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Post by aardvark on May 8, 2023 17:37:38 GMT -8
The thing is, the numbers have regressed for both Betts and Soto after the move west, but the numbers for Betts have been much closer to his Boston numbers than the numbers are for Soto, compared to his Washington numbers. Well, Betts has 1,000+ more plate appearances, but yeah, he stabilized and acclimated more quickly to LA. His first three months there weren't spectacular, though. The numbers for Betts were a HELL of a lot better his first 3 months in LA than Soto's were here.
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Soto
May 8, 2023 17:56:05 GMT -8
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Post by aztecryan on May 8, 2023 17:56:05 GMT -8
Well, Betts has 1,000+ more plate appearances, but yeah, he stabilized and acclimated more quickly to LA. His first three months there weren't spectacular, though. The numbers for Betts were a HELL of a lot better his first 3 months in LA than Soto's were here. I was looking at 2019, not 2020. Disregard. But I'll reiterate that the Padres have had next to no luck in producing midseason deals with position players. Only two in the history of the Petco era are what I'd really consider "wins."
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Soto
May 9, 2023 9:30:50 GMT -8
Post by junior on May 9, 2023 9:30:50 GMT -8
Soto is close to becoming “just another player”… whatever might’ve been special about him before he came here is quietly turning to shiit. He’s gotta get his ship turned around sooner or later, but the longer it takes, the lower his value to the team as well as the rest of the league. If he ever wants to get paid a huge, long term contract, this is the year to prove his value. And that’s some real pressure at the plate…
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Soto
May 9, 2023 9:42:42 GMT -8
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Post by aztecryan on May 9, 2023 9:42:42 GMT -8
Soto is close to becoming “just another player”… whatever might’ve been special about him before he came here is quietly turning to shiit. He’s gotta get his ship turned around sooner or later, but the longer it takes, the lower his value to the team as well as the rest of the league. If he ever wants to get paid a huge, long term contract, this is the year to prove his value. And that’s some real pressure at the plate…As much as he's struggled, this isn't true. He's still 20% above league average right now, even with offense up across the league (for April) and he's still elite at getting on base. I went back into the numbers last night and I think I found a true origin point: He's fallen off a cliff against left-handed pitching, even before the trade. Basically, anything with spin from a lefty in 2022 was a disaster. Changeups, sliders, curveballs all gave him trouble. He has one home run off a lefty since the trade. He's trying to get to fastballs and getting exposed to breaking stuff. It's all a bit bizarre and way outside his career norms.
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Soto
May 9, 2023 11:27:56 GMT -8
Post by junior on May 9, 2023 11:27:56 GMT -8
Trouble with the lefty curve … an interesting analysis. Makes as much sense as any other … Could be something to it, though it seems that with enough coaching he could learn to lay off some of those pitches - or - if not he just takes a rides the pine when faced with lefty starters. Won't help in "clutch" situations when manager of the opposition brings in a left handed reliever, but the Padres have some counters for that move.
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Soto
May 9, 2023 11:32:06 GMT -8
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Post by aztecryan on May 9, 2023 11:32:06 GMT -8
Trouble with the lefty curve … an interesting analysis. Makes as much sense as any other … Could be something to it, though it seems that with enough coaching he could learn to lay off some of those pitches - or - if not he just takes a rides the pine when faced with lefty starters. Won't help in "clutch" situations when manager of the opposition brings in a left handed reliever, but the Padres have some counters for that move. Not just the curve, the changeup was worse, at least in 2022. The "sweeper" has now taken over baseball to where arm angles are being changed and relievers are getting more horizontal and vertical run on their breaking pitches. Lefty sweepers break away from same-handed batters and are tougher to pick up than your average curveball. He's not going to be benched.
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Soto
May 9, 2023 11:47:00 GMT -8
Post by aardvark on May 9, 2023 11:47:00 GMT -8
Trouble with the lefty curve … an interesting analysis. Makes as much sense as any other … Could be something to it, though it seems that with enough coaching he could learn to lay off some of those pitches - or - if not he just takes a rides the pine when faced with lefty starters. Won't help in "clutch" situations when manager of the opposition brings in a left handed reliever, but the Padres have some counters for that move. Not just the curve, the changeup was worse, at least in 2022. The "sweeper" has now taken over baseball to where arm angles are being changed and relievers are getting more horizontal and vertical run on their breaking pitches. Lefty sweepers break away from same-handed batters and are tougher to pick up than your average curveball. He's not going to be benched. Of course he won't be benched.
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Soto
May 9, 2023 12:48:22 GMT -8
Post by junior on May 9, 2023 12:48:22 GMT -8
WWTD? Happy Birthday, Tony… Betcha he'd have some pretty good advice for Soto. Tony reached out on his birthday, Soto came up with four hits and a walk… Coincidence?
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Post by aardvark on May 9, 2023 18:26:36 GMT -8
First 4 hit game for Soto as a Padre, with a walk and a run scored.
Manny also awakened a bit.
LFGSD!!
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Soto
May 9, 2023 19:30:38 GMT -8
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Post by johneaztec on May 9, 2023 19:30:38 GMT -8
Trouble with the lefty curve … an interesting analysis. Makes as much sense as any other … Could be something to it, though it seems that with enough coaching he could learn to lay off some of those pitches - or - if not he just takes a rides the pine when faced with lefty starters. Won't help in "clutch" situations when manager of the opposition brings in a left handed reliever, but the Padres have some counters for that move. Not just the curve, the changeup was worse, at least in 2022. The "sweeper" has now taken over baseball to where arm angles are being changed and relievers are getting more horizontal and vertical run on their breaking pitches. Lefty sweepers break away from same-handed batters and are tougher to pick up than your average curveball. He's not going to be benched. Manny has big time trouble with the sweeping curve, or a hard slider.
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Soto
May 10, 2023 9:09:44 GMT -8
sdcoug likes this
Post by azson on May 10, 2023 9:09:44 GMT -8
Soto back up to .400 OBP (1st on team) and .433 SLG (4th). It's almost like he's going to be OK and the sky isn't falling?
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Soto
May 10, 2023 18:37:56 GMT -8
Post by junior on May 10, 2023 18:37:56 GMT -8
Soto hits a solo HR, but leaves two runners on base in the 9th… And the team as a whole still can't hit worth spit with runners on base.
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Soto
May 11, 2023 11:52:59 GMT -8
Post by junior on May 11, 2023 11:52:59 GMT -8
Soto leaves early. Will be interesting to see how sitting on a flight home today for 3-4 hours affects his foot/ankle tomorrow.
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