What's your take on Julio

[seattlefan-daBronx]

Fools gold.

[AlvinDavisFan21]

Overall, I am disappointed in Julio. Seldom gets a big hit in a crucial spot. 2 on 2 out today and I had a feeling a K was coming and it did. I hope it is just another of his April slumps, but overall he needs to be better.

He gives away ABs, just gives them away.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Lamda]

I think the HR derby those 2 years in a row messed him up also. The funny thing is - in the derby he wanted pitches low and inside but he never swings at those pitches in a game. His hr's most of the time is to the opposite field. As many have said - his approach is horrific. I think it really is lack of wanting to be great. Yesterday he finally got a weak base hit to get an rbi and when the inning ended he comes to the bench clapping like crazy... I was like -he's saying Look at me - I finally did something good!! Cheer for me!!! He's just frustrating cause he seems like he could be great but he really doesn't seem that bright.

[bpj]

Julio vs. Justin Upton (through age 23 for Upton)

[Seattle or Bust]

I think the HR derby those 2 years in a row messed him up also. The funny thing is - in the derby he wanted pitches low and inside but he never swings at those pitches in a game. His hr's most of the time is to the opposite field. As many have said - his approach is horrific. I think it really is lack of wanting to be great. Yesterday he finally got a weak base hit to get an rbi and when the inning ended he comes to the bench clapping like crazy... I was like -he's saying Look at me - I finally did something good!! Cheer for me!!! He's just frustrating cause he seems like he could be great but he really doesn't seem that bright.

The thing I noticed in the most recent derby he hit in, is that the power was easy. He swung very much in balance and let his mechanics do the work to create power.

In games he's trying to swing a billion MPH. The guy could learn a thing or 2 from watching Aaron Judge or Edgar swing a bat. He has the tools that not swinging so hard at everything as a necessity.

I also think this is partly a Mariners issue in terms of development.

With this batting stance Julio hit .347 between A+ and AA:



They supposedly went to this stance because they were worried he might strike out a lot :



Now he K's 200 fkn times year...

Why change what isn't broken? Now I feel like Julio is always chasing mechanics rather than relying on what got him here.

I think the same thing fucked up Evan White and Jarred Kelenic too...

You take Evan White who was a projected 15-20 homer guy who can hit .300 and turn him into a 25-30 homer guy who hits .200? Now... because you fucked him up so badly and essentially got him hurt, you are rolling with a 38 year old sloth hitting to a -50 OPS+ when you could have had a veteran White playing stellar defense doing his thing.

Same for Kelenic... oh he struggled hitting when he came up to the majors? Oh, well it must be because of his leg kick. Oh, it must be because of where his hands are. I mean Jesus Christ:

[bpj]

Agreed, you're never going to "make" a baseball player.

If they can't go up there in their natural stance and hit, they're not going to get better by tinkering with their swing. Some guys just aren't good enough.

Julio's problem right now seems to he he goes up there like a caveman. "I club ball."

There's no thought behind his at bats. He doesn't seem very smart.

Compare that to Ben Williamson who seems to be less natural talent, but more grit and determination. And probably more effort.

[Seattle or Bust]

Agreed, you're never going to "make" a baseball player.

If they can't go up there in their natural stance and hit, they're not going to get better by tinkering with their swing. Some guys just aren't good enough.

Julio's problem right now seems to he he goes up there like a caveman. "I club ball."

There's no thought behind his at bats. He doesn't seem very smart.

Compare that to Ben Williamson who seems to be less natural talent, but more grit and determination. And probably more effort.

Which is wild because he used to be the total opposite.

He used to be a guy who sprayed the ball around the park and took pitches where they were thrown. He was a hard strikeout in the minors.

I would much, much rather have a Julio hit 25 dingers and hit .300/375 with 30 doubles/30 steals than this Julio who is chasing 50 homers and will likely end up with 35 and strike out a gazillion times.

I mean look at the number of opposite field hits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e--9LTrTAE

[Seattle or Bust]

The Angels may have thought they were getting a Julio in Kyren Paris...

In his first 12 games he slashed .440/.533/1.120 with 6 bombs.

He has not recorded a hit since April 15th and is 0 for his last 20 with 12 strikeouts.

How is that even possible?

[Coeurd’Alene J]

Overall, I am disappointed in Julio. Seldom gets a big hit in a crucial spot. 2 on 2 out today and I had a feeling a K was coming and it did. I hope it is just another of his April slumps, but overall he needs to be better.

It seems like He commits to swinging before the pitch or is just lost at the plate and swings late to the pitch. Gets lucky once in a blue moon but overall no patience no plan at the plate. He’s no Edgar and No Junior either. To bad we don’t put him in a better spot in the lineup

[Michael K.]

Agreed, you're never going to "make" a baseball player.

If they can't go up there in their natural stance and hit, they're not going to get better by tinkering with their swing. Some guys just aren't good enough.

Heather Tarr is the Head Coach of UW Fastpitch. Something she said to me has stuck for my entire coaching career. Asked why coaches always want to change a swing because of something small they see that isn't right? She mostly called out us adult men for wanting to switch up a girl who's having success so every lefty looks like Griffey Jr and every righty looks like Edgar.

She had a girl come out and demonstrate her swing, and it was far from picture perfect. Heather said every coach she has had from young Travel Ball up to HS and elite Travel had tried to mess with her swing. The kid would struggle, and then go back to what works. Eventually she was good enough to make it to the Pac 12, why not work with that instead of tearing it down?

MLB guys got to the majors, and yes, there might be some small flaws in the swing mechanics. But why not work on the small flaws instead of tearing it down and starting over?