To adds to this conversation... I am very opposed to playing Julks as much as he has been played and should not be getting starts in the OF at this time except for load management. This isn't to say that will always be the case. His PAs should go up or down based on performance. Guys like him should get there chance when a player is hurt or they play so well as a reserve they force their way into the lineup (i.e., like Chas has done, but really hasn't been given a "fulltime" role). Alvarez is hurt. Diaz can play 1B, C, and DH. There is a way for Julks to get the PAs he has been getting without it costing the team OF defense. If Julks keeps walking like has been lately (well I expect some regression as he's just taking advantage of pitchers expecting him to swing at anything), he probably is better than a fringe bench player. There is a chance his damage to pitches will improve if he swings at bad pitches less. He might even fight for more playing time in the OF. I just think decisions should be performance-based, and they should change with new data. I try really hard not to blame Julks for him being played over Meyers and Chas more than he should have so far. I try really hard not to blame Julks for him being played over Diaz more than he should have so far.
Yeah, I think things are settling in to what we already knew right about time last year - Meyers and Chas are just ok, which is why Click took serious heat from ownership when he failed to resolve CF.
They are both a lot better than Starling Marte right now, who is 34 and still owed 40 million after this season and was the desired choice of the owner. 12 million for Montero, 20 Million for Abreu, and 21 million for Marte who . Crane and his "baseball guys" talk a big game about Click and his nerd indecisiveness, but their bold choices don't exactly look great at the moment.
Ummm, the Astros have one of the best producing CFs this year (11th in wRC+, 2nd in Defense), and ownership wanted Marte who can't play CF any more to play centerfield. Julks is kicking Marte's butt as a corner OF. Last season, Chas hit better than all CFs (400 PA min) except for Judge, Trout, JRod, Harris II, Nimmo, Springer, and Reynolds. Granted, Dusty choose not to play Chas in CF that much. Maybe Chas completely sucks going forward, but so far, the Astros CF that Click wanted is destroying what ownership wanted the past 2 seasons.
I'm not a Click fan, but he did make a great trade for Diaz, Maton and most importantly he did a great job rebulding the bullpen. His first full draft appears to be very solid as well. The jury is still out on Brown.
I have wanted Julks to be sent down and bring up a minor leaguer to be an outfield replacement on the bench, but his recent penchant for getting walks could change the projection for him. He is not the player McCormick is at this point, but if he can get OBA up and continues to hit for power he is a starting caliber left fielder.
Don't have too much beef w/ that lineup except Julks. But he can sure hit some PISS ROPES (@The Drake) from time to time.
Are they now simply going on their record when Julks starts? Can't be as simplistic/coincidental as that...
Julks as of recent seems like he's fighting with purpose to stay in the lineup / play as much as possible... don't blame him-- hope he rakes and we're only close to the bottom of the incline for his career. He's been consistent & has shown some really good flashes (hitting, defensively) as of late... "hometown hero" I'm thinking its more of a "LOOK COMMON-PEOPLE OF THE H" Abreu isn't in the lineup... see! Wonder who the shot-caller is on that...? Also, I'd like to know the correlation of Dubon's production when he & Alvarez are both playing vs. when they are not both in the lineup... have a feeling I know what the data will show.
Big win Framber don’t get nearly enough credit for how great he is if so Pena would definitely be batting 2nd cause that record is nuts
