Games » Baltimore Orioles
Aug4Why Hosmer's good
Lee Judge
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Yes, the Royals won 9-4. Yes, the Orioles had a nightmare inning in the 6th when a series of bloops, bleeders and misplays buried them. And, yes, the Royals are on a bit of a hot streak. But you don’t need me to tell you that, everyone else will. I want to point out a series of at-bats in what looks like an unremarkable evening for Eric Hosmer, that show you why he’s good.
Look at the box score and Hos appeared to have a so-so game: 1-5, no RBIs, no runs, two strikeouts. So what’s the big deal? In his first at-bat against left-handed pitcher Zach Britton, Eric struck out, looking approximately like me.
Rear end going one way, bat going the other, failing and missing at a slider down and away. It looked like Hos was totally fooled and might be in for a bad night. In the second at-bat Eric decided to wait a bit longer and take the ball to the left side. He got another slider from Britton, but this time didn’t swing, then got a fastball and grounded out to short. Just a bit better.
In his third at-bat against Britton, he was still trying to go the other way, but got a hittable slider and smoked it into right for a single.
Going one for five with a couple of strikeouts is not a stellar night, but the fact that Hosmer could figure out what Britton was doing to him, make an adjustment and have success two at-bats later is a big deal. Guys who can do that are special. And guys who can do that after only a short time in the big leagues are rarer still.
Oh, and Alex Gordon had a pretty good night, too.
Getz gets it
The Royals called up Johnny Giavotella, and Chris Getz says he understands why. It’s that time of year, and the Royals need to figure out what Giavotella can do at this level. It hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice that the same people who were screaming for Kila Ka’aihue to be called up (and seem to have quickly forgotten him) have been screaming that Giavotella should be called up. As always, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out over the next couple months and nobody will be more interested than Chris Getz.
Early work
Wednesday night Brayan Pena walked by and said, “Early work tomorrow. Me, you and Gibby, 2:30. I want to show you the blind spot.” I wanted to know what the ‘blind spot’ was, so at 2:30 yesterday Brayan and I were standing at home plate. Brayan wanted me to understand what happened on the two tags at home plate where the runners got under his glove.
Pena was very clear that he was taking responsibility for what happened, “I’m not making excuses. I screwed up. I’m a big league guy, I gotta make that play.” Brayan then had me stand in the correct position for a play at the plate when the throw’s from left field. Left foot on the foul line right foot pointed to the left fielder. Brayan explained I now had the whole play in front of me: I could see the outfielder, the throw, the runner, the base coach and the cutoff man.
Next we pretended the throw was from centerfield. With my left foot on the line and my right foot towards centerfield I could see all the same things, but now out of the corner of my eye. But when I shifted my right foot for a throw from right, the only thing in my field of vision would be the outfielder and the throw. In this position the catcher totally loses sight of the runner coming home: The blind spot.
The play calls for total concentration on the ball, because without the ball, the tag doesn’t matter. The catcher knows the position of the plate as long as he can keep his left foot on the foul line, but when Brayan flipped a ball to my right and I shuffled a couple steps to catch it, I no longer knew precisely where the plate was.
This was the position Brayan found himself in during those two plays: the ball had drawn him to his right, he no longer has contact with the line and only knew the plate and runner were to his left. So far so good, but here’s where the plays broke down: when Brayan turned to his left he tagged high and the runners had a chance to slide in under the tag.
John Gibbons had joined us at this point and Brayan demonstrated the adjustment Gibby asked him to make: turn and sweep the glove low to the ground between the runner and the plate. If the play happens again, that’s what Brayan plans on doing.
And now you can watch for it.
Billy’s game plan
Billy Butler was sitting at his locker relaxing before the game, and I asked him who Baltimore had on the mound that night. (Yes, I could’ve checked the lineup card, but Billy was sitting right there.) Turns out it was Zach Britton (as you know by now). I asked what he had and Billy said he was a sinkerballer.
“So do you set your sights low?”
“No, you make him get it up.” So wait for a mistake and don’t miss it when you get it. Billy apparently got a couple of them.
More notes from Wednesday’s game
I found a few notes I made and missed the other day, so here they are:
You might already know this, but most triples are to right and the best time to go for third is with one down (there are exceptions). It’s hard to triple to left because of the shorter throw and a runner doesn’t want to make the first or third out at third. All this crossed my mind when Alcides Escobar put a ball down in the right field corner Wednesday night in the 2nd inning. Most fans may know all this, but some don’t. Now they do.
Luke Hochevar did that quick pitch thing he does where he shortens his windup and the hitter, Mark Reynolds fouled the pitch back. So it didn’t work, right? Well, the quick pitch was a 92-mph sinker and the next pitch was an 87-mph slider. Reynolds was well out in front on the slider and struck out, so maybe the quick pitch worked — one pitch later. Hoch told me speeding up or delaying the windup is just one more way to mess with the hitters’ timing.
Alex Gordon made a diving catch Wednesday night. If you watched his reaction it was pretty cool, which got me to thinking: if Alex does something well there’s not much reaction from him. When things go wrong, there’s still not much reaction from him. He’s got a very even demeanor no matter the outcome of a play. What changes is fan reaction: if a guy fails and stays cool, he must not care. If he succeeds and stays cool, he’s a steady player. Sometimes what we think about players comes from us, not them.
With runners on first and second, Manny Pina hit a sinking line drive to right field. There were fewer than two outs so the runners had to hang. This can be a very tough judgment call for a runner: too short a lead and the runner can be forced at second if the ball drops. Too long a lead and the runner can be doubled off if the ball’s caught. The right choice is shorter rather than longer. Being forced at the next base is one out, being doubled off is two.
One last thing
While Brayan and I stood at home plate, John Gibbons told some pretty funny stories. We got on the subject of retaliation when a hitter gets drilled and Gibby said there are times a player can figure out he’s the one the other side is going to hit to get even.
Usually it’s by position, batting order or importance: you hit our first baseman, we’ll hit yours/ you hit our No. 3 hitter, we’ll hit yours/ you hit our star player, we’ll hit yours.
The funny part is once a player figures out he’s likely to get drilled, he might start pleading his case with someone on the other side. “Boy, I’m not sure that when our pitcher hit your guy it was intentional.” Sounds like lobbying the other side rarely works and guys are walking to the plate knowing they’re going to have to “wear one.”
I know just how they feel.
Royals Hosmer shows Lee Judge footwork around first base
Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer demonstrates the footwork around first base when playing the position. July 22, 2011 (Video by John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star)
Butler
Navarro
Cabrera
Lee, I'd love your take on this, but this kid Pina just looks like a catcher. I really like Brayan Pena and hope he can somehow remain with the team long-term, but Pina looks very solid back there. He has gotten off to a nice start swinging the bat also, but he'll obviously have to demonstrate his ability to adjust and re-adjust as the book on him is established. This team is beginning to take shape, and even the starting pitching is getting better. Hoch looks like his new approach may help him over the hump. Hopefully that will spread to the others.
Don: Yup, Pina's had a nice start. I'll actually have a better idea of what he does as a catcher when I watch some games on TV. From the press box we look straight down an the action and I can't see his blocking or glove work.
Last night he got caught reaching instead of blocking on a wild pitch, but pitchers have had a couple decent outings with him behind the plate.
One thing you can watch for are those borderline calls on Foxtrax: does he get those for the pitcher?
For me, it's way too soon to form an opinion, but assuming he's still here I'd like to watch him closely once they go on the road and I'm sitting on my couch the best view in the house.
Lee: I just wanted to make a comment about how great I think your column is. The tone you write with is perfect for baseball. It reminds me of the old-time writers who could make a reader feel like someone who was part of the team was letting them in on the inside stories, personality, etc. It seems like every day, you give us knowledge of the game as well as make us all feel a little "cooler" in the process. I guess I sort of liken it to you being the guy at the "cool kid" table in high school and inviting us to sit with the group every day. We might not be one of the "cool kids," but we feel like we're a little cooler when we walk away. I just hope the Star does right by you and keeps you here. It's just a matter of time until some of the national publications start calling and asking you to do what you do for them. Love what you do/how you write and would hate to lose that, so this is one fan that hopes you stay a "Royal for life!" Keep up the good work!
Amen Tom. It's a real bonus for Royal (baseball) fans to have someone like Lee to read everyday, especially give the years of frustration we have endured the last score of years. His insights, even when they spark debate, enrich our experience and are why baseball is such a "rich" game. Kudos and appropriate support from the Star would be welcomed.
At the risk of becoming part of the "cult," you sir are gifted, not only comically but prosaically as well. Your style keeps me both informed and entertained. I could almost feel that ball hitting me, when watching your video, but not enough to keep me from laughing aloud.
This Royals team is different than anything we've witnessed since '85. There is a swagger and a chemistry that's building as these "kids" make this team their own. Dayton's dream team is taking form and I'm curious how he'll complete his vision. All I know for certain is it's time to believe in what they're doing at the "K."
I love the Chiefs as much as anyone but the next 7-9 years could be very special for the "boys in blue." I look forward to watching winners again on the field and reading winning commentary as well. Keep up the good work!
Tom: Thanks, that's one of the nicest comments I've had since I started this. but trust me, I'm not one of the cool kids.
Just about every day I do something dorky or put my foot in mouth or break some rule I was unaware of. (Did all three yesterday.)
And the cool kids have their moments, too. Players are praised and admired one minute and then benched or sent down the next. Generally (not always) they're pretty normal guys in an extraordinary situation.
As for staying here at the Star: that's the plan. Some people have looked at the website and said it's only a matter of time until some bigger team snaps it up (Hey, I'm on trading block!), but I think the key is staying in one place.
The players have to get used to you and figure out what they can tell you and what they can't. They've got to get to know you before they're going to share how they feel or be comfortable screwing around with you in a video.
Plus, I'm a Royals fan. I want to be there when they win a division championship. I want to see the guys I've watched running bases in the heat at 3 PM celebrate all that work paying off.
And maybe the REALLY cool kids will let me celebrate with them.
Ben, Joel: Thank you very much. I think we're all lucky: me winding up with this website was kind of an accident. I was the third person they asked to do it.
The original idea was for me to score the Polk system from home and that was it. But I felt the need to talk to the players so I could understand some of the decisions they made and that's when things took off.
I think I'm lucky to get to go out there everyday and talk with some of the best ball players and coaches in the world.
Readers are lucky because the Star is providing a look inside a team that few fans ever get.
Now if we could only figure out a time when I can get some sleep, I'd feel really lucky.
Sleep is for the hot stove league "season" (lol). Having grown up as a Brooklyn Dodger fan in the 50's, I can really appreciate seeing the growth of the Royals from being a door mat to {hopefully) a champion.
By the way, while I'm soaking up all the compliments (and I DO appreciate them), I should mention that what I do would not be possible without the work of Star writers Bob Dutton and Terez Paylor.
They do the heavy lifting, especially Bob. They cover what has to be covered so I can spend my time finding out what kind of batting gloves Jeff Francoeur prefers.
Bob travels with the team and has to deal with the grind of covering major league baseball more than anyone.I read his stuff every day and you should, too.
I just want to say that I appreciate what you do also, unfortunately I have a but. But, it seems like you think people who appreciate the numbers side of the game are somehow a kooky fringe who don't really understand the game. You're comment on Getz was appropriate except for the part about the people who called for Kila to be called up are the same ones who asked for Giavotella to be called up. I understand why you like Getz. He has done well as a Royal, but you have to understand why the fans want to see players who are killing AAA come up to the team. Kila did not work out, and those who called for him to be called up last year have not forgotten that as you suggest (you apparently need to read Royals Review more). Calling up Gio makes since as the season winds down no matter how well Getz has played, and he has been a serviceable 2nd baseman. But, it did not seem like he was ever in the long term plans with players behind him who were producing like Gio. Like I said, I like what you do, all the inside stuff and a giving fans a more intimate understanding of how the game is actually played, but the bloggers/statisticians have a place also, and every team now has a sabermetrics department. I just wish the scouting and sabermetrics communities could realize the importance of the other. It seems like you are much more a scouting guy (especially after the, now famous, pop tart comment) and your name is mud on the blogoshpere too. I read both because I think both sides have merit when you are a Royals fan who wants to see a better team. And, it just seems like Gio will give the Royals a better team long term. But, as you said, we'll see.
Gaines: I appreciate your point of view and agree: both sides have something to offer. But, yes, I'm more of an 'eyes' guy than a metrics guys despite the fact that I record numbers.
I also agree that calling up Giavotella makes sense. Chris Getz agrees calling up Giavotella makes sense. But there is a tendency by some fans to find someone killing Triple A and decide he's the answer. As we all know, those great numbers in Omaha don't always show up here...but there's no way of knowing until you throw the guy in there. So throw Giavotella in there and see what happens.
As for the 'pop-tart' comment (it's famous?): You've been on this website enough to know I poke fun at just about everybody. Major league baseball, players, the metrics community and myself.
Especially myself, because nobody deserves it more.
I think one of the reasons I tend to get along with many of the players is a willingness to engage in clubhouse humor...and if you're thin-skinned, you won't last long.
So if anyone's feelings got hurt by a joke about pop-tarts, I apologize, but it was just one of many jokes about the people involved in the game. I guess if I'm giving Eric Hosmer a hard time about his hair it just didn't seem over the line to kid the metrics community about pop-tarts.
Lee, do you know if Brayan is in the doghouse with Yost or anything? I have never understood why he never gets the chance to be an everyday catcher for us. I thought for sure when Treanor went on the DL Pena would play all the games and that Pina was only up in case of emergency. But no, Pina (brought up from AA) has started the last two games. I understand sometimes there are matchup problems or whatever but Pena is a switch hitter and Pina has never seen these pitchers and was struggling in the minors.
Watching Pina's last two starts, (especially the game with Hoch) I noticed there weren't many shake offs of Pina's calls. Certainly Pina is receiving some calls from the dugout, but how much of the pitching success can be attributed to him? It seems to me (a complete layman to the catcher's position) that there WAS a difference between Pina's and Pena/Treanor's calling of pitch sequences. Lee, any thoughts on this?
Lee, Couldn't agree more with what Tom said above. He hit my feelings about this article right on the head. I read it every morning. It is one of the few things in my everyday life that are required of my day!! When you were off for the All-Star break I felt lost. Thank you for what you do and the manner in which you do it.
Lee
I would like to say how much I enjoy your blog too. Reminds me of the article Ivan Carter used to write when he was with the Star. A lot of good insight and things I maybe hadn't considered about a player or a situation in a game. Even old fans and guys like me who have played a long time and coached can learn a thing or two.
Devan
Devan: Thank you very much, but any credit for insight should go to the players and coaches.
The only credit I should get is for showing up at 3 PM and standing around in the heat so I can talk to Doug Sisson about base running or Eddie Rodriguez about decisions at third.
Without them and the other coaches and players, my pool of knowledge would've been drained months ago.
(But it IS really hot out here at 3PM.)
Ron: A ehile ago there were concerns expressed about Brayan's game calling. That was one of the reasons they matched him with veteran pitchers: so they could shake off if they didn't like the call.
I know people feel Brayan has improved his game overall, but Ned has the tendency to play the kids and find out what they have going into 2012.
Getz and Pena may have done nothing wrong, it's just time to see the call-ups and what they can do.
Curtis: I've been told they don't call pitches from the side. I don't know if that changed for Manny, but that's the last thing I heard on the subject.
They do control the running game from the side (go over, pitchout, etc.) so the work is divided up. The bench pays attention to the running game, the catcher calls the pitches and the pitcher just worries about execution.
Now any of that can probably change on any pitch, but that's what's commonly happening now.
I was watching Pina's first start catching Hochevar with Jeff Montgomery and Monty liked what he was seeing out of Pina.
Some pitchers and catchers just click (some right away, some take a while), but the pitcher wants the catcher to put down the sign he's thinking of without having to shake off.
That's what they mean about being on the same page.
Darral: Thanks, I'm truly making this up as I go along, but every day a player or coach tells me something new and it's been great bringing it to Royals fans.