Genius analysis from one of our own back in October of 2013: http://mudncleats.com/forumlist/viewtopic.php?id=1056
So I was wrong and Rizzo bounced back, learning to lay off breaking low and inside pitches....... But for respect for the website, I'll lay off digging up your incorrect 'insights' for the sake of playing nice...... You can have this one, champ
We are all wrong. Even the big boys that make the big bucks are wrong alot. Theres no problem with that. Its all about baseball talk. This is the Pat I know and respect.
Also, I had big reservations with Rizzo as well. He did some great work in the offseason. I know he worked with Joey Votto a lot. That makes me think this id is going to be special. He is learner and a leader. I love that about him.
I wasn't. You're suggesting that it was that big a stretch to predict that a talented young hitter would improve his plate discipline as he ages??? Even after a bad season, just about every magazine I've read had Rizzo in or around the top 10 first basemen in baseball. He's always had a good batting eye, didn't strike out too much for a guy that was a .233 hitter at the time, was unlucky in BABIP, and has always had a track record of big power in the minors. I know no one is perfect, but Andy freakin LaRoche? Jesus Christ
Don't sound so surprised, princess. Rizzo sucked in 2013. Hacked at everything and anything. Couldn't hit his weight. He looked like a poor man's Adam Dunn. The occasional walk, far less home runs and a strikeout every 5 at bats. Though Dunn is 1 in every 4. And Andy LaRoche was 1 in 6.5. Rizzo was a liability who stunk up the joint after being average with Soriano, who clearly was the force in the 2013 line up. That WAR stat you're so crazy about, Sori had a 2.4 in 2013 (.9 with cubs, 1.5 in NY) and Rizzo was 2.2. Whoops. Rizzo improved. I'm happy. What? Who had him in their top 10 1B in baseball? Fantasy baseball rankings from Yahoo had him 20th before the 2014 season. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2014-fantasy-baseball-rankings--1st-basemen-013425957.html Behind Allen Craig, Belt, Trumbo, who was as equally disappointing, Butler, Cuddyer, and others. Want to change from Yahoo? Espn had him 14. Fantasy pros had him at 13. Unlucky with BABIP? Last year he couldnt pull the ball to save his life. This year he was tremendous at it. The irony of these words coming from you is too much for me at this point.
I just looked at his Facebook page for the first time out of some mild curiosity. Definitely 23 cans short of a case. He's going to have a tough time reproducing.
I was one of those people that worried about Rizzo. He has a bad problem with hard breaking ball inside. He changed his approach a ton. He is much closer to the plate where almost any pitch in almost hits him. He also calmed the fuck out of his lower half when he has two strikes. He is a big boy and can generate power but instead of going for it. He went the Joey Votto route and sacrificed power for overall hitting and it was the best decision of his life. He has become a young Votto with more power. Votto has more experience, but Rizzo is on his track. He walks at a great rate and cut down his K's but will never be Votto there. He also has a fuck ton of power. This guy had Castro protecting him and has jacked 31 homers with that walk rate and average. Add in that this guy has a smooth glove and we got ourselves a real fucking player. Truthfully, my dream is for Rizzo at first, Castro at SS, Baez at second and Russell at third. You can flip flop Russell and Castro if you want. Add in Bryant in left and Soler in Right and Alcantara in Center. You will have 3 IF with SS range and a CF with SS range. The Cubs would be so much fun to watch on D. I mean the range would be sick in the IF. Add in the 4 bats with 30 plus homerun power and fuck man. How are you not excited about the future. I didnt even include the money we have to buy what we need. I know some of yall still have problems but next year will be fun. They will be frustrating at times but this team will be a blast to watch.
And for the 600th time, that team most likely will not prosper. When have you ever seen team of prospects work? No vets mixed in? Regardless of the sheeple, it's time to see this team improve immediately. not in 2020
I guess you missed the dream part. Also, our team will be exactly that team next year minus Russell soooooooooo
Also, the team has improved the last 2 seasons. Its not a strectch to say they will get to 80 plus wins next year and that keeps you in the hunt.
Absolutely not a stretch to say they can get to 80+ wins. Gotta open the wallet and make a few key signings including 1 TOR starter, subtracting EJax, making a key bullpen signing, a catcher who can call a better game than Castillo, and an outfielder. Also have to maintain consistency, hard to believe everybody on the team will only progress and none regress.......
I think you are to hard on Castillo. the guy was babied after knee surgery and in the second half has been an incredible defensive catcher and found his power stroke. You pair him with a left backup catcher that swings the bat then you got some good production. The rest you are correct but the Cubs been playing .500 ball since mid may. That with Darwin Barney, Edwin Jackson, and plus. Baez wont be as bad at the plate. Alcantara will be better. Add two TOR types or one TOR type and a MAdea or Liriano and we are cooking with fire. Bryant will be no longer then 3 weeks after the season starts if he doesnt make it out of spring training. This team is getting exciting and I know the good fans recognize. Im excited and I hope all of yall are to. I never thought the Saints would win a Superbowl and then they did. The last thing in my sports life is to see the Cubs and they are coming. Even if a good bit fail, we are in one of the best spots I have ever seen us. We have incredible prospects ready with a big payroll ready to spend.
I'm not sold on the incredible prospects portion of your post. I am much older than you and have seen this crap many times over. If the Cubs had chosen to seriously compete the last three years, Pittsburgh would probably not have been the playoff hunt, as they have feasted off the Cubs. Pretty fucking sad if you ask me. Here's to throwing in the towel in 2015. *DRINK*
