I saw him on SNY being interviewed in the Mets Clubhouse. He was wearing #15. I take that as a good sign.

I hope D'Arnaud develops into an all-star caliber catcher.  His comments the other day about his approach scare me a bit, as plate discipline is a legit concern for him along with durability, but I'm hopeful he can blossom into one of the better catchers in baseball. 

He's definitely not lacking from a talent standpoint.

I believe Jerry Grote turns 71 this year. How did I get so old?

U r not alone.

DocK16 wrote: His comments the other day about his approach scare me a bit

Didn't catch his interview -- what was said?

Already.2 Cy Young Award winners have been traded for him.

Walnutz15 wrote:

DocK16 wrote: His comments the other day about his approach scare me a bit

Didn't catch his interview -- what was said?

Said he doesn't think about anything when he's at bat.  Just looks for a good pitch to hit.  

You've played a lot more baseball than I have, and at much higher levels.  Am I correct to be concerned by that?  Granted, if you asked Manny the same thing that's probably what he'd say, but that guy was blessed with talent and ability that can't be taught or learned.

DocK16 wrote:

Walnutz15 wrote:

DocK16 wrote: His comments the other day about his approach scare me a bit

Didn't catch his interview -- what was said?

Said he doesn't think about anything when he's at bat.  Just looks for a good pitch to hit.  

You've played a lot more baseball than I have, and at much higher levels.  Am I correct to be concerned by that?  Granted, if you asked Manny the same thing that's probably what he'd say, but that guy was blessed with talent and ability that can't be taught or learned.

Piazza actually said similar things. Hopefully he ends up totaling around the same 55-70  BB's MP did in his prime. 

You know who else had a "see the ball hit the ball mentality"?????




Jeff Francouer

I am now fully expecting a temporary ban from this forum.

I don't take that to automatically mean the kid has no pitch recognition or he'll swing at anything....it just means he's trying not to overthink in the batters box. Granted someone like Keith Hernandez was the exact opposite (cerebral as they come), but that's not always the right approach for everyone.

I think some guys will fall into the habit of guessing if they try to think too much, just keep it simple....fastball or breaking ball, ball or strike?

thethe wrote: You know who else had a "see the ball hit the ball mentality"?????




Jeff Francouer

I am now fully expecting a temporary ban from this forum.

Haha, you have nothing to worry about...






yet. 

thethe wrote: You know who else had a "see the ball hit the ball mentality"?????




Jeff Francouer

I am now fully expecting a temporary ban from this forum.

Sadly, Francoeur, right about now, might be the Mets best outfielder.

omnimetfan wrote:

thethe wrote: You know who else had a "see the ball hit the ball mentality"?????




Jeff Francouer

I am now fully expecting a temporary ban from this forum.

Sadly, Francoeur, right about now, might be the Mets best outfielder.

You said that as if there would have been any question about it.

If he was that much of a hacker, I'm sure he wouldn't be rated so highly, especially by someone like Law who places a lot of emphasis on plate discipline.  That said, a lot of plate discipline issues can go unnoticed by elite hitters because minor league pitchers are so concerned about making mistakes against them.

The way I see it, if TDA had a walk rate around 6% in AAA, the vast majority of those walks are a result of being pitched around.  That's why I much prefer seeing walk rates above or near 10.

omnimetfan wrote:

thethe wrote: You know who else had a "see the ball hit the ball mentality"?????




Jeff Francouer

I am now fully expecting a temporary ban from this forum.

Sadly, Francoeur, right about now, might be the Mets best outfielder.

Frenchy had a -1.2 WAR last season.  He might have been the least valuable player in baseball.  Bay would've been worse had he played as much, but there's no question we're better off with what we have, even if what we have is completely unknown and likely below average.

I think that is why you detest Minaya so much. He brought Francouer to your team for a year.

Quick observation on TDA...

He's a bit smaller in height and size (upper)... than I thought or would like, given his offensive projection, esp. already being 24 yo.

Gstacks177 wrote: Quick observation on TDA...

He's a bit smaller in height and size (upper)... than I thought or would like, given his offensive projection, esp. already being 24 yo.

He's about 6'2, 195.  Seems to have a strong build-type.  I guess there's a reason he projects for 20-25 HR power and not 30+, but I don't think his size is an issue.

DocK16 wrote:

Gstacks177 wrote: Quick observation on TDA...

He's a bit smaller in height and size (upper)... than I thought or would like, given his offensive projection, esp. already being 24 yo.

He's about 6'2, 195.  Seems to have a strong build-type.  I guess there's a reason he projects for 20-25 HR power and not 30+, but I don't think his size is an issue.

I was going by his listings too, that's why I was surprised when seeing him live and in Pics now. I don't think he's taller than 6'0''. Would love to see him next to Wright.. I don't think he's taller.

 He looks like a lil' kid next to Buck... and Buck is listed at 6'2''.

I got the same impression seeing him on clips.