# MLB: July 2016 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 1, 2016, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862 "2016-07-01T12:59:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/141 "2016-07-18T12:00:56Z")
My Nats and the Pirates went 18 innings before the Nats fell 2-1 off an 18th-inning homer. Damn! Tough to lose a game like that. But at least we took two out of three from the Buckos. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/142 "2016-07-18T16:32:13Z")
I’m a little late to the discussion of the Pomeranz/Espinoza deal, but as a Red Sox fan, I’ll just say I liked the deal. Now, on to David Price. He lost a tough game 3-1, but he did give up 11 hits to a Yankees club that has been really struggling. Also weird, he only had one strikeout. He falls in love with his fastball way too much sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/143 "2016-07-18T16:54:50Z")
The Sox game last night was pretty tough. With how Tanaka was pitching plus that bullpen fully rested, as soon as Price gave up the 1-0 lead it was pretty much over. Still, road series win to start the second half. A couple of odds and ends: re: pitching prospects and expected outcomes, the most recent update I can find is [here](http://www.thepointofpittsburgh.com/mlb-prospect-surplus-values-2016-updated-edition/), with a table about halfway down the page. For pitchers, there’s a threshold at being a top 50 prospect, and another at being a top 10. I actually would have guessed the “less than 3 WAR” rate (which basically answers the “any significant time in the majors?” question) would have been higher than it is. Top 10 is really where it’s at, though. I also learned this weekend that baseball-reference has full data for the Japanese leagues now. Why did this come up? Because [Shohei Otani](http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=otani-000sho) is currently the best pitcher **and** the best hitter this season, in the second best baseball league in the world. At age 21. With the new posting $ limits, it’s unlikely he’s going to be able to think about moving to MLB until after the 2017 season at the earliest, but keep him in the back of your mind. His stats are better than Darvish’s through the same age, and he’s going to get a TON of money if/when he does come over. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/144 "2016-07-18T17:14:22Z")
I had to look at that twice, and go back to your post, before I was sure I had it right. He’s 8-4 with a 2.27 ERA AND hitting .331 with power. I want him on my team. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/145 "2016-07-18T17:57:55Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I had to look at that twice, and go back to your post, before I was sure I had it right. He’s 8-4 with a 2.27 ERA AND hitting .331 with power. > > I want him on my team. God, I hope at least it’s a NL team that grabs him. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/146 "2016-07-18T18:45:34Z")
We’ll make room for him on the North Side. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/147 "2016-07-18T19:39:15Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > God, I hope at least it’s a NL team that grabs him. Who needs a DH if your pitcher hits like that? An AL team is not obliged to employ the DH. Granted, he comes out if you replace him as the pitcher, but hey, no big deal. On off days he can play a little outfield. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/148 "2016-07-18T23:07:27Z")
Roger Clemens is making a baseball comeback! > **[Roger Clemens is returning to play baseball on the most random roster we've...](https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/roger-clemens-nbc-world-series-baseball-mlb-adam-laroche-roster)** > > This roster is fantastic in its randomness. Who wouldn’t want to watch this? A group of retired, mostly middle of the road MLB players with some All Stars sprinkled in there, playing against college kids. They’re playing in the National Baseball Congress World Series this summer in Wichita, KS. I sincerely hope these games will be televised. The roster: Roger Clemens, pitcher Tim Hudson, pitcher J.D. Drew, outfielder Dan Uggla, infielder Roy Oswalt, pitcher Adam LaRoche, infielder Rick Ankiel, outfielder Brad Penny, pitcher Ben Sheets, pitcher Josh Beckett, pitcher Brandon Inge, infielder Jack Wilson, infielder Nate Robertson, pitcher Brett Tomko, pitcher Jayson Nix, infielder Laynce Nix, outfielder Jason Isringhausen, pitcher Carl Everett, outfielder Ryan Langerhans, outfielder Pete Orr, infielder Koby Clemens, infielder-outfielder Justin Germano, pitcher Koyie Hill, catcher Barry Wesson, outfielder Ryan Kohlmeier, pitcher ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/149 "2016-07-19T04:51:04Z")
I’m guessing that, even in a blowout, Ankiel doesn’t pitch. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/150 "2016-07-19T11:30:28Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Roger Clemens is making a baseball comeback! > > [Roger Clemens is returning to play baseball on the most random roster we’ve ever seen | For The Win](http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/roger-clemens-nbc-world-series-baseball-mlb-adam-laroche-roster) > > Who wouldn’t want to watch this? A group of retired, mostly middle of the road MLB players with some All Stars sprinkled in there, playing against college kids. They’re playing in the National Baseball Congress World Series this summer in Wichita, KS. I sincerely hope these games will be televised. Some guy named Larry Jones also added himself to the roster last night. How much is Mr. Burns paying those guys? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/151 "2016-07-19T13:21:11Z")
Koby Clemens? Boy, can’t wait to see him! ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/152 "2016-07-19T14:37:30Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Some guy named Larry Jones also added himself to the roster last night. How much is Mr. Burns paying those guys? Assuming they’re not getting paid, I am shocked to see JD Drew’s name on that list. There’s a guy, with all his talent, who just always seemed like playing baseball might have barely cracked the top ten things he’s most interested in. Not that he had a bad attitude necessarily, just that baseball was strictly a way to make a living. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/153 "2016-07-19T15:59:41Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Assuming they’re not getting paid, I am shocked to see JD Drew’s name on that list. There’s a guy, with all his talent, who just always seemed like playing baseball might have barely cracked the top ten things he’s most interested in. Not that he had a bad attitude necessarily, just that baseball was strictly a way to make a living. I am pretty sure this reputation stems wholly from the fact that he refused to sign with the Phillies when he was drafted. Cool trivia bit; there have been just five occasions in MLB history when a team has hit four straight homers. J.D. Drew was part of two of them - once with LA, once with Boston. One of the other times it happened, his brother Stephen was part of the parade. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/154 "2016-07-19T16:52:07Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I am pretty sure this reputation stems wholly from the fact that he refused to sign with the Phillies when he was drafted. > > Cool trivia bit; there have been just five occasions in MLB history when a team has hit four straight homers. J.D. Drew was part of two of them - once with LA, once with Boston. One of the other times it happened, his brother Stephen was part of the parade. Terry Francona confirmed JD’s reputation in his book _The Red Sox Years_. Funny you mention the 4 straight homers. One of Francona’s anecdotes about Drew was that right after the back-to-back-to-back-to-back happened (for the 2nd time for Drew) he was telling teammates in the dugout about his offseason hunting trips. You would have never known Drew had been a part of another 4 straight homers. There was some other stuff about Drew in the book, not necessarily negative, but just indicating he didn’t really have a passion for playing. He said in some cases it was actually nice because Drew didn’t feel the pressure like other guys. Also of note, Francona’s dad, Tito Francona, was part of 4 straight homers for the Indians back in the '63. It’s a pretty good book, been out a couple years I think. There aren’t any real big bombshells, though. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/155 "2016-07-19T20:45:31Z")
Cardinals former scouting director Chris Correa got a 46-month prison sentence, and ordered to pay over a quarter-million dollars in restitution, for hacking the Astros’ player database. [Link](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/07/18/former-cardinals-scout-sentenced-to-46-months-in-jail-for-hacking-astros/) Be interesting to see how MLB deals with the issue of penalties for the club. Reading about the issue on various sites, there seems to be something of a consensus that Correa did this on his own, and that he was sacked by the Cards pretty much as soon as they found out about it. They might end up with a slap on the wrist, if MLB also takes that view. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/156 "2016-07-19T21:07:14Z")
Four years for hacking baseball stats. Ouch. And whoever mentioned Larry Jones regarding the old timers’ team…good one. Flew right over my head until I just now saw that Chipper was added. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/157 "2016-07-20T01:55:42Z")
Wonder if Indians setup man Bryan Shaw is going to bribe the Cleveland Plain Dealer not to write any more glowing stories about his pitching success. [This tribute](http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/07/cleveland_indians_set-up_man_b.html) appeared in Monday’s paper. Monday night Shaw comes into the game against K.C. in the bottom of the 8th in relief of Kluber (7 innings, 5 hits, no runs) and gives up three hits and two walks to tie the game (it would’ve been worse except a Royals baserunner was out at third trying to stretch a double into a triple). Shaw comes out. Manship relieves, gives up a base hit (and the lead) and then a grand slam. Final, K.C. 7, Indians 2. I suspect Cleveland will be dealing for relief help in the near future. \*to be fair, Shaw (before last night, anyway) had a 1.67 ERA in his last 35 games. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/158 "2016-07-20T06:15:43Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > That was my first thought too, but then I realized that Walkoff triples are really rare. Triples are rare to begin with. Pirates won on a walk-off triple tonight. With no-one on base, Josh Harrison cracked one to the wall in center-right. He motored around second, dived into third just ahead of a somewhat errant throw, which was missed by the third baseman, allowing Harrison to make it all the way home. Scored as a triple and an error. [Video](http://m.mlb.com/video/v945906983/milpit-bucs-walk-off-on-harrisons-triple-error/?game_pk=448266) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/159 "2016-07-20T13:26:53Z")
I do not believe that would be accredited to Harrison as a walk off triple. Technically he scored as the result of an error, not a triple. In scoring terms, the error is a subsequent play. Had he scored as a result of his own action it would have been, by definition, a home run. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/160 "2016-07-20T15:35:30Z")
Another night, another spectacular save for Jeurys (“Adventures In Closing”) Familia, more profits for the makers of Xanax and Ativan. With a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, he loads the bases with none out (two walks and an infield hit), then gets out of it with a play at the plate and a double play. The headline [“Familia escapes jam in 9th”](http://www.si.com/game/11529306) should be recycled ad nauseum to save time and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome in those who type up stories for sports websites. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862.md?page=9)