Page 34 - Ryan Vilade News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Ryan McMahon has always had fairly high upside since coming out of Southern California’s powerhouse Mater Dei High School in 2013. With his balanced swing and athletic six-foot-two-inch frame, there wasn’t much the youngster couldn’t do. Although, there was always the question of his plate discipline as he continued to face better pitching. Fast forward to 2020, and McMahon’s high strikeout rate of 34.2% led to a disappointing shortened third year. To be successful, McMahon would need to drastically cut down on the strikeouts and whiffs and regain his ability to hit a breaking pitch...

With names like Charlie Blackmon, Raimel Tapia, Garrett Hampson, and Sam Hilliard, the Rockies 2021 outfield feels the same as it has been for the last few years. But at the same time, it’s also different. David Dahl, a 2019 All-Star outfielder who could play all three spots, started in 57 percent of Rockies games in 2019 and 35 percent in 2020. His injuries and salary were too much for the Rockies, so he’s a Texas Ranger now. Kevin Pillar, who got the majority of the starts in center field in 2020, is gone too. Ian Desmond is opting out for the second straight year, and with the Rockies ...

40 A series of swing changes have led to Vilade’s current “toe twist” stride, a very simple cut that leans into his great natural bat control and strength-derived pop. He can make contact with pitches all over the zone but typically does his damage slugging pitches on the inner half, especially wayward lefty fastballs in there. Watch how his groundball rate trends in 2021. The 2019 swing that may have helped bring his groundball rate closer to average (50% previously, down to 42% in ’19) has again been changed, so it’s hard to say how much damage he’s going to be capable of now.

Barring injury (or trade) Trevor Story will make his sixth consecutive opening day start at shortstop for the Colorado Rockies. Could this be his last? Maybe. But let’s take a moment here to appreciate the last 15 years of excellent shortstop play the Rockies have had with both Troy Tulowitzki and Trevor Story. It’s been a tumultuous 15 years, but shortstop has been a steady staple in the lineup and one of the reasons fans have stuck around. It’s arguably the most difficult defensive position to play and the Rockies have enjoyed a combined seven All-Star appearances, four Silver Slugge...

There’s change happening in Colorado. The big difference at the big league level, of course, is the absence of Nolan Arenado, a former homegrown player. That’s made the new Top 30 look different, with three players from that trade dotting a ranking that’s largely been homegrown over the years. There’s also a change at the top of the list. For five years in a row, Brendan Rodgers was the No. 1 prospect for the Rockies. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 Draft graduated off the list in 2020 and should be a big part of the Rockies rebuilding effort. The top spot is now filled by Zac Veen...