tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post2242185940080768324..comments2024-01-06T02:22:33.000-05:00Comments on Camden Depot: A Closer Look At Joey Rickard's DefenseJon Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-39691540975778120012016-05-16T14:46:56.456-04:002016-05-16T14:46:56.456-04:00We write a mix of "positive" and "n...We write a mix of "positive" and "negative" pieces. Really, we just explore different topics, and many of them don't have to do with the Orioles' win-loss record. Several of us are O's fans, and we'd much rather the team win than lose, but we do our best for that not to shape our analysis.<br /><br />I don't view the Rickard piece as negative, necessarily. He's been better than expected on offense, and that's what I started the post with. It was more of trying to figure something out and why he maybe hasn't been as good in a department that many figured he'd excel in.<br /><br />I appreciate the comment. Fortunately, there are many places to read mostly favorable things about the team (and about Joey Rickard).<br /><br />Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-40515226240509826942016-05-16T12:38:38.311-04:002016-05-16T12:38:38.311-04:00Rickard is still a better option than Kim in LF an...Rickard is still a better option than Kim in LF and probably a good alternate in RF when Trumbo is DHing or getting the day off. He's settled down from his hot start, but that is expected. Honestly, given the fiasco the Dexter Fowler situation created nobody thought there was a solid corner outfielder on the roster and Joey has performed well. He's not Adam Jones in center but few are. Moving forward, he's got more upside because of age and potential than most guys where he is. The Orioles farm system isn't producing stout players; having a guy come off a Rule 5 pick and do this well is worth something. Joey is young and has potential to develop. Next season, maybe given some AAA seasoning, we'll be seeing him, Kim, and Christian Walker platooning the corner spots. I'm entirely okay with that set up. <br /><br />I guess I just don't get the constant negative of this blog. We're 7 weeks into 26 week season and the team is doing great compared to where almost everyone (outside of Baltimore) said they'd be doing. We've got a good long season ahead still, but I'm more hopeful for the O's chances than I was at the outset (or in the middle of) Spring Training. Joey Rickard is one of those reasons.GRob78noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-32207460919769593832016-05-13T14:04:33.727-04:002016-05-13T14:04:33.727-04:00Fair points. Agree on everything not being a strai...Fair points. Agree on everything not being a straight line. Those are just a couple of examples I saw, and I've been surprised that he hasn't gotten better jumps on balls in the gap at times. His speed makes up for some of it, but not everything.<br /><br />If he's playing left field, then yes, the arm matters less. As we saw on at least one throw, it matters more if he's playing right field. It might not matter a lot, but that doesn't mean it's worth overlooking entirely.<br /><br />I assume that comment was from Jon, and he can defend that himself, if needed.Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-62844402014014198572016-05-13T13:57:47.690-04:002016-05-13T13:57:47.690-04:00Thanks for the response!!
Totally agree... not al...Thanks for the response!!<br /><br />Totally agree... not all fast players are good OF's. Diving plays - Ah, live and learn. We have not seen this continue, so it seems that is a problem corrected. (Hopefully anyway.)<br /><br />My main argument is merely against the banana route comparison. (I would love to hear other major league OF's talk about this...) That is not fair to any OF. Straight lines merely don't exist. There are ways to hide it... slow foot it, jog at first, then sprint. But if you are going hard off the swing, there will absolutely be a curl in the route as you adjust to get to the ball. That in itself does not determine success.<br /><br />Arm - Agreed. But so what. We are just saying that he is not a top flight arm. He is competent. (He is not Ellsbury) <br /><br />As to Camden Depot: Just this quote from May 5th. Not fair, and totally unwarranted. "The Orioles have a huge problem. Actually, they’ve got a number of them. I mean, it isn’t good that none of Rickard, Kim or Trumbo can play passable defense in the outfield and therefore the Orioles have two competent defensive outfielders."<br /><br />I would argue that Rickard plays a "passable OF." :-) <br /><br /><br /><br />Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09516099585629276693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-25889454065538694352016-05-13T13:43:06.422-04:002016-05-13T13:43:06.422-04:00I'm not sure how it's unfair when you brin...I'm not sure how it's unfair when you bring up many of the same points I did. I don't think anyone here ever said bench him; I believe most are on board with not being an everyday player, but that doesn't mean don't play him.<br /><br />Yes, speed is a big deal. But not all fast players are good outfielders. That's addressed above. <br /><br />Thanks for reading.Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-60957463708368182016-05-13T13:08:02.758-04:002016-05-13T13:08:02.758-04:00This is not fair to Rickard... for some reason pe...This is not fair to Rickard... for some reason people want to keep putting him down. But... last time you all said bench him, he went and hit a 3run HR to win a game. Keep it up! Seems to have a reverse curse thing going on!!<br /><br />Banana routes: You have singled out basically 2 attempts. You can do this for every OF... there are plenty of times that the track is not perfect. That is why speed is such a big deal... it allows you to move before you know exactly where the ball is going. Move to the general location, then speed tweaks you to the right spot. Check Adam Jones constantly. He rarely runs in a straight line. Hard hit balls rarely move in a straight line either... fade, come back, rise etc. You begin moving in a general direction, then speed covers the exact spot.<br /><br />Dives - you are exactly right. Keep the ball in front of you, live to play another day.<br /><br />Throw from RF - Hmmm.... that is tough also. Wet ball... now whether it is a double clutch or merely gathering himself for a throw... can't tell from the gif. <br /><br />As to his arm - no doubt you are correct. Cespedes and Puig he is not. <br /><br />This is all sort of hypocrisy though. We brag on Cespedes' throw... and then on Puig... in both cases... the throw should never have happened. CATCH THE BALL. :-) Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09516099585629276693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-63578138514678995572016-05-12T15:00:01.665-04:002016-05-12T15:00:01.665-04:00One of us could ask, but it varies. It used to up...One of us could ask, but it varies. It used to update daily as well as split things into home/road splits. That changed to simple monthly updates without splits. Now? I think there are weekly changes by player, but baseline changes by month.<br /><br />But, no, I do not know for sure. They wait month of play before issuing UZR because they are trying to find the baseline.Jon Shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-46789183372109960332016-05-12T12:37:31.904-04:002016-05-12T12:37:31.904-04:00Question about Fangraphs stats:
Do they reset from...Question about Fangraphs stats:<br />Do they reset from day to day, or from week to week?<br /> Would yesterday's game already be reflected in the stats today? <br /> Yesterday he had at least one excellent catch in addition to the one you shared, but he also had some regular catches that didn't seem to require extreme effort. <br /> Would those move the needle at all? There are so many variables in a defensive play, especially in the outfield where so much ground meats to be covered, it is difficult to grasp how someone could effectively calculate Good or bad of a playAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-84512401769654896672016-05-12T11:02:42.356-04:002016-05-12T11:02:42.356-04:00I don't think I've seen enough to say ther...I don't think I've seen enough to say there is clear improvement, but I wouldn't dismiss the notion either. He's had to play in all three spots, so perhaps it's been tough to get comfortable.<br /><br />I think that Rickard-Jones-Reimold is probably the best corner outfield lineup defensively. It certainly isn't one that includes Trumbo. I don't know if anyone has seen enough from Kim to suggest he's awful. Again, maybe it comes down to what you prefer in an outfielder. Would you rather take someone who can make spectacular plays but will also make a couple of bad decisions that could lead to game-changing plays? Or would you settle for someone who won't do anything crazy and be more balanced? Maybe Kim is the latter type, or maybe he's worse than that. <br /><br />Regardless, unless Rickard falls off the map offensively, it seems clear he's going to keep playing often.<br /><br />Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-91339545465472450482016-05-12T10:46:24.352-04:002016-05-12T10:46:24.352-04:00Great article, Matt!
I always listen on the radio...Great article, Matt! <br />I always listen on the radio and I only see whatever plays make the highlights, so you shared a few new things.<br />How can UZR be so bad so fast?<br />Also, his defense does seem to be improving as the season progresses.<br />Do you see improvement?<br />Finally, doesn't he remain-with Reimold, who should be playing more-the best corner OF we have?Pipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-68978384034427939732016-05-12T09:53:37.231-04:002016-05-12T09:53:37.231-04:00That could be part of it, but I haven't seen h...That could be part of it, but I haven't seen him playing noticeably better in right field. I haven't watched every inning, so I'm not sure. Still, there can be difficulty switching from left to right, and vice versa. This FanGraphs post has some interesting comments from players on that topic: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/players-view-the-difference-between-left-and-right-field/<br /><br />Maybe he's just not as good as many anticipated, but there is still time to improve. Reading the ball off the bat is not such a simple thing, and many players just aren't very good at it.Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-87896910827415271852016-05-12T09:46:02.529-04:002016-05-12T09:46:02.529-04:00I wonder if part of the problem is playing LF inst...I wonder if part of the problem is playing LF instead of RF? Especially given he throws left-handed? Seems like most of his career has been spent in CF/RF---so LF is either an adjustment or he's not good at that? possible or not?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-36989847138665201192016-05-12T09:33:31.859-04:002016-05-12T09:33:31.859-04:00I agree. I noticed he's looked awkward in the...I agree. I noticed he's looked awkward in the OF and was surprised because he came pegged as a good defender. I hope someone's working with him. He could be a better leadoff hitter if he improved his command of the strike zone. He looked good in the first few games (took some walks) but he's started swinging at more bad pitches. It hink it's kinda what you get with Rule 5 guys - some talent but at least one AAA year away from the majors.Rogernoreply@blogger.com