I think what makes him exciting are a combination of things. He's a first round draft pick and rated our top prospect, he's a very big kid at 6'3", he has effortless power with no signs for selling out for power, he's hit well at every level he's played in, he's never struck out a lot at any level. Sure, he could just not pan out. However, he's shown a lot to be excited about with no obvious red flags. His batting profile looks a lot like Correa's. Defense? Not so much. We have every reason to be excited.
There has been precedent. Bryce Harper played one year in the minors in 2011. He got 80 PA in AAA to start '12 before being called up on April 28, posting an .817 OPS and winning ROY as a 19 year old.
False. Wrong. hang your head in shame. He will have no setbacks and we are witnessing the beginning of a HOF career. It's the only conceivable outcome.
Seems like a 6 foot 3 inch 225 lb individual is the physical mold for a first baseman. Don't know if he can play it but with physical questions about walkers oblique might be something to consider. Just spit balling on my part.
Don't get me wrong. I'm definitely excited to see what he can do. I'm just not penciling him into my (meaningless) opening day lineup after 11 PA / 7 ABs.
I think the hypothetical that everyone is discussing probably includes him getting another 20 plate appearances hits .400 with 3 more homers and more walks than strikeouts. At that point, he needs to be on the opening day roster. Doesn't matter if he only had one half season in the minors or not. This team needs help now.
First base is the last resort. If you think a guy can play one of the higher value defensive positions you keep him there until he proves that he can't. They will put one of the lesser upside options at first if they need a stopgap.
I am pretty sure I heard a Pujols comparison on the podcast. That seems appropriate as a median outcome, though I'd personally be a bit disappointed given how much Albert fell off in his last few years. Dude barely got to 700 home runs and 100 WAR. Smith should cruise by that in his late 30s unless he is just too lazy or Espada is too stupid to use him correctly.
He has worked out there - I am sure he could play first base. It may take him awhile to get used to it, but he has the reflexes, the size, athleticism and hands to play first if Walker gets old or hurt.
Pujols went an entire decade with like 12 WAR and multiple negative WAR seasons. By far the greatest contrast between the first 10 years and last 10 years of a career ever. Have to feel bad for the Angels getting the tail end.
CF/2B Brice Matthews LF/2B Jose Altuve DH/LF Yordan Alvarez 1B Christian Walker 3B/2B Isaac Paredes C/1B Yanier Diaz 3B/RF Cam Smith SS Jeremy Pena RF Zach Dezenzo Maybe after 1 month this Lineup, Cam Smith and Brice Matthews get called up quickly after around 20 games.
Now we are talking. Closer to trout in performance and Harper in availability. I’m not ruling out making a run at Cal Ripken for consecutive games though.
