OnlyBucs

190420222C490 wrote: Newman doesn't look anything like he did in September.  I'd like to see him more, he was taking some good cuts and good D.  I'm liking what I see of Gonzalez defense and he has speed and can bunt.  Hopefully he'll continue and improve.  Great win.


Completely agree on both points.  Newman looked impressively muscular in his postgame interview today.  Other than that 2nd game, Gonzalez has looked good on defense.  He made a play last night in the 9th that Mercer could only dream of making.  His speed has been a pleasant surprise.
yeah, this is surprising. The Bucs don't seem to have much confidence in most of their young players. Cal Ripken started out 5-39 as a 21 year old (then the next year he was 7-47 in April). The next year he became the O's regular shortstop (even though many thought he needed to play third because of his height).

113736213727540 wrote: Newman doesn't look anything like he did in September.  I'd like to see him more, he was taking some good cuts and good D.  I'm liking what I see of Gonzalez defense and he has speed and can bunt.  Hopefully he'll continue and improve.  Great win.


Completely agree on both points.  Newman looked impressively muscular in his postgame interview today.  Other than that 2nd game, Gonzalez has looked good on defense.  He made a play last night in the 9th that Mercer could only dream of making.  His speed has been a pleasant surprise.
yeah, this is surprising.  The Bucs don't seem to have much confidence in most of their young players.  Cal Ripken started out 5-39 as a 21 year old (then the next year he was 7-47 in April).  The next year he became the O's regular shortstop (even though many thought he needed to play third because of his height).
Fair point but at the same time I'm pretty sure Kevin Newman isn't Cal Ripken Jr.

I think Newman is still developing and growing as a hitter and a fielder. Last September he was pretty wore out from what I have read, like 15 lb lighter and just spent. It was the first time he had played that late in the year. Hopefully we'll get to see the 'real' him this year and hopefully he'll handle September better his second try.

61535F5F4B795A535E5B5453320 wrote: Newman doesn't look anything like he did in September.  I'd like to see him more, he was taking some good cuts and good D.  I'm liking what I see of Gonzalez defense and he has speed and can bunt.  Hopefully he'll continue and improve.  Great win.


Completely agree on both points.  Newman looked impressively muscular in his postgame interview today.  Other than that 2nd game, Gonzalez has looked good on defense.  He made a play last night in the 9th that Mercer could only dream of making.  His speed has been a pleasant surprise.
yeah, this is surprising.  The Bucs don't seem to have much confidence in most of their young players.  Cal Ripken started out 5-39 as a 21 year old (then the next year he was 7-47 in April).  The next year he became the O's regular shortstop (even though many thought he needed to play third because of his height).
Fair point but at the same time I'm pretty sure Kevin Newman isn't Cal Ripken Jr. 




he might not even be Billy Ripken (hoping he is something in between).