Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Talkin' Baseball

Hi BlueJays1, Crawford injured himself in early January as part of his off season workouts, had wrist surgery a few days later. The talk from Sox camp is he'll be back late April.

BlueJay1,great article thanks for sharing it with us. He sounds like a five tool player, something that is rare in the Majors. There will be a learning curve for sure, the Organization would be trying to keep the pressure off of him, probably bating him sixth,or seventh in the order. If he starts to slump, they will give him a little more time off than might be a custom. They might also chose to sit him down against some of the top starter in the league if he's struggling. It's all about getting the kid some confidence.

My guess would be if healthy, he will put up better numbers in the second half of the season. I know you'll be watching this closely, I'll be tracking his progress as well, as now I'm very curious.

Yeah. I haven't seen a ball player with this combination of talent and playing intensity come along since Pete Rose. This is how good I think Lawrie can be.

Rose with out a doubt was a great,great baseball player. Hence the the nick name Charlie Hustle. How many more hits did he get running hard right out of the box? How many times did he reach safely on an error because of a slight bobble, or hurried throw? How many additional games were won because of his hard nosed prowess? I would remember him running three quarter speed to first base on a walk. Nowadays most players do this on a ground ball to an infielder.

I would put Pedey our second baseman in that category as well, with the same style of play that Rose displayed. With a MVP,Rookie of the year award,two silver sluggers,one maybe two gold gloves, all while still in his twenties. Anyone aspiring to achieve greatness in this game, need not look any further than what these two men have or will accomplish in this game.

Jays execute a triple play. Phil Humber pitches a perfect game and fans are already calling for Bobby Valentines head just 15 games in. Going for the sweep!

Kelly Johnson! 2 outs and KC has a guy on 3rd. This is some amazing defense.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20861599&c_id=mlb

The American League west finds the Angels 9 games back, and probable still digging that hole deeper. Huge payroll, little production, fans might be getting a little frantic right about now.
They will need too right that ship soon, or they will be sellers at trade dead line.

Albert Pujols is really struggling at the plate. O HR, OBP: .266, SLG: .295. HORRIFIC production coming from that bat so far this season.

Another slugger, Jose Bautista is not far behind struggling but at least is getting walks during his bad slump. 3HR, OPB: .333, SLG: .329

As an avid Angels fan it has been an extremely frustrating start to the year. It's like watching an un-baseball team try to play at a professional level.

How do they pitch Pujols?

Since managers have adjusted to heavy doses of off-speed stuff early in the count for Bautista he hasn't been the same. He lays off it waiting for the fastball. The only fastball he gets now is at the outside edge which he pops out. His mechanics are a mess too.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is getting similar treatment in terms of the quantity of off-speed (I don't know Pujols fastball location).