The Saitiev Phenomenon
Looks can be deceiving

Yesterday, Doc scouted Taijuan Walker.

He saw the mound presence, the pitchability, the tats, the velocity and the great athleticism. 

Doc concluded that if Walker has improved his offspeed game, he might be better at pitching than James Paxton.  It is easy to forget about Paxton.  I like to call this the Buvaisar Saitiev phenomenon. 

There is a certain type of athlete, who doesn’t look like much. He has a gentle demeanor, he is introverted, geeky, soft spoken and friendly.  He does not look imposing or mean.  He doesn’t look like anything really, except maybe an accountant.

Mr. Saitiev, what are your thoughts on the Generation skipping transfer tax?

Don't hurt coach Smith.

Cael Sanderson looks like fifty push ups could be a stretch for him.

Yasuhiro Yamashita stretching.  He looks like he is going to strain something. 

These four geeks are the greatest freestyle, folkstyle, and judo players who have ever lived.   There is some debate on who was the better freestyle wrestler between Saitiev and Smith.  Smith won two Olympics and three worlds in a five year reign of perfect terror.  Saitiev won three Olympics and six worlds, but lost three or four matches along the way.  Yamashita never lost.  Sanderson never lost in college.

James Paxton is this type of athlete.  He looks like a big, friendly bear.  Kind of like Smith and Yamashita but tall.  The kiddies coo “oh he’s so cute”, all the while ignoring the signs to stay away from the fence. 

The point is, some athletes fit the part of an athlete, and some athletes do not.  Sometimes you don’t know who the Sith lord is until about a minute before you are fried.  Darth Sidious likes it that way.    

Here’s the scouting report:

http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/89626178/mariners-manager-lloyd-m..." href="http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/89626178/mariners-manager-lloyd-m...">“He can get it to 99 [mph], and it's effortless. He's 6-foot-7 with that [Clayton] Kershaw over-the-top [delivery] where you just don't see it.”  Also, maybe you’ve heard, but http://seattlesportsinsider.com/article/james-paxtons-other-two-pitches" href="http://seattlesportsinsider.com/article/james-paxtons-other-two-pitches">nobody has ever hit Paxton’s curveball.  The reason that we haven’t seen Paxton this spring is probably because McClendon is hiding his new pitch, http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/112224946/mariners-left-hander-ja..." href="http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/112224946/mariners-left-hander-ja...">the two seam change, from Angels’ scouts.  There is a reason that Paxton aspires to be better than Clayton Kershaw, and Walker aspires to be better than Elias. 

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid.

-Mojo

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