace it, and water glasses couldn't stay empty for more than 30 seconds). Place was PACKED on a Saturday night, and the amount of steak we ate was deeply problematic -- we got the Feast C with prime ribeye, wagyu zabuton, marinated galbi, brisket, and pork belly. It was even better than that sounds. https://www.emberfortmyers.com/menu
This was awesome. Mike F would be proud.Just getting back from a great weekend in Ft. Myers.
Game notes:
- I was telling my friends during Sunday's game that the offseason had been a little rough and the mood going into Breslow's first season would be not great if they didn't sign Montgomery... only to have none other than Craig Breslow come to sit in front of me 5 minutes later... next to his parents, who it turned out had been sitting in front of me while I explained this.
- Spotted Theo chatting with some of the Sox staff who were watching behind home plate on Sunday, for what that's worth?
- Saturday it felt like Bello was working through some things. Obviously I have no idea whether he was practicing certain pitches or working on other things, but it looked to me like he didn't have great control, missing his spots at times.
- Crawford really looked good Sunday. Not qualified to scout the pitches or mechanics, but as a former HS catcher to me he just looked confident, if that makes sense? Never really shook his head in frustration after a pitch, seemed to be dealing easily, almost always seemed to pop the mitt exactly where the catcher set up.
- O'Neill really is massive. Haven't seen anyone with his body type on the Sox since... Gabe Kapler?
- Devers just looks so comfortable in the field, making a lot of nifty plays with ease. I was impressed.
- Watched some drills this AM on the back fields, mostly minor leaguers I didn't recognize, but did see Fitts who fortunately upgraded from baseball's worst organization to its best this offseason. Binelas was peppering home runs to CF off a pitching machine.
Ft. Myers notes:
- The JetBlue park tours by the guides remain a wonderful way to spend $10. Love wandering behind home plate and standing next to the Monster (which was in Fenway ~1976-2002).
- Traffic in the area feels like it's getting worse. We were staying in Cape Coral and it took 45+ minutes unless we did the drive at 9pm or later.
- Saturday night we went to what turned out to be one of the absolutely most delicious, most impressive Korean BBQ restaurants I've ever been to. The service is some of the best I've ever seen outside of Michelin starred meals (literally within seconds of a fork hitting the floor someone appeared to replace it, and water glasses couldn't stay empty for more than 30 seconds). Place was PACKED on a Saturday night, and the amount of steak we ate was deeply problematic -- we got the Feast C with prime ribeye, wagyu zabuton, marinated galbi, brisket, and pork belly. It was even better than that sounds. https://www.emberfortmyers.com/menu
Shades of 2013 JBJ.
While this is absolutely true, I remain mildly optimistic.
That Sam Travis quote could have been me (not the Devers part). I was really high on him and thought he could be a Mark Grace caliber player. Basically what I'm saying is that I don't know what I'm talking about and my posts should be treated as such.Thanks @dynomite for a great post. It reminded me of some of my past ST experiences at the Fort as well as other Grapefruit league parks:
* catching a ball off the bat of Rusney Castillo in batting practice at Hammond Stadium
* sitting a couple rows behind Dave Dombrowski and Frank Wren at JetBlue, trying really hard to eavesdrop on their conversation
* watching John Henry sign autographs for fans down in LF corner from about 3 feet away before a game (at least 5 yrs ago when he still spoke)
* having Jared Saltamachia sign for my gf's daughters right before boarding bus after Pirates/Sox game in Bradenton (and saying Lester is waiting on bus)
* Sitting near Jenny Dell in Port Charlotte at a Rays/Sox game and sheepishly asking her for a picture. She obliged and couldn't have been nicer.
* seeing Tim Tebow get a base hit against Sox in Port St. Lucie and then immediately getting picked off 1st by a mile. (wish i could remember the pitcher)
* sitting next to some moron when Raffy Devers was still a minor leaguer and struck out chasing. He said the guy was junk and watch out for Sam Travis, he's the real deal.
* randomly running into a buddy from New England who'd recently moved to DelRay Beach at a game in Jupiter against Cardinals. We continued to meet up to catch the Sox at City of Palms in WPB for the next several years.
These are the types of threads that make SOSH truly enjoyable. Get down to Florida and check out games in the future if you're fortunate enough to do so. Thanks again for the posts everyone!
The old-timers would take a deep drag on their cigarette, put down their beer, and suggest that O'Neill has too many muscles.
I'm sure they feel like it's no time to play through anything, so this may be just an excess of caution.
Very likely. we are now about halfway thru ST and the 2nd half is basically for pitchers to get stretched out. Most veteran position players are ready to go, so an occasional day off their feet and having a younger guy get some at bats is usually no big deal.
Especially for guys who are returning, or not far off of returning, from previous injuries. JFC, guys. They literally said Story will be back this weekend.
