thundercleetz

We are eighth in the league in OBP at .326. I am not sure how much of that was attributable to our 8-1 start, but we are tenth in hits and only eighteenth in runs. I am guessing the difference is BA RISP. Either way, Machado and Davis are really our only OBP guys. Rickards advanced metrics suggest he won't hold up over the long term and he's not walking very much. Trumbo has a high OBP now, but will he come back down to earth? Or is he our next Cruz? I would like to get Kim and Reimold more at bats. Their plate approaches have been very solid this year. Álvarez has had good at bats and hopefully he is turning the corner. Wieters needs to step it up. He's losing himself a lot of money this season.

How'd Michael Oher and Matt Elam work out for us?

There is no doubt about it, Flaherty's major league stats are miserable. He hasn't had a full season of at bats at one level since 2011, which was an excellent year for him. It was his performance in the minors that had us thinking he would be a solid major leaguer. Good balance of power, on base skills and defense. To this day he has a patient plate approach. Was Flaherty brought up to the majors too early as a Rule 5 guy? Yes, he certainly could have used more seasoning. As a result he's had to develop in the majors through utility roles and inconsistent at bats. Sort of reminds me of Jeff Fiorentino: Had a couple of awesome minor league seasons then was rushed to the majors and was never given a fair opportunity to develope.

This draft comes down to one comparison: the careers of Stanley, Correa and Kaufusi versus Ramsey and Jack. Ultimately, that is the decision we made on our own accord passing on those two guys.

Hardy isn't hitting or getting on base. Take away two 302 foot pop flies to right field in Fenway and he has nothing to show for the year. I think Flaherty could offer more for our lineup, while only a little drop off in infield defense. Janish plays great defense but he is essentially an automatic out at the plate. Álvarez is miserable in the field but him playing third would allow Kim and Reimold to get more ABs. I think Flaherty at third is the best option and hope he can settle in and produce the way someone of his talent is capable of.

Jaguars are not picking up Luke Joeckel's option. Former second pick in the draft supposed to be their LT for the next decade. Same with the Chiefs and Eric Fisher, Titans and Taylor Lewan... And if you want to go back to 2009 there was Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith and Michael Oher. LTs ARE NOT safe picks. Ravens wanted pass rush but passed on Buckner. I wonder if Stanley was rated higher on their board than Buckner?

Hardy has a hairline fracture: 6-8 weeks. I think Flaherty is the better long-term option to play third, back up the middle infield. Alvarez can also play third allowing Reimold and Kim to get ABs. We know what Janish provides with his bat. I don't think Flaherty has been given a sufficient opportunity to show what he can do with consistent ABs. I like his approach so I think it's worth the shot.

JJ Hardy potentially has a fractured foot from the foul ball. I would guess Flaherty to third and Manny to short. I like Flaherty. Let's see what he can do with consistent at bats.

Haha no I didn't take it directed at me at all! I very much enjoy and look forward to reading your opinion. Most of the time I agree with you (I think I like Dixon more than you do, but other than that I agree with your sentiment on our draft). Take Moore for example, here's a guy who doesn't pass the eye test nor does he grade out well in sabremetrics. I don't like the pick. I think the Ravens justification for taking him was weak and purely because they think they can put him at flanker to get a free release, and he can run under Joe Flacco passes off of play-action. But every scouting report and advanced statistic will tell you he wasn't worth a fourth round pick. Put him with the Ravens organization and its track record for developing receivers and it's even worse.

RB fumble rates the past two draft classes: 2016 http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25496353/nfl-draft-running-back-fumble-rates 2015 http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25092869/nfl-draft-fumble-rate-among-rb-prospects

I don't think there is a right or wrong way to evaluate players. If you have an experienced eye, know what to look for, have looked at the tape, that is great. I am from the new school of saber metrics: advanced stats, information, trends, numbers, etc.. Maybe that is because I am in finance and my strength is in numbers and picking up trends. This is why I rely on PFF. I have also read Pat Kirwan's "Take Your Eye Off The Ball" and try to incorporate that into my evaluation when I watch football. Technology is much better than it was twenty, fifteen, ten years ago. We have much more information that SHOULD go into player evaluations than simply the eye test. It would be foolish not to consider saber metrics. The bottom line is there are 32 GMs, each of them has learned from the best and knows what to look for. If there was a tried and true way of evaluating players, no one would be fired. We know this isn't true. There is nothing wrong with collecting opinions of what other people post. No one here is passing those opinions off as their own. They are sharing the information, trying to pick up trends, reinforcing with the eye ball test when available and appropriate.

Good summary from PFF: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/30/draft-2016-nfl-draft-grades-for-all-32-teams/

Very hard to disagree with him. It seems our best player available grade places too much weight nowadays on character and is over sensitive to injuries.

Schefter reported the Ravens were going to take Tunsil and had him higher on the board than Stanley until the video came out.

Eh running backs are a dime a dozen. I like the idea of having a group of mid-round guys with talent who had great college production fight it out letting the best one stand out. I wouldn't take an RB before the fourth round. I think the Dixon pick is solid.

PFF likes Dixon a lot. Had a second round grade on him. Good receiving back. Trestman likes RB's who can catch the ball. This might be a good fit for us.

I like what I am reading on Matt Judon. I don't know, just not very impressed by our fourth round picks. Seems like we got a lot of low ceiling, developmental guys.

Yeah I just don't see how we had Moore rated higher than Cooper. Character seems to be heavily weighted in our BPA grade nowadays. No one has a higher character grade than Cooper. I would have sworn he'd be a red star player or whatever Vince Newsome calls it. I think we'll regret passing Cooper. Great pick for the Rams.

Getting off the press is definitely a question mark. However, he has the tools to develop (long arms and good short shuttle time). Needs to add strength. I like his ability to track the deep ball and attack the ball at its high point. Hands are bad, appears to make the tough catches but drops the easy ones. It's not the talent, it's the coaching I'm concerned about. We haven't developed a receiver yet that can get off the press, which doesn't bode well for Moore's development.

I like the Young pick. At this point you're either getting a physical talent that is raw or a guy lacking a physical tool (height) but has talent. Young has playmaking skills. He may never be anything more than a slot corner but that has great value in the league today. As far as the Moore pick: I love Moore as a talent. I'm not worried about the 40 time. However, he is raw as a route runner. We have a terrible track record of developing receivers. If Moore went to the Steelers, Saints or Pats, he would likely become a good player. I doubt our ability to develop a player like Moore. I think of Demetrius Williams when I see Moore. Lots of downfield talent but will he ever develop with us? I would have preferred a polished player like Pharoh Cooper. Cooper is an average athlete but has outstanding FBI and production against top competition with crappy QBs throwing him the ball.

Tavon Young scouting report from PFF. Played excellent against first rounder Will Fuller. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/03/31/draft-pff-scouting-report-tavon-young-cb-temple/

I love Pharoh Cooper. I could see him as a Ravens red star player. Average physical traits, but extremely smart, disciplined, strong and has good quickness.

PFF loves the Kaufusi pick gave us an A. His skill set and production is very intriguing. Coming from BYU he's already 24 years-old. Being a little more physically mature he should be able to contribute right away in the right sets. Kaufusi is my favorite pick by far. I am warming up to Stanley. Still skeptical on his potential warranting the sixth pick. I don't like the Correa pick. Seems very raw. Typical Ravens second rounder choosing a good potential, high risk player. Would have liked to see a more polished player.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/27/draft-7-pass-rush-specialists-in-the-2016-nfl-draft-class/ PFF gave us a C+. I hope the kid can develop quickly, but he looks raw. Hard not to think he'll take a few years to develop then leave in FA after only one productive year for us. Typical second round pick.

PFF gave us a B- for the Stanley pick. Stated he was the #16 player on their board and that we may regret passing up Buckner (#2 player on their board). PFF gave the Niners an A+ for the Buckner pick.