IN FOCUS - Hitting Coach, Worst Record, Noah Hall, Ty Cobb, Shoeless Joe

 

David Stearns backs Mets’ hitting coaches

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6543327/2025/08/08/mets-hitting-coaches-david-stearns/

Stearns has never fired a coach during a season. As the Brewers’ head baseball executive in 2021, Stearns fired hitting coach Andy Haines after a below-average offensive season. Many executives these days refrain from making personnel changes until after a season. This year, the Texas Rangers dismissed offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker — viewed as a rising star in the industry — after they ranked in the bottom five of several offensive categories by the end of April. Four months later, the Rangers still have one of MLB’s worst offenses.

                Me?

I don’t either. Do you honestly believe that these stars or the game need someone to tell them how to hit? Come on. This ain’t on the coach. This is on the hitters.

 

SNY                        @SNYtv

Since June 13, the Mets and Yankees have two of the four worst records in MLB

Ernest Dove                       @ernestdove

Mets RHP prospect Noah Hall the listed starter tonight in High A. One of a handful of arms in system dominating BUT with command issues

88.2 inn    61 H    22 ER (2.23 ERA)  53 BB    93 K

.196 opp AVG    .604 opp OPS

                A deep dive…

                Noah Gibbs Hall is a right-handed pitcher in the New York Mets minor league system, currently playing for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones.

Born on March 30, 2001, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hall is 24 years old, stands 6’0” tall, and weighs 195 pounds.

He was drafted by the Mets in the 7th round (216th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of South Carolina, after previously being selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 20th round of the 2022 draft but choosing not to sign.

Career Overview

Hall began his college career at Appalachian State, where he pitched as a reliever for two seasons (2020-2021), before transferring to South Carolina. At South Carolina, he transitioned to a starter role, posting a 3.29 ERA over seven starts in 2023 with a 25.3% strikeout rate and a 5.3% walk rate, though back issues limited his season.

In his professional career, Hall has faced injury setbacks, including a shoulder injury in 2024 that limited him to five starts across Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. In 2025, however, he has shown significant improvement, posting a 2.23 ERA over 20 games (16 starts) with 93 strikeouts in 88.2 innings for Brooklyn, demonstrating his resilience and potential. Notably, on April 11, 2025, he recorded a career-high eight strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings. His 2025 MiLB stats include a 5-4 record, a 1.29 WHIP, and a strong 9.4 SO/9 rate.

Pitch Repertoire

Hall throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a low-maintenance delivery and good hand speed. His pitch arsenal includes:

Fastball:               Sits in the 91-95 mph range, occasionally touching 96 mph. It’s a solid pitch but not his primary weapon.

Changeup:          Considered his best pitch, graded as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. It’s a low-80s offering with extremely high spin rates, significant arm-side fade, and drop. It generated a 55% whiff rate with 28% usage in college, making it a true out pitch effective against both right- and left-handed hitters.

Slider:                   A mid-80s pitch with shorter break and high spin rates, though used sparingly (8% in college). It’s a secondary offering that complements his changeup but is less developed.

Injury history:                   Hall’s career has been hampered by injuries, including a back issue in 2023 and a shoulder injury in 2024, which led to stints on the 7-day and 60-day injured lists. His 2025 season marks a strong recovery, as he’s stayed healthy and performed well.

Development Path:         As a senior sign with a polished changeup, Hall is considered a potential quick-mover through the minors if he maintains health. His command and ability to limit walks (1.98 BB/9 in college in 2023) make him an intriguing prospect, though his fastball and slider need further refinement to reach the majors.

Scouting Outlook:           Hall’s changeup is among the best in his draft class, but his overall ceiling may depend on improving his slider and fastball consistency. His medical history remains a concern for scouts

Jim Koenigsberger                          @Jimfrombaseball

"A particularly notable out-of-towner, Ty Cobb, paid “Shoeless Joe” a  visit at his liquor store in West Greenville. Jackson gave his old  friend a glance, but said not a word as he pretended to wipe down an already clean counter.

After picking out a bottle of whiskey, an incredulous Cobb spoke up. “Don’t you know me, Joe?” he asked.

61 year old Jackson replied, “Sure, I know you, Ty, but I wasn’t sure you  wanted to know me.

A lot of them don’t.”

As the pair reminisced about  old times, Cobb declared: “I’ll tell you how well I remember you. When I  got the idea I was a good hitter, I’d stop and take a good look at you. Then I knew I could stand some improvement. I can still see those line  drives whistling to the far precincts. Joe Jackson hit the ball harder than any man ever to play baseball.”

Ty Cobb