Hmm, except for the guys he named. Lorenzen is a mediocre pitcher who never hits anymore. McKay had a cursed career. Bad injury, in time for Covid, in time for getting Covid himself, then some fucked up artery problem or something....
You're a genius, obsessively genuine fan who deserves praise for his amazing work. I'm envious that you've gone all in for what you're passionate about. Good for you man, I'm a fan and will keep watching and learning
One more up and coming 2 way hitter: Big Sexy “Colon looking for his first hit of the year and HE DRIVES ONE, DEEP LEFT FIELD, BACK GOES UPTON, BACK NEAR THE WALL, ITS OUTTA HERE!!!!”
I remember when Ohtani was drafted back in Japan to my home team. The hype was real there as much as in America. We were so sad to see him move on to MLB but proud at the same time
"For dudes who love watchin' guys" Nothing better than a bunch of dudes just being guys, yknow? Also, Baseball Bits is by far and away the best baseball content I've ever seen. The stellar editing, great humour, 8-bit theme, and amazing classic video game soundtrack amazingly compliment the interesting and varied topics you explore. Keep crushing it Foolish
Kinda sad that Ohtani didn't get picked up by an NL team. Imagine the amount of damage that the Dodgers could pull by never having to consider switching the pitcher in a high stakes situation
Ohtani specifically wanted to play in the AL so he could have more at bats. If he played in the NL hed only hit when he was pitching because theres no way a team would let him waste his arm in the outfield. Believe me you want him on an AL team if you want him hitting.
he's playing the style he's used too. In Japan he played fr the Hokkaido Nippon-ham Fighters, the Fighters play in the NPB's Pacific League, which also uses the DH rule.
It's interesting looking at how, despite the recent attention, the concept of the two-way player really hasn't caught on in practice. The problem is that, to be a viable two-way player, you almost have to be Shohei Ohtani on both sides of the ball. Otherwise, someone who's just mediocre at one role or the other doesn't really make the roster flexibility worth it. A good hitter who's only a mediocre pitcher isn't going to be used over a better dedicated pitcher in any situation other than the sort of blowout where a position player would pitch anyway. A good pitcher who's a mediocre hitter isn't worth using in the field or as a pinch-hitter over a dedicated position player/hitter in anything except a desperation moment, especially if it's a reliever where inserting them into the lineup severely restricts your ability to bring them in to actually pitch when you need them. And a player who can do both things at only a mediocre level just isn't worth having on the roster over someone who can do one thing or the other at a higher level. I would be interested to see, though, if there's enough data to figure out how well WAR calculations support arguments for or against two-way players. What level of hitting and pitching performance would a player have to achieve to make the role worthwhile, and what's the minimum level of performance a player could have in their weaker role to justify being a two-way player instead of focusing exclusively on their stronger role?
For the love of God RU-vid put this man on recommended. Your channel is top fucking tier, no one else I know of is producing content this unique at this quality. These aren't exactly hot takes, but they're insightful and I don't see them discussed in this depth very often. Please don't stop making these masterpieces. And don't rush them, just make them good.
@Foolish Baseball It's easy to find watchable content on RU-vid. It's hard to find really good content on RU-vid. Look at the makersphere of RU-vid, guys like William Osman and Mark Rober, even smarter every day. Those guys post less than weekly, and they are extremely popular. It's all about knowing your audience and producing the content they enjoy. Of course, if you can pump out 2 videos of this quality every week you should try to, but that's unfeasible. I'm happy watching one of these every couple weeks, even once a month. Great, well thought out content, is rare on this platform. And it should be treasured. Keep doing what you're doing and be confident that it's the right thing.
I discovered your videos maybe a week ago. Every one has been intriguing, showing thought and detailed attention. Don't know why you call it "Foolish Baseball" - but that was your call, and I gotta deal with it. I really like your video game graphics mixed in with real footage. It's a nod to the nerds and the jocks, the analysts and the traditionalists. It also reminds us that it's just a game. So, yeah, I subscribed! This was a good topic you chose, thought-provoking, controversial. We all know baseball is a hard game and each position is a challenge to play, each role is a challenge to fill. I gotta look up Willie Smith of 1964. You use good arguments although we know that two-way giftedness is so rare. Anyway, had to express my appreciation for your work. I'll never read "Baseball For Dummies" but I will follow your work. You're good!
Remember Diamondbacks pitcher Micah Owings? In 2007 he won 8 games as a rookie starter while batting .333 with 4 HR. One game he pitched 6 shutout innings while going 4 for 4 with 3 doubles. The Dbacks used him as a pinch hitter and considered using him at first on his "off" days but I don't know why they didn't. I wonder if he would have gotten more of a chance at being a two way player if he was playing today.
How have I not found this channel until recently? I love retro gaming, baseball and stats. The music and visuals (retro gaming) mixed with baseball stories backed up by charts and diagrams of stats... 💥🍆
A player like this comes along once in a generation. Cherish Shohei Ohtani while he lasts. The only MLB player to be a truly great hitter and pitcher was the great Babe Ruth. In 1918-19 He had seasons which included batting over 340 with around 30 HR in just 350 AB or so. I'm doing this by memory, so don't get on me. Ruth also pitched with an Era south of 2 at least one season , and his lifetime ERA was only 2.28 in over 1000 IP. The manager of the Red Socks was so reluctant to let him bat because he said "what will I tell the Fans when they see me turn the greatest Pitcher in the American League into an outfielder?" He was saying that Ruth was the best Pitcher besides Walter Johnson and Cy Young, that he'd ever seen. I've waited my whole life to see Ohtani or somebody like him do Ruth things. If he turns out to even make a couple of all star games as either a DH or a pitcher, I'd say that's a win. In his rookie season, he did show promise to do both. Solid Era as starter, and 20 HR with a .285 BA at the dish. Very solid player.
Papi la estás matando... From Venezuela, a big fan of you man. You're killing it. Love the way you analyze and contrast data and find out things that were full hiddden in history. Sigue trayendonos contenido de calidad. Sería genial que pudieras traducir tus videos.
i honestly have not been more excited about a "rookie" since ichiro. japan is just dropping gift packages to the MLB every so often. i would sacrifice one of my toes to see this man healthy, tossing shutouts and cranking out moonshots. GOOD LUCK mr ohtani. i was absolutely tanked when i heard about his injury. i am a new york mets fan and i was super excited to see you become the "modern day babe ruth" ( a loaded statement, i know ). i am glad that it is not just me that made this parallel, you are something special and an individual like you comes, apparently, literally once a century. you may set a modern precedent that inspires other, future players to be both proficient with a bat and proficient on the mound. i tossed many a shut out, struck out many a side, but i have never, ever, ever been considered a remotely decent hitter. i focused purely on pitching during my youth and i look back at it now as somewhat of a shame. i think your influence will turn into something really great for MLB as a whole. GET HEALED UP! i think the potential you have transcends rivalries and competition - i hope EVERYONE roots for your success. godspeed and best of luck to him!
Your like a stock that is a buy low super undervalued. Your baseball content is by far some of the best I’ve seen. Keep up the good work and can’t wait to see your future vids.👍🏻
I'm sure between Babe and Ohtani we probably missed out on a whole lot of players with 2 way potential. If you look at any RF / 3B / SS with a cannon almost all were pitchers at one point and most pitchers were one of the best hitters on their team at one point in their lives.
I’m not exactly sure if this guy will go pro, but Florida State’s JC Flowers started in center field for them and led the ACC in saves as their closer.
My friend introduced me to this channel yesterday. Such great content and I honestly can't believe I haven't crossed your vids in the past! Keep it up you just got a new subscriber!
I think you're glossing over Babe's pitching ability. His career record was about 100-50. He had 9 shutouts in a season, was part of a platoon no-hitter, was the ERA leader in 1916, 14 innings pitched in a world series game (still an mlb record), 29 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the world series, and a career 2.28 era...
I know comparisons between baseball and cricket are often facile, but this is one area cricket excels. All-rounders have flourished in the game for years, and while most of them are only decent at both skill sets, the ones that can be very good at one thing, or even very good at both, are what makes the game thrilling.
It has been going on in college still. No reason it can't trickle up in the MLB. "In 1988, Olerud hit .464 with 23 HR, 81 RBIs, 108 hits, 204 total bases, and a .876 slugging percentage. As a pitcher, he had an undefeated 15-0 season, and threw 113 strikeouts with a 2.49 ERA. He was a consensus All-American as both a first baseman and pitcher and was named the Baseball America College Player of the Year."
Oh, they are coming. In this year’s class there is a lefty high schooler who was just clocked at 96 MPH last month and... Who also happens to be quite the OF prospect with a nice projection for his bat. Erik Rivera, from the same school that Carlos Correa was drafted. I doubt that he could play OF on his off days, but it would be a shame to not develop that bat. It only takes a team with vision.
Very great content I really enjoy your stuff and hope to see a lot more. The Angels are currently developing 3 guys this spring to be prospective two way utility players and it’s really interesting, the other day in a game against the Mariners Jared Walsh pitched, then was take off of the mound, and placed at first base, later hit a double in the game to tie it up. It even made him eligible to pitch later if the angels wanted him to. So cool.
Thanks for the info. It seems like the Angels have embraced Ohtani's success and are very interested in cultivating someone with a similar skillset. I wish them luck!
Two good examples of players moving spots. The Royals Alex Gordon was originally a third baseman, but the Royals had a solid third baseman at the time, and Moose--aforementioned in the video-- was being developed in the minors. Thus, the Royals moved Gordo to LF, and he has proven to be one of the premier defensive left fielders, and a respectable hitter in his years with the Royals. Another great example in the utility game is Jeff McNeil of the Mets. In 2019 he has hit over .300, and in the field has played almost every outfield position as well as giving aid on the infield when needed.
Thanks for making this video, got the notification and it gave me a reason to wake up early on a Saturday morning. Keep up the quality content! 👌🏻 Been watching since your White Sox series (I’m an OOTP nut), and yet I’m loving these videos even more.
I saw Brooks Kieshnick throw a ball from the left field foul pole/ warning track to home plate on a fly at Tinker Field in Orlando Fl. Probably 1993 or 94. Just a lil baseball bit for ya. 😃
Keep an eye on the Braves' Charlie "Clutch" Culberson he's a possible two way utility player too. He's pitched three inning in relief, 2 in one game and has only allowed one run and it was in the one inning game, no homers though. He hits .265 average and seems to be able to hit homers in high leverage situations, hence the name "Clutch" His weakness is when he play defense in certain positions especially SS with the regular SS Swanson on the IL. He's better in the OF and not terrible in the infield other than SS. He's a decent utility player, who can pitch in a pinch.
