Skip to main content

Pitching isn't all about throwing fastball after fastball. However, in low A ball it's about learning how to pitch. So you don't have a pitcher up there throwing lots of stuff. More than likely, he has caught an off speed pitch for a hit.  He doesn't have the bat speed to hit 90+ mph FB or below.

Reports say that Tebow really has no pitch recognition. You need this to move forward.

I really like the Tebow, always did, it's MLB taking advantage of a really nice guy that I don't like.

JMO

Dominik85 posted:
2019Dad posted:

" . . .  the velocities of A-ball pitchers are slightly below those of major leaguers, on average, but not by as much as some might think. It is quite rare to see a non-sidearmer in full-season ball who doesn’t at least touch 90 mph, and it’s almost unheard of to see one who can’t at least get up to 88." www.hardballtimes.com/how-mino...anges-across-levels/

In the South Atlantic League, which Tebow is playing in, almost two-thirds of pitchers average 90 or above, and, as the article points out, the vast majority at least touch 90.

Yes. There may be some soft tossing innings eaters but most guys are supposed to become mlb pitchers and you get there by velo. Keep in mind that usually pro pitchers don't gain velo in the majors and many not even in the minors (statistically pitchers throw hardest when they are first called up and then slowly start to lose velo).

What is different between a ball and pro ball is command and especially off speed stuff that is usually not good at that level. They can throw a chase slider in the dirt but not really throw it for strikes consistently so as a hitter you can get pretty far by identifying them and laying them off. In mlb that does not work, those guys will throw them for strikes in any count.

Maybe five or six pitchers on a Low A roster will make it to AA.

Last edited by RJM

Dominick, there are guys who have made it to MLB with one pitch.

The odds are pretty low in most organization. Some do develop pitchers. Take a look at rosters, most didnt end there where they started. Pitchers who will have long careers are at their best stuff at 27, most have burned out by then.

Tebow is more than likely facing guys who would be starters on top D1 rosters. 

 

TPM posted:

Dominick, there are guys who have made it to MLB with one pitch.

The odds are pretty low in most organization. Some do develop pitchers. Take a look at rosters, most didnt end there where they started. Pitchers who will have long careers are at their best stuff at 27, most have burned out by then.

Tebow is more than likely facing guys who would be starters on top D1 rosters. 

 

The last home grown starters in the Red Sox organization are Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.  Both are in their 30's now. Matt Barnes (first year as set up man ) is the most successful current Sox pitcher who came out if the system. The Rays seem to develop one pitcher after another. 

A team with money and an expectation of competing for the title is more likely to buy and trade for established pitchers. Personally I would rather trade prospects for established players than roll the dice. The key is to be good at drafting prospects to trade. 

Last edited by RJM

Over his last 8 games he is hitting .407 in low A ball.

Amazing by any standard for a 30 year old that hasn't played for over a decade.

TPM,  I don't understand why you think MLB is taking advantage of a nice guy.  Didn't Tebow want to give it a try.  And one of the new commissioners major plans is to grow interest in the game.  The Tebow news is all over national media.  On this baseball site there has been very little discussion about any MLB player.  Yet there is 16 pages of Tebow discussion.  I would say that Tebow has increased interest in baseball.  To me, that is his value!  Has nothing to do with the difference in pitching or his ability to recognize or even his bat speed.  A big part of all this additional interest comes from those that dislike him.  I know you said you like him, but you have to admit there are a lot of haters out there.  But most of the interest comes from those that admire the guy.  Even they don't expect him to be successful. 

I see what's going on as kind of exciting and entertaining, no matter what the outcome might be.  For sure this is not boring stuff.  To me what is going on is a big positive for the game we all love.  I hope Tebow creates a bunch of new baseball fans.  And I for one am shocked by what he has been doing lately, never expected anything like that.  How could anyone expect him to go 9 for 20 and hit over.400 over his last 8 games?  He may never do that again, but he did do it once.

Last edited by PGStaff
PGStaff posted:

Over his last 8 games he is hitting .407 in low A ball.

Amazing by any standard for a 30 year old that hasn't played for over a decade.

TPM,  I don't understand why you think MLB is taking advantage of a nice guy.  Didn't Tebow want to give it a try.  And one of the new commissioners major plans is to grow interest in the game.  The Tebow news is all over national media.  On this baseball site there has been very little discussion about any MLB player.  Yet there is 16 pages of Tebow discussion.  I would say that Tebow has increased interest in baseball.  To me, that is his value!  Has nothing to do with the difference in pitching or his ability to recognize or even his bat speed.  A big part of all this additional interest comes from those that dislike him.  I know you said you like him, but you have to admit there are a lot of haters out there.  But most of the interest comes from those that admire the guy.  Even they don't expect him to be successful. 

I see what's going on as kind of exciting and entertaining, no matter what the outcome might be.  For sure this is not boring stuff.  To me what is going on is a big positive for the game we all love.  I hope Tebow creates a bunch of new baseball fans.  And I for one am shocked by what he has been doing lately, never expected anything like that.  How could anyone expect him to go 9 for 20 and hit over.400 over his last 8 games?  He may never do that again, but he did do it once.

I just dont agree.

RJM posted:
TPM posted:

Dominick, there are guys who have made it to MLB with one pitch.

The odds are pretty low in most organization. Some do develop pitchers. Take a look at rosters, most didnt end there where they started. Pitchers who will have long careers are at their best stuff at 27, most have burned out by then.

Tebow is more than likely facing guys who would be starters on top D1 rosters. 

 

The last home grown starters in the Red Sox organization are Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.  Both are in their 30's now. Matt Barnes (first year as set up man ) is the most successful current Sox pitcher who came out if the system. The Rays seem to develop one pitcher after another. 

A team with money and an expectation of competing for the title is more likely to buy and trade for established pitchers. Personally I would rather trade prospects for established players than roll the dice. The key is to be good at drafting prospects to trade. 

Wasn't one of Theo's theories is to not spend much draft capital on pitchers, but to focus on hitters and let other clubs weed through and develop pitchers, then sign them as free agent or trade for them?

PGStaff posted:

Over his last 8 games he is hitting .407 in low A ball.

Amazing by any standard for a 30 year old that hasn't played for over a decade.

TPM,  I don't understand why you think MLB is taking advantage of a nice guy.  Didn't Tebow want to give it a try.  And one of the new commissioners major plans is to grow interest in the game.  The Tebow news is all over national media.  On this baseball site there has been very little discussion about any MLB player.  Yet there is 16 pages of Tebow discussion.  I would say that Tebow has increased interest in baseball.  To me, that is his value!  Has nothing to do with the difference in pitching or his ability to recognize or even his bat speed.  A big part of all this additional interest comes from those that dislike him.  I know you said you like him, but you have to admit there are a lot of haters out there.  But most of the interest comes from those that admire the guy.  Even they don't expect him to be successful. 

I see what's going on as kind of exciting and entertaining, no matter what the outcome might be.  For sure this is not boring stuff.  To me what is going on is a big positive for the game we all love.  I hope Tebow creates a bunch of new baseball fans.  And I for one am shocked by what he has been doing lately, never expected anything like that.  How could anyone expect him to go 9 for 20 and hit over.400 over his last 8 games?  He may never do that again, but he did do it once.

I don't have a problem with him trying and he definitely boosts his MIlB teams attendance but does he really create new baseball fans or is that more of a circus show in I want to see tebow.of course if a fan came to see him and then discovers that baseball is great and he comes to more games that would be great but more likely that is just a temporary boost and those extra fans don't come back when he is gone.

Last edited by Dominik85

Dad wants to go see Tebow and takes his young son to a ball game and the park is full and very loud.  Many have fallen in love with baseball when they attended their first game. maybe even some that post here.  If he is increasing the crowds and getting lots of attention it will have an effect.  That is just one example.  BTW, Tebow is great with young kids.  If you go to his instagram account that becomes very obvious.

So the "cure" for the decline in popularity of professional baseball is to bring in more celebrities and fewer real players?  So, who's next?  MJ? Shaq?  Tom Brady, after he retires from FB?  It used to be that the non-players entertained in the stands, e.g. The San Diego Chicken, Max Patkin, Morganna, etc.  Maybe it's time to put more of them on the field.  Anything to save "the game."

Ja'Crispy posted:

If Tebow is bringing in 2k more fans a night and can sustain that HE needs a new contract for sure.

So far he has had some moderate success at A- ball. I wonder what the opinions are if he could crack the U of Florida lineup and how he would do if he theoretically had college eligibility left?

As I understand it, NCAA eligibility starts the moment you're on a team roster and lasts 4 consecutive years, with a 5th year for injury/redshirt.  So you can compete as a 39 year old if you've never played NCAA sports, but you can't compete 1 year at age 18, then come back at 40 and be eligible.  

Tebow's performing decent.  He's not getting extra base hits, so where's the power?  Young kids who are still growing into power hitters are at least able to get doubles at this level.  Tim is purely a singles hitter at the moment.  

Last edited by hsbaseball101
Ja'Crispy posted:

If Tebow is bringing in 2k more fans a night and can sustain that HE needs a new contract for sure.

So far he has had some moderate success at A- ball. I wonder what the opinions are if he could crack the U of Florida lineup and how he would do if he theoretically had college eligibility left?

My knowledge of the U of Florida lineup is nonexistent, but I would be shocked if all 9 hitters could put up a .700 OPS in A ball. That would be a helluva college lineup. The SEC is a good league but no comparison to full-season A ball IMO. Lengthy HSBBW thread on this topic: http://community.hsbaseballweb...leagues-and-major-d1

2forU posted:

I think it's funny that critics bring up how old Tebow is while not considering his healthy lifestyle (he appears happy, good diet, no drugs, no alcohol, no steroids).  His biological clock has him at age 1. Now he is too young to be in the minors - lol

http://www.milb.com/content/pa...;sid=t3705&vkey=

This would move that biological age backward a little to reality.

Last edited by Ja'Crispy

I think Tebow has done quite well for someone who hasn't played any professional baseball and is relying on the pure athleticism and reflexes of a football player.  He certainly hasn't embarrassed himself up to this point.  Sure, compared to a new draft pick coming out of Rookie ball he is doing mediocre at best. But for someone who hasn't played baseball since High School, there is no denying he has found more success than most people would have thought possible.

Last edited by Hammer823

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×