Can A Few J.P. Crawford Adjustments Bring Some “Ozzie Smith” Type Magic To Seattle?

Can A Few J.P. Crawford Adjustments Bring Some “Ozzie Smith” Type Magic To Seattle?

by | Apr 26, 2023 | THE THREE SPOT

 

When Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford contributed to the franchise’s first playoff appearance in 21 years, it wasn’t at the Chicago Cubs or Boston Red Sox level of ending a decades-long curse, but it was close.

The broken streak ended a stretch of 21 years of frustration for Mariners fans and the longest drought in major North American professional sports.

 

JP Crawford Is Vital to Seattle’s Playoff Push | There’s A Next Level For This MLBbro

 

 

Crawford, the last MLBbro standing for the Mariners, overcame a minor foot injury in spring training to help Seattle quietly get back in the American League West race this season, winning six of their last 10 games. Even though the team is currently 10-12, placing them fourth in the division, they are one game out in the loss column behind the second-place Houston Astros.       

 

How Are Mariners Winning Games?

 

J.P. Crawford is finding ways to get on base to spark the Seattle offense. His seven-game stretch has advanced his team from possible bottom feeders of the American League to contenders for making the postseason two years in a row.

 

 

Why Did JP Crawford Get Hot? 

 

Well, it came from adjustments to his swing three weeks ago in the Los Angeles Angels series. After a slow start to the season with only one hit and four strikeouts in his first four games, Crawford began to tighten up the mechanics in his swing. Even though the MLBbro is not releasing all of his secrets about the changes, his new and improved quick bat is leading to harder hit balls all over the field. 

Something he shared with The Seattle Times at the time…

 

“I think it’s just putting myself in a good spot to hit and not taking my body out to the right spot,”

 

“I’m not rushing,” he said. “I’m seeing the ball and letting it come to me instead of going to try and attack the ball – just stay back and using the whole field.” 

 

The improvements are not lost on Mariners manager Scott Servais, who was singing Crawford’s praises when he got Seattle on the right track on their first road trip with two RBI doubles to pick up a 5-3 win after falling down three runs.  

 

“J.P. Crawford, awesome,” Servais said. “I said about three or four days ago he had made a little bit of an adjustment and we’re seeing that play out day in and day out, right now.”

 

With his bat clicking, the awesomeness of Crawford’s full game is on display.  Regardless of how potent his run production is we know that he saves just as many runs with his lethal leather.

Just check out this play to stop a St. Louis rally…

 

 

Could J.P. Crawford Become This Era’s MLBbro Hall of Famer, Ozzie Smith?

 

The Wizard Of Oz Redefined What It Meant To Be A Middle Infielder With “Pizzazz”

 

In the overall body of work?

No, not a chance…stop it. Ozzie Smith is the epitome and perfect illustration of a G.O.A.T. at a specific skill and position. The Wizard still has no equals with the glove at short.  His impact on the game of baseball goes way past statistics.

 

Even though the “Wizard of Oz” collected 13 consecutive National Gold Glove Awards, 15 All-Star appearances, 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases for his career, his play drove the popularity of the entire sport of baseball. The 1980s was considered the golden era of baseball in ways of popularity. Ozzie was one of the driving forces. His athletic and acrobatic execution of the shortstop position, his incredible range and cat-quick, graceful movements made him the standard bearer for manning the position defensively. 

 

JP Crawford Has Ozzie Smith’s Leadership Qualities

 

However, what gets overlooked is the leadership and professionalism that Ozzie Smith brought into the locker room every day for years. Even with the fame and popularity, the MLBbro icon’s consistency when it came to preparation never waned.

 

This is where the comparison between the “Wizard of Oz” and the “Crawdaddy” can start. Crawford is also considered by many to be the supreme defensive shortstop in the game, winning a Gold Glove in 2021 and getting edged out last season by Astros rookie sensation Jeremy Pena. Who knows what the future holds for the 24-year-old, but he definitely can rack up some more Gold Gloves over the next half decade. 

 

As far as hitting goes, Ozzie Smith was a weak hitter early in his career – a one trick pony sort of speak — but Smith worked on his hitting and became a formidable slap hitter, which allowed him to get on base and use his speed to swipe bags and set the table for the run producers.

 

J.P. Crawford Continues His Rise Up The Shortstop Ranks

 

Years ago, Ozzie Smith was brought in to provide stability and leadership to an up-and-coming St. Louis Cardinals team, much like J.P. Crawford is doing for the Seattle Mariners today. This leadership for Crawford is driven by a desire to continue the tradition of the Black and brown baseball players going back to the Negro Leagues.

Bottom line, for the Seattle Mariners to be a player in the postseason for the second straight season, the team has to follow the lead of J.P. Crawford by continuing to work on the little things and adjust accordingly to add wins, much like they have of late. 

by | Apr 26, 2022 | FRONT STREET

Entering Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Nationals Jazz Chisolm led MLB in slugging percentage.

 

Chicago Needs To Shut Tim Anderson Down Until The Playoffs

Chicago Needs To Shut Tim Anderson Down Until The Playoffs

by | Sep 12, 2021 | 5TH SLOT

Tim Anderson does not need to play another game this regular season. The Chicago White Sox need to save their star player for the postseason

Chicago White is without star player Tim Anderson, but the All-Star shortstop is showing signs of improvement while he’s on the injured list.

There’s no timetable on Anderson’s return and the White Sox want to be as cautious as possible going into the postseason.

 “We know what the ultimate goal is. We know what we’re trying to do,” Anderson told NBC Sports Chicago.

“We’re trying to get healthy and come back as quick as I can, but also be 100 percent and be smart about it and know when to go.”

 

Tim Anderson’s Coming Out Party on Baseball’s Field Of Dreams

Over the last few years, Anderson has become the face of the White Sox. He has stepped into that leadership role and has not looked back.

Though we don’t like them, injuries are a part of the game and Anderson can’t quite figure out what the injury is.

“I don’t know what it is, to be honest,” Anderson said Wednesday in Oakland. “It’s really just soreness. I know you’re tired of hearing that, but you know, that’s just what it is, really. I feel like it’s going away. Hopefully I can get back in there pretty soon.”

 

“It kind of flared back up when we played against the Cubs. … I was just sore every morning. But I feel good now. Every day has been getting better. Being able to move around a little bit more the way that I want to.”

Should the White Sox shut down the star shortstop?

Why not, they have nothing to lose and they are already going to win the American League Central Division.

If you’re the White Sox, you want to be at full strength going into the postseason, and if that means shutting down your star player until the end of the season, then so be it.

Anderson has had an impressive season. He made his first All-Star team this year and has a .302 batting average with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, and 17 stolen bases through 108 games.

It’s time to pull the plug on our MLBbro for the regular season. The White Sox can’t risk losing him and have him miss any portion of the playoffs.

Last season, Anderson went off in the postseason, despite the White Sox losing to the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card Series.

Anderson hit .643 during that series with a .786 slugging percentage. The White Sox will need Anderson to have another performance like that in the postseason, but he can’t do that if he’s hurt.

That’s why he needs to rest up and get himself ready for October. There’s no question he’ll be good to go when October rolls around and he’ll be ready to help lead his team to a World Series appearance.

If Anderson does come back before the playoffs, don’t be surprised if he’s used sparingly.

The White Sox say they will do everything they can to make sure he’s  good come playoff time.

if they aren’t shutting him down, then what are we really talking about ?