Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
IDK….call me jaded
Cards Baseball has wasted 5,6,7yrs on the same exact premise that these young players just needed more time to develop and for whatever reason training they toiled at each offseason….AOF and others come back with their same replies…….his the list of “just need more speed swing vids, driveline career enhancers, etc that were going to put ALL these fine young fellas over the top…late 20’s come….and oh my they’re no better
PDJ
Bader
TO
Carlson
Noot
Ole Noot is 28yrs old AOF has honking his horn and his great Driveline Vids for YEARS…..the guy is the same guy, maybe worse, than when this all started
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
It’s amazing that you’re so hellbent on arguing that you can’t even admit that he was rushed to the big leagues prior to showing the proficiency he needed to demonstrate in AAA.
You ever stop to think what exactly you’re beefing about? Or are you just mad all the time?
Who’s mad?? You’re upset that I’m calling [nonsense] on this Goold puff piece about an offseason of career resurrection….it’s like ground hog day
Here the list of our favorite “youngsters” over the years who weren’t very good but had Great Training that offseason….so watch out
PDJ
Bader
TO
Carlson
Perhaps they’re just not very good…….perhaps there’s no upside…..perhaps like the group above the Cards figure this out finally around age 28
I’ve written this many times
GORMAN AND WALKER great flaws were exposed and they haven’t and probably can’t adjust…..that’s it
And if there were the right eyes in the organization the Cards might know this before they waste 5-6yrs on washouts…..
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
It’s amazing that you’re so hellbent on arguing that you can’t even admit that he was rushed to the big leagues prior to showing the proficiency he needed to demonstrate in AAA.
You ever stop to think what exactly you’re beefing about? Or are you just mad all the time?
Who’s mad?? You’re upset that I’m calling [nonsense] on this Goold puff piece about an offseason of career resurrection….it’s like ground hog day
Here the list of our favorite “youngsters” over the years who weren’t very good but had Great Training that offseason….so watch out
PDJ
Bader
TO
Carlson
Perhaps they’re just not very good…….perhaps there’s no upside…..perhaps like the group above the Cards figure this out finally around age 28
I’ve written this many times
GORMAN AND WALKER great flaws were exposed and they haven’t and probably can’t adjust…..that’s it
And if there were the right eyes in the organization the Cards might know this before they waste 5-6yrs on washouts…..
I forgot you Fav Driveline Guy……Ole Noot
Noot ‘25 stats
.234, .325, .686, 13HR, 48RBI in the most games he’s EVER played in a season 135
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
Welcome to the club with Old Friend, etc of those who have figured him out!
You could probably substitute “miserable” with “mad” all the time.
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
Welcome to the club with Old Friend, etc of those who have figured him out!
You could probably substitute “miserable” with “mad” all the time.
Fellas….I’m probably the most fun and happiest MFer you’ll ever be around. I am tired of (bleep) Cards baseball and very curious why “good” baseball fans such as yourself can’t see a spade for a spade
But if it makes y’all feel better this offseason living in fantasy land that JW figured out how to relax his muscles…..have at it
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
Welcome to the club with Old Friend, etc of those who have figured him out!
You could probably substitute “miserable” with “mad” all the time.
Fellas….I’m probably the most fun and happiest MFer you’ll ever be around. I am tired of (bleep) Cards baseball and very curious why “good” baseball fans such as yourself can’t see a spade for a spade
But if it makes y’all feel better this offseason living in fantasy land that JW figured out how to relax his muscles…..have at it
It’s an opinion forum and the opinions all seem to be the same.
I’m sure you’re a load of laughs in person.
Good for you!
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
Welcome to the club with Old Friend, etc of those who have figured him out!
You could probably substitute “miserable” with “mad” all the time.
Fellas….I’m probably the most fun and happiest MFer you’ll ever be around. I am tired of (bleep) Cards baseball and very curious why “good” baseball fans such as yourself can’t see a spade for a spade
But if it makes y’all feel better this offseason living in fantasy land that JW figured out how to relax his muscles…..have at it
It’s an opinion forum and the opinions all seem to be the same.
I’m sure you’re a load of laughs in person.
Good for you!
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
IDK….call me jaded
Cards Baseball has wasted 5,6,7yrs on the same exact premise that these young players just needed more time to develop and for whatever reason training they toiled at each offseason….AOF and others come back with their same replies…….his the list of “just need more speed swing vids, driveline career enhancers, etc that were going to put ALL these fine young fellas over the top…late 20’s come….and oh my they’re no better
PDJ
Bader
TO
Carlson
Noot
Ole Noot is 28yrs old AOF has honking his horn and his great Driveline Vids for YEARS…..the guy is the same guy, maybe worse, than when this all started
You and many others understand that training and practice is just that and nothing
more, that they will still need on the field production to be meaningful. The reports
don't say he is now Albert in the RHB. Just that he is working, we expect that, what he is
working on, and he says he feels good.
These are nothing more than off season reports about players that may be a part
of the Cardinals future. Tidbits. Preferred actually over the every player that has
rumored to be dealt. Report on the players that might be ID'd as part of 2026.
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
Welcome to the club with Old Friend, etc of those who have figured him out!
You could probably substitute “miserable” with “mad” all the time.
Fellas….I’m probably the most fun and happiest MFer you’ll ever be around. I am tired of (bleep) Cards baseball and very curious why “good” baseball fans such as yourself can’t see a spade for a spade
But if it makes y’all feel better this offseason living in fantasy land that JW figured out how to relax his muscles…..have at it
It’s an opinion forum and the opinions all seem to be the same.
I’m sure you’re a load of laughs in person.
Good for you!
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 09:06 am
Yea, seems like every offseason there is a story about whoever going to Driveline, or whatever facility, and the guy talks about what they're working on and how good they feel.
But it's still a good read. Good to see that he's recognizing some of the things that were pretty obvious the last few years. Hoping it works, because I don't want to give up on the guy. This is probably his last year that he's going to be given a shot like this. Hope he takes advantage.
I hear ya. Every off-season has stories like this. They usually prove to be fools gold. But not always, so there's reason to hope. We've seen glimpses of Walker's ability to hit. He's running out of chances to transform those glimpses into the norm.
They rushed the process. He was on an excellent trajectory but Mozeliak hijacked it I think in the interest of a PR win when it was evident that he still needed further development. I’m hoping he’s still young and impressionable enough that they can salvage him.
He spent 85 games at Memphis in ‘24…..at no point during that stent neither JW or anyone else in the entire org coached him to relax his muscles, close his stance, or lay off the slider off the plate???? Brown made the comment last season that he wasn’t putting in the time or listening to coaching
But to you he was RUSHED. Perhaps he doesn’t want to listen AND doesn’t have the talent to succeed in MLB
We all know that you find the gray cloud around every silver lining. That's ok. Many of us choose to look at the bright side of a story like this. Many of these players are kids we watch play baseball. They all mature at their own pace. Maybe this offseason is JW's time. How mature were you at 23? I was not a very good listener.
Welcome to the club with Old Friend, etc of those who have figured him out!
You could probably substitute “miserable” with “mad” all the time.
Fellas….I’m probably the most fun and happiest MFer you’ll ever be around. I am tired of (bleep) Cards baseball and very curious why “good” baseball fans such as yourself can’t see a spade for a spade
But if it makes y’all feel better this offseason living in fantasy land that JW figured out how to relax his muscles…..have at it
It’s an opinion forum and the opinions all seem to be the same.
I’m sure you’re a load of laughs in person.
Good for you!
How about “Don’t Get Fooled Again”
You forgot your emojis Mr. Sunshine.
Cuse, I think you and I want an exciting winning Cards Baseball team in the near future. I just have great frustration with prolonged MLB tryouts for obvious underwhelming talent. Hopefully Bloom has less patience for this past process
In the minors he was hitting ground balls at about a 45% rate. In St. Louis that was transformed into a 65% rate. The Cardinals sent him down to work on his swing so that his line drive and fly ball rates could go up, but he refused to make any changes. His stance was open to excess, muscle tighter than a drum head. MLB pitchers caught up on his issues and destroyed him.
Going into last year he made some minor changes, was chasing sliders out of the zone less often, but was not making enough contact. When he did make contact he seldom seemed to get the sweet spot on the ball.
It will be interesting if he can find the best way to utilize that muscular, big frame.
In addition, his bat does look more like a tooth pick than a baseball bat in his hands.
DwaininAztec wrote: ↑30 Nov 2025 13:56 pm
In the minors he was hitting ground balls at about a 45% rate. In St. Louis that was transformed into a 65% rate. The Cardinals sent him down to work on his swing so that his line drive and fly ball rates could go up, but he refused to make any changes. His stance was open to excess, muscle tighter than a drum head. MLB pitchers caught up on his issues and destroyed him.
Going into last year he made some minor changes, was chasing sliders out of the zone less often, but was not making enough contact. When he did make contact he seldom seemed to get the sweet spot on the ball.
It will be interesting if he can find the best way to utilize that muscular, big frame.
In addition, his bat does look more like a tooth pick than a baseball bat in his hands.
One caveat - yes, they sent him back with a mandate but lacked the experience or instructional capabilities to put him in the best position to succeed. It’s literally why Bloom is overhauling the way they develop players.
They had Trackman / Rapsodo technology in the minors sitting unused because no one in the org knew what to do with them.
DwaininAztec wrote: ↑30 Nov 2025 13:56 pm
In the minors he was hitting ground balls at about a 45% rate. In St. Louis that was transformed into a 65% rate. The Cardinals sent him down to work on his swing so that his line drive and fly ball rates could go up, but he refused to make any changes. His stance was open to excess, muscle tighter than a drum head. MLB pitchers caught up on his issues and destroyed him.
Going into last year he made some minor changes, was chasing sliders out of the zone less often, but was not making enough contact. When he did make contact he seldom seemed to get the sweet spot on the ball.
It will be interesting if he can find the best way to utilize that muscular, big frame.
In addition, his bat does look more like a tooth pick than a baseball bat in his hands.
One caveat - yes, they sent him back with a mandate but lacked the experience or instructional capabilities to put him in the best position to succeed. It’s literally why Bloom is overhauling the way they develop players.
They had Trackman / Rapsodo technology in the minors sitting unused because no one in the org knew what to do with them.
Ryan Ludwick, who appears to be a very good hitting instructor, personally worked with JW. I have no idea what Trackman/Rapsodo tech is….but is it that complicated to tell a hitter to relax and explode……or for the hitter to start realizing what a SLIDER is? This isn’t rocket science AOF. Somehow they actually had pretty successful MLB players before Driveline and Trackman Perhaps all this tech is mindphucking these poor kids…..too much data and thinking at the plate
DwaininAztec wrote: ↑30 Nov 2025 13:56 pm
In the minors he was hitting ground balls at about a 45% rate. In St. Louis that was transformed into a 65% rate. The Cardinals sent him down to work on his swing so that his line drive and fly ball rates could go up, but he refused to make any changes. His stance was open to excess, muscle tighter than a drum head. MLB pitchers caught up on his issues and destroyed him.
Going into last year he made some minor changes, was chasing sliders out of the zone less often, but was not making enough contact. When he did make contact he seldom seemed to get the sweet spot on the ball.
It will be interesting if he can find the best way to utilize that muscular, big frame.
In addition, his bat does look more like a tooth pick than a baseball bat in his hands.
One caveat - yes, they sent him back with a mandate but lacked the experience or instructional capabilities to put him in the best position to succeed. It’s literally why Bloom is overhauling the way they develop players.
They had Trackman / Rapsodo technology in the minors sitting unused because no one in the org knew what to do with them.
Ryan Ludwick, who appears to be a very good hitting instructor, personally worked with JW. I have no idea what Trackman/Rapsodo tech is….but is it that complicated to tell a hitter to relax and explode……or for the hitter to start realizing what a SLIDER is? This isn’t rocket science AOF. Somehow they actually had pretty successful MLB players before Driveline and Trackman Perhaps all this tech is mindphucking these poor kids…..too much data and thinking at the plate
DwaininAztec wrote: ↑30 Nov 2025 13:56 pm
In the minors he was hitting ground balls at about a 45% rate. In St. Louis that was transformed into a 65% rate. The Cardinals sent him down to work on his swing so that his line drive and fly ball rates could go up, but he refused to make any changes. His stance was open to excess, muscle tighter than a drum head. MLB pitchers caught up on his issues and destroyed him.
Going into last year he made some minor changes, was chasing sliders out of the zone less often, but was not making enough contact. When he did make contact he seldom seemed to get the sweet spot on the ball.
It will be interesting if he can find the best way to utilize that muscular, big frame.
In addition, his bat does look more like a tooth pick than a baseball bat in his hands.
One caveat - yes, they sent him back with a mandate but lacked the experience or instructional capabilities to put him in the best position to succeed. It’s literally why Bloom is overhauling the way they develop players.
They had Trackman / Rapsodo technology in the minors sitting unused because no one in the org knew what to do with them.
Ryan Ludwick, who appears to be a very good hitting instructor, personally worked with JW. I have no idea what Trackman/Rapsodo tech is….but is it that complicated to tell a hitter to relax and explode……or for the hitter to start realizing what a SLIDER is? This isn’t rocket science AOF. Somehow they actually had pretty successful MLB players before Driveline and Trackman Perhaps all this tech is mindphucking these poor kids…..too much data and thinking at the plate
Surprisingly good post, Mr. Sunshine.
If only we could recreate Stan Musial batting at the Driveline facility. Would love to hear their analysis on Stan The Man and his bat to ball skills.
He probably would come out of there so confused that his .333 lifetime average would have cratered quickly. lol
DwaininAztec wrote: ↑30 Nov 2025 13:56 pm
In the minors he was hitting ground balls at about a 45% rate. In St. Louis that was transformed into a 65% rate. The Cardinals sent him down to work on his swing so that his line drive and fly ball rates could go up, but he refused to make any changes. His stance was open to excess, muscle tighter than a drum head. MLB pitchers caught up on his issues and destroyed him.
Going into last year he made some minor changes, was chasing sliders out of the zone less often, but was not making enough contact. When he did make contact he seldom seemed to get the sweet spot on the ball.
It will be interesting if he can find the best way to utilize that muscular, big frame.
In addition, his bat does look more like a tooth pick than a baseball bat in his hands.
One caveat - yes, they sent him back with a mandate but lacked the experience or instructional capabilities to put him in the best position to succeed. It’s literally why Bloom is overhauling the way they develop players.
They had Trackman / Rapsodo technology in the minors sitting unused because no one in the org knew what to do with them.
Ryan Ludwick, who appears to be a very good hitting instructor, personally worked with JW. I have no idea what Trackman/Rapsodo tech is….but is it that complicated to tell a hitter to relax and explode……or for the hitter to start realizing what a SLIDER is? This isn’t rocket science AOF. Somehow they actually had pretty successful MLB players before Driveline and Trackman Perhaps all this tech is mindphucking these poor kids…..too much data and thinking at the plate
Surprisingly good post, Mr. Sunshine.
If only we could recreate Stan Musial batting at the Driveline facility. Would love to hear their analysis on Stan The Man and his bat to ball skills.
He probably would come out of there so confused that his .333 lifetime average would have cratered quickly. lol
Exactly….they create speed swing, launch angle robots and then wonder why they can’t adapt to the real game….
Perhaps all this tech is mindphucking these poor kids…..too much data and thinking at the plate