MLB teams own or have access to motion- and video-based devices that can provide bat speed and bat path information as well as exit velocity, trajectory, and barrel engagement on every swing that a player takes.
These technologies can be used during tee work, batting practice, or hitting with a pitching machine to provide objective measures that a young player can use to optimize his swing for balls in different quadrants of the strike zone that are travelling with different velocities and trajectories. Coaches who have adopted these technologies typically rave about the benefits of instant, quantitative feedback over the subjective response of a player and coach working in a tech-free environment.
This is especially helpful for center and right fielders as well as shortstops and third basemen who can increase velocity and carry on their throws by more efficiently incorporating their legs and torso into their throwing motion as well as cleaning up the motions of their shoulders, elbow, and wrist. To make full use of these technologies on behalf of a Rule 5 pick, a team would ideally hire a coach with experience in player development as well as the application of the new hitting and throwing technologies.
The coach would serve as a personal trainer for the prospect during the season. I know several young coaches who have effectively applied cutting edge technologies to player development who have struggled during the pandemic and would jump at the chance to work with a major league team. The trainer and player could work daily on functional strength and agility, defensive skills, and hitting. The hitting work would ideally include progressive fastball work with a pitching machine that would deliver pitches in one location at 93 MPH, then in the same location at 96, then repeat at 99, and then ramp to before stepping back down to 99, 96, and The progression can be repeated until the player is comfortable hitting fastballs delivered to a specific location.
During a day period, the coach and player can work through the nine domains of the strike zone and then repeat the process through the spring and summer. Adding in curveballs, sliders, cutters, and change-ups with differing shapes will enable a player to make subtle adjustments to his swing that will allow him to deal with any pitch he might face in a game thrown to any location in the strike zone.
Perhaps the most valuable training that a prospect receives during a minor league season are the plate appearances that he gets during games. These allow the player to develop the ability to rapidly recognize spin and velocity, judge balls and strikes, and adjust his swing path to maximize barrel contact.
These at bats provide a daily measure of the progress that a player is making. Replacing these opportunities will be critical to the development of a draft-and-stash prospect. I would wager that in the DFW metroplex, there are dozens of former minor league pitchers who retain the ability to throw a couple of quality pitches. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.
Filed under:. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Share this story Twitter Facebook. Scouts and front office officials will sometimes even bring their luggage to the ballroom where the draft is being hosted.
They pick their players and then head straight to the airport to fly home. The draft will be streamed by MLB. If you want extensive analysis before, during and after the draft, stay at BaseballAmerica. These kind of events are what we live for. With a few exceptions, any player who was younger than 19 on June 4 of their signing year is eligible to be picked if they are not on a man roster after their fifth pro year. Any player who was 19 or older on June 4 of their signing year is eligible after their fourth pro season.
There are exceptions to those rules. If a player signs after the initial team he is assigned to has already ended its season, that year does not count toward Rule 5 eligibility see the example of Luiz Gohara.
Since a draft signing deadline is now in place for drafted players, this largely applies to international players who sign in mid-August or later. Also, any player whose initial contract is renegotiated becomes eligible that year and every subsequent year for the Rule 5 draft if not added to the man roster.
A notable recent example of this rule was Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur. Username or Email Address. Remember Me. Go To Pro Hockey Rumors.
Go To Hoops Rumors. Twins take Terry Doyle from White Sox. Mariners take Lucas Luetge from Brewers. Orioles take Ryan Flaherty from Cubs. Cubs take Lendy Castillo from Phillies. Padres Pirates take Gustavo Nunez from Tigers. Cardinals take Erik Komatsu from Nationals. Comments The Pirates took Nunez?
Looks like the Sox got that right handed bat they desperately needed. What Sox are those? The Red Sox got a bad pitcher. His control problems will keep him as a reliever. I hope they do! The ones you listed are good. Drew was snot a bad signing? Put the bong down. You are completely wasted. Could be related to a compensation package for Epstein or Hoyer.
The Braves got the wrong fish from the Angels. I assume Gonzalez will stay with Boston as part of the Theo compensation package. Why did you post this after the draft was completed? Thanks very much.
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