What's the Next Modern Card/Player To Tank

[ls7plus]

Trout, Judge and Harper all have their potential problems. Trout seems to be developing Mantle's propensity for injury about five years too early, and heaven help him if an electronic umpire comes in for balls and strikes. He hits .213 on balls in the upper third of the strike zone, and depends all too often on the umps calling them balls rather than the strikes they are--can you say .265 batting average, anyone?

Judge simply got started too late to put up great career totals, and before he was injured, they seemed to have him changing his style to hit those little chinese homers to the short porch in right in New York, rather than the 480 foot bombs to left center that thrilled the fans. An attempt to cut down on his K's perhaps.

Harper, just in case anyone here hasn't noticed (the NL pitchers surely have, which is why they consistently try to get him out by pitching him on the outer corner), simply begins his swing incorrectly by violently yanking his lead shoulder open. The proper sequence is that the hips cock, begin to uncock as the pitcher releases the pitch, and then the hands start down with the top hand palm up. The shoulders are in sinc with the hands and arms--THEY DO NOT LEAD THE WAY! Check out some vintage footage of Ted Williams, Mantle, or even Rhys Hopkins. Slo-mo them if your remote has the capacity. The way Harper does it, the bat can only lag behind through the zone if he is to make contact on a ball on the outer half at all, which is why he has so very little power to the opposite field. My bet is that we are not done seeing him hit .240-.250 or so, and that anyone who will pay him nine figures with free agency will inevitably regret it.

Just sayin,

Larry

[Peter_Spaeth]

Larry I could be wrong, but it had been my impression that during his great season a couple of years back, Harper had improved his swing mechanics and was staying back on the ball. Incidentally the swing you describe was so evident at the HR Derby -- great results of course when your Dad is serving up pitches with no movement in your wheelhouse, just a bit different when facing the real thing.

[clydepepper]

I already view modern pitchers' cards as bad investment ideas, so, technically...at least in my opinion, they all have already tanked.



I am growing vey weary of Harper's 4-strikeout games.


Though I'm not giving up yet, I have more Harper cards than anyone except Trout...so I'm concerned.

I also jumped on the Kris Bryant wagon - more concern.

Fun Fact: of all qualifying (per ESPN) outfielders, only one doesn't have a single assist this season...can you guess who...right...Bryce Harper.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Jose Ramirez has completely tanked the last month. Machado isn't exactly lighting it up in LA. Is anyone other than Mookie and J.D. really having a great year?

[packs]

Defense aside, I don't think Miguel Andujar should be ignored. 20 homers, nearly 80 rbis, and 40 doubles while hitting just under 300 as a rookie.

I also think Alex Bregman is a player who has flown way under the radar despite having a huge season for Houston.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Fangraphs has Bregman 4th in hitters behind Betts, Trout and Ramirez.

[Johnny630]

The only Modern Guy I'd hold would be Trout. The rest is all about early on hype pump and dump.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by packs

Defense aside, I don't think Miguel Andujar should be ignored. 20 homers, nearly 80 rbis, and 40 doubles while hitting just under 300 as a rookie.

I also think Alex Bregman is a player who has flown way under the radar despite having a huge season for Houston.

Just love Bregman--average size guy who hits like a right-handed Mel Ott in his prime, but with more doubles. Plus this guy is driven to be the very best. If he stays healty, he's definitely one to watch!

May good luck also enhance your collecting,

Larry