DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum The Guardians

Kluber did us a solid. Still a great teammate for us throwing it right down the plate, 80-some MPH.

j/c...

Milk, Memphis or others can correct me if i'm stating any of this wrong.

But as for the Guardians, their main focus is pitching mostly through drafting, but they will also trade for mid-level minor leaguer (examples that have play/played with the team or still moving through the minors: Cal Quantrill, Clase, Pilkington, Logan Allen, Cantillio) that may haven't had overall success, but have shown a plus certain pitch. They have been excellent in developing pitchers. As for the draft, one of the reasons for this they focus on the plus pitches a high schooler/college pitcher has in their arsenal. Espino (one of our top prospects) is an example of this in the minors. He had some question marks coming out of high school (if i remember correctly it was durability), but dude has an excellent fastball and slider.

Through the years, their other focus as for positional players, their focus is/was athletic middle infielders. Of what I have read in the past, they value these players b/c of their athleticism, speed, and versatility. Meaning they believe they have develop that player into playing various positions (i.e. second/SS/ third/ OF) b/c of their athleticism. They tend to also base this on their bat to ball contact and vision (example: Kwon and Tyler Freeman). This season was a prime example of that drafting. Because of that drafting (and a couple trades) and the development, they ran into a log jam of a lot of talented players that are middle infielders (Rosario, Gimenez, Arias, Freeman, Rocchio waiting his turn).

Now I don't remember if I've read this somewhere or maybe it's just my take. I don't want to take credit if it's not true. But they value these players, because of the higher probability of success. They know they are on a budget and not going to out spend teams. Having players that have a high contract rate, a great eye, speed, and versatility have a better chance of success and not wasting a pick. Compared to having a player like Franmil Reyes, who if he's not mashing home runs is basically worthless b/c he's not contributing offense and definitely isn't a good fielder. I know they play different positions and different responsibilities, but this is why you can play a guy like Austin Hedges. At least he provides plus defense. Also, it is easier to get out of a slump when you are making contact compared to a player that has less chance of making contact.

They have had issues with developing outfielders through the years. I can't really comment on why that is. I think its mostly because of their focus on pitchers and middle infielders through the years. The good thing, is they do have a lot of high ranking players coming up soon or with the club (i.e. Brennan, Valera who should be with the team next year)

Man, I think I just talked about everything but your questions.

As for your questions, what Milk and Peen said are true (all the above)

I'm echoing what was said, their organization is one if not the top organizations in all of sports. The organization has their vision of what they want in players and the scouts and farm system does an excellent job in getting and developing those players.

They also do an excellent job of identifying players in trades. Examples: Rosario and Gimenez were part of the Lindor trade. Quantrill, Naylor, Hedges, Arias (a high prospect), Miller all on the major league team were part of the Mike Clevinger trade. Clase their top closer was traded for Corey Kluber. Trevor Stephan one of their top relievers was picked up in the Rule 5 draft last year and they were patient in developing him.

As for McKenzie, he was our top rated prospect for a few years and was projected to be a top of the line starter. But he couldn't stay healthy in the minors and was kinda forgotten by the rating services. He's finally healthy and showing his promise. It was actually fun watching him last year from the beginning of the year to the end, as you could see him continuously growing as a player.

One of the positives (and has been a negative at times) this organization is patient with their players. They could of easily given up on Stephan after he was basically just playing in mop up duty last year since he was so raw. Heck, Jose Ramirez was sort of just another player when he first came up. They were patient, and his light just came on and now look at him.

The negative: The beginning of the year, trotting out players like Bobby Bradley, Yu Chang, and Mercado b/c they wanted to be sure if their light would turn on or not.

Damn this is long (sorry) my last thing I want to point out that's crazy. While they have all these young players playing in the playoffs, they have even bigger players waiting in the wings. Espino, Gavin Williams are two highly rated pitchers (in all of baseball) waiting their turn. George Valera, Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Arias, Bo Naylor are some of the position players waiting for their turn.

Their farm system is loaded right now.

Funny you brought up about how u like the team. About a month or two ago, I was going to post a message to you about watching this team. They are right up your alley of baseball. They've been so exciting to watch. I love watching their reactions, they just look like a bunch of kids having a blast.

Thanks Scott. Awesome post. I really appreciate the knowledge. Hopefully, Cleveland can keep this run going. I look forward to learning more from you guys who follow the team and baseball in general.

Padres are up 3-0. Game would be at 7:37 tuesday

Padres win... game is 7:37 est/6:37 cst.....

awesome... can get home from work before the game starts!

I agree jay, i was hoping for the hour later start time

This is true, Guardians have a tremendous staff and their ability to cultivate their farm system is uncanny. I still think in the end it does come down to spending . In a sport with no cap, talent that can be acquired for the sole purpose of winning a championship I think will win more times than naught.. This next series will show us where we really are. The Rays series is a battle of similar small market teams, this series will show if what we've built will last.. NYY have an embarrassing amount of offense more than us. Pitching is going to have to have another performance like the Rays series, but Offense is going to have to show up, 3 runs over 2 games will not work against NYY. Cole has had our number this season.. I like Quantrill starting game one.. Hopefully we get off to a fast start. October baseball is the best

I’m a Yankees fan but also a Guards fan when they don’t play.

I’d say it’s a very even series because of the Guards pitching. They are better pitchers than NYY. Cole is overrated and gives up HRs. Cortes is solid but can’t go past 5 innings. Sevvy is a wildcard.

Yankees bullpen has been an issue the 2nd half of the season. Don’t know if they will show up.

I think it will go 5 games

I’m definitely excited for the series. But I am not excited to hear a few hours of the announcers drooling over the Yankees and Aaron Judge.

I totally understand. I turned on the M’s/Blue jays game after the guards first game. Man, I swear they talked about JRod for most of the game. The dudes first at bat and the announcers said, he was made for this moment…..really, he’s a rookie playing in his first playoffs and YOU know he’s made for this. How about we wait to see him play at least a couple game before making up bs

Sorry going off topic.

Speaking of football:

"saturated and overexposed" is almost an understatement. I really wonder if announcers talk in their sleep and they mumble over and over: "remember, the receiver has to complete the process of the catch in order for it to be a completion." You know they are going to say it. I'm surprised Draft Kings or another gambling site hasn't added it to its betting roster....+- on which quarter the announcer will say that line.

The built up drama they try to add to the game. Somehow every game has a "controversial play"

j/c:

j/c...

Bob Costas and Ron Darling on the call for the series.

I think Costas is fantastic. Looking forward to the call.

Great! Costas is one of the best to ever do it!

I'll take it.

Other 1st pitch times:

all 7:37 or 7:07

I have a question or two.

Why is Rosario batting 2nd? He's struck out 111 times, which is just one short of the most on the team. He's grounded into 19 double plays which is most on the team. Don't we have anyone who can handle the bat a little better and help Kwan out while the latter is on base?

No surprise here!

I don't know all the specifics. I do know he has elite speed, seems to come through in the clutch, is loved by his teammates (Jose Ramirez recently says he wants him to stay with the team so badly he'd "be willing to foot the bill") and played very well down the stretch.

Kwan!!

we are going to lose this game if we keep leaving so many on base.

j/c...

I'd rather have Greg Maddux batting in the lineup than Hedges.

Agreed

Haha agreed. I wish Bo Naylor was ready

I do want to add to this, Kwan takes a lot of pitches, our third batter is Jose, so you know they are nibbling when throwing to him and he can take some pitches for this reason. So Rosario being more of a free swinger "should" get better pitches to hit.

Agreed. Keep the speed at the top of lineup and not keep the lineup too top heavy. It's why Gimenez hit out of the 6 or 7 spot all year. Tito knows what he's doing.

What a game changer on that Donaldson hit. Wow.

Do not trot!

close game with tons of small mistakes that have cost big.

Yep. Several miscues that have been extremely costly. Also, I would have liked to have seen Tito go to the bullpen rather than let Quantrill go a third time through the lineup. Especially, with a day off in between games. Only Bieber and McKenzie should be allowed to go deep in the game given the schedule.

Either way, Guardians playing with house money so it's all good!

The good news for the guards is that Cole is out. Still down 4-1