.

NICE CALL DAWG

The Mariners' website has a random GM opinion that Eric Filia has become a top big-league prospect.  Well, by "top" we mean not Otani-Harper galactic class, but by "top" meaning "Class A player with a great chance to become a big leaguer."  You only say that about a few low-minors prospects a year.  

And DiPoto sez that Moe Dawg has the right idea about why:

.

"He understands how to manage an at-bat as well as anybody in our organization," Dipoto said. "It's not a huge power bat, more of a contact, gaps bat. He has a .422 on-base percentage [in two years in the Minors]. Guys who do that play in the big leagues. That's as simple as I can make it."

.

Review the list of 2017 major leaguers who had OBP's of .350 or more, and you will find relatively few who are about to be dropped from the travelin' squad.

That's setting the bar at just .350.  There were only 30 such players per league last year, the worst of whom was Brett Gardner.  Okay, reviewing our class to date:  if you get on base, you play in the big leagues.  That's as simple as I can make it.  :: innocent smile ::  Filia can obviously defend the strike zone back-to-front, 95 MPH to 80 MPH, and is a top prospect.

Power, fielding, speed, that moves a guy from "plays" to "banks huge jack."  Filia is probably going to see his name on a jumbo-tron near you.  (Along those lines, don't forget that Guillermo Heredia had the best BB/K in Seattle after the 3-4-5 hitters and Dyson.  Heredia can tell a ball from a strike and it's a plus for him.)

Also, go ahead and enjoy the AFL.  It's not as meaningless as they try to tell yer.

.

ONCE A DECADE "PERFECT STORM" SPORTS MOTION

Kate Preusser has a terrif piece up at LL with gorgeous side-gifs of Ohtani's swing.  Dr's Diagnosis:  this player would be a top-10 high school college ammy pick as a hitter alone.  Top Ten Draftee End Of Story, no pitching considered.  It will be like adding a huge 1st-round pick for free, along with everything else ... for the Angels, of course.  LOL.

More later, a three-parter or something.  Ohtani's swing is unique in baseball history, and by "baseball history" of course we mean in the history of Dr. D's TV-watching, same thing more or less as you are aware.

.

WBC-SAN

I hadn't thought about the Ohtani recruiting factor here, had you?

Turns out that Ohtani works out at Iwakuma's glitzy training facility in Japan, so obviously they're best buds.  Take that, Scioscia.  On the recruiting trail, I'll give you twenty (that's 20) Albert Pujols and Ken Griffey Jr's for every one Hisashi Iwakuma.  This is a man who can positively guarantee the org's cushiness - and be there in the locker room when he lands.  (In March; it's not an issue of making the rotation.)

:: gets a grip :: Not everything is about Ohtani.  Iwakuma is one of my all-time faves.  A year off could bring his arm back, for 20 25 starts anyhow, and how sweet would that be.  "With huge gratitude in his heart" - HEH!!, gotta love these Iwakuma-isms - he accepted an offer that DiPoto brilliantly laid out long ago.  

...

Serious question.  Has everybody here forgotten that when Iwakuma is physically right, he is a top, top AL starter?  His arm bounces back and he'll give you Tanaka-level games, for a few bucks less.  The M's aren't messing around with him because they have nothing better to do.

.

SAM MOLL, LHP

The M's picked up a lefty from the Pirates to "add to the mix."  Dr. D greatly dislikes his sports motion.  We could make the scouts lurking answer a pop quiz, but we'll give you the answers without resistance:

• Upright in a way that lacks power
• Much less graceful than you want from a LH
• Telegraphs the slider ... because poor control of the CG late
• Watch from pelvis to chest only, and the whole thing is simply not convincing (by big-league standards)

That said, we're sure he'll mush his way to Tony Fossas legend now.

.

MOUTH RINSE

If you're wanting to get back to basking in kinetic glory:  see the photo leading in.  You're welcome.  On behalf of calltothepen.com, of course.

Be Afraid,

Dr D