2012 Arizona Diamondbacks Season Thread - July edition

[UncleChris]

In that case, Young should be hitting 11th. And Tatman, 12th.

'Sorry, I couldn't resist.

LMAO!

 

[Gaddabout]

Guys, I really don't see Upton and Young with upper cuts. Their swings are pretty typical. What I do see are two guys who always go up looking for fastballs in their wheelhouse, which most MLB pitchers are smart enough to avoid. You try to spin on something away, you're going to hit weak ground balls. You try to swing hard on soft stuff, you're going to hit a lot of pop ups. If you stubbornly refuse to have a two-strike game play, swallow your pride, and slap that away stuff to opposite field, you're going to rack up strikeouts like Rob Deer.

With the end result is usually with a bat pointed towards the sky on an embarrassing two-strike whiff. The problem isn't their swing. The problem is between the ears.

One thing about power hitting has been true since the first game was played: Balls deep in the strike zone = opposite field power = more power. Neither of our two "stars" seem to understand that. Goldy is putting in the time to learn it, but Upton and Young don't seem to grasp that concept.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Guys, I really don't see Upton and Young with upper cuts. Their swings are pretty typical. What I do see are two guys who always go up looking for fastballs in their wheelhouse, which most MLB pitchers are smart enough to avoid. You try to spin on something away, you're going to hit weak ground balls. You try to swing hard on soft stuff, you're going to hit a lot of pop ups. If you stubbornly refuse to have a two-strike game play, swallow your pride, and slap that away stuff to opposite field, you're going to rack up strikeouts like Rob Deer.

With the end result is usually with a bat pointed towards the sky on an embarrassing two-strike whiff. The problem isn't their swing. The problem is between the ears.

One thing about power hitting has been true since the first game was played: Balls deep in the strike zone = opposite field power = more power. Neither of our two "stars" seem to understand that. Goldy is putting in the time to learn it, but Upton and Young don't seem to grasp that concept.

Your entire post is spot on Matt, and the bolded part is very true and very concerning... Not so much with regard to Young as he is simply not a major league quality hitter - period. But Upton... How can it be that a guy like Goldy cna entirely absorb what coaches like Baylor and Trammel and Williams and even Gibby are preaching, yet, somehow it entirely misses the mark with Upton?? Incredible...
Unfortunately, the D-Backs are going to be faced with some very serious questions to answer when it comes to guys like Upton and Young... The implications associated with how they answer those questions will have a serious impact on this team going forward.
They need to cut ties with Young, ASAP. He is a noose around the neck of this team and needs to be cut loose. Keeping him - I believe - continues to send the message to the team and to the fans, that the team really isn't all that serious about putting together a wiinner. For if they were, why in the world would you keep a guy who wouldn't be a starter anywhere else in the majors??

As for Upton, the obvious question is - how long do you stick with a guy who give less than max effort, both physically and mentally?? He too has killed this team thus far this season. Sticking with him means you have to get comfy with his less than league average offensive production, as well as his continual mental lapses in the field. And for what?? Hoping that one day, one season everything finally clicks?? Wasn't that supposed to be last season? And yet, here we are again with him... Quite a dilemma for sure...

Lastly, Bauer is mildly concerning... Yea, I know it's just 2 starts in the majors... But, man he is such an oddball. I could be wrong, but he appears to be the type of kid where everything in life has come easy for him - both on the field and off. Has he ever really faced true adversity? In baseball or at home?? I dunno... from his whacky pre-game antics to his inability to go a mere 4 innings thus far, to the aloof manner in which he carries himself...he just seems to have this air about him that gives off the perception as though he feels entitled. Like the majors is where he should be, even though he hasn't done anything yet to suggest he's ready to handle the bigs...
I hope I'm wrong about him. But right now, I've got some serious doubts about this kid... which, when you see how he can move a baseball.... seems odd.

 

[Gaddabout]

I don't think Upton is lazy. I used to, but now I just believe he has no instinct to play RF. He wouldn't get to as many balls as he does if he was lazy. Not a great attitude, though. Just not wired to handle adversity or change.

Don't believe Bauer feels privileged, either. More concerned he's been indoctrinated so strongly with his pitching worldview that he'll be incapable to look at his own performance with any pragmatism. Fear he will always look at any failure through a micro lens and not a macro lens. He's a very smart guy, and that can sometimes be a detriment to an athlete. Sometimes what you don't know as an athlete is your best ally, because it allows your athleticism and skill to shine without any shame of doing something not quite technically correct. Bauer is trying very hard to be both a power pitcher and a finesse pitcher. I think he should pick one for no and try to master it.

 

[UncleChris]

Upton's actions (and lack thereof) are consistent with being a brat, plain and simple.

BTW, is it my imagination, or had Upton put on some pounds since last year?

 

[UncleChris]

Anyone want to start a pool as to where Drew will play next year?

 

[bankybruce]

Anyone want to start a pool as to where Drew will play next year?

With the way he is playing right now, either KC or Japan. Maybe Baltimore too, they like to spend money on crap.

 

[AZ Native]

Upton's actions (and lack thereof) are consistent with being a brat, plain and simple.

BTW, is it my imagination, or had Upton put on some pounds since last year?

You expected Justin to make that catch on the HR ball?

 

[187]

With the way he is playing right now, either KC or Japan. Maybe Baltimore too, they like to spend money on crap.

He's 20 at bats into the season after coming back from a season ending injury...way to keep it realistic.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

PITCHING!!!! WE NEED PITCHING!!!

HITTING!!!! WE NEED CONSISTENT HITTING!!!!

Maybe Upton should be hitting 8th.........

So, what you're saying is we just need pitching and hitting to be good?

 

[thirty-two]

Swept by the lowly Padres at home. Ouch.

 

[overseascardfan]

I think Towers needs to consider moving some players by the deadline, supposedly he is still evaluating if we are still a contender, we aren't. I doubt ARZ makes a post ASG run and we should definitely be sellers at the deadline. Any pitcher except Bauer, Corbin, Miley & Hernandez, Young, Upton, Roberts are candidates IMO.

 

[Broseph]

KT will make some moves, this team is going nowhere fast.

 

[bankybruce]

He's 20 at bats into the season after coming back from a season ending injury...way to keep it realistic.

Too bad he was ready for more than 6 weeks before returning. I am sticking to my predictions. He was always an an average hitter and above average fielder. With that injury, he will be a below average hitter and average fielder. If he wanted, he could come back 100%, but that is not a Drew/Boras way of doing things. Half ass it for full price.

 

[82CardsGrad]

This isn't going to end well...


The Arizona Diamondbacks' second sellout crowd of the season let Justin Upton have it.

The Diamondbacks' former All-Star went 0-for-5 and stranded four runners in scoring position in Arizona's 8-6 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. He popped out to end the game and was booed mercilessly by the gathering, which had stuck around for the postgame fireworks.

"To be honest with you I don't care anything what the fans think of me," Upton said. "My teammates, my coaches, they know I come here and I bust it every single day. I try to do everything I can to help this team. My teammates have my back and whatever the fans want to think, they can think. They can call me lazy. I have heard that in the outfield. They can call me washed up. Whatever they want to call me but at the end of the day I am thankful for every opportunity to come out on a baseball field and I will try my hardest every day."

http://www.azfamily.com/sports/Upton-shrugs-off-fans-booing-after-0-for-5-night-161442985.html

 

[Go Devils]

This isn't going to end well...


The Arizona Diamondbacks' second sellout crowd of the season let Justin Upton have it.

The Diamondbacks' former All-Star went 0-for-5 and stranded four runners in scoring position in Arizona's 8-6 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. He popped out to end the game and was booed mercilessly by the gathering, which had stuck around for the postgame fireworks.

"To be honest with you I don't care anything what the fans think of me," Upton said. "My teammates, my coaches, they know I come here and I bust it every single day. I try to do everything I can to help this team. My teammates have my back and whatever the fans want to think, they can think. They can call me lazy. I have heard that in the outfield. They can call me washed up. Whatever they want to call me but at the end of the day I am thankful for every opportunity to come out on a baseball field and I will try my hardest every day."

http://www.azfamily.com/sports/Upton-shrugs-off-fans-booing-after-0-for-5-night-161442985.html

Simple math off the top of my head comes to Upton making over 60K a game which is probably more than what 80% of the "fans" who show up make in a year. This clown does not care what the fans think? Only his teamates who also live the life of luxury playing a game have an opinion that counts. the problem is he has been coddled and does not deserve to be hitting 3rd in the order and CY his buddy can take a seat with him. Those fans spend a majority of their entertainment dollar probably on the few times a season they can muster up the cash to take them and their family. Ownership proabably cares because football camps open in 3 weeks and no one will care about this team if they are playing as they are now.

 

[UncleChris]

[Upton Quote]

"To be honest with you I don't care anything what the fans think of me," Upton said. "My teammates, my coaches, they know I come here and I bust it every single day. I try to do everything I can to help this team. My teammates have my back and whatever the fans want to think, they can think. They can call me lazy. I have heard that in the outfield. They can call me washed up. Whatever they want to call me but at the end of the day I am thankful for every opportunity to come out on a baseball field and I will try my hardest every day."

Well, you'd BETTER care, sonny, or you can join Junior Spivey in the Oblivion Bar down on the corner every night.The Six-Million-Dollar-Man is not producing, and the folks paying your salary, the fans, are not getting their money's worth. 2 hits in your last 24 at bats? Really? REALLY???

And quite frankly, you're a head case, and everyone, including your teammates, know it. Get it together right now, Scooter, or get out. Upton's nowhere worth what he is being paid. He's made over 3 million already and is hitting .263, has SLG% of .376 and OPS .722... all at the bottom of the team.... Oh.... but he IS almost at the top of the list....... for K's.

A word of advice, Justin, from Mark Twain: It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

For all the Upton hoopla, it really makes one appreciate the Todd Heltons and Chipper Jones of baseball, who every year, in a professional, journeyman way, PRODUCE. Helton has hit over .300 12 of his 16 years. Jones hit over .300 12 of his 19 years. Anyone really think Upton is going to be in this strata?

 

[82CardsGrad]

For all the Upton hoopla, it really makes one appreciate the Todd Heltons and Chipper Jones of baseball, who every year, in a professional, journeyman way, PRODUCE. Helton has hit over .300 12 of his 16 years. Jones hit over .300 12 of his 19 years. Anyone really think Upton is going to be in this strata?

Take a peek at my avatar if you want to see what Professionalism is all about...

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Maybe Upton and Young should think about getting a bunch of tattoos. That seems to make a player immune to criticism from the fanbase.

 

[UncleChris]

Maybe Upton and Young should think about getting a bunch of tattoos. That seems to make a player immune to criticism from the fanbase.

But in fairness, Upton makes over 3 times what Roberts makes.

 

[UncleChris]

Nice gift to Upton. Harriston misplays the ball, and they give him a hit.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Maybe Upton and Young should think about getting a bunch of tattoos. That seems to make a player immune to criticism from the fanbase.

Better yet, how about just playing to their potential? Bet that shuts everyone up.

 

[Matt L]

For all the Upton hoopla, it really makes one appreciate the Todd Heltons and Chipper Jones of baseball, who every year, in a professional, journeyman way, PRODUCE. Helton has hit over .300 12 of his 16 years. Jones hit over .300 12 of his 19 years. Anyone really think Upton is going to be in this strata?

What exactly is a "journeyman way?" Chipper Jones is a hall of famer. Todd Helton has a case for the hall but it will be interesting to see how the writers treat him after his career is over.

I agree that Justin Upton needs to start playing better but I don't think it is from a lack of effort.

I actually agree with him in regards to fans booing him. This town completely embraced Eric Byrnes and acted as if he were the greatest left fielder in the National League during his career year. Then the Diamondbacks gave him a fat contract and he got injured and then regressed to a decent minor league player and the whole town turned on him and complained that he wasn't earning his keep.

I would guess most professional athletes don't really care what the local fan says or thinks about him. They are probably better off that way.

 

[BC867]

I actually agree with him in regards to fans booing him. This town completely embraced Eric Byrnes and acted as if he were the greatest left fielder in the National League during his career year. Then the Diamondbacks gave him a fat contract and he got injured and then regressed to a decent minor league player and the whole town turned on him and complained that he wasn't earning his keep.

You chose a good comparison. Because Eric Byrnes and Justin Upton each gave the fans the impression of never moving beyond the mentality of a man-child.

If you worked with a man or woman who still talked and acted like an adolescent, you'd lose respect for them. And jump on repeated incidents of childishness.

Whether it was Byrnes' goofy TV shows or living in a trailer outside the ballpark or Upton's firing the ball over the head of the cutoff man or throwing a tantrum in the dugout because of his own performance, it is juvenile. Especially from someone earning millions while we are earning thousands.

Upton's not caring what D'backs fans think is just another example of how immature he is. He and Byrnes were each made the "face" of the organization. Byrnes because of one good year and Upton because of his potential. The team executives share the blame of jumping to the wrong decisions.

 

[UncleChris]

What exactly is a "journeyman way?" Chipper Jones is a hall of famer. Todd Helton has a case for the hall but it will be interesting to see how the writers treat him after his career is over.

Doing something in a "journeyman way" is a compliment, not an insult. It means they go out every game and apply their considerable skills and abilities to their craft in a professional, knowledgeable way. Upton has some abilities but we don't really know how much because his head keeps getting in the way.

I would predict that both Chipper and Todd will be Hall of Famers.