Thank You, Tim Howard

The video above features Tim Howard's 16 save performance in the 2014 World Cup against Belgium.  It is my favorite soccer memory (not including games that included my child). 

This was truly an impressive performance by Mr. Howard.  However to me, this soccer game is far from the most impressive thing about Tim.

In case you don't know, Howard has a neurological condition known as Tourette Syndrome.  During his career, he has been a great role model for individuals who share the condition, not allowing it to hamper him in any way as he pursues excellence in his chosen field.

In addition, he has been a consistent spokesman and advocate, promoting awareness of TS.  He is involved in an academy at Rutgers in his home state of New Jersey held for teenagers that have TS.  This annual event is designed to help teenagers learn more about TS and become more prepared to thrive with it as a part of their lives.

Personally, I have a vested interest in Tourette Syndrome, so Mr. Howard's efforts have been exceedingly meaningful and inspirational to me. 

Tim Howard's final game as a professional is scheduled for this weekend. I am sad to see him hang up his soccer kit, but I wish him the best off the pitch.  I look forward to hearing of his efforts in the years to come.

If you're looking for more information about Tourette Syndrome, I suggest you start your search with the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome.

How the Super Two Cut-off Could Have Been Even Lower

Yesterday, I looked at how the month-long demotion of three players led to a lower-than-usual Super Two cut-off this season.  

Today,  I dig a little deeper and see how two other moves prevented an additional drop in the Super Two threshold.

Two players were involved in this case.

Tyler Austin, Milwaukee.

Austin was dropped from the Giants' 40-man roster and became a free agent on August 9.  At that point, he fell out of the Super Two picture.  He would not have been included in the Pool used to determine the 22%.

However, Milwaukee selected Austin's contract on September 1, and it appears he will conclude the season on their active roster.  This will give Austin a career service time total of 2.150.  He is in position to claim a Super Two spot.

Wandy Peralta, San Francisco.

Peralta had a service time of 2.138 when the Reds demoted him on August 6. After a 26 day minor league stint, he was promoted on September 1. 

Peralta has since been picked up via waivers by San Francisco, but he is still in line to end the year with 2.167 of service time, a number which lands him in a Super Two spot.


What Effect Did These Moves Have?

In retrospect, If Austin has not been added to a big league roster and Peralta had stayed in the majors for the 26 days he went down, neither would be part of the Super Two picture. 

As a result, the cut-off point would be projected to drop to 2.112.  Under this scenario, Luke Weaver of Arizona would be in position to take the 28th and final Super Two spot at season's end.

Why is the Super Two Cut-Off Going to be So Low?

As I projected 10 days ago, this year's Super Two cut-off mark (2.114) will be much lower than it has been in the last decade.  Since 2009, the previous cut-off mark is (2.122). 

Throughout the 2019 season, the numbers were trending towards a lower number.  However, three significant demotions contributed to an even larger drop-off in the height of the Super Two threshold.


Dylan Covey, White Sox.  

At the season's mid-point, Covey was injured but he was a strong Super Two contender if he could get back onto the big league roster and stick.  However, Covey spent 32 days in the minors during the season's second half. 

He is on course to end the season with only 2 years and 93 days of service time.  He drops off the bubble and the cut-off number drops as well.

Antonio Senzatela, Colorado.

By the season's mid-point, who was injured early in the season, was recovered and on the Rockies roster. He was tracking strongly for a Super Two slot.  However, in July/August, Senzatela spent 35 days in AAA.

As a result of the brief demotion, he will end the season with only 2.105 of career service time.  He is off the bubble, and the number drops.

Ryan Brasier, Boston.

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but Brasier was in essentially the same position as Cover and Senzatela (Super Two-wise) in mid-July. 

Brasier spent 32 days in the AAA after the All-Star break and fell off the bubble as well. He projects to end the season with 2.108 in service time.

What Effect Did These Moves Have?

Based on the service time counts that I have on record, if these three players had stayed up in the big leagues instead of being demoted for 30-plus days, the effect on the Super Two picture would have been large.

Rather than a cut-off mark of 2.114, the cut-off mark would be projecting at 2.124.

Of course, in this scenario the three players mentioned above would be projecting to be Super Twos and four players (four  rather than three due to ties) would be heading for a less-lucrative spot out of the Super Two picutre:  Josh Hader, Jarlin Garcia, Tyler Olson, and Julio Urias.

September 4 Super Two Projection

Andrew Knapp, Phillies (2.171- projected service time at season's end)
Wandy Peralta, San Francisco (2.167)
Jessie Biddle, Rangers (2.166)
Hunter Renfroe, Padres (2.165)
David Hale, Yankees (2.163)
David Dahl, Rockies (2.162)
Brent Suter, Brewers (2.161)
Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (2.160)
Tyler Glasnow, Rays (2.158)
Jordan Montgomery, Yankees (2.153)
Tyler Austin, Milwaukee (2.150)
Keynan Middleton, Angels (2.150)
Kyle Freeland, Rockies (2.143)
Noe Ramirez, Angels (2.139)
Kyle Ryan, Cubs (2.139)
Johan Camargo, Braves (2.135)
Daniel Roberston, Rays (2.133)
Chris Martin, Braves (2.133)
Luis Cessa, Yankees (2.131)
Dinelson Lamet, Padres (2.130)
Gio Urshela, Yankees (2.127)
Paul DeJong, Cardinals (2.127)
JaCoby Jones, Tigers (2.125)
Jonathan Holder, Yankees (2.124)
A.J. Cole, Indians (2.124)
Josh Hader, Brewers (2.115)
Jarlin Garcia, Marlins (2.115)
Tyler Olson, Indians (2.114)
Julio Urias, Dodgers (2.114)

FIRST THREE PLAYERS OFF OF THE BUBBLE:

Luke Weaver, Diamondbacks (2.112)
Matt Chapman, Athletics (2.109)
Colin Moran, Pirates (2.107)

2019 Faces of Super Two- Volume 2.24

Tyler Austin, Milwaukee.

Milwaukee's selection of Tyler Austin's on September 1 will have a substantial impact on the Super Two bubble.

If Austin stays on the big league roster through season's end, he will earn a Super Two spot with 2 years and 150 days of service time.  If Austin had not had his contract selected that Super Two spot would fall to the last player on the bubble- at the moment, that appears to be Luke Weaver of Arizona.