Sunday Notes: Josh Rojas Read Ben Clemens’s June 18 Article

Josh Rojas has turned himself into a plus defender. My colleague Ben Clemens chronicled that advancement last month, citing the Mariners infielder’s improved ability to go to his left as a primary reason for his markedly-better metrics. Exactly what type of adjustments have allowed the 30-year-old third baseman to turn the proverbial corner with his glove? I happened to be in Cleveland when Seattle began a road series against the Guardians on the day Ben’s article ran, so was able to get the answer right from the horse’s mouth.

“It was a matter of adjusting what works best for me reacting to balls left and right,” Rojas told me. “It has to do with my preset. Not getting down too early, not getting down too late. Picking up contact points. Another thing that helps is knowing how the ball usually comes off guys’ bats when certain pitchers are throwing. There is constant communication between me, the pitching coaches, and Bone [infield coach Perry Hill] on what the plan is for the series.”

The preset is what I was most interested in, so I asked the erstwhile Arizona Diamondback — Rojas became a Mariner at last July’s trade deadline — if he could elaborate.

“It’s the same as base-running, or any other way you’re trying to be explosive,” explained Rojas, whom Seattle acquired along with Ryan Bliss and Dominic Canzone in exchange for Paul Sewald. “It’s finding a good place to start that allows you to move quickly. Last year, I played with a setup that I thought worked for me, and as you can tell from the numbers it was only efficient going one way, which was to my backhand side.

“I was more walking into it,” Rojas added. “I would kind of go left-right-hop, and try to time it up from there. It felt good, but it was a little late for going left. This year, I’m just starting at a standstill, trying to get my feet as close as I can to where I want them to end. Then it’s just a simple hop and timing up the pitch.”

The degree to which Perry Hill deserves credit for Rojas’s improvement isn’t totally clear. The player explained that while he had conversations with the highly-regarded infield instructor during spring training, no specific preset was pushed upon him. As for Hill’s explanation, let’s just say that getting him to take credit is like pulling teeth. Asked how much of a role he played, the 72-year-old “Bone” would only say that it is all about the player, and that Rojas worked hard.

He did touch on some of the adjustments that were made.

“In the past, when I saw him in Arizona, he played too shallow,” said Hill. “He’s playing deeper now, which allows him to get better angles. You field and throw with your feet, so you have to get the angles, get to balls in a position where you’re ready to throw. He’s worked really hard on that. He’s also picked up an area at home plate to look at, especially to right-handed hitters, which helps him get a better first-step jump. That down-and-in pitch is usually going to be what gets hit hard in his direction.”

In Rojas’s opinion, the emphasis on contact points has played an even bigger role than his setup.

“One thing Bone did suggest was focusing on that,” said Rojas. “That way, when the ball is inside of that contact point, I know that it is going to end up to my right, and if it’s outside of that contact point it’s probably going to end up right at me, or to my left. I think that was the biggest thing he suggested that has worked for me really well this year.”

And if you’re wondering, yes, Rojas read Ben’s article. As a matter of fact, he’d done so by the time I approached him in Cleveland’s visiting clubhouse. I learned as much when I asked if it’s nice to look at his defensive metrics and see just how good he’s been.

“I haven’t actually looked at them yet, but Bone has told me that they’re better this year,” said Rojas. “I also read the article that came out today and saw that some of the numbers are better. But I try not to get too caught up in that. I just try to prepare, and make all the plays I can for our pitching staff.”

———

RANDOM HITTER-PITCHER MATCHUPS

Ossee Schrecongost went 3 for 3 against Harry Kane.

Ollie Brown went 7 for 10 against Joe Decker.

George Watkins went 10 for 14 against Mace Brown.

Skip Schumaker went 2 for 4 against Taylor Jordan.

David Bell went 2 for 5 against Kevin Pickford.

———

Rob Refsnyder was first quoted here at Sunday Notes on July 12, 2015, one day after he’d made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. The veteran outfielder now plays for the Red Sox, so I ventured into Boston’s home clubhouse to ask him about the nine-years-ago experience — not so much his 0-for-3 first game, but rather his next-day 2-for-4 at the same venue.

“It was an exciting time,” Refsnyder told me on the anniversary of that two-hit effort. “Being able to get the first hit, and first home run, on my second day was pretty cool. Then there was the All-Star break. I spent a couple of days in New York, played in two games against Seattle, then got sent down [to Triple-A} for Brendan Ryan. It was a whirlwind weeklong period.”

In some respects, nine years is a short period of time. In other respects — this is especially true in baseball — it qualifies as a long time. Refsnyder appreciates that he’s still wearing a big-league uniform at the no-longer-young age of 33, and the arc of his journey is one of the reasons why. As he pointed out in our recent conversation, he’s been designated for assignment five times. Of course, his days of worrying about job security are mostly a thing of the past. Since signing with Boston prior to the 2022 season, Refsnyder has a 123 wRC+ while filling a valuable platoon role. On the eve of this year’s All-Star break, he is slashing .304/.399/.466 with a 141 wRC+.

Also notable in the former fifth-round pick’s journey is that he is the only player drafted and signed by the Yankees in 2012 who remains on a big-league roster. Moreover, the only other players from that draft to debut in pinstripes were Nick Goody, James Pazos, and Brady Lail. New York’s scouting department has hit some home runs — they brought Aaron Judge into the fold the following year — but their 2012 yield serves as ample proof that crystal balls are in short supply throughout draft rooms.

Refsnyder hasn’t paid much attention to the amateur draft since entering pro ball, but he did offer a few thoughts when the subject was broached.

“I think it’s cool how fast guys are coming up now,” said Refsnyder. “It’s a testament to how much better the development is at the college level. The technology, the information, better coaching. I think the [scouting] departments know what they’re looking for information-wise, and what they’re targeting. It’s a lot more efficient than when I was drafted. I think they’re better able to quantify what’s going to work.”

———

A quiz:

Which player has the most hits in modern era (since 1901) Chicago Cubs franchise history?

The answer can be found below.

———

NEWS NOTES

Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen will make his MLB regular-season debut today, filling in for Jon Sciambi on Marquee Sports Network when the Chicago Cubs play the St. Louis Cardinals. Cohen, who was honored as Baseball Digest’s 2023 Broadcaster of the Year, was a guest on FanGraphs Audio in June 2021.

A reminder that this year’s national SABR convention will be held in downtown Minneapolis from August 7-11. The list of featured speakers, which includes several Minnesota Twins luminaries, can be found here.

——-

The answer to the quiz is Ernie Banks, whose 2,583 career hits all came with the Cubs. Billy Williams, who recorded 2,510 hits with Chicago’s North Side club, ranks second in franchise history. Sweet Swingin’ Billy also logged 201 hits with the Oakland Athletics.

———

Which is better, baseball on the radio, or baseball on TV? I asked that question in a Twitter poll earlier this week, and the results came as little surprise. TV received 62.9% of the votes cast, while radio got just 37.1%.

Long a staple of baseball fandom, following games over the airwaves has lost much of its luster in the digital age. Not that people don’t still choose to listen — or are forced to because of blackout rules (some of which are illogical) — but the days of transistor radios underneath pillows are a thing of the past.

Just what is the future of baseball on the radio? I asked that question to longtime Oakland Athletics broadcaster Vince Cotroneo, who has shared a radio booth with the esteemed Ken Korach for nearly two decades.

“I don’t know where it’s going to go, but to me this sport is set up on a tee for radio,” replied Cotroneo. “It’s every day, spring, summer, fall. It takes you through the seasons, and it’s a comfortable fit for people. You can take it with you — you’re in the car, you’re in the back yard — and enjoy the game in that manner. I hope that allure keeps it going.

“Radio is different from TV,” continued Cotroneo. “You don’t have the picture, so you have to deliver the picture. And the beauty is, when the score is 9-1 in the fourth inning, along with telling listeners what’s going on, you have a chance to go down whatever path you want. You can tell stories. You can delve into the history. You can find things that make people smile or laugh. You figure out how to make it entertaining. I tell young broadcasters all the time, ‘Don’t send me your greatest hits; I need to know what you sound like when the team has lost seven in a row, it’s the fourth inning, and you’re behind 9-1.’ Ken and I have fun together. I think that when people turn on the radio, they want to hear a comfortable listen.”

A’s fans won’t be hearing Cotroneo for much longer. As he announced on social media on Wednesday, this will be his final year behind the microphone for the team he joined in 2006.

“I had 19 great years,” the popular broadcaster told me the following day “If this is my last year doing baseball, anywhere, so be it. I’m thankful. And I’m humbled by the response when people saw my statement [saying] that I’m not coming back.”

Leaving Oakland’s radio booth after this season wasn’t Cotroneo’s decision. The A’s are choosing not to bring him back.

———

Sticking with the A’s, the club’s press notes have recently included a list of the franchise’s milestone home runs, beginning with the first — Lave Cross in 1901 — and continuing with numbers 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, etc, through 13,000. A new milestone looms, as the current total is 13,999.

Many of the names on the list stand out. Among them are Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Carney Lansford, Gene Tenace, and Miguel Tejada — a collection of Hall of Famers, home run champions, batting champions, MVPs, World Series MVPs, and perennial All-Stars.

Historically speaking, the A’s are a proud franchise. What recent ownership has done to it is both embarrassing and sad.

———

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Kenta Maeda recorded the 1,000th strikeout of his MLB career earlier this week. The 36-year-old Detroit Tigers right-hander joined Yu Darvish and Hideo Nomo as the only Japanese-born players to reach that mark.

Hiroto Takahashi continued his domination of NPB hitters on Friday when he threw eight shutout innings with 11 strikeouts as the Chunichi Dragons blanked the Hanshin Tigers 3-0. The 21-year-old right-hander is 6-1 with a 0.58 ERA over 78 frames on the season.

Six different Chiba Lotte Marines batters recorded three hits on Wednesday as the NPB Pacific League club clobbered the Rakuten Eagles 18-5. Former Cincinnati Reds infielder Neftali Soto, who has played in Japan since 2018, was among them.

Taek Yeon Kim has eight saves to go with a 2.48 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 40 frames for the Doosan Bears. The 19-year-old right-hander had an immaculate inning — reportedly the first ever for a KBO rookie — earlier this week.

Robert Stock is 8-3 with a 3.80 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 85-and-a-third innings for the Mexican League’s Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos. The 34-year-old erstwhile San Diego Padre last pitched in MLB with the New York Mets in 2021.

———

A random obscure former player snapshot:

Jeff Gray was having an outstanding 1991 campaign with the Boston Red Sox when tragedy struck. A 28-year-old right-hander in his second full big-league season, Gray had a 2.34 ERA over 50 relief appearances when he suffered a stroke at the end of July. He improved enough to attempt a comeback in 1993, but never again was able to play professionally. Later a minor league pitching coach in the Red Sox organization, Gray had four wins, 10 saves, and a 3.33 ERA in 96 big-league games, 91 with Boston and an initial five with the Cincinnati Reds.

———

FARM NOTES

Hao-Yu Lee is slashing .296/.365/.505 with 12 home runs in 329 plate appearances for the Double-A Erie Sea Wolves. No. 17 on our Detroit Tigers Top Prospects list, the 21-year-old second baseman from New Taipei, Taiwan was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Michael Lorenzen at last year’s trade deadline.

Hyungchan Um is slashing .293/.396/.457 with five home runs in 165 plate appearances between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Columbia. The 20-year-old catcher from Seoul, South Korea is No. 24 on our Kansas City Royals Top Prospects list.

Sann Omosako has pitched 29 innings and allowed 23 hits and two runs in the Dominican Summer League. A native of São Paolo, Brazil, the 18-year-old right-hander in the Toronto Blue Jays organization has fanned 25 batters and has yet to surrender a free pass.

Austin Peterson is 10-2 with a 2.34 ERA, a 2.30 FIP, and 107 strikeouts in 103-and-two-thirds innings between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron. The 24-year-old right-hander in the Cleveland Guardians organization was drafted out of the University of Connecticut in the ninth round two years ago.

Chase Meidroth is slashing .289/.438/.376 with three home runs in 370 plate appearances for Triple-A Worcester. No. 20 on our Boston Red Sox Top Prospects list, the 22-year-old infielder has 70 walks to go with just 40 strikeouts.

———

Which of Elly De La Cruz, Bryce Harper, and Shohei Ohtani is the National League MVP at this point of the season? I asked that question in a Twitter poll a few days ago, with “other” as a fourth option. The results weren’t close. Ohtani garnered 62.6%, while Harper received 23.9% and De La Cruz just 9.8%. Another 3.7% went to “other.”

Ohtani leads the senior circuit in WAR (5.0), wRC+ (183), and home runs (28), so it is perfectly understandable that he’d win the poll. Few would argue that he’s not the best player in baseball. Harper is a superstar as well, and this year’s 3.9 WAR, 166 wRC+, and 20 home runs leading into the All-Star break are certainly exemplary.

As for De La Cruz, few players in either league are as dynamic. The Cincinnati Reds shortstop has comparably less-impressive wRC+ (125) and home run (15) totals, but his 4.4 WAR is second-best behind Ohtani, and his 46 stolen bases are by far the most in the majors. As MLB.com’s Mike Petraglia wrote earlier this week, the Reds’ All-Star Game representative is “just the third Major League player with 15 homers and 40 steals over his team’s first 85 games.”

De La Cruz has been far and away Cincinnati’s best player this season. Moreover, it would be fair to say that he means more to his team than do Ohtani and Harper to theirs. Those things said, “most valuable” is a subjective term.

———

LINKS YOU’LL LIKE

The Los Angeles Angels took pitchers with all 20 of their selections in the 2021 draft. Sam Blum looked into how that is working out for the AL West club at The Athletic (subscription required).

Pitcher List’s Nate Schwartz wrote about how Tobias Myers is yet another Milwaukee Brewers pitching success.

At First and Pen, Yusuf Khan told of how a 1930 doubleheader between a pair of Negro League teams — the New York Lincoln Giants and the Baltimore Black Sox — at Yankee Stadium was about more than just baseball.

At The Sydney Morning Herald, Vince Rugari wrote about how Travis Bazzana isn’t well known in his native Australia, but he is about to become a big deal.

A Minnesota man is reviving the lost art of repairing baseball gloves. Rachel Hutton has the story at The Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

———

RANDOM FACTS AND STATS

MLB team have combined to hit 3,120 home runs and steal 2,051 bases this year. At this point in the 2019 season, teams had combined to hit 3,791 home runs and steal 1,309 bases.

The Houston Astros are 50-45 with a plus-51 run differential. The St. Louis Cardinals are 49-45 with a minus-34 run differential.

Luis Arraez has come to the plate 416 times and has 15 walks and 43 strikeouts. Ezequiel Tovar has come to the plate 414 times and has 13 walks and 119 strikeouts.

Paul Skenes has pitched 93-and-two-thirds MLB innings this season. In 51 of those innings, the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander has not allowed a hit (per @BillyBall).

Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks is 14-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 179 career innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kansas City’s MJ Melendez is 22-for-54 with eight home runs in 15 career games against the Red Sox. He is 3-for-53 with one home run in 15 career games against the Toronto Blue Jays.

On today’s date in 1991, the Kansas City Royals hit six home runs, including two each from Mike Macfarlane and Brian McRae, while thrashing the Detroit Tigers 18-4. George Brett and Todd Benzinger also left the yard, while Alan Trammell, Lloyd Moseby, and Travis Fryman went deep for the Tigers.

On today’s date in 1965, the Chicago White Sox scored three runs in the top of the 10th inning, then held on to beat the Cleveland Indians 12-10. The teams combined to hit seven home runs, with Cleveland’s Chico Salmon going deep twice. Eddie Fisher, who will celebrate his 88th birthday on Tuesday, got the win to raise his record to 10-3. The right-hander finished the year 15-7 with nine saves and a league-best 82 relief appearances.

Players born on today’s date include Danny Walton, an outfielder who played for six different MLB teams over parts of nine seasons from 1968-1980. A member of the expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969, Walton logged 102 of his 174 career hits, and 17 of his 28 home runs, with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970.

Also born on today’s date was Ed Hug, a catcher whose career comprised one game, and one plate appearance, for the Brooklyn Superbas in 1903. The Fayetteville, Ohio native drew a walk against Cincinnati Reds southpaw Noodles Hahn.