2036.02 - The Long Beach Independent - Lindt Hard at Work

[Lane]

LINDT ADDS TO ARSENAL

October 20, 2035
Maracay, Venezuela

First, let's refresh your memory. Diogo Lindt is a 24 year old right handed pitcher with just short of 3 years BBA service time. He's made 29 starts and 77 relief appearances in parts of four seasons, since his 2032 debut in Halifax. He was the "headliner" of the trade that sent Ken Jenkins' contract to the Nashville Goats. The trade was a salary dump wearing nothing but it's birthday suit, or so it seemed at the time. LBC received Luis Espinoza (1 year salary dump), Mike Manning (hitting under .200 at the time) and Lindt, who seemed to be AAAA swingman fodder.

However, putting some faith in Lindt, or being forced to do so due to injuries, the Surfers gave Lindt the ball for 11 starts down the stretch. He pitched well, posting a 4.18 ERA, especially considering he was working with just two pitches and a 3/5 changeup. Going into 2036, things may be different.

Gustavo Diaz, bartender at Roma 31, a popular spot in Maracay reports overhearing a conversation between Lindt and his longtime coach. Diaz told The Independent that the pair were discussing Lindt's progress on a "nuevo cambio de circulo" (circle change) that they had been working on. Additionally they were discussing strategies of attacking hitters. As best we can tell from the translation and the barkeep's limited baseball knowledge, Lindt will be focusing on keeping his offspeed pitches down in the zone to induce ground balls.

We spoke with a scout in the Long Beach organization, who had this to say on condition of anonymity: "If he really does show up with a new changeup, then that definitely improves his outlook. Maybe bump his stuff up to a 9, and he becomes much more viable as a starter. And if he keeps the ball down, bump that MOV up to a 6 because he'll see fewer fly balls leaving the yard."

We reached out to Lindt, who responded through his agent: "Diogo was not planning to share the news of his offseason workouts before spring training, but since we were approached with this report, we can indeed confirm that it is true. Diogo returned home with a renewed energy and devotion to the Long Beach Surfers, eager to repay them for their faith in him this season. He wants to do his best in 2036 and beyond, and his offseason workouts are just the beginning. We are also pleased to report an increase in velocity for Diogo, who has been sitting 98-100 mph in recent workouts."

The Independent looks forward to getting eyes on Lindt in spring training. In the meantime, stay tuned for all the offseason coverage of your Long Beach Surfers.

[RonCo]

That could be pretty good news. Not to get hopes going too far, or quench them, or whatever...but Ernest Ramos picked up a Circle Change in the following pattern:

Sept 2033: New Pitch (1/4)
March 2034: (1/5)
April 2034: (2/5)
April 2034: (3/6)
Sept 2034: (4/7)
March 2035: (4/8)
July 2035: (4/9)
Oct 2035: (4/10)

It might be interesting to trace this path...growing talent, much slower in rating development.

[Lane]

Ramos is interesting, thanks for sharing.

Lindt's showed up as 2/3 so I guess there's hope for improvement.

[Lane]

Changeup now at 3/5
Circle Change now at 2/4

little by little!