The ratio of minus to plus X ~ = pi @ 2 = cos - 7 x (xyz) =
4 good lines into the year 2026.
Please show your work.

It seems this Noah Cates kid has just appeared out of nowhere. Another 5th round pick. Hexy recently hit on Lindblom is the 5th, Ghost in the 3rd, and a few other late rounders who have some potential to play in the NHL.

Kudos to the scouting department.

https://www.nhl.com/flyer...elphia-flyers/c-290452314
- MBFlyerfan

What’s the latest on Noah Cates? Has been on my radar since he was drafted and now he is popping up on the screen. Maybe someone has info on him they can share.
- peesinwind

Well, he didn't really come out of nowhere. He was a touted Minnesota HS prospect. HockeyProspect (the scouting service) was very high on him and him in the 50s or 60s, so he was on my radar just from that pre-draft. I remember reading that Chris Pryor had a connection to Stillwater, where Cates is from. I was definitely happy they picked him in the 5th.

I watched him like 3 times this season. Once early, when he was struggling to produce, and twice later. He started off the season with 5 points in 13 games, so it made you wonder (even if he looked alright on tape and adjusting to a higher level is always a thing, especially from HS), but he finished with 50 points in 47 games and was a top 10 USHL point getter. I don't think some people realize how hard it is to score in the more defensive USHL. Point/game is high end production, unlike CHL. So, he under the radar ended up having the season you'd hope for.

Scouting wise, Cates checks a lot of Flyers scouting boxes -- good and bad. He's really high IQ and always in great position. His forechecking and below the dots games is a strength, and he has a wide build where he can puck protect well. He's got above average hands and versatile skill. I imagine he'll excel more as a 2-way PWF type. The bad is his skating needs some work, but he's not classically slow either. It's more power skating and form work, as he can be a little short with his stride and it isn't the prettiest. Decently quick feet in tight though, not bad edge work. I'm definitely excited to see him at the college level. I don't think you need to go overboard right now projecting upside -- maybe a 3rd liner realistic upside but who knows? -- but there could definitely be an NHL player there. I don't think he's on a different tier than players like NAK, Kase, Lycksell, Strome, Sushko.

It seems this Noah Cates kid has just appeared out of nowhere. Another 5th round pick. Hexy recently hit on Lindblom is the 5th, Ghost in the 3rd, and a few other late rounders who have some potential to play in the NHL.

Kudos to the scouting department.

https://www.nhl.com/flyer...elphia-flyers/c-290452314
- MBFlyerfan

Thanks for re posting

On Friday, Ron Hextall discussed Cates on the "Real Deal Hockey with Bundy and Bill" podcast that Chris Therien and I co-host. It is near the end:

http://recordings.talksho.../TC-142647/TS-1256482.mp3
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill. You and Therien do an excellent job. You guys have been loaded with great guest.

On another topic, the Phils really need to add a bat, or better yet 2 if they want to win the NL east. It’s amazing and a tribute to the pitching staff that they are where they are right now with this pop gun offense.

I am WAY more concerned about term than I am with cap hit where Simmonds is concerned.

I wouldn't go more than 4 years (preferably 3) even if it meant giving him 7 aav for that 3 years.
- MBFlyerfan

I see them floating an offer out to Simmonds but I doubt it's anything he'll be willing to take. The winger depth on the NHL club now sort of pushes him to down to the 3rd line. And there are quite a few wingers in the system knocking on the door. In theory he could very well be a 4th liner for us in two years time. I don't think Hextall will go beyond 4 years, if that even. It's really just an odd man out scenario to me.

On another topic, the Phils really need to add a bat, or better yet 2 if they want to win the NL east. It’s amazing and a tribute to the pitching staff that they are where they are right now with this pop gun offense.
- BiggE

You are so correct. To be playing in that band box and having no one hitting near 300 or a 20 homer guy at this stage is absurd for a challenging team

Thanks Bill. You and Therien do an excellent job. You guys have been loaded with great guest.
- peesinwind

Thank you! We have several more lined up and a couple in the works.

On another topic, the Phils really need to add a bat, or better yet 2 if they want to win the NL east. It’s amazing and a tribute to the pitching staff that they are where they are right now with this pop gun offense.
- BiggE

I'm watching this game and you're absolutely right. The lineup has very little power. I'm expecting them to back up the truck to someone this off-season. Hopefully. I dont exactly have a ton of faith in the Phillies front office...

I'm watching this game and you're absolutely right. The lineup has very little power. I'm expecting them to back up the truck to someone this off-season. Hopefully. I dont exactly have a ton of faith in the Phillies front office...
- hereticpride

Done a fanastic job oustide of Arrieta

Done a fanastic job oustide of Arrieta
- Giroux_Is_God

Don't forget Santana's .209 batting average. Totally worth that 60 million dollars.

I am WAY more concerned about term than I am with cap hit where Simmonds is concerned.

I wouldn't go more than 4 years (preferably 3) even if it meant giving him 7 aav for that 3 years.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm thinking of that Mickey Mantle scene from A Bronx Tale right now (if you know what I mean), but he'd be so dumb to take $21 million -- even at that AAV -- when something like $30 million could be offered in FA. Loyalty isn't worth that sizable a difference in guaranteed money for your last big payday.

That's from his perspective. From our perspective I still don't see the point in re-signing him. Every actual reason will come down to locker room intangibles, which is dangerous ground. He'll go down as a Flyers legend when he leaves (and hopefully returns in some capacity, probably as PK coach), but I don't see any on-ice reason to keep him. Yes, 3 years is manageable term. But why assemble this prospect pool to just re-sign an aging PWF, PP specialist? Re-signing him blocks every single spot in the top 9 for 3 years (if he even signs for that), assuming Frost is 3C. He'll never be above TK and Jake; he'll probably on merit be behind some more RW kiddies at ES by next year; and his PP role, his biggest selling point, is a redundancy with JVR locked up long-term and Patrick (who supplanted that spot already) and Couturier already in-house. He won't be close to worth that $7 million, especially if he's on PP2 and is a 40-45 point player. And we have to re-sign other players too.

It's sad it has to go down this way in a sense, but it's business and Hextall should make the business decision. I remain skeptical he will.

Don't forget Santana's .209 batting average. Totally worth that 60 million dollars.
- hereticpride

I'm loving his .350 OBP and 56 RBIs (second by 1 to Hoskins' 57), which puts him on pace for a career high 105 RBI. 74 BB and 57 Ks. Hopefully your opinions on the Flyers are better than the Phillies.

I'm watching this game and you're absolutely right. The lineup has very little power. I'm expecting them to back up the truck to someone this off-season. Hopefully. I dont exactly have a ton of faith in the Phillies front office...
- hereticpride

I’m hoping that in 2020 they get lucky and Trout decides he wants to play for the team he grew up rooting for. He’d be scary hitting in CBP

I'm loving his .350 OBP and 56 RBIs. 74 BB and 57 Ks. Hopefully your opinions on the Flyers are better than the Phillies.
- Giroux_Is_God

A 1st Baseman who walks and can't play any other positions. Woo friggin hoo.

No need to get personal dude. Move on.

I'm loving his .350 OBP and 56 RBIs. 74 BB and 57 Ks. Hopefully your opinions on the Flyers are better than the Phillies.
- Giroux_Is_God

Santana isn’t what concerns me. I just don’t think you can keep on winning right now with Kingery playing every day, the powerless Hernandez at second, the streaky Franco at third and the Williams/Alther combo in right. Having one or 2 of them in the everyday lineup is fine, but all four is just too many.

Honestly, outside of throwing Hoskins a fastball, is there anything about any hitter in the entire lineup that would scare an opposing pitcher in the slightest?

I'm thinking of that Mickey Mantle scene from A Bronx Tale right now (if you know what I mean), but he'd be so dumb to take $21 million -- even at that AAV -- when something like $30 million could be offered in FA. Loyalty isn't worth that sizable a difference in guaranteed money for your last big payday.

That's from his perspective. From our perspective I still don't see the point in re-signing him. Every actual reason will come down to locker room intangibles, which is dangerous ground. He'll go down as a Flyers legend when he leaves (and hopefully returns in some capacity, probably as PK coach), but I don't see any on-ice reason to keep him. Yes, 3 years is manageable term. But why assemble this prospect pool to just re-sign an aging PWF, PP specialist? Re-signing him blocks every single spot in the top 9 for 3 years (if he even signs for that), assuming Frost is 3C. He'll never be above TK and Jake; he'll probably on merit be behind some more RW kiddies at ES by next year; and his PP role, his biggest selling point, is a redundancy with JVR locked up long-term and Patrick (who supplanted that spot already) and Couturier already in-house. He won't be close to worth that $7 million, especially if he's on PP2 and is a 40-45 point player. And we have to re-sign other players too.

It's sad it has to go down this way in a sense, but it's business and Hextall should make the business decision. I remain skeptical he will.
- Mononoke

This

I’m hoping that in 2020 they get lucky and Trout decides he wants to play for the team he grew up rooting for. He’d be scary hitting in CBP
- BiggE

I would love that. But I feel like there is no way the Angels let him leave. With no salary cap I feel like they're going to offer him the moon before anyone even has a chance to talk to him. At least Disney doesn't own the Angels anymore. They would've been impossible to bid against.

Santana isn’t what concerns me. I just don’t think you can keep on winning right now with Kingery playing every day, the powerless Hernandez at second, the streaky Franco at third and the Williams/Alther combo in right. Having one or 2 of them in the everyday lineup is fine, but all four is just too many.

Honestly, outside of throwing Hoskins a fastball, is there anything about any hitter in the entire lineup that would scare an opposing pitcher in the slightest?
- BiggE

Herrera/Franco can be really good but both are pretty streaky. I'm thinking that Kingery needs to go down and work on his swing. But I can't see that happening as long as they remain in playoff contention.

I would love that. But I feel like there is no way the Angels let him leave. With no salary cap I feel like they're going to offer him the moon before anyone even has a chance to talk to him. At least Disney doesn't own the Angels anymore. They would've been impossible to bid against.
- hereticpride

Maybe, but Trout has to know that Middleton will do the same, hell he’s a billionaire who badly wants to win (basically the anti-Melnyk, lol)

Trout is a diehard Philly sports fan and an Eagles season ticket holder. Plus he’s going to make a fortune no matter where he goes. I think the Phils have a pretty good shot of snagging him.

Take me out to the Ugh...
How about horse racing?
Del Mar?
Where the turf meets the surf?
You know back in the late 1930's Thoroughbred Racing was the most popular sport in the USA...

"The Phillies have no power"

Herrera: 29 HR/105 RBI pace
Hoskins: 30 HR/ 118 RBI pace
Santana: 28 HR/105 RBI pace

Santana has an ISO right in line with career norms coupled with a BABIP of 50 pts lower than his career norm.

IMO the issue with the offense lies in a poor second half of the lineup, but that's improving with the recent surges of Franco and Kingery.

I agree, they could use another bat, and would love to see them go after one in the offseason. But the sky isn't falling with this team as some people seem to think. Their SP has been phenomenal, bullpen has been much better recently, and those are the 2 things you need in order to play more than 162 games in a season. Their offense is getting the job done. Not excelling yet, but it isn't a liability.

I see them floating an offer out to Simmonds but I doubt it's anything he'll be willing to take. The winger depth on the NHL club now sort of pushes him to down to the 3rd line. And there are quite a few wingers in the system knocking on the door. In theory he could very well be a 4th liner for us in two years time. I don't think Hextall will go beyond 4 years, if that even. It's really just an odd man out scenario to me.
- hereticpride

I don't believe Hextall would involve himself in a disingenuous negotiation with Simmonds. Simmonds demands may wind up exceeding what Hextall is willing to agree to but that usually signals a player who wants to leverage free agency to get the best deal. I believe Hextall will offer a fair market deal to Simmonds.
It's awfully optimistic to think that a player of Simmonds ability would be a 4th line player for this team in a couple of years. That's a theory out of left field.

"The Phillies have no power"

Herrera: 29 HR/105 RBI pace
Hoskins: 30 HR/ 118 RBI pace
Santana: 28 HR/105 RBI pace

Santana has an ISO right in line with career norms coupled with a BABIP of 50 pts lower than his career norm.

IMO the issue with the offense lies in a poor second half of the lineup, but that's improving with the recent surges of Franco and Kingery.

I agree, they could use another bat, and would love to see them go after one in the offseason. But the sky isn't falling with this team as some people seem to think. Their SP has been phenomenal, bullpen has been much better recently, and those are the 2 things you need in order to play more than 162 games in a season. Their offense is getting the job done. Not excelling yet, but it isn't a liability.
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah maybe, but I still think they badly need another a bat. They do benefit from playing in the NL east and could potentially win the division with the current roster but their margin for error is razor thin. One more bat who can either step in RF or at short/3rd would really help.

All in all, I’m happy. At this stage in the rebuild, just finishing over .500 would be great. However it’s July 22nd and they are in first. Might as well go for it.

Santana isn’t what concerns me. I just don’t think you can keep on winning right now with Kingery playing every day, the powerless Hernandez at second, the streaky Franco at third and the Williams/Alther combo in right. Having one or 2 of them in the everyday lineup is fine, but all four is just too many.

Honestly, outside of throwing Hoskins a fastball, is there anything about any hitter in the entire lineup that would scare an opposing pitcher in the slightest?
- BiggE

Ceasar hits at the top of the lineup. What does he need power for?

As long as they keep getting on base, they will continue to provide offense that is good enough to win but not world beating. The 1-4/5 guys get the job done and have all season. I still think Santana goes through a hot streak and climbs up to .240, and in the years following bounces back to his career .260ish.

Herrera is in his 3rd full season and hitting .270, on a 30 HR pace. Hoskins is in his first full season and is continuing to show plate discipline and pop and is on pace to drive in 115+ RBI. Unless you're a super prospect like Betts or Trout it takes a while to find yourself and your approach at the plate and fall into a career long groove. You're seeing that with Herrera, and I believe next year Hoskins is gonna show us a higher BA.

The death of Williams and Altherr are killing this team. One of those guys continuing their good seasons from last year (again, good, not world beating) and suddenly there's your guy who is hitting .270 out of the 6 or 7 hole and can drive in 65+ runs. But that's not happening unfortunately. Even so, they're also both very young.

I'll be the first person to pray for Harper or Machado this offseason (or Trout the next!) but the team we have now is good enough to make the playoffs as one of the youngest teams in the league. That's exciting, but they're still a few pieces away. That being said, those pieces could be acquired in FA as opposed to giving up blue chippers, which would be the wrong move. This is not the year they're one good bat/bullpen arm/SP away from a WS berth. That day will come though and it'll be here quicker than any of us expected!