Agree (sort of) that they are unlikely to get better. But they certainly COULD improve, if they committed to it (we're talking fielding here). (For those of us retirees, 25-28 does not seem past one's prime and incapable of learning anything). Alas, they likely won't. Devers knows what got him that $300million. It wasn't his glove. As for Duran, I may be imagining things, but to me he certainly has improved in the last couple of years, and they few things I've heard him say suggest he still will.
"Fans have become more entitled than anything. So they're starting to question our motives for the game, or how we approach the game. The ones that do question -- like who are you? Just shut up and watch the game tonight." --Kevin Durant on players' lack of effort in regular season games.
"Fans have become more entitled than anything. So they're starting to question our motives for the game, or how we approach the game. The ones that do question -- like who are you? Just shut up and watch the game tonight." --Kevin Durant on players' lack of effort in regular season games.
While I agree with the notion that some fielding coaches are better than others, I would also point out that with or without coaching most of us start learning how to field at a pretty early age. It's easier to practice fielding (and throwing) than hitting.
Plus when I read the write-ups in Sox Prospects they provide great detail on the fielding ability and potential of incoming players like Marcelo Mayer.
However, I also have the strong impression that the Rays in particular have a very systematic approach to teaching/coaching/training pretty much all of the baseball skills--fielding, throwing, pitching, hitting, etc.
I say that because the Rays have been in the bottom five teams in total salaries for decades and have fielded competitive teams going back to 2008. Not every year, of course, but lots of years.