Super Sunday Links 11 December 2011

by Timothy De Block on Dec 11, 2011 9:01 AM CST in Link Dumps

Little late getting these up, but here they are, enjoy.

Interviews and Profiles

What the Heck, Bobby?: An Interview with LHP Kyle Hallock
Interview with Kyle Hallock

Ultimate Astros " How does Brad Mills fit into the Astros future?
Steven Campbell with an interesting profile on Mills and his analytical side. It sounds like he's got the right idea, he just needs to work out some of the kinks (playing Sanchez more than Downs).

Winter Meetings interview with Brad Mills | astros.com: News
Q and A with Brad Mills

Contracts and Business

A Graphic Look at MLB Contracts, the 100 Milli Club - Beyond the Box Score
Who's got the best/worst contracts in baseball? Is anyone who is given a $100M+ contract set up to under-produce compared to the cost paid?

Hutchings returns home to run Rockets-Astros network - Houston Chronicle
It appears the Astros and Rockets RSN has found their general manager.

Drafting

2011 Rule 5 Baseball Draft Results and Reports - Minor League Ball
By John Sickels

Rhiner Cruz? 1st Pick? Seriously? | FanGraphs Baseball
If you thought Cruz was a confusing pick, you weren't the only one.

Pitchability

Commanding the Zone | FanGraphs Baseball
By Josh Weinstock

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I enjoyed the Kyle Hallock interview on whattheheckbobbyheck. He sounds like he knows what his game is and how to get better.

Next year will be a big year for him, but with his better than expected velocity this year, he could have a bigger upside than Keuchel if his velocity holds next year.

by conroestro on Dec 11, 2011 10:59 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I liked it too

I didn’t think his velocity could get up to 92, that really surprised me. He seems like the kind that could move up quickly, I hope as a starter.

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 11, 2011 2:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

another thing to take from the interview

Leading up to the draft, long toss regimens was a hot topic with Dylan bundy and Trevor Bauer saying they were very particular on who drafted them because some teams won’t allow long toss type workouts. I speculated that the Astros were the type that wouldn’t allow it since they tend to be pretty formal and not into progressive type training. (remember the hunter pence training video)

It’s interesting that Hallock has been doing long toss. Now, ling toss has come to include throwing 120-150 feet as a warm-up but the fact he included it may indicate that the Astros actually do endorse long toss and that some of the arms in the system could eventually increase arm strength if they are projectable.

by Subber10 on Dec 11, 2011 6:56 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

I remember that being a thing when Bundy was signing, but I had never heard anything as far as the Astros stance on long toss.

by conroestro on Dec 11, 2011 7:06 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

It hasn’t been an issue, but based off interviews, very few organizations allow long toss. I speculated that the Astros were one that didn’t because they don’t seem to be progressive in training regimens. Purely speculation. But this may show otherwise.

by Subber10 on Dec 12, 2011 4:58 AM CST up reply actions

I see. Hopefully that is the case.

by conroestro on Dec 12, 2011 9:49 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I thought the long toss issue had to do with the distance of the long toss, i.e., most teams allow some long toss, but only a few allow or encourage the higher distance long toss. I could be wrong about that though.

by clack on Dec 12, 2011 10:42 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah that’s what I meant with the 120-150 ft long toss as a warmup. It’s not exactly a long toss workout, it’s just long enough to warmup but not really enough for a workout

by Subber10 on Dec 12, 2011 11:36 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

If Heck leaves the organization as a result of front office changes, I wonder if this web site will change its name (What the Heck, Bobby).

by clack on Dec 12, 2011 10:51 AM CST up reply actions

I wondered that too. Seems like they may change it, or they may just say what the heck and leave it the way it is.

by conroestro on Dec 12, 2011 11:09 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Off-topic

But the Houston Texans are the 2011 AFC South Champions.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Dec 11, 2011 3:24 PM CST reply actions

Watched the game. Exciting ending.

by clack on Dec 11, 2011 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

CRAZY ending

I wasn’t expecting them to win, but I’m very happy that we did. Should win out now. (Knocks on wood)

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 11, 2011 3:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Houston sports history, right there.

That game will be a classic in years to come.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Dec 11, 2011 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

That is so awesome.

Congrats, Texans fans (and GET SOME, Bud Adams! :P lol)

by mike_o on Dec 11, 2011 9:40 PM CST up reply actions

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	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Cincinnati Red Reporter	25	20	.555	0	Lost 1
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	25	21	.543	0.5	Lost 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	22	23	.488	3	Won 4
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	21	24	.466	4	Won 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	19	26	.422	6	Won 2
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