2018 Spring Training Game Thread

I’ve yet to see any athlete, in any sport, ever, get consistent/sustainably better via “bulking up” in the off-season.

If Keuchel can stay healthy, he’ll get paid... but bulking up will likely have nothing to do with that factor.

 

Jeff Bagwell faints

 

I feel like singing without instrumental accompaniment while wearing my Rockets jersey right now.

 

So adding muscle will not help you stay healthy and over years of organized sports with thousands of participants. Not one athlete has put in the time and effort to make himself a bigger and stronger more durable athlete.

 

And that Biggio guy. And a countless number of NFL players.

And even tennis: https://www.askmen.com/news/sports/research-shows-how-elite-tennis-players-are-bulking-up.html

But in all things, you must have balance:

2017: https://www.mensfitness.com/sports/...pounds-muscle-offseason-now-hes-stronger-ever
vs
2018: https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...bf9d112159c_story.html?utm_term=.29c383575857

 

LOL this is very wrong. Look no further than Yao/Capela on the Rockets. All the steroids guys "bulked up" over off-seasons and became monsters.

 

I should point out, there's a difference between guys who were skinny/skrawny and HAD to get in better shape to survive in the league they play in.... guess I should have prefaced my viewpoint.

Keuchel was already elite... him bulking up now is unlikely to change his future health patterns or performance. Not to say its a "bad" thing, just that I never get excited whenever I read an article "so and so showed up to camp in the BEST SHAPE OF THEIR LIFE!!".''

Also, did all that bulking up really prevent Yao from breaking down later, or hasten it?

 

I'm saying the odds of that happening with Keuchel, and his arm, at this point are pretty low.... regardless of how good of shape he's decided to be in.

 

A. J. Reed watch - 2 for 2 today with 2 well hit singles. AVG - .333

 

Did LMJ just throw another 95+ mph changeup?

And a terrible defensive play at 1st.

 

Bad hop, but bad positioning. If he can hit .333 with a 1.000+ OPS, we'll overlook the occasional butchered play.

 

None of the 4 guys who could see time at 1B this year will be mistaken for a Gold Glover.

 

So what you are saying is that since it is unlikely that he will have a completely healthy season, he should not do things that will reduce the number of times he gets hurt. Provided he doesn't over do it, being stronger should help. It likely won't make him better when healthy, though.

 

He already proved over the last 2 springs he could hit in March.

Let's hope he can manage when the games count.

 

I’m saying I could do without the puff piece reporting.

I also prefer if players always stay in good shape, and don’t simply overtrain during contract years.

 

Isn't it possible that players think they are in good shape but then have an injury or two that forces them to train differently especially as they get older?

 

Certainly possible... funny how it always coincides with contract years too.

 

Nice to see the minor leaguers come through when they get a shot.

 

So good that they scored 4 runs without a hit in an inning today.