WEDNESDAY MINORS FINAL 6/30/21; Seven-RBI Night for Harris

50PoundHead said:
It turned out all Bethancourt had was a big arm. When I look at his walk rate, I wonder if the Braves simply don't teach the kind of plate discipline necessary to succeed at higher levels or if the players are just unteachable on that subject. We all laugh about "The Rocket Wheeler School of Hitting" where lesson one was if it's not outside the batter's box, it's reachable, but I've seen too many guys come up through our system with little idea of what's a strike and what's a ball and who embrace the notion that it's okay to take a walk more than once a month.
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Believe me..the hack and slash method of hitting was alive and well.
 
50PoundHead said:
I don't know what Alan Rangel has done, but after getting shelled in his first few outings this season, he's put together a pretty solid last half of June. Striking out more than 12 per 9. He's been around for quite awhile (signed in 2015) and he's probably bought a house in Rome because he's spent the last three full seasons prior to this one there in Low-A and there again this year as part of the High-A team. I've never seen him on any prospect lists, which makes me think he's probably not destined for greatness, but I did notice his K-rate was way up this year. Curious to know how he's doing that.
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IIRC, Rangel has pretty consistently had a relatively high K-Rate. He's another example of the types of guys I really think the organization misses the boat on, and I'm convinced it's a flawed organizational philosophy.

I understand and agree with sticking with guys as long as possible until they simply prove that they're just not capable of becoming SPs at the highest level. The problem is we have - and always have had - loads of guys they continue to try to develop as SPs that will never make it but COULD impact the organization (many of them significantly) as RPs. I can't understand why on earth guys like Touki, De La Cruz, Newk, and plenty of others have continuously been used as starters in the high minors when it's been blatantly obvious to everyone watching that they just don't have what it takes to succeed in that role at the highest level - maybe our organizational people are simply dumber than I've wanted to give them credit for.
 
Freshmaker said:
How did Harris get 9 RBI on only 2 hits? Thats quite productive
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I think they think a SP can simply switch to coming out of the BP easily, and getting bulk innings as a SP in AAA is a good way to make improvements.

I suspect someone like Touki would benefit by working on airing it out for 20 pitches while focusing on just his FA and CU, but I don't have any data backing that up.
 
I tend to agree that the Braves don't convert enough of their failed starters to relievers. But I guess sometimes the relationship has soured and it's better to let someone else do it.
 
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