The 2 catchers need to focus on being catchers and should never sniff 1B unless they're backing up a play.
He was always too talented to keep hitting that poorly. I don't think it's a coincidence at all that the hot streak coincides with them taking some of the catching duties off his plate.
He is crap at framing pitches and not so good at throwing out runners, but he is vastly better at offense DD
Probably right this year. I’d consider re-signing Caratini and making Diaz our permanent 1b if he can prove to have a decent glove there. Loperfido’s athleticism would be wasted at 1b long-term, if he indeed becomes a solid major league hitter.
Why wouldn't you want Diaz at C? If Tucker is gone, Loperfido would make sense in RF. Meyers in CF. I'd rather keep the OF as-is (LF TBD), give Tucker the Brinks Truck. Loper can play 1B. Bellinger went from CF to 1B and back, it can be done. But like you said, he's got to be a major league hitter to make any of this possible.
The graphic show the strike zone at the front of the plate. Obviously, the catcher has to catch the ball behind the plate. Sometimes the catcher can sneak into the plate area, if the hitter is not swinging (risking a catch interference fwiw). When the MB switches over to 100% robo ball/strike calling, the above pitch would have been called a strike.
I’m really just trying to solve 1b. Maybe Loperfido’s the guy if we re-sign Tucker. I’m fine with Diaz at catcher if he proves to be good at it. I hope they throw the Brinks at Tucker and not go after Alonzo as reported. I predict we let Tucker become a free agent and he ends up on one of the coasts. If you could get assurances from Alonzo that he would re-sign with us and don’t give up all our outfield prospects for him this year, then Tucker walks, Diaz stays at catcher and hope one of the youngsters turns into an all-star. Just for grins let’s say we re-sign Tucker, re-sign Caratini and put Diaz at first. Caratini is an above average hitter at his position and by all accounts good defensively. Then our lineup next year looks like this: Altuve Pena Alvarez/Tucker Tucker/Alvarez Diaz Myers McCormick, Loperfido or Leon or myriad of other OF prospects Caratini 3b placeholder until prospect makes it. Or Altuve Pena Alvarez Alonzo Diaz Bregman or placeholder for Dicenzo Myers McCormick or OF prospect Of prospect
It's funny (not really) that the 2 easiest positions to fill - LF/1B - are the 2 that the Astros can't figure out.
Something to think about... with the prevalence of sliders/sweepers there are pitches that do not cross the front of the plate but are fully in the zone at a later point. Are those strikes?
That’s true. They thought they had both figured out and then Abreu and McCormick happened. If McCormick can’t figure it out in the next couple of weeks, I think they should go all in with Leon and Loperfido. Let Loperfido platoon with somebody (Dubon) at 1b and Leon and Loperfido, and Alvarez handle LF. Trade or bench McCormick and release Abreu.
My understanding is that the strike zone is a 3D box. IMO umpires now treat the strike zone as a 2D box at the front of the plate. Sweepers can break into the 3D box late. Or 12-6 curve balls can break into the 3D box deep. Robo umpire calls can catch both of these. This will expand the strike zone and help the pitchers. MLB will need to decide if they want to keep the strike zone a s a 2D box at the front of the plate or expand to a 3D box.
Very good point. I’d prefer the 2D box. The 3D box seems unfair to the hitter as the ball breaks back into the zone long after they can swing at it.
We know which box will help offense. Offense sells tickets. Steroids make HR chases. In theory, the box should be 3D. The plate is 2D, but the batter adds the 3rd dimension vertically. If the box is 2D, where would you put it? Front of the plate, back, or middle?
