2023 Texas Baseball

[BachelorTrek 3061]

5 minutes ago, ztejas said:

Average NPB salary is $321k.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/players-seek-riches-opportunity-in-japan-and-korea/

[jimmyjazz 46113]

16 minutes ago, ztejas said:

Average NPB salary is $321k.

Overall or for American players?  I had a HS classmate who struggled to get more than a cup of coffee in the majors, so he headed to Japan and made ~$1M a couple of years in a row.  I recall him telling me that a team could only have two Americans on the roster at any given time, but they paid them well because they were good draws.

[ztejas 43531]

4 minutes ago, BachelorTrek said:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/players-seek-riches-opportunity-in-japan-and-korea/

Yeah - MLB or AAA guys with promise that get sniped by NPB are going to make more than the average salary. Or washed up stars that go over there. 

The average guy in Japan isn't making that much. The below average guys hitting .200 certainly aren't. 

I get the point you're making - and it's definitely a sweet deal. 

3 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Overall or for American players?  I had a HS classmate who struggled to get more than a cup of coffee in the majors, so he headed to Japan and made ~$1M a couple of years in a row.  I recall him telling me that a team could only have two Americans on the roster at any given time, but they paid them well because they were good draws.

Overall.

[BillyGoatHill 4312]

1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said:

Overall or for American players?  I had a HS classmate who struggled to get more than a cup of coffee in the majors, so he headed to Japan and made ~$1M a couple of years in a row.  I recall him telling me that a team could only have two Americans on the roster at any given time, but they paid them well because they were good draws.

Great book that covers the subject.

Up to that time, Cromartie was the the most prominent American player to play in Japan while still in his prime. Probably still is. ( my parents were living in Okinawa at the time and dad was the one who told me about the book in the 90's)

Edited April 10, 2023 by BillyGoatHill

[BachelorTrek 3061]

1 hour ago, BachelorTrek said:

Minchey's dad was a MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) pitcher. 

It still amazing to me you can make a million bucks (or more) a year playing in the NPB hitting for just a .200 average.

NPB has the "beer girls" -- a definite plus!  Lulz.

Obligatory....  Lulz.

[jimmyjazz 46113]

42 minutes ago, BillyGoatHill said:

Great book that covers the subject.

Yeah, my friend loved it over there.  Ended up being a manager in Japan for years before coming back to AAA manager roles in the US.

[Herpa Derpa 6129]

43 minutes ago, BillyGoatHill said:

Up to that time, Cromartie was the the most prominent American player to play in Japan while still in his prime.

I beg your pardon?

[Levi 2592]

On 4/10/2023 at 1:27 PM, Hookem2147 said:

Correct. That 2018 lineup really wasn’t that good and was also pretty weak at the bottom. We had Jake McKenzie, Petrinsky, Tate Shaw and Ryan Reynolds all hitting .256 or worse. McKenzie was basically Jared Thomas that year without the speed and Reynolds was very similar to Jack O’Dowd while getting hit by 18 pitches to inflate his OBP.

That 2018 team had no business sniffing Omaha. As you mentioned, the pitching in the pen was performing way over their head.

I remember Shugart being nails that 2018 season. 

[Fletch 5800]

9 hours ago, Levi said:

I remember Shugart being nails that 2018 season. 

He and Kingham were great. Can't believe the bullpen full of ragtags we threw together. Really fun season. 

 

Missed the Texas st. games. Figured tonight would be difficult with the 5 games in 5 days thing. We'll sweep Baylor and be back on track. Anyone going to waco this weekend remember to bring your rape whistle and don't bring your cat. 

[hornian 5223]

6 hours ago, Fletch said:

He and Kingham were great. Can't believe the bullpen full of ragtags we threw together. Really fun season. 

 

Missed the Texas st. games. Figured tonight would be difficult with the 5 games in 5 days thing. We'll sweep Baylor and be back on track. Anyone going to waco this weekend remember to bring your rape whistle and don't bring your cat. 

Man, I love the elephant-like memory we all collectively have about the cat thing. You'd think that with the murder and rape scandals since then everyone would forget about the cat. But no, its memory lives on. 

[Post Oak 20260]

On 4/10/2023 at 5:52 PM, BachelorTrek said:

Obligatory....  Lulz.

 

[petscii 1189]

1 hour ago, hornian said:

Man, I love the elephant-like memory we all collectively have about the cat thing. You'd think that with the murder and rape scandals since then everyone would forget about the cat. But no, its memory lives on. 

This is why Chris Beard was never going to coach here again after what he did, despite all the dipshits saying otherwise.  It's a double-edge sword.

Edited April 12, 2023 by petscii

[Hookem2147 21353]

Jared Thomas over his last 10 games: 12 for 36 (.333) with 4 walks and a stolen base

[TrashMaster G 17592]

31 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

Jared Thomas over his last 10 games: 12 for 36 (.333) with 4 walks and a stolen base

[Hookem2147 21353]

Was looking at some conference only stats this year compared to last year (so throwing out the midweeks and non conference play). 9 games seems like a large enough sample size to start drawing some conclusions.

-Last year we had a team ERA of 4.99 in conference play. This year is 4.09 so far.

-Batting average against for the pitching staff was .245 in conference play last year. At .251 this year.

-We hit 65 homers last year in conference play (lol). On pace for 34 this year.

-Struck out 7.9 times per game last year. Right at 9 per game this year.

-On the mound, we struck out 8.8 per game last year. At 8.6 this year

-Allowed 28 homers last year. On pace to allow 21 this year.

-Walked an average of 4.5 batters per game last year. At 5 per game this year.

-Stole only 11 bases in 24 conference games last year. On pace for 21 this year.

-Committed 14 errors last year. Only at 2 so far this year.

[ClubWhatever 12156]

Allowed 16 steals last year.  On pace to allow 29 steals this year. 

[HenryJames 66164]

 

[chase25 2048]

Has there been any specific update on Witt and Shaw as to when they would be back?

[Hookem2147 21353]

14 minutes ago, chase25 said:

Has there been any specific update on Witt and Shaw as to when they would be back?

Pierce said Witt was 3 weeks away last week. Maybe that midweek game against Texas Southern in a few weeks is a realistic target date? Seems like a good game to ease someone back in with an inning or two.

No timetable on Shaw but one of the 9.95ers said he didn’t think it was serious and he would be back “soon”.

Edited April 13, 2023 by Hookem2147

[chase25 2048]

43 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

Pierce said Witt was 3 weeks away last week. Maybe that midweek game against Texas Southern in a few weeks is a realistic target date? Seems like a good game to ease someone back in with an inning or two.

No timetable on Shaw but one of the 9.95ers said he didn’t think it was serious and he would be back “soon”.

Good news on Shaw because he has easily been the best arm out of the pen

[TrashMaster G 17592]

I thought we were assured by a surly genius that there is absolutely no chance that Witt pitches for the Longhorns again.

[shadow_operative2.0 16021]

After we were assured that he was our Friday night conference starter. 

[Had Enough 2088]

Well he hasn’t pitched just yet.

But it’s probably in his best interests to show the scouts how far he’s come. At the same time, the worst thing is to come back too soon.

As long as he leads us to the national championship I don’t care when he returns.

[BillyGoatHill 4312]

15 hours ago, chase25 said:

Has there been any specific update on Witt and Shaw as to when they would be back?

Pierce was on the Horn this morning saying that Shaw was due back soon. I can't remember though if he said he is ready for this weekend or next week. 

[Horny Bull 2766]

Hurley to start Saturday

Sunday TBA

Shaw is available this weekend

[HenryJames 66164]

 

[zlavydra 2123]

Baylor's "one-two punch" of Helton and Marriott has to be down there with the 2 worst Friday/Saturday starters in the country.

[Js1 85556]

4 minutes ago, zlavydra said:

Baylor's "one-two punch" of Helton and Marriott has to be down there with the 2 worst Friday/Saturday starters in the country.

So we’re getting no hit? 

[NorthLoop 14233]

11 minutes ago, Js1 said:

So we’re getting no hit? 

We'll make them look like Nolan and Pedro

[cochamps 1879]

34 minutes ago, zlavydra said:

Baylor's "one-two punch" of Helton and Marriott has to be down there with the 2 worst Friday/Saturday starters in the country.

In the immortal words of Sammy Sooousser, "keep it continue".  😂

[TrashMaster G 17592]

1 hour ago, zlavydra said:

Baylor's "one-two punch" of Helton and Marriott has to be down there with the 2 worst Friday/Saturday starters in the country.

More like a 1-2-slap, amirite?

[Hookem2147 21353]

 

[Cajun 11722]

On 4/11/2023 at 4:06 PM, Levi said:

I remember Shugart being nails that 2018 season. 

Nope, not the entire season.  He was a gas can in the first half of it.

[Cajun 11722]

20 hours ago, TrashMaster G said:

I thought we were assured by a surly genius that there is absolutely no chance that Witt pitches for the Longhorns again.

There’s still no chance.

[Valmy77 13273]

33 minutes ago, Cajun said:

There’s still no chance.

Well why doesn't Pierce just say that then? Again if Witt had just left the program last year we all would have understood. I am not sure why you would be publicly announcing a return in three weeks if the opposite had already been decided.

And even if he does return, we don't know how big of a deal that is. He may not be back to his old self for awhile. So no reason to think too much about it until we see something.

[Valmy77 13273]

14 hours ago, HenryJames said:

 

Well that is awesome news. 

[zlavydra 2123]

"It's going to be a little bit of strategically how we handle him to not give up anything towards the team."

Pierce might want to consider enrolling in a remedial English class.

[zlavydra 2123]

On 4/12/2023 at 9:10 AM, hornian said:

Man, I love the elephant-like memory we all collectively have about the cat thing. You'd think that with the murder and rape scandals since then everyone would forget about the cat. But no, its memory lives on. 

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Waco-community-Suspension-too-lenient-for-cat-2020239.php

I'll never let slide any Baylor transgression.

[TrashMaster G 17592]

On 4/12/2023 at 8:10 AM, hornian said:

Man, I love the elephant-like memory we all collectively have about the cat thing. You'd think that with the murder and rape scandals since then everyone would forget about the cat. But no, its memory lives on. 

We must honor Queso's memory.

[Cajun 11722]

3 hours ago, Valmy77 said:

Well why doesn't Pierce just say that then? Again if Witt had just left the program last year we all would have understood. I am not sure why you would be publicly announcing a return in three weeks if the opposite had already been decided.

And even if he does return, we don't know how big of a deal that is. He may not be back to his old self for awhile. So no reason to think too much about it until we see something.

Trust me, I’m getting my information from the scout who told the Judge that Roy Hobbs was a “joke”.

[BERT 4381]

2 hours ago, Cajun said:

Trust me, I’m getting my information from the scout who told the Judge that Roy Hobbs was a “joke”.

Ok, i laughed at this

[ztejas 43531]

I heard Witt is up to 6'9" and he's painting the corners with 107 mph fastballs. 

[Herpa Derpa 6129]

14 minutes ago, ztejas said:

I heard Witt is up to 6'9" and he's painting the corners with 107 mph fastballs. 

He has a pocket full of horses, fucks the shit out of bears.

He threw a knife into heaven, and can kill with a stare.

He made love like an eagle falling out of the sky.

Killed his sensei in a duel and he never said why.

Six foot eight, weighs a fucking ton.

Opponents beware, opponents beware.

He's coming, he's coming, he's coming.

[hornian 5223]

21 minutes ago, Herpa Derpa said:

He has a pocket full of horses, fucks the shit out of bears.

He threw a knife into heaven, and can kill with a stare.

He made love like an eagle falling out of the sky.

Killed his sensei in a duel and he never said why.

Six foot eight, weighs a fucking ton.

Opponents beware, opponents beware.

He's coming, he's coming, he's coming.

That's Washington. And he was 6 foot 20 fucking killing for fun. 

[Dahobbs 17677]

36 minutes ago, hornian said:

That's Washington. And he was 6 foot 20 fucking killing for fun. 

Have you ever seen Washington and Witt in the same room? QED. 

[BERT 4381]

1 hour ago, Herpa Derpa said:

He has a pocket full of horses, fucks the shit out of bears.

He threw a knife into heaven, and can kill with a stare.

He made love like an eagle falling out of the sky.

Killed his sensei in a duel and he never said why.

Six foot eight, weighs a fucking ton.

Opponents beware, opponents beware.

He's coming, he's coming, he's coming.

BILL BRASKY!!

[BachelorTrek 3061]

4 hours ago, zlavydra said:

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Waco-community-Suspension-too-lenient-for-cat-2020239.php

I'll never let slide any Baylor transgression.

IIRC, the cat incident was before all the rapes were covered up by Rapelor's athletic dept, their administration, and every level of LE in the area.

1 hour ago, ztejas said:

I heard Witt is up to 6'9" and he's painting the corners with 107 mph fastballs. 

That'll be $9.95.  Lulz.

Edited April 14, 2023 by BachelorTrek

[YGIFS 19452]

13 minutes ago, BERT said:

BILL BRASKY!!

Well done!

Tanner Witt took me out to a parking lot one day, claiming it was a secret bar.  Sure enough, we stood there for two years as they constructed a bar around us.  When they were done, we had a shot, and Witt burned the place to the ground and screamed, "Always leave things the way you found 'em!"  

[MuellerHorn 4284]

The weekend ahead:

- We finally get to see WVU play a good team in a three-game series. They did take two of three from both Xavier (RPI 37, SOS 70) and Kansas State, but neither are that great. Either way, Texas fans should hope for some sort of split in Stillwater.

- KSU @ KU will help with some separation too. Another series Texas would love to see a split.

- Lastly, Texas needs to sweep Baylor. If that happens, I feel pretty comfortable for now. Although, the TCU series looms large. However, getting Witt back (even if it's just a couple of plus bullpen innings to help close out games) and Shaw back helps a ton.

RPI check:

Edited April 14, 2023 by MuellerHorn
x-posting with some minor edits

[Valmy77 13273]

Sweep Baylor and OU.