<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The number of performance-challenged bullpens has exploded. Only five teams have bullpen ERAs below 4 runs; four bullpens have ERAs in 5 to 6 range; two teams have bullpen ERAs over 6.</p>&mdash; Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/1162315273128554496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Oh how the mighty have fallen:

Greg Holland 4.54 ERA (released and signed MiL deal with Nats)
Wade Davis 6.06 ERA
Kelvin Herrera 7.08 ERA

Should walks factor into a players offensive production?

Chiefsplanet, let's hear your thoughts.

In 16 Plate Appearances..

Player 1 bats .231, had 3 hits, a home run, 2 singles, to go along with 2 RBI's, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts.

Player 2 bats .333, had 5 hits, 4 singles, a double, to go along with 3 RBI, no walks, 1 strikeout and a sac fly.

We'll say both players have equal baserunning ability and defensive value.

Let's pretend this production stays consistent through the course of a season - who do you value more as an offensive player?

To be fair, he originally said the guy was overrated, which isn't true. He was very clearly underrated because for a 5 year stretch he was one of the best players in baseball, which is something most people would have never guessed.

On top of that, he had a few extremely important playoff moments, including basically winning us game 1 against the Orioles in the ALCS, the GW RBI in the big comeback against the Astros and of course the HR off Familia (who hadn't blown a save in the 2nd half of the season) against the Mets. He is one of the best players in the history of the Royals, but people only remember the last couple years because that's how it goes.

Bullpen arms are the most fickle thing in sports.

They were less fickle than most, with an incredible run over multiple years. But not even they could mow down Father Time.

I’ll take Player A all day, everyday. He’s helping me create more runs than the empty average hitter.


During that five year period, Gordon was neither average nor below average. He was 22 percent above average by runs created.

He had a bad start and is having a bad end, but for the five years of his prime, Gordon was an absolute star.

Just in case you were worried about Witt and his slow start...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1st pro ��at Bobby Witt: impressive physique, dude off��. HR, 3B, busted 4.20 down the line (60). DH&#39;d. Will get him in the field soon. looks like, smells like a 60.<br><br>AZL top 50 coming to <a href="https://twitter.com/ProspectsLive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProspectsLive</a> : Luciano, Abrams, Witt likely top 3 in some order <a href="https://t.co/Q8gK9Vc9VM">pic.twitter.com/Q8gK9Vc9VM</a></p>&mdash; Jason Pennini (@JasonPennini) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonPennini/status/1162393794534232065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I want both.

Yeah, there are times you want a guy up there that's going to be a 3-true outcomes hitter; maybe he'll walk, maybe he'll K, maybe he'll get into one.

There are also times when you need someone who's gonna give you a different kind of AB.

The Cardinals kinda have shitty versions of both of those guys right now - one's Matt Carpenter and the other is Tommy Edman. The problem with the analysis is that I don't really want either of them on my team at the moment, but there are situations where Edman's more aggressive, contact oriented approach will serve me better.

Now if I could only have one (I'm guessing as a starter?) and the rest of my team is competently constructed w/ fairly complementary parts, then I"d take Player A - yes. But I'm not going to dismiss the utility of Player B either. The problem with the Player A types is that we simply see too many of them that feast on bad pitchers and get carved up by quality guys. Meanwhile the Player B types tend to be more consistent against both.

If you have a roster full of Player A guys, you're gonna have issues in the post-season when you're facing quality pitchers night in, night out.

Video of Bobby Witt, Jr:
https://twitter.com/JasonPennini/sta...534232065?s=20

He hit his first pro HR last night and added a triple. This look also shows him nearly beating out a routine two-hopper to short in his last AB.

Fun with small samples: Witt’s is still so small, going 4/10 in his last two games with a 3B and HR has raised Witt’s OPS by .05 (.600-.653).

A repeat of that two-game stretch in his next 2 would get him up to .698

I want this ****er to be dominating Wilmington by this time next year. Is that too much to ask? Just once, I want to see the Royals get a generational talent out of high school who just rakes. Just once.

BTW - I purchased Wilmington Blue Rocks hat. And am in the process of buying all MiLB Royals Affiliate hats because I'm a ****ing nerd.

Asking any hitter to dominate at Wilmington is a big ask.

If he could make it to Wilmington next year and put up a .700-.750 OPS I would consider it a win.

The Blue Rocks hats are sweet.

**cough** Cubs **cough**

More fun Twitter stuff:

Keller has been working on a splitter and is starting to incorporate it/feel more comfortable with it. If he can develop that into a legit, bat-missing out pitch, he's going to give lefties just as much trouble as he gives righties.

Hey, Brady Singer. You watching?

If Singer continues to struggle with his changeup - which I expect him to do, given the arm slot - I'd love to see him try the splitter out. From experience, that low 3-quarters arm angle can be a tough one to consistently throw a changeup from (old Duncan Idaho was a low 3/4, fastball, cutter/slider guy himself, who never could quite find a changeup that worked).

Here's a better option. Cut bait and get the **** out of that shitty ballpark/environment.