Chris Black's banner

Chris Black

@DownToBlack • 14,015 subscribers

Live Sports Producer, Content Creator, Husband, Dad, Old Man Athlete

Shorts

Pete Crow-Armstrong is MLB's best defender & he gets the best jumps in the league (+4.6ft vs MLB average... no one else is higher than 3.2). Well, in small sample, Brett Bateman is averaging 5.7ft better than MLB average so far (including +9.9 on this play last night). Unreal.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is MLB's best defender & he gets the best jumps in the league (+4.6ft vs MLB average... no one else is higher than 3.2). Well, in small sample, Brett Bateman is averaging 5.7ft better than MLB average so far (including +9.9 on this play last night). Unreal.

205,902 Aufrufe

This is great b/c it's actually a perfect example of how Knicks get away with extra physicality all the time. Alvarado stops, loads and shoulder checks Wemby. Wemby doesn't flop & matches the physicality. There are more parallels between NYK & OKC than anyone wants to admit.

This is great b/c it's actually a perfect example of how Knicks get away with extra physicality all the time. Alvarado stops, loads and shoulder checks Wemby. Wemby doesn't flop & matches the physicality. There are more parallels between NYK & OKC than anyone wants to admit.

411,560 Aufrufe

The rules around baseball scoring make no sense. Yesavage should have been at 6 IP, 1 ER, 72 pitches. Instead, it's 6 IP, 5 ER, 87 pitches at the conclusion of that inning.

The rules around baseball scoring make no sense. Yesavage should have been at 6 IP, 1 ER, 72 pitches. Instead, it's 6 IP, 5 ER, 87 pitches at the conclusion of that inning.

295,723 Aufrufe

So, you need a couple factors to really make this play come together... 1st & 2nd is perfect. Slow runner is perfect. Righty at plate is perfect. Call a fastball on outside corner, 1st baseman breaks at pitch release, and you go.

So, you need a couple factors to really make this play come together... 1st & 2nd is perfect. Slow runner is perfect. Righty at plate is perfect. Call a fastball on outside corner, 1st baseman breaks at pitch release, and you go.

134,954 Aufrufe

Left: 95% catch probability, outfielder jump 4 feet worse than MLB average Right: 95% catch probability, outfielder jump 26 feet worse than MLB average

Left: 95% catch probability, outfielder jump 4 feet worse than MLB average Right: 95% catch probability, outfielder jump 26 feet worse than MLB average

93,455 Aufrufe

Hey folks, remember Dev? He just gave you the best shot of the 2025 Postseason:

Hey folks, remember Dev? He just gave you the best shot of the 2025 Postseason:

157,692 Aufrufe

Daulton Varsho: Catch Probability 25%... he now has an MLB-leading 11 "non-routine" outfield outs this season (oh, and the jump was absolutely elite too)

Daulton Varsho: Catch Probability 25%... he now has an MLB-leading 11 "non-routine" outfield outs this season (oh, and the jump was absolutely elite too)

326,805 Aufrufe

#BlueJays ⚾️🧵Bo Bichette > About Last Night > Heaters In > Putting them in Context > Bat Speed > "A" Swings Let's start here: Tanner Houck getting in Bo's kitchen last night

#BlueJays ⚾️🧵Bo Bichette > About Last Night > Heaters In > Putting them in Context > Bat Speed > "A" Swings Let's start here: Tanner Houck getting in Bo's kitchen last night

71,662 Aufrufe

IKF's secondary was 8.9 feet. Took him 3.8 seconds to get home. Eli White's secondary below was 14.8 feet, slide head first, 3.2 seconds to reach home.

IKF's secondary was 8.9 feet. Took him 3.8 seconds to get home. Eli White's secondary below was 14.8 feet, slide head first, 3.2 seconds to reach home.

27,746 Aufrufe

Videos

Anya Rossi

sweetdream.ai

SweetDream.ai•Sponsored•Livecam

Watch Anya Live

Anya is streaming live right now! Join her private show and enjoy exclusive content.

Exclusive private shows

1.2k viewers online

Private Show

Join now for exclusive access

Free preview available • Premium content

Always respect the opinions of players (former & current), just disagree with the logic here. Why? Give me numbers! Daulton Varsho: Nearly 2,500 career plate apps 1,634 batted balls 342 line drives 58 to the opposite field 4 hit to 3rd base 3 of 4 were jam shots (only 1 true lineout!) In other words, if the logic is protect against getting doubled up, then they were protecting against something that had-at best-a 0.1% chance of happening. Conversely, Varsho has hit 412 groundballs to 1B/2B/SS (type of play where good primary & secondary leads could have won them a World Series). 1 vs 412!!! If it were a guy like Kirk, Guerrero, Clement, Bichette, etc... up at the plate (ie a RHB who hits a lot of line drives), totally get the logic. But you lose me when Varsho up at the plate. Back to the fort.

Always respect the opinions of players (former & current), just disagree with the logic here. Why? Give me numbers! Daulton Varsho: Nearly 2,500 career plate apps 1,634 batted balls 342 line drives 58 to the opposite field 4 hit to 3rd base 3 of 4 were jam shots (only 1 true lineout!) In other words, if the logic is protect against getting doubled up, then they were protecting against something that had-at best-a 0.1% chance of happening. Conversely, Varsho has hit 412 groundballs to 1B/2B/SS (type of play where good primary & secondary leads could have won them a World Series). 1 vs 412!!! If it were a guy like Kirk, Guerrero, Clement, Bichette, etc... up at the plate (ie a RHB who hits a lot of line drives), totally get the logic. But you lose me when Varsho up at the plate. Back to the fort.

1,562,889 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Jose Soriano, meet Alejandro Kirk & Brandon Valenzuela. Catcher Framing Runs Los Angeles Angels: -13 in 2026 (30th in MLB) -41 in the 2020s (28th in MLB) Toronto Blue Jays: +15 in 2026 (1st in MLB) +58 in the 2020s (4th in MLB)

Jose Soriano, meet Alejandro Kirk & Brandon Valenzuela. Catcher Framing Runs Los Angeles Angels: -13 in 2026 (30th in MLB) -41 in the 2020s (28th in MLB) Toronto Blue Jays: +15 in 2026 (1st in MLB) +58 in the 2020s (4th in MLB)

169,901 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

There is no more Mickey Mouse profile of being "pro stats" than being pro stats until they tell you something you disagree with. Andres Gimenez literally is playing SS this year, and he's one of the best defensive players I've ever seen up close.

102,786 Aufrufe • vor 29 Tagen

The rare 🏒🧵 - Sam Bennett Unquestionably The NHL's Dirtiest Player Included within: > Slew foots (feet?) > Late Hits > Why he's a... (thinking of a word I can use here)... weasel > His favourite type of dirty play Let's start here: Last Night...

The rare 🏒🧵 - Sam Bennett Unquestionably The NHL's Dirtiest Player Included within: > Slew foots (feet?) > Late Hits > Why he's a... (thinking of a word I can use here)... weasel > His favourite type of dirty play Let's start here: Last Night...

1,179,845 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Few things about tonight's storyline: Jesus Sanchez was never *this* bad in the outfield pre-2026. But he got way slower year-over-year & now, only 3 MLB outfielders have been worse, on a cumulative basis, in the field this season. Reaching a tipping point?

Few things about tonight's storyline: Jesus Sanchez was never this bad in the outfield pre-2026. But he got way slower year-over-year & now, only 3 MLB outfielders have been worse, on a cumulative basis, in the field this season. Reaching a tipping point?

43,589 Aufrufe • vor 24 Tagen

Hardest Throws on Outfield Assists Blue Jays Statcast Era 1. Addison Barger (Today) 101.2 2. Barger (Apr 18 '25) 98.8 3. Kevin Kiermaier (May 22 '23) 97.9 4. Nathan Lukes (Sep 1 '25) 97.1 5. Barger 6. Barger 7. Kevin Pillar (Jun 9 '17) 95.5

Hardest Throws on Outfield Assists Blue Jays Statcast Era 1. Addison Barger (Today) 101.2 2. Barger (Apr 18 '25) 98.8 3. Kevin Kiermaier (May 22 '23) 97.9 4. Nathan Lukes (Sep 1 '25) 97.1 5. Barger 6. Barger 7. Kevin Pillar (Jun 9 '17) 95.5

133,923 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Vladimir Guerrero Jr has loved the 1st & 2nd, 2 out back picks for years:

Vladimir Guerrero Jr has loved the 1st & 2nd, 2 out back picks for years:

109,571 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Alejandro Kirk, ABS Savant

Alejandro Kirk, ABS Savant

414,940 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Second-biggest inaccuracy is that the Jays will be challenged by Seattle's elite baserunning. The M's steal a lot of bases, but they are not a good baserunning team. When the M's have runners on, it's actually an opportunity for the Jays to look for pickoffs & outfielders will have opportunities to throw guys out as well.

Second-biggest inaccuracy is that the Jays will be challenged by Seattle's elite baserunning. The M's steal a lot of bases, but they are not a good baserunning team. When the M's have runners on, it's actually an opportunity for the Jays to look for pickoffs & outfielders will have opportunities to throw guys out as well.

243,375 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten

Long #BlueJays ⚾️🧵🪡 Vladimir Guerrero Jr > Perception vs Reality > Where is he actually struggling? > Shakespearean comparisons > Is it more about us? Let's start here: 3 hits last night... all off good velo... 2 with runners on, 1 leading off 9th.

Long #BlueJays ⚾️🧵🪡 Vladimir Guerrero Jr > Perception vs Reality > Where is he actually struggling? > Shakespearean comparisons > Is it more about us? Let's start here: 3 hits last night... all off good velo... 2 with runners on, 1 leading off 9th.

248,561 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

#BlueJays ⚾️🧵🪡 My Offseason Questions 1. Is Bo Back? He can be the 9th-15th best shortstop in the league or he can move to 2nd base and become, overnight, one of the three best players at the position. He's a Tampa guy, would he really want to do Spring Trainings in AZ? Would he really want to be a Yankee and deal with everything that comes with that? If you asked me in August, I woulda said he's gone, now I think a contract somewhat bigger than Semien's from a few years ago is a potential fit.

#BlueJays ⚾️🧵🪡 My Offseason Questions 1. Is Bo Back? He can be the 9th-15th best shortstop in the league or he can move to 2nd base and become, overnight, one of the three best players at the position. He's a Tampa guy, would he really want to do Spring Trainings in AZ? Would he really want to be a Yankee and deal with everything that comes with that? If you asked me in August, I woulda said he's gone, now I think a contract somewhat bigger than Semien's from a few years ago is a potential fit.

190,621 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

True Story: Over the last two weeks, no one in Major League Baseball has driven in more runs than Kazuma Okamoto (14). #BlueJays #OkamotoSan #GratitudeCircle

True Story: Over the last two weeks, no one in Major League Baseball has driven in more runs than Kazuma Okamoto (14). #BlueJays #OkamotoSan #GratitudeCircle

68,137 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

From 2023-25, the Blue Jays (led by Daulton Varsho & Nathan Lukes) had some of the best corner outfield D in MLB. This year, hampered by play from Jesus Sanchez & Yohendrick Pinango, Toronto's corner outfield D ranks 22nd. A rare free ⚾️🧵🪡 follows.

From 2023-25, the Blue Jays (led by Daulton Varsho & Nathan Lukes) had some of the best corner outfield D in MLB. This year, hampered by play from Jesus Sanchez & Yohendrick Pinango, Toronto's corner outfield D ranks 22nd. A rare free ⚾️🧵🪡 follows.

44,286 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

#BlueJays #WANTITALL #WorldSeries (Mostly) Realistic Reasons why the Jays Can Win 1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Current best-hitter-on-the-planet (not taking questions at this time) is also really good vs this Dodgers World Series Staff over his career (.342 avg, .490 on-base)

#BlueJays #WANTITALL #WorldSeries (Mostly) Realistic Reasons why the Jays Can Win 1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Current best-hitter-on-the-planet (not taking questions at this time) is also really good vs this Dodgers World Series Staff over his career (.342 avg, .490 on-base)

110,176 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

#BlueJays ⚾️🧵 Juan Soto Possibilities & probabilities... Why it's ok to dream... And a prediction on where the Jays will land. Let's start here: Soto might be the safest bet we've ever seen in free agency. Younger than Judge. Healthier than Ohtani. Better than Harper.

#BlueJays ⚾️🧵 Juan Soto Possibilities & probabilities... Why it's ok to dream... And a prediction on where the Jays will land. Let's start here: Soto might be the safest bet we've ever seen in free agency. Younger than Judge. Healthier than Ohtani. Better than Harper.

195,151 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Jeff Hoffman's 80% whiff rate last night was the highest by a Blue Jay in the statcast era (min. 10 swings). He's been filthy for two months. Could be a valuable trade chip. Wrote about it.

Jeff Hoffman's 80% whiff rate last night was the highest by a Blue Jay in the statcast era (min. 10 swings). He's been filthy for two months. Could be a valuable trade chip. Wrote about it.

20,920 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Terms we should get comfortable with as Tyler Rogers joins the Jays: *Tapper *Dribbler *Chopper *Nubber *Cue-shot *Jam-shot

Terms we should get comfortable with as Tyler Rogers joins the Jays: Tapper Dribbler Chopper Nubber Cue-shot Jam-shot

86,082 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

#WorldSeries #WANTITALL ⚾️🧵🪡 A Vision, Valuations & Validation Mark Shapiro & Ross Atkins came to Toronto in a near no-win situation. Replacing a homegrown, folk-hero GM & taking over an aging roster approaching its best-before date. But the long-term vision is now here.

#WorldSeries #WANTITALL ⚾️🧵🪡 A Vision, Valuations & Validation Mark Shapiro & Ross Atkins came to Toronto in a near no-win situation. Replacing a homegrown, folk-hero GM & taking over an aging roster approaching its best-before date. But the long-term vision is now here.

99,069 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten