I really like what we’ve seen from Whitcomb at the plate so far in the majors. 23% k, 14% bb, 92 mph avg EV, those are really really good numbers. His xwOBA is 100 points higher than his actual wOBA. I really hope he keeps getting to play everyday so they can get a 150+ pa sample size from him to have a better handle on how much they should factor him in next season.
Looking at Gamels numbers in recent seasons...he has hit RHP well. Almost zero power but beggars can't be choosers. If Chaz and Dubon hadn't both decided to go full ret**d I would feel pretty good about that platoon potential. 24 (AAA) 443 OBP 939 OPS 23 (AAA) 420 OBP 967 OPS 22 342 OBP 751 OPS 21 370 OBP 777 OPS Hes a bad CFer, but when Framber is on the mound against a RHP...I think him over Meyers may be a valid play.
You posted this specifically pertaining to Yordong's advantage at one single element of fielding LF: To which I replied with this post, which was a counter-argument made not from opposition, but rather addition and elucidation. Any argument made solely from extra bases surrendered due to arm strength that fails to factor in the initial base surrendered due to range is incomplete and worthless. To be considered thorough, of course, any such analyzation would ideally entail the factoring in of some combination of all the elements involved, but just for fun, let's pretend we were only allowed to judge the fielder on only one of the two aforementioned criteria: arm strength vs. range. Gun to your head, which scenario would you prefer? Yordong gunning down Stockton at the plate after a Malone gapper, or Chas/Meyers running down and catching the Malone line drive, stranding Stockton at 2B?
He's the guy who I was hoping they'd call up and I like what I've seen. The K/BB ratio interested me with that power/speed combo, and the eye test says he's not overmatched out there. I think he's our 3B next year if Bregs is gone.
Yordan in LF) Positives: 1) ++ position in offensive production. 2) Yordan is happier. 3) more versatility in starting 9. 4) has a BIG and accurate arm. 5) other options have been underwhelming. Negatives: 1) less range (3.6 ft/ avg)= 7% fewer outs. Chas is +1ft/avg = 3% more outs Dubon is +1 6 ft/avg= 3% more outs About 10% outs in LF 2) injury risk. That's all I have.
In hindsight, I should have expected Whitcomb to outperform Dezenzo. He has so much more experience and his bat is legit. Metrics and stats project him to be a very poor fielding 3b though. Shay is probably the best option the rest of this year. Maybe Alex can manage to play just when Framber pitches, lol. I do think that if they are the choices for next year, Dezenzo will eventually pass him, moving him to 1b or LF. Zach just got rushed with little AAA time and needs reps. I think both have a chance to be 115+ types of hitters, but likely much more bat over glove so that will be more very good than great
I don't really keep up with the minors. If hypothetically Bregman got hurt before the trade deadline, would they have called up Will Wagner to play 3rd base before Whitcomb? Who is projected to be better?
Man, Chas decided to go the route of Abreu this season. I hope it's not a trend. I really like Chas. I think it's because of the hamstring injury. As we saw with Harden and Chris Paul, hamstring injuries linger for a long time.
Possibly if was done before Whitcomb had enough PAs to establish his breakout was legit and while Dezenzo was still hurt. But it has been widely reported that Wagner is a bit short on lateral quickness and arm strength to be an everyday 3b. Not to mention short on power for the position. And by July both Dezenzo and Whitcomb were both much more likely to be the callups. Brown loves high ceilings and Wagner simply doesn't have one. He is exactly the type of prospect he will bury in the minors and ignore.
Great article about how the Stros keep on swimming. From the NYT, no less. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5718414/2024/08/23/astros-win-orioles-ben-gamel/
Yeah I think he will be a key piece next season, the question I’m hoping gets answered over the next 10 weeks is if he is a #5 hitter, a #7 hitter, or a guy you’d rather have as just a bench piece.
The difference in range isn't great enough to make up for a great bat with a good arm vs a below Mendoza line bat with a throws like a girl arm.
