" The Reds are one of the poorest hitting teams in baseball this year, ranked 26th in runs scored, 27th in batting average and 26th in on-base percentage. It's easy to write this off so early in the year, but when does it start to become a concern, and who is responsible for this rough start? Reds' manager Dusty Baker is at fault for the team's weak performances so far. Obviously, he cannot control how his individual players perform, but there are changes he can make to help the entire team." https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1156259-cincinnati-reds-dusty-baker-is-responsible-for-poor-play
I'm hoping that Dusty PH for Julks in the 9th was a sign that he understands that Corey is simply a step down in talent and ability from McCormick and Meyers and needs to be on the bench and not playing as much or more than them. It's time to bring up Dirden or Leon and send Julks down. There is a small chance they bring a spark to an offense in need but at least they have more potential to outperform Julks. Corey has enough PA now to have established who and what he is. Dirden at least brings a LH power bat. Leon brings speed and defensive versatility. Also, Dusty should have PH for Maldy in the 8th of a tie game. I have accepted that Maldy WILL start 75% of the games. I'm at peace with that but he should never hit in the 8th or 9th of a game that is tied or Astros losing. It's time to bring up Lee and send Salazar down. At least the b/u catcher has some hitting qualities that can justify using him at PH so Diaz can be used at DH without worry. 2023 is not like 2021 or 2022. The Astros are not coasting to a division championship and a bye. Dusty's job is to win as many games as possible, not cultivate relationships and experiment with lineups.
So Diaz was just too tired to be the DH from the beginning? Why pinch hit with him unless you think he's the better hitter? If he's the better hitter why is he not there from the beginning of the game? He needs a breather after playing one game in a row?
This team needs a spark and it's Brown's job to give it to them. Nothing can be done about the pitching without a trade. But the 13 position players can be improved. Pedro Leon has been on fire the last 3 weeks - 5 HR and over 1.000 OPS with a reduced K rate of 25.3% (still a bit high but acceptable given the other skills he brings) Korey Lee has just the opposite problem. He is not striking out (only 19.3% in June) but has hit into bad luck. ( only .531 OPs in that span). I'm sure Salazar making the team over him out of Spring Training bothered him but he is a far superior prospect and responded with good season so far. Him on this roster instead of Salazar makes it better. That's what I do today if I'm Brown - send Julks and Salazar to Sugar Land and bring up Lee and Leon. Move Lance to the 60 day IL to make room on 40 man for Leon.
Same here. I was like he can manage as long as he wants after last year's WS win, but now I want him gone mid season. Or at the very least, I want Brown and Crane to put their foot down and tell him stop being stupid. Brown needs to send Julks down or trade him away. He has no upside to speak of. He's not like Meyers or Chas, who play stellar defense and can rake from time to time. He's not like Dubon who can play the hardest positions on the field at the highest levels. He's a 27 year old rookie, who plays the second easiest position who has limited power and no plate discipline.
Corey Julks reminds Me of some of the outfielders the Astros brought up during the rebuild to see if any of them had what it takes. L.J. Hoes, Alex Pressley, Domingo Santana, Preston Tucker, etc. Occassionally one would have a productive season but in the long run, they ended up as negative value. They were all out of baseball or playing over seas before they would even be free agents if they were any good. The difference is those guys were all years younger than Julks.
Only reason Korey Lee wasn't on the opening day roster is because Dana knew that Dusty would not give him playing time... especially ahead of Maldy and Diaz. Would have stunted his development.
I don't mind Julks on the roster, but he's the 25/26th man... but how Dusty uses him is as if he sees him at least as a platoon player.
This is my stance on Julks. I don't mind him on the roster and feel he has been good roster depth at times so far. I feel he gets way too much hate but yes Dusty is using him too much at this point. Julks numbers have been gradually decreasing the more playing time he gets. Julks should be offering rest days, ph occasionally, etc. The way Dusty is using Julks is making Julks a hated player right now and it's unfortunate. When a possible bat is added Julks is very likely the next odd man out on this roster.
Like I wouldn't have hated Nico Goodrum, Robel Garcia, and pre-2023 Mauricio Dubon if Dusty wasn't all sentimental and not just placed them in the lineup too much but put them in critical spots in the lineup. I get players need a day off, but playing Goodrum in top 3 of the order to 'avoid disrupting' everyone else's 'spot,' was ridiculous.
Only explanation is if they are showcasing / giving him optics, league-wide... no other excuse-- Coog or not, Houstonian or not... be the clutch PH with solid plate discipline to be "the guy" this team needs. Aaaaa-fukkin-men friend. Tired of the dumb.
Can we talk about JP? He's been pitching way above his pay grade end expectations. Can he keep it up?
