Does Adam Jones play too shallow in center field?
As fast as he is and despite the fact he is a solid defensive center fielder, some deep shots have been getting behind Adam Jones in center in recent weeks.
Today, Dave Trembley was asked the question - is Jones playing too shallow in center?
"Maybe, but then again if he's too deep and balls fall in front of him, is there a thought he's playing too deep. What's the happy medium? Is there a right and wrong. If he plays too deep and balls drop in front of him, what's going to be the question.
"I had a different vantage point last night. He's pretty good at going back on the ball. He's pretty darn good at that. There are situations where you do play deep. Seventh inning, tying run at the plate.
"That's an ongoing discussion. I think that's something to consider. But I don't think you can have it both ways."
 |
Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
I don't really understand this comment by Trembley: ""Maybe, but then again if he's too deep and balls fall in front of him, is there a thought he's playing too deep. What's the happy medium? Is there a right and wrong. If he plays too deep and balls drop in front of him, what's going to be the question."
Balls that fall in front of you are singles. Balls that go over your head are doubles.
Not to mention that balls that are hit in front of you are 100x easier to make a great play on then balls behind you.
I think AJ is an incredible center fielder. But he needs to back up 10 feet.
_________________________________________________________
I think the fact that he said "it's an ongoing discussion" means they have talked about this as a staff. I think they should have Jones play deeper. - Steve
Yes
Roch:
How many singles are too many runners in scoring position. How many runners put too much pressure on the young pitchers. Yes how about the double over his head putting people in scoring postion or driving in the walks.
Sound like a "conundrum" (my favorite word).
But not to split the fence I do agree 3 to 4 yards back would be better. Seems the doubles are worse for me to be the deal breaker.
Maybe we should play softball with a 4th outfeilder???
Adam is young.This is his second season. He is still finding his ground. I would just like to give him time to find that ground.
I've sen Jones pull up on balls even thogh he's playing shallow.I think if you're in a tight game ot having problems scoring, you have to play back. I think Jones over rates his own ability on going back on balls.I think Paul Blair's gift was reading the ball of the bat and he got a head start,maybe jones doesn't have that gift and by the time he picks the ball up,it's too late.To me,the O's should dump Pie,bring up Gathright and let him rotate to all 3 OF positions. He's been doing nothing but hit since he got to Norfolk and knows how to steal bases.Much better bench player when he doesn't start than Pie.I said two weeks ago that the league has found holes in Reimold's swing,especially high fastballs and now today finally Trembley has caught up to it.
Steve,
Do you agree, that last night, the greater problem in the fifth inning was that Adam turned the wrong way on Rios' blast?
He does play too shallow, but I thought he could have made the catch absent the initial misstep.
___________________________________________________________
I didn't see a replay to know for sure. It was a very tough play last night. But I think he could play a litlte deeper and it would help cut off some extra base hits. If some bloops drop in because of that, so be it. - Steve
Goes over his head and he plays too shallow they are usually doubles. Last night it meant winning or losing the game.
Steve, There's an easy answer to the debate and Trembley hasn't made it. Yes, Jonesy plays too shallow, there's no doubt about it; that's not just my opinion, which is worth nothing to the Orioles, but also the expert opinion of Paul Blair, eight-time Gold Glove center fielder for the O's, which should mean everything to them.
Blair aired his view on a MASN pregame show. He said Jones should back up a few steps, because he doesn't still know the hitters' tendencies well enough to cheat in on them. Just going back a little shouldn't mean that that many more singles are going to drop, but regardless, what would Trembley rather have a single or an extra base hit?
This should be a no brainer, but skip and his staff are overthinking this. Maybe they're too much in awe of Adam's great talent and his beyond-his-years maturity, but they need to be more to be more objective and remember that this isn't a seasoned veteran, but someone who's still a little damp behind the ears, regardless his prowess as a player.
If Paul Blair, one of the greatest defensive center fielders in the history of the game says he's playing too shallow, then Trembley needs to listen. Blair should be allowed to discuss this with Jones, because I'm sure his words would make a really strong impression on Adam.