3 out of the previous 4 years, his BABIP averaged 0.315. Although I do expect his BA to go up, I would be cautious to assume it'll go up a significant amount. For now, he just needs to rest and get back to 100%.
People sure seem to be treating it that way, I guess I'm trying to temper expectations with a halfass dose of reality.
That as well. I don't know how good he is in centerfield defensively but if he's anything close to Marisnick then Marisnick better look out because Kemp will be in centerfield soon.
It's awesome that he was able to accomplish that, but he really only brings value if he is batting around 0.310 or above. Even 0.300 would be great. However, his track record indicates that last season was an outlier. This whole season (pretty decent sample size), he's playing just as he did the previous 3 years before his "break out" year. Again, if he can consistently hit above 0.300, then he helps us. Otherwise, we can do better.
You realize even as Altuve has been in what seems like a season slump he still leads the team in avg?
Take your fanhat off for a sec and describe to me what Jose Altuve contributes as a top-of-the-order hitter, and what Jose Altuve is deficient at. Then tell me how that fits into the ideal lineup construction of the Houston Astros, especially maximizing it going forward in future years. And then tell me how someone else could potentially be a better fit, or not. I really like the guy, btw, but if we're talking baseball and not icecream socials, then I have no qualms about saying player x could be replaced with a better player, as long as it improves the team.
Batting average is overrated. Show me OBP and Slugging and defense. This year, he has the same OBP and Slugging Pct as Carter. There is room for improvement. Again, if Altuve isnt going to hit consistently above 0.300, he doesnt help us.
Just saying Altuve at his best isnt easy to replace, you would be better served replacing first or third before him.
You can count the guys on 1 hand who are "close to Marisnick" in center. Kemp is a 2B who can play LF tolerably and is learning to play CF. You can't just plug-and-play people around, it's not fantasy baseball.