Ive been listening to a lot of opinions abt what the season will look like w/ this team, given the new rules and all. And for me, I dont think its a complicated conversation. I love Austin Nola just like everyone else...he had some BIG hits in the DS & the CS last postseason...and caught every single inning of the playoffs. He earned his spot on this team this year. But he only threw out 8 or 9 runners, in 60-some chances last year. And I know most of that was because ALL OF OUR STARTERS were slow to the plate. So, when we talk about some aspect of the game in 2023 that will serve as an equalizer for those teams that dont have big name rosters, the running game is the thing that will make those teams VERY competitive against a club like SD, that doesnt throw out a lot of runners at all. I cant even remember if Campusano has a good throwing arm. But if Preller doesnt plan on signing or trading for a better catcher, then it will be pretty interesting to see how the catching corps responds to the running game against us. 'Cuz you can bet your bottom dollar, its going to look like a track meet against us. Conversely, you have a kid in Tatis who Im hoping, is the leadoff hitter for us, because of his basestealing prowess.
Ive been listening to a lot of opinions abt what the season will look like w/ this team, given the new rules and all. And for me, I dont think its a complicated conversation. I love Austin Nola just like everyone else...he had some BIG hits in the DS & the CS last postseason...and caught every single inning of the playoffs. He earned his spot on this team this year. But he only threw out 8 or 9 runners, in 60-some chances last year. And I know most of that was because ALL OF OUR STARTERS were slow to the plate. So, when we talk about some aspect of the game in 2023 that will serve as an equalizer for those teams that dont have big name rosters, the running game is the thing that will make those teams VERY competitive against a club like SD, that doesnt throw out a lot of runners at all.
I cant even remember if Campusano has a good throwing arm. But if Preller doesnt plan on signing or trading for a better catcher, then it will be pretty interesting to see how the catching corps responds to the running game against us. 'Cuz you can bet your bottom dollar, its going to look like a track meet against us. Conversely, you have a kid in Tatis who Im hoping, is the leadoff hitter for us, because of his basestealing prowess.