He's got the middle of the order guys behind him. Plate discipline and what you swing at is extremely important at the major-league level. For him to become a great hitter like people think he can be, he's going to have to learn to not offer at pitches around (but not in) the zone. This type of role will help him do that and understand that. |
He's got to be more selective in what he swings at. And if we can do something with the lineup and position him in a spot that can help him learn that, then that's what we're going to do. What we're looking at is the major-league level, and (there) he's going to have to be more selective at what he offers at than he is right now. |
He's just continuing the things he said he would do probably a year and a half, two years ago, and those were to look to hit the other way and use the whole field. I think when he does that, he's a guy that can play at the Major League level. |
It's all just for us to manage a 19-year-old pitcher that's got a lot of talent. And for him, it's a big adjustment to go out five months and throw every fifth day. So we're very concerned about what we put him through his first full season. |
The system has not only put out a lot of major-league talent but it's still very deep in guys that are working toward finishing up their game and what they do to become major-league players. And not only major-league players but guys who can help compete and win. |
Those type of injuries always seem to last longer than you would think. We're just proceeding very cautiously right now. |
We have pretty good overall team speed, but what we don't have is someone with that kind of outstanding speed. |
You don't see a lot of home runs to center field there. He's going to get stronger, and he's as fast as anybody we have in the organization. |