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We have a lot of talent, but it's not all that useful when everyone is hurt. That's been the entire point. We've had a tremendous amount of injuries, both to our position players and to our pitchers. Sure, if we're healthy we're easily the most talented team but that only counts when guys are able to play.Quote:
Originally Posted by lamar2006
You clearly don’t get it…Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
Has to play
Turner
Turner
Muncy
Seager
Smith
Mookie (but he needs regular rest)
Needs to sit for a few games
Taylor
No one else should ever see the field.
So, basically 5 position players should play every day with no rest, 1 should sit until he magically gets his swing back, and another needs frequent rest.
So, including the pitcher, we’ll just trot out 6-8 man lineups to finish out the season :shrug:
I get it just fine, I just don't need to question every single move Roberts does or doesn't do on a nightly basis. We don't have all of the information behind why certain moves are or aren't made.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
To clarify, that was all sarcasm. Just pointing out how asinine of a suggestion it is that starting Cody, McKinney, or Souza is somehow an acceptance of mediocrity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
I'm with you bro, I honestly think these guys are addicted to complaining about something.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
Ya me too. I'm thinking MLB would want the whole Bauer thing to go away and probably would grant us a release.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
He is still a gold glove center fielder. He has the capability of saving a run or two in the outfield. We have around 6-7 bats that have an OPS over 800 so it's worth the risk for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by lamar2006
Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
You guys remember Digglin Dikkers or whatever was the correct spelling? That dude complained more than a post menopausel woman in a sauna.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
Cody had an upper body injury and surgery and when he came back he was starting to do well until he broke a bone in his leg. So now a lower body injury. That combo can really throw off you timing and swing. He needs to recalibrate in the offseason and I'll judge him then. Also he is probably putting a lot of pressure on himself to perform and that is not making it any easier on himself.Quote:
Originally Posted by lamar2006
I think Gibby is being sarcastic but I could be wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
The quintet of Bellinger, Souza, McKinney, Barnes, and the pitcher's spot have gone 0 for 12 so far today. No surprise there.
LMAO. Almost the same lineup I posted that would lead to mediocre results. Who would of guess it? Well I should stop talking **** about them since some posters here will get offended I am trashing trash players.Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
:laugh2:Quote:
Originally Posted by lamar2006
Yeah, you’re totally a Baseball Einstein.
It totes takes a genius to figure out that a lineup with 4 guys that are hitting at a sub .700 OPS would not be very good.
Who do you think is debating this? LMAO
Apparently you and Doc. Since you got all mad when I posted that you would support that lineup and made excuses how players have to get off days that is why Cody plays 9/10 times or guys like Souza Jr, McKinney get starts. Well yeah that is going to happen but you don't ****ing bench 4 starters @ once. If you going to give guys rest spread the off days to multiple days don't ****ing sit them all on the same day.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
Batters #4-#9 went 0 for 20 today.
BigMoves is proud to be 2.5 games out.
Remember all those random games he said don't matter if we won? Well, they are about to matter big time with fewer games remaining each day. We need to go on a hot streak again to have a chance @ the division. Knowing Doc if we end up playing in the WC, he is going to roll with a similar lineup today and pray Scherzer or Buehler don't have an off day during the win or go home elimination game.Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
Show me where I got mad for you talking about Souza, and McKinney, and Cody, or whoever else.Quote:
Originally Posted by lamar2006
It didn’t happen.
You make **** up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
1. You get defensive about me calling certain players mediocre.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
2. You said I made **** up when I just posted Cody's season stats showing how terrible he is.
Why would you get mad over facts?
:laugh2:Quote:
Originally Posted by lamar2006
A) What makes you say I was “mad”?
B) Who did I defend from you calling them “mediocre”?
C) What “facts” do you think I was disagreeing with?
D) You know damn well that I didn’t say you “made up” Bellinger’s stats. You did however, make up that “some in here believe he’s playing at an MVP level.”
You make **** up
Oh I absolutely am because (1) with all the injuries, we could easily be 25-plus out and no one could reasonably fault the team and (2) we have the 3rd best record in the entire league (half a game behind the second best and 2.5 behind the best). This has been an absolutely great season thus far.Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
Yeah, he seemed to stop posting once we won the World Series, but I do hope he's alright and he just stopped posting because he couldn't really be a troll anymore. I do find it interesting that some of these guys seem to be most active when we lose or when they think we're going to lose and aren't super active otherwise.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteShadow42
:nod: :hi5:Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteShadow42
And if Cody himself gets back to anywhere near an .800 OPS next year which - though nothing is guaranteed - I certainly believe he’s capable of, Lamar will act like none of this ever happened.
With his defense at a premium position, an OPS of .800 makes him a very valuable ball player and I definitely think he can get back there.
I was thinking about posting an analysis of what I think he can fix but it doesn’t even feel worth it. In fact, I’d generally post a lot more but this place is such a ****ing drag.
It’s the same thing every year. “There’s no way we’ll win a WS with Doc”, “we’re not built for the playoffs”, “Can’t win it with a rotation that features ‘Kerchoke’”, etc, etc,
We heard it all last year too and you’d think most people would’ve adjusted their tone… nope. Right back at it and if we win it all again, as we should, they’ll again act like none of this ever happened… before going right back to *****ing about every loss next year :facepalm:
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteShadow42
:laugh2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
Man, I used to really enjoy that guy, but then he went super negative all the time. I hope he’s good too.
When am I not being sarcastic? LolQuote:
Originally Posted by WhiteShadow42
Same with the Lakers forum. I don't get it sometimes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
But, but, but…Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Moves03
You can’t make injury excuses…
And… also… the replacements are so bad they should never play ever…
And… also… the “sabermetric” bullpen games…
And… also… you can’t make injury excuses
:laugh2:
There was a time where I would confuse you with Gibby23.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
I always liked that guy. Did he get banned?Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
LOL.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
I am insterested in your analysis of Bellys hitting. I know he has had an upper and lower body issue within the same season so that should mess your swing up, but don't know exactly why he is stinking it up so badly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
Yeah, he did. He went on a rampage one night by creating at least a couple dozen posts in the General MLB forum, repeatedly insulting spliff.
He said some of the nastiest things you could possibly think of to spliff. And that was it. The moderators permabanned him.
:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
I’m sure, whatever he said, Spliff deserved it. That guy was ridiculous
He's what I call a stereotypical Giants fan.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
filihok and PraiseJesus also made this place unbearable at times. I'm glad all three are gone.
Well, here goes.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteShadow42
So, Cody Bellinger has had a dumpster fire of a season, but not all is lost. I’ll share some videos and then tie it all in together at the end…
This a Cody homer from 3 years ago…
You can see it’s a bit of an uncontrolled swing
https://youtu.be/HitnKzkliO4
This one is from his MVP year…
https://youtu.be/Ushu6j7RX64
This one is from last year…
https://youtu.be/rEQmSaHWnEU
There are a number of differences you can see off the bat between the three videos.
Again, the first one is a bit uncontrolled; he’s trying to create as much leverage as possible and it shows when his back foot comes off the ground on the finish. I’m also not a big fan of where his eyes finish - he’s still watching the ball. More on this below…
The second clip, from his MVP year, is much more controlled. I like this clip juxtaposed next to the one above because while the first video shows that patented extension, the second shows his ability to adjust to the inside fastball while still generating a ton of leverage. He also does a better job of keeping his hands back to stay loaded until he gets his front foot down. IMO, he still brings his head up a bit too early, but it’s better.
The third clip is actually my favorite swing despite coming in a down year. In the 3rd video he puts it all together, tucks his chin and keeps his head down all the way through the swing while that bat takes a perfectly orbital path around his head - almost like the rings around Saturn.
When I put these three videos together, there are some things that are consistent across the board.
1. Generating Leverage - Cody starts high. This is key. Whereas most people are striding forward from a more athletic position, his step forward provides additional organic leverage by also bringing him downward toward the ball on his step.
2. Stride - he’s got a big stride, but his front foot doesn’t land hard; he’s not jabbing at the ground or digging in which allows him to keep his weight back.
3. Stays Loaded - During the step forward, his hands stay back, his back knee isn’t dropping in too early, and his hips stay closed.
4. The combination of forward leverage with his hands and weight largely back sets up the explosiveness when finally does drop the back knee in and allows his hips to uncoil
5. First Hips, Then Hands - the old Cody doesn’t “fly open” with hands and hips at once. He lands the step softly, then turns his hips, and allows that hip turn to help pull his hands through the zone.
6. Tucks The Chin - Cody keeps his head down and tucks his chin. Again, the third video is the best example of this as he stays tucked all the way through contact and doesn’t pull off to watch the ball.
7. Gets On Plane Early - This is something that a lot of people seem to miss as a key component of hitting. People talk about his “uppercut swing”. To be clear “swing up”, should not be confused for an “uppercut”. Though I largely consider this to be nuance, I will go to my grave saying there is no such thing as an “uppercut swing”. An “uppercut swing” implies that one is always swinging with an upward bat path. In reality, no one starts with their hands and bat below the ball. Our hands start high, come down to the ball, then finish high. Whether you’re hitting the ball on your upward or downward trajectory is largely dependent on whether you’re ahead or behind the pitch. No one is hitting the ball on an upward trajectory when they are late on the pitch. Enough ranting; the gist is that Cody gets planed out early, as evidenced by the second clip, which allows him to stay in the zone longer, make the necessary adjustment to shorten up, and hits a homer with a level swing.
8. Allows Front Ankle To Turnover - this allows him to generate more leverage by providing an extra layer on his follow through.
9. Finishes High and Finishes Back - I think this one speaks for itself
Now, what is wrong with Cody this year and how can he fix it?
A couple of things.
Look at Cody in these videos from the last 3 years and compare him to 2021 Cody. The weight loss is evident. Anyone who thinks that shoulder surgery won’t impact weight and ability to sustain muscle has never been to a gym in their life. I bet he’s about 15-20 lbs lighter than his typical playing weight. Outside of the fact that he’s not had great luck with injury since last year, the weight might be the single biggest contributor to his down year.
I think the combination of the weight loss and compensation for a shoulder that’s not back to full strength might be what’s convinced him to try to take different approaches with his batting stance. Clearly, he doesn’t believe he’s getting the same leverage this year.
Secondly, an extenuating circumstance from the above, is that he’s generating weak contact. He’s behind on a lot of pitches and isn’t planing out as well this year. When he’s not missing altogether, he’s often driving them into the ground or lifting them straight up. He’s got to get back to a more consistent level swing.
Lastly, many of these components that stand out across all three of these clips are missing altogether. Though he has a tendency to pull his head off the ball, even in successful years, it’s been really bad this year.
Now, I’ve long been a proponent of Cody Bellinger’s bat; since he was a nobody on the farm I’ve been raving about his swing mechanics. At the same time, I’ve always cautioned that he carries the potential to have a high peak and a short prime because he’s pretty thin and his swing requires so much torque it seemed injuries were inevitable. Still, it’s comical that anyone would take this season as his worth and write him off already.
It’s comical that anyone would compare this guy, who is fully capable of getting back to this, to Chris Davis. Anyone making that comparison clearly doesn’t know what they’re looking at and are only focusing on results at the plate.
For good measure, I just thought it was worthwhile to show a video of Cody putting all of these things together THIS YEAR.
https://youtu.be/0ROKU0LwSuE
Clearly he is still capable of replicating that swing, he’s just had a rough go. A full offseason of recovery and training likely helps him get back some strength, confidence, and the consistency he hasn’t been able to find this year.. Will he be an MVP? Probably not. Will his bat be valuable? That is very likely.
Oh my… lolQuote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
fili wasn’t too bad. Annoying as hell, and incredibly robotic. Only spoke in advanced metrics, but provided good insights and content.
Peej was just a straight up troll lol.
We should start a Banned Hall of Fame thread so we can reminisce about the old days and the ones who got away lol
spliff. LOL. PSD instigator.Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
Oh My God. You said PraiseJesus. He was the worst troll in Lakers forum history.Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerdave
:worthy:Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
Thank you for that incredible assessment. Thanks bro. This helps a lot. I did see his weight loss this year. His uniform looked a lot more baggy this year. You and BM have both said that if next year he has a repeat performance like this year, then we can entertain a trade but I would also give him another offseason to redeem himself. Maybe contact Lebrons steroid dealer. That might do the trick. The walkoff he hit was a pitch on the strike zone but low and away. He seems to be able to handle those. But except for a couple of weeks, I haven't seen him being able to handle the inside fastball that well this year. Great post bro.
Obviously it’s all theoretical, I mean, he’s the pro here.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteShadow42
If it were me though, I would go back to everything I used to do and perhaps just try using a smaller/lighter bat for a while. Might not feel right to him, but could help him getting back some bat speed
Interesting. Maybe help him with his confidence. Be more of a doubles hitter and use his speed on the bases to get extra bases. Also work on his oppo field hitting. Cut out the swing for the fences attitude and just try to make contact. It worked for Pollock.Quote:
Originally Posted by GibbyIsMyHero
Here is an article on Belly for kicks.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb...?ocid=msedgntp