Mack's Apple's - 10-16-17 - Technology and Baseball, Vitilla, Noah Naylor, Hot Dogs , 3B Free Agents

Good morning.

Technology and Baseball -

It didn't help to watch baseball in front of a computer, either. In fact, I think baseball is the sport that suffers most from the second-screen experience. I still enjoy watching the majors in golf just as much as before—paradoxically, it would seem, since golf is much slower. But there's a critical difference, which is that golf only asks you to pay attention to one shot at a time, and there's always a resolution to that shot. It's either good, bad, or neutral, and then you can wait for the next shot. In the meantime, you're free to tweet, do a crossword puzzle, read your uncle's insane Facebook political post, whatever. Football, which is so regimented and predictable in format, while still delivering high drama and frequent reward, might be the perfect sport for the Internet age. Soccer and basketball are so free-flowing, mostly, that they can hold your attention, and since the length of games is standardized, there's always a finish line in sight. (Though I have given up college basketball, aside from my alma mater's games, due to the utter failure of referees to institute to break the stalemate of brutish play and institute a more aesthetically pleasing style of game, a la the NBA). Tennis is mostly the same in its flow and rewards, and only becomes aggravating in long deuce games.

Dominican Baseball Players - use broomsticks and bottle caps to sharpen their game –

Behind just about every major league baseball player from the Dominican Republic is a game called vitilla. It is the country's version of stickball, and it is played with a broomstick for a bat and the cap of a large water jug for the ball. And that cap can move more wildly than a Wiffle ball.

So as the 2017 postseason moves into full gear, with eight teams playing in the first round and Dominican position players and pitchers almost certain to make an impact in numerous games, vitilla (pronounced vee-TEE-ya) should probably be listed in the credits.

We’ve discussed the obsession called baseball on this poor island. In many cases, it is the only way some kids can dream of someday having a family and being able to provide for them.

By the way… go out to your local stadium, take a bottle cap, go stand at shortstop, and try throwing it accurately (and with maximum speed) to first base.

Nolan Naylor -

The rest of the world is about to find out what the Ontario Blue Jays have known for years. Noah Naylor is special. Like really special. Like potential first overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft special.

Naylor is one of the most coveted amateur players in North America, frequently selected for international showcases and tournaments, such as the Program 15 and New Balance Future Stars Series upcoming national events in Houston.

Naylor, who is currently a catcher, excels behind the dish in part because of that arm, but also with the way he approaches the game.

I don’t have Naylor listed in any of the nine mock drafts I’m currently using. He comes out of Canada (St. Joan Of Arc Catholic Secondary and has a ‘10’ grade of PG:

Noah Naylor is a 2018 C/MIF with a 6-0 195 lb. frame from Mississauga, ON who attends St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary. Strong athletic build, good present strength with room for more. Very high level athleticism for a catcher, 6.62 in the sixty, low and flexible behind the plate, very quick shifting and blocked, high level arm strength with a loose and fast arm, 1.78 best pop time. Also played the middle infield with surprisingly good actions and tools, can develop this part of his game further. Left handed hitter, slightly open stance, clean shift into contact and swing, has lots of strength at contact and can drive the ball hard, tends to stay open but can go the other way effectively. Has always performed at high level events against top pitching. Verbal commitment to Texas A&M. Brother of former PG All-American Josh Naylor. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.

What Rank Is Your Hotdog?

1. Oriole Park at Camden Yards: 1st overall and top-rated facility.

2. PNC Park: 2nd overall, top-rated stadium for families, and top-rated fan experience.

3. AT&T Park: 3rd overall, 2nd for food, and top-rated hot dog.

4. Safeco Field: 4th overall.

5. Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium: 5th overall and 2nd for family experience.

I always considered eating a hot dog at a baseball stadium sort of like the answer of a question then New York Times wine critic, Frank Prail, was asked. The question was ‘what was your favorite all time wine that you had ever drank?’ and his answer was a bottle of Mateus he drank with his World War II buddies, on a troop ship, coming home from the war in the Pacific.

It’s not always the hot dog… it’s the people you are with and the place you are eating it.

 Based on that, I don’t think there is a bad baseball in baseball.

Third Basemen Free Agents(age) -

Andres Blanco (34)

Yunel Escobar (35)

Ryan Flaherty (31)

Todd Frazier (32)

Jed Lowrie (34) — $6MM club option with a  $1MM buyout

Mike Moustakas (29)

Eduardo Nunez (31)

Jhonny Peralta (36)

Trevor Plouffe (32)

Jose Reyes (35)

Danny Valencia (33)

My hopes are that the Mets use 2018 as a staging point to create a world class team in 2019. This will take filling this position with Manny Machado, after eliminating a large portion of the money owed to David Wright, via an insurance settlement.

This would mean that the 2018 third baseman would be a combination of players already on the 25-man squad.

Yoenes Cespedes and a Mets Latin manager could get this done.