NFT: Greg Bird??? WTF

thankfully the Yankees are hitting without him.

and how he can't even earn the callup to the bigs now. But it's still a pretty small sample size, he will get more time to find it again

no need to overreact at this point.

his confidence. He should work his way through it (remember Severino last year). On the other hand Austin is now hitting over .300 and still receiving no love from Joe G. I have to believe Austin can do better than Carter's .207 BA and Refs .130 BA.

let him work through it. He's too talented to give up on him because he had an injury and a prolonged slump.

Bird started the season looking completely lost at the plate. Too late on the fastball and way ahead of breaking ball. Not the same hitter I was expecting. Now to hear he is struggling at AAA is discouraging.

Is it rust from sitting out all of last year ?

In comment 13500682 Dunedin81 said:

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let him work through it. He's too talented to give up on him because he had an injury and a prolonged slump.

I suppose. After last night when he went 0-3, it just disheartens me and Girardi states he's unwilling to bring him back up until he figures it out if he can. That's saying something considering who they are playing at first these days. Holliday seems comfortable at first, but no way any of the replacements have Bird's glove.

I know that confidence has a lot to do with batting, but there are so many little nuances in a swing that can change that are hard to notice and difficult to figure out why the results all changed. I'm just hoping he gets it all figured out and returns to the form he should have. We really need his glove back in the game for the parent team.

In comment 13500682 Dunedin81 said:

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let him work through it. He's too talented to give up on him because he had an injury and a prolonged slump.

I would note that BA, especially in extremely small sample sizes (such as the 21 ABs in the 6 games Bird has had in AAA) are often misleading- have one really good game or 2 bad ones, and the number bounce around by hundreds of points.

Instead, look deeper at the numbers. Looking closer, we see that in those 6 games, Bird has walked 7 times and K'd 3 times. That also gives him an OBP of .357- quite good actually. He has only 2 extra base hits- 2 doubles, but in a small sample size, we cannot draw much from that.

What these number indicate is that Bird isn't "lost" as the original poster claimed. If that was the case, we would see quite a few more K's and low walk totals.

What the numbers appear to indicate is that Bird is recognizing balls and strikes- which indicates that he is seeing the ball well and tracking the pitches correctly, but he has not regained his timing. Has has been out of game action for about a month or so.

Note that in the 60 ABs he got with the Yanks earlier, he had 22 K's and 10 walks. THAT indicates a lost hitter at that point. The numbers tell a different story now- he just needs time and more ABs.

Remember that the pitchers in AAA are now nearing mid-season form- while he is essentially starting spring training over again. He will probably spend a week or two more trying to find his timing- but I think that based on what we saw in spring training, it will come.

Wait for the panic when Judge goes 4 for 40 over a stretch.

In comment 13500769 DCOrange said:

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Wait for the panic when Judge goes 4 for 40 over a stretch.

!!

In comment 13500751 rich in DC said:

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In comment 13500682 Dunedin81 said: Quote: let him work through it. He's too talented to give up on him because he had an injury and a prolonged slump. I would note that BA, especially in extremely small sample sizes (such as the 21 ABs in the 6 games Bird has had in AAA) are often misleading- have one really good game or 2 bad ones, and the number bounce around by hundreds of points. Instead, look deeper at the numbers. Looking closer, we see that in those 6 games, Bird has walked 7 times and K'd 3 times. That also gives him an OBP of .357- quite good actually. He has only 2 extra base hits- 2 doubles, but in a small sample size, we cannot draw much from that. What these number indicate is that Bird isn't "lost" as the original poster claimed. If that was the case, we would see quite a few more K's and low walk totals. What the numbers appear to indicate is that Bird is recognizing balls and strikes- which indicates that he is seeing the ball well and tracking the pitches correctly, but he has not regained his timing. Has has been out of game action for about a month or so. Note that in the 60 ABs he got with the Yanks earlier, he had 22 K's and 10 walks. THAT indicates a lost hitter at that point. The numbers tell a different story now- he just needs time and more ABs. Remember that the pitchers in AAA are now nearing mid-season form- while he is essentially starting spring training over again. He will probably spend a week or two more trying to find his timing- but I think that based on what we saw in spring training, it will come.

Thanks rich in DC. Great post.

think he will be fine. I know it was only spring training. However, the fact that he hit the shit out of the ball gives me confidence that he will get it together. What I can't figure out as I have stated before is the Tyler Austin situation. Is it Girardi's or Cashman's call who is on the roster. I'm sure Girardi has input.However, I would think Cashman has the final say.

He started inside and went to left-center. One of the problems with Bird is that he has been trying to drag the outside strike across his body. So that's approach . Fault 1. Fault 2 I'd inability to read the spin. He's late on fastballs, fooled by off-speed. Girardi will tell you he was favoring the injury . He got into bad habits because of it. I guess if it hurts , you lose your trigger. Whatever the combination of factors might be 6-60 is brutal beyond belief. That's Mike Ferraro territory and Mike suffered from glaucoma .

At some point , they will need the first baseman to provide some semblance of reliable offense. The Angels have slowed them down. So I hope he gets back on track .

Are making all evaluations, Bird needs time since he lost so much time rehabbing, there is no rush, fans like these are the reason people thought you could never rebuild in new York, here we are way ahead of any timetable you could have made, in first place, and still a panic thread. It's unreal.

In 22 games at AA and AAA, Tyler Austin has hit 325/393/538 (.931 OPS). He has a 136 wRC+ in AAA. Might be time to just give him a shot. He can play 1st or corner outfield. Those are call up numbers.

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Greg Bird, who has been struggling during his minor-league rehab stint, still isn’t feeling right and is seeing a doctor, according to Joe Girardi.

Not "feeling right" is pretty vague, and maybe they're just being safe by having him checked out again, but who knows.

lonk - ( New Window )

DFAed by the As today can play 3rd and better power than Headley?

7:33pm ET: The Yankees announced Bird has been pulled off his rehab assignment with a right knee contusion. He fouled a pitch off his shin the other day, but was fine and stayed in the game. I wonder if that’s just a mistake and they meant a right ankle contusion? Either way, it’s a setback.

6:27pm ET: Greg Bird‘s rehab has hit a snag. Brian Cashman told Erik Boland that Bird still doesn’t feel well, so they have “pulled the plug” on his rehab. The issue is still with his ankle, not his surgically repaired shoulder. Bird has been out since early May with a bone bruise in the ankle, an injury he originally suffered in the final week of Spring Training. He fouled a pitch off the ankle and tried to play through it in April.

Bird has been on a minor league rehab assignment the last two weeks, going 9-for-38 (.237) with 12 walks and four strikeouts in 12 games. The numbers don’t mean much though. How does he feel? How does his swing look? Does his have his lower half working right? Those are the important questions, and no, apparently he doesn’t feel good.

Joe Girardi said earlier today Bird will see a doctor, and hopefully that brings good news. Maybe it is nothing more than normal “hey you’re playing baseball everyday again” soreness. It’s not easy to be optimistic though. The Yankees have a pretty terrible history with bone bruises (see: Teixeira, Mark) and Bird himself has had plenty of injury issues in his career, even going back to his days in the minors.

Unless the doctor visit brings good news, the Yankees are going to have to start thinking about trading for a new first baseman. Chris Carter has worn out his welcome and Tyler Austin probably isn’t good enough to start at first base for a contender. Playing Matt Holliday there full-time doesn’t seem like a good idea at his age either.

I would shift Headley to first. and pick up Plouffe for third until Gleyber is ready then DFA. Torreyz and Plouffe could rotate at third. DFA carter and bring up Austin. Send Refsnyder back down. we have been playing with a weak first and third base all season.

Great plan!

In comment 13501374 Del Shofner said:

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7:33pm ET: The Yankees announced Bird has been pulled off his rehab assignment with a right knee contusion. He fouled a pitch off his shin the other day, but was fine and stayed in the game. I wonder if that’s just a mistake and they meant a right ankle contusion? Either way, it’s a setback. 6:27pm ET: Greg Bird‘s rehab has hit a snag. Brian Cashman told Erik Boland that Bird still doesn’t feel well, so they have “pulled the plug” on his rehab. The issue is still with his ankle, not his surgically repaired shoulder. Bird has been out since early May with a bone bruise in the ankle, an injury he originally suffered in the final week of Spring Training. He fouled a pitch off the ankle and tried to play through it in April. Bird has been on a minor league rehab assignment the last two weeks, going 9-for-38 (.237) with 12 walks and four strikeouts in 12 games. The numbers don’t mean much though. How does he feel? How does his swing look? Does his have his lower half working right? Those are the important questions, and no, apparently he doesn’t feel good. Joe Girardi said earlier today Bird will see a doctor, and hopefully that brings good news. Maybe it is nothing more than normal “hey you’re playing baseball everyday again” soreness. It’s not easy to be optimistic though. The Yankees have a pretty terrible history with bone bruises (see: Teixeira, Mark) and Bird himself has had plenty of injury issues in his career, even going back to his days in the minors. Unless the doctor visit brings good news, the Yankees are going to have to start thinking about trading for a new first baseman. Chris Carter has worn out his welcome and Tyler Austin probably isn’t good enough to start at first base for a contender. Playing Matt Holliday there full-time doesn’t seem like a good idea at his age either.

Fucked over by the pre-season. It's a professional sport-wide problem!

based on what I saw of his swing and approach last year and this spring. But I don't understand the nonchalant attitude that he will be fine. Based on what? He's had half a season in the big screen that was good and an excellent spring. There was enough there to have some confidence and optimism. But there is no resume to fall back on to make anyone just assume he will be anything, especially not coming off shoulder surgery.

Bird has a fantastic spring. If he gets healthy, he will work himself back to the player we are hoping for.

Last year there were many thinking Judge was not the goods because he was a strike out king. It was not so many tears back when Sanchez was struggling in the minors and people talked about packaging him out of town.

Sometimes patience pays off and I think Greg Bird is the goods.

the spring was reason for optimism.

But the reason many of us believe in him is that he has a good resume in MiLB, and it's not just the numbers. Most of us won't forget that at a time when the Yankees had Sanchez and Judge swinging the bats well (among others) that Cashman said Bird was probably the best bat in the system. His issue will be getting healthy and the question is can he stay healthy.

I have no doubts he can hit in the majors if he can get healthy again.

In comment 13501721 Dan in the Springs said:

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the spring was reason for optimism. But the reason many of us believe in him is that he has a good resume in MiLB, and it's not just the numbers. Most of us won't forget that at a time when the Yankees had Sanchez and Judge swinging the bats well (among others) that Cashman said Bird was probably the best bat in the system. His issue will be getting healthy and the question is can he stay healthy. I have no doubts he can hit in the majors if he can get healthy again.

Maybe you forgot about 2015? When Bird hit 11 HR in 2 months with a decent BA and OBP? That was impressive- maybe you think that 2017 was his only major league experience?

No, Bird's resume in the majors might be more impressive than his minor league time- as he showed more power in the majors (2015 and 2017 spring training) than he ever showed in the minors. His OBP track record is good throughout

His issue has been health. He get injured- a lot.

In comment 13501725 rich in DC said:

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Maybe you forgot about 2015? When Bird hit 11 HR in 2 months with a decent BA and OBP? That was impressive- maybe you think that 2017 was his only major league experience? No, Bird's resume in the majors might be more impressive than his minor league time- as he showed more power in the majors (2015 and 2017 spring training) than he ever showed in the minors. His OBP track record is good throughout His issue has been health. He get injured- a lot.

Not forgetting 2015, just acknowledging the other poster's point. It's a very limited sample at MLB and on its own could easily be discounted. It's who he is, and what he's done throughout his time with the Yankees that has us excited. The previous poster seemed to be only focusing on the limited sample.

then his knee.

“He’s been our best hitting prospect for the last four or five years,” Cashman said. “So you don’t forget that. It’s great that our club is winning, so it allows you to work through lack of production early on at first base. But he’s going to produce. He’s going to be a good player for us for a long time.”

If we believe his opinion on Sanchez and Judge, then no reason to not think Bird will produce, when healthy, as well.