Just got back from seeing Tyler Colvin play

by VolPowers on Apr 12, 2008 10:29 PM CDT

Got to my first Smokies game of the season tonight, and Tyler Colvin is impressive. Sat a couple rows behind home plate, and the thing that really jumps out is how quick his hands are. In his first at bat that I saw (Gm 2 of the double header), he turned on an inside fastball and hit it out down the right field line, about 60 feet up on the berm. Line shot. Later in the game, he put a ball in the gap that got to the wall in about 2 seconds, chugged around for a triple, later scoring when the throw to third was off-line. He seems to simply get a longer look at the pitch with his hands being able to get through the ball so compactly and quickly. Nice freakin' prospect. He will find a way to Wrigley.

Donnie Veal, on the other hand. I just don't get him as a prospect. I've seen him pitch on three different occassions over the last two years, and he's never impressed me. Sure, he throws hard but not that hard. And we've already got enough pitchers in Chicago who have issues with handing out free passes. Maybe I just manage to see all of his iffy starts, who knows?

Also, forgot to mention that the Deeds guy, the PTBNL in the Monroe deal, homered in his very first at bat. The ball went out of the stadium, all in all about a 400 footer down the right field line.

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Good to hear the Clemson Tiger is ripping it up!

SOMEONE SHOOT THAT DAMN PARROT!!!

by Keystone80435 on Apr 12, 2008 10:49 PM CDT reply actions

Colvin is blessed with quick hands

because he would be looking for another career if he didn't have those quick hands.

It's his batting eye that could be his downfall. His K/BB rate is frightening for his level and hasn't shown any improvementupon those numbers. He doesn't project to be anything but a 4th OF IMO.

It's good to hear some good news on him though. THis season is a huge huge season for him and his developement. No doubt he has the tools though. I hope he can pan out. The Cubs could use a CFer.

" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8

by lemon20pie on Apr 12, 2008 11:15 PM CDT reply actions

First good game of the year for Colvin

I saw Colvin play two years ago, and I know what you mean about his hands. But the issue really is his strike zone judgement. Tonight he was great, so those hands look great. But when he swings at pitches out of the strike zone, it doesn't matter how quick those hands are.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 13, 2008 12:16 AM CDT reply actions

Quick Question....

...what position in the outfield was Colvin playing?

If you start to see him get a lot of games in CF, that will be a good indicator of what the Cub's brass really thinks about Pie.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Apr 13, 2008 8:27 AM CDT reply actions

Has nothing to do with Pie

Colvin has been exclusively playing center field since the beginning of last season--and even some the year before. The Cubs drafted him with the belief that center field was his natural position. A minority view among scouts, I hear, but one that explains why the Cubs thought Colvin was a high first-round draft pick.

Colvin plays center field because he's a center fielder.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 13, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions