JJ Cooper
@jjcoop36.bsky.social
Editor-In-Chief Baseball America. Lots and lots of baseball.
New rebrand for Salem's Class A Red Sox affiliate.
Meet the RidgeYaks.
Meet the RidgeYaks.
November 8, 2025 at 11:14 PM
New rebrand for Salem's Class A Red Sox affiliate.
Meet the RidgeYaks.
Meet the RidgeYaks.
October 28, 2025 at 2:50 AM
It has happened to Daulton Varsho at least once before.
Searched for a called strike that high against Varsho in the past 4 seasons.
Found one example, on a 2-1 pitch in Sept. 2025. (OK, much lower stakes)
He's had 15 pitches that high above the plate that were called balls.
Searched for a called strike that high against Varsho in the past 4 seasons.
Found one example, on a 2-1 pitch in Sept. 2025. (OK, much lower stakes)
He's had 15 pitches that high above the plate that were called balls.
October 28, 2025 at 12:44 AM
It has happened to Daulton Varsho at least once before.
Searched for a called strike that high against Varsho in the past 4 seasons.
Found one example, on a 2-1 pitch in Sept. 2025. (OK, much lower stakes)
He's had 15 pitches that high above the plate that were called balls.
Searched for a called strike that high against Varsho in the past 4 seasons.
Found one example, on a 2-1 pitch in Sept. 2025. (OK, much lower stakes)
He's had 15 pitches that high above the plate that were called balls.
As bad a strike call as you will see.
This is with the strike zone adjusted for Varsho's
This is with the strike zone adjusted for Varsho's
October 28, 2025 at 12:36 AM
As bad a strike call as you will see.
This is with the strike zone adjusted for Varsho's
This is with the strike zone adjusted for Varsho's
Looking back at old Ohtani stories we wrote before he made his MLB debut. This is from Dec. 2017.
The PSD was right. 4 of the best prospects in the baseball would have been too light a package.
The PSD was right. 4 of the best prospects in the baseball would have been too light a package.
October 18, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Looking back at old Ohtani stories we wrote before he made his MLB debut. This is from Dec. 2017.
The PSD was right. 4 of the best prospects in the baseball would have been too light a package.
The PSD was right. 4 of the best prospects in the baseball would have been too light a package.
That wasn't middle-middle. That was a great job by Suzuki.
October 12, 2025 at 12:31 AM
That wasn't middle-middle. That was a great job by Suzuki.
I would say the rule book is muddy on this.
The wording can be interpreted as 3d. But the rule book includes this as the graphical representation.
The wording can be interpreted as 3d. But the rule book includes this as the graphical representation.
October 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I would say the rule book is muddy on this.
The wording can be interpreted as 3d. But the rule book includes this as the graphical representation.
The wording can be interpreted as 3d. But the rule book includes this as the graphical representation.
Four-seam fastball velocity in the postseason, 2008-2025.
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Everyone is throwing harder. Not long ago, 100 mph was a rarity among relievers. We are now in an era of 100 mph starting pitchers.
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-...
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Everyone is throwing harder. Not long ago, 100 mph was a rarity among relievers. We are now in an era of 100 mph starting pitchers.
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-...
October 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Four-seam fastball velocity in the postseason, 2008-2025.
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Everyone is throwing harder. Not long ago, 100 mph was a rarity among relievers. We are now in an era of 100 mph starting pitchers.
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-...
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Everyone is throwing harder. Not long ago, 100 mph was a rarity among relievers. We are now in an era of 100 mph starting pitchers.
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-...
From the MLB rule book
September 30, 2025 at 9:39 PM
From the MLB rule book
Mason Miller was not an out of nowhere prospect.
September 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Mason Miller was not an out of nowhere prospect.
I like how you are thinking.
(Photo from Tues)
(Photo from Tues)
September 27, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I like how you are thinking.
(Photo from Tues)
(Photo from Tues)
I see a lot of comments that the rule book strike zone of people under the impression that the MLB rule book strike zone is a 3D box.
But that is nowhere that I can find in the MLB rule book. And the diagram showing the strike zone depicts a 2D rectangle.
But that is nowhere that I can find in the MLB rule book. And the diagram showing the strike zone depicts a 2D rectangle.
September 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I see a lot of comments that the rule book strike zone of people under the impression that the MLB rule book strike zone is a 3D box.
But that is nowhere that I can find in the MLB rule book. And the diagram showing the strike zone depicts a 2D rectangle.
But that is nowhere that I can find in the MLB rule book. And the diagram showing the strike zone depicts a 2D rectangle.
Octo-box here.
Three AA playoff games plus Reds-Pirates, Cubs-Mets, Tigers-Guardians, Marlins-Phillies and Yankees-White Sox
Three AA playoff games plus Reds-Pirates, Cubs-Mets, Tigers-Guardians, Marlins-Phillies and Yankees-White Sox
September 24, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Octo-box here.
Three AA playoff games plus Reds-Pirates, Cubs-Mets, Tigers-Guardians, Marlins-Phillies and Yankees-White Sox
Three AA playoff games plus Reds-Pirates, Cubs-Mets, Tigers-Guardians, Marlins-Phillies and Yankees-White Sox
No. There is no 3D box strike zone in reality. When MLB tried that type of zone with ABS it was found it is not a zone that is called by anyone (including umps).
I will note, the diagram of a strike zone in the MLB rule box is a rectangle, not a 3D box.
I will note, the diagram of a strike zone in the MLB rule box is a rectangle, not a 3D box.
September 23, 2025 at 11:42 PM
No. There is no 3D box strike zone in reality. When MLB tried that type of zone with ABS it was found it is not a zone that is called by anyone (including umps).
I will note, the diagram of a strike zone in the MLB rule box is a rectangle, not a 3D box.
I will note, the diagram of a strike zone in the MLB rule box is a rectangle, not a 3D box.
The new Ontario Dodgers Low A Cal League affiliate announced its name and logo.
September 19, 2025 at 12:57 AM
The new Ontario Dodgers Low A Cal League affiliate announced its name and logo.
Things are getting chippy at the Columbia-Lynchburg playoff series.
September 17, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Things are getting chippy at the Columbia-Lynchburg playoff series.
I've never had a reason to include 60% before on a rolling k-rate chart.
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/afte...
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/afte...
September 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I've never had a reason to include 60% before on a rolling k-rate chart.
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/afte...
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/afte...
We are getting ready for first pitch at the UA Next HS All-America game.
September 13, 2025 at 4:59 PM
We are getting ready for first pitch at the UA Next HS All-America game.
Was sharing this with the work slack and thought I'd ask the wider group. So how crazy does this make me? I'm working on rating/ranking every song Elliott Smith ever sang (that has been recorded in any way). I have almost finished his HS/college bands 7 tapes.
September 3, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Was sharing this with the work slack and thought I'd ask the wider group. So how crazy does this make me? I'm working on rating/ranking every song Elliott Smith ever sang (that has been recorded in any way). I have almost finished his HS/college bands 7 tapes.
Fell down an Owen Caissie rabbit hole today. It was a fun trip. Story coming out at BA shortly.
As a sneak peek...obviously AAA and MLB are different, but Caissie's analytical numbers at AAA are amazingly similar to a current MLB star.
As a sneak peek...obviously AAA and MLB are different, but Caissie's analytical numbers at AAA are amazingly similar to a current MLB star.
August 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Fell down an Owen Caissie rabbit hole today. It was a fun trip. Story coming out at BA shortly.
As a sneak peek...obviously AAA and MLB are different, but Caissie's analytical numbers at AAA are amazingly similar to a current MLB star.
As a sneak peek...obviously AAA and MLB are different, but Caissie's analytical numbers at AAA are amazingly similar to a current MLB star.
This game got a little out of hand.
Greensboro 27, Asheville 4
Btw it only took 3:18 to play
Greensboro 27, Asheville 4
Btw it only took 3:18 to play
August 10, 2025 at 1:33 AM
This game got a little out of hand.
Greensboro 27, Asheville 4
Btw it only took 3:18 to play
Greensboro 27, Asheville 4
Btw it only took 3:18 to play