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#Post#: 488568--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: Deeg
Date: March 9, 2024, 7:38 pm
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--- Quote from: ticohans link ---
>
> Madrigal doesn’t make that play, though, and a bounce just
past the mound may be about release point rather than poor arm
strength.
>
> AZPhil obviously is an infinitely better judge of these things
than me, but I’m still surprised.
>
--- End Quote ---
I'm not TBH. Shaw's arm was always considered a major weakness
in the scouting that I saw. But if Madrigal can become an
acceptable 3B maybe Shaw can too.
#Post#: 488572--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: ticohans
Date: March 9, 2024, 7:45 pm
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Am aware that his arm isn’t a canon, I hoped maybe that play
reflected the combo of enough strength and the quality of his
work ethic, but perhaps that’s extremely wishful thinking on my
part.
#Post#: 488573--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: March 9, 2024, 7:45 pm
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I would think that accuracy would be more important than arm
strength at 3B. Grounders generally get to 3B quickly and there
is time to get the runner if the throw is accurate. Much
different than SS where long throws are often needed with much
less time to spare. Obviously there are times when you need a
gun at 3B but a mediocre but accurate arm is probably acceptable
if the bat is strong enough.
#Post#: 488574--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: davep
Date: March 9, 2024, 8:05 pm
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The Cubs have a number of possibilities for third base. If
nothing else, Hoerner could probably play it at near gold glove
performance.
#Post#: 488575--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: March 9, 2024, 8:07 pm
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Or, evidently, we could trade for Mookie Betts. It's funny how
many teams are planning on moving stiffs to 3B and don't worry
about it as much as we do. If we DFA Wisdom, watch how fast
somebody picks him up to play 3B.
#Post#: 488578--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: craig
Date: March 9, 2024, 8:32 pm
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One-hopping is an intentional time-saver by some infielders
sometimes. Swanson included.
#Post#: 488579--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: davep
Date: March 9, 2024, 8:35 pm
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Someone would pick Wisdom up, but the knock on him is less on
his defense and more on his 41 % strikeout rate.
#Post#: 488581--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: March 9, 2024, 8:54 pm
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--- Quote from: craig link ---
>
> One-hopping is an intentional time-saver by some infielders
sometimes. Swanson included.
>
--- End Quote ---
Swanson has a weak arm. On statcast he’s 19th percentile. The
top 5% of his throws he averaged 79.3. Madrigal averaged 84.
Weak arms aren’t limiting the Cubs on defense.
#Post#: 488583--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: Deeg
Date: March 9, 2024, 9:04 pm
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--- Quote from: CUBluejays link ---
>
> Swanson has a weak arm. On statcast he’s 19th percentile.
The top 5% of his throws he averaged 79.3. Madrigal averaged
84. Weak arms aren’t limiting the Cubs on defense.
>
--- End Quote ---
Your obsession with Swanson's arm is well-established, but
Swanson is basically a unicorn defensively in his brilliance at
the other elements of playing SS. If Shaw is that good
defensively - or his arm is at least no weaker than Swanson's -
then yes, he can handle 3B.
#Post#: 488585--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today’s Game - 2024
DIR By: Reb
Date: March 9, 2024, 9:18 pm
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Not sure which Shaw throw AZ Phil was recently critical about
but Shaw recently made a nice play on a hard hit ball—and then
bounced the throw. That particular throw seemed more of a
technique issue than a poor arm issue. Rushed—needlessly—and
released the ball via very poor arm angle. That can be fixed.
Perhaps some of this is throwing angles and technique. Proper
technique not just about fielding the ball but also proper
technique releasing the ball of course. Swanson is a master of
this in the way that he integrates the catch and release——almost
a single motion at times.
Very intrigued by Shaw at 3B but it’s a tough position to play
at a solid average level. Takes a lot of hard work for a player
transitioning from another position. Way too early to make any
pronouncements.
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