Scouting Cards

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by joelsabi

Thank.

What does OPP stand for? I think H & R man is hit and run man so does OPP mean opportunity?

I don't think so. I'm making an educated guess on this one, but I think it refers to how likely a batter is to take a pitch the other way -- to hit to the opposite field. Usually your best hit-and-run guys are ones who will hit a groundball to the opposite site of the infield (because the shortstop will cover second base on a steal when a left-hander is hitting and the second baseman will cover when a right-hander is hitting, so you want to go the other way to try and hit a grounder through the hole that's created in the defense). So because they've noted that Jody Davis was a hit-and-man, they're saying he will take a pitch the other way.

Again, my educated guess.

Edited to add: For what it's worth, after posting this I texted a friend of mine who manages in the Giants organization. He agreed that it probably means what I thought but wasn't 100 percent sure. You never know, OPP could stand for something that was specific to that team.

[joelsabi]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

I don't think so. I'm making an educated guess on this one, but I think it refers to how likely a batter is to take a pitch the other way -- to hit to the opposite field. Usually your best hit-and-run guys are ones who will hit a groundball to the opposite site of the infield (because the shortstop will cover second base on a steal when a left-hander is hitting and the second baseman will cover when a right-hander is hitting, so you want to go the other way to try and hit a grounder through the hole that's created in the defense). So because they've noted that Jody Davis was a hit-and-man, they're saying he will take a pitch the other way.

Again, my educated guess.

Edited to add: For what it's worth, after posting this I texted a friend of mine who manages in the Giants organization. He agreed that it probably means what I thought but wasn't 100 percent sure. You never know, OPP could stand for something that was specific to that team.

Mike and Rob,

Both of your ideas seem logical. Any other opinions on meaning of OPP?

[joelsabi]

So how would you interpret Steal = NO Delayed Steal?

That Jody Davis does not steal but the coach may call a delayed steal when he is at first.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by joelsabi

So how would you interpret Steal = NO Delayed Steal?

That Jody Davis does not steal but the coach may call a delayed steal when he is at first.

Typically the slower runners on a team are the most likely candidates to try a delayed steal. Davis, a catcher, would be such a candidate. That's why they noted he won't try a delayed steal (because otherwise you might assume he'd be a candidate). You'd probably never see a notation of "No delayed steal" on a card for a Rickey Henderson or Vince Coleman, because those guys weren't candidates to try a delayed steal.

[joelsabi]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Typically the slower runners on a team are the most likely candidates to try a delayed steal. Davis, a catcher, would be such a candidate. That's why they noted he won't try a delayed steal (because otherwise you might assume he'd be a candidate). You'd probably never see a notation of "No delayed steal" on a card for a Rickey Henderson or Vince Coleman, because those guys weren't candidates to try a delayed steal.

So Davis is the slower of the slowest catchers. Got it.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by joelsabi

So Davis is the slower of the slowest catchers. Got it.

Actually, executing a delayed steal really requires a keen sense of timing, as opposed to speed (a catcher who's not paying attention also is required). Some guys can do it well, and others can't do it at all. Most don't feel comfortable at all trying it.

If you do it correctly, you can be the slowest guy in the world and pull it off.

[joelsabi]

Here are two more examples. Maybe someone know the tendencies of Mike Scioscia and Matt Williams so we can determine what the Scout meant for Steal situations.

Thanks in advance. I find these cards interesting.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by joelsabi

So how would you interpret Steal = NO Delayed Steal?

That Jody Davis does not steal but the coach may call a delayed steal when he is at first.

You know, that line could be read either way. Your explanation could be the right one. It all depends on how the Padres filled out these cards.