As an experiment, which didn't go well: "The Astros also gave Alvarez playing time at first base in Round Rock, the only fielding position further left on the defensive spectrum than left field. Four weeks ago, on May 14, Luhnow was on hand to watch. Since then, he has had just one more start at first base, on May 20. He made two errors that game, and they stopped playing him at first base."
Altuve starts out seasons normal to above normal. Production historically ramps up at the end of May. He rides that momentum to a .346 June and .331 July over his career. I dont think you can assess his season average without seeing him in June and July.
Except there is other data suggesting Alvarez may be one of the best hitters in game today. White had no such data.
Springer CF Bregman 3B Altuve 2B Alvarez DH Brantely LF Correa SS Yuli 1B Chirinos C Reddick RF Diaz, Stassi, Marisnick White and Kemp will have to be traded/DFA'd at some point. For 2020, change out Reddick for Tucker.
Thank you for pointing that out, I did not know that. That does change things going forward if he can't hold down 1B. I would imagine that he could be taught, but in that small sample size, it says: Air Yordan has MUCH work to do if him playing 1B is still a thought. Having Alvarez at 1B puts us into a different stratosphere as far as offense goes. With the freedom to then get a DH-type (or use Brantley there), the roster flexibility is far greater. Put the kid to work!
After much careful consideration I have determined this is the perfect lineup: 1 - Springer CF 2 - Bregman 3B 3 - Altuve 2B 4 - Brantley LF 5 - Alvarez DH 6 - Correa SS 7 - Gurriel 1B 8 - Chirinos C 9 - Straw RF
Reddick is still above Straw on the depth chart. Everything else I like. Except I would flip Alvarez and Correa.
While Reddick is overall a better hitter with more power, having Straw on base with the top of the order to drive him in is just too deadly to pass up. This season: Reddick OBP .324 Straw OBP .376 As for flipping Alvarez and Correa? I'd much rather have mr. RBI Yordan to drive in our top 4 instead of the GIDP prone Correa.
Straw's OBP numbers are great, even with the difference in sample size. I wouldn't bench Reddick because of them.
It's an embarassment of riches. "Benching Reddick" sounds negative. I'd think of him as a premium pinch-hitter.
Springer CF Altuve 2B Bregman 3B Brantley LF (LH) Correa SS Alvarez DH (LH) Gurriel 1B Chirinos C Reddick RF (LH) Stassi or Trade C Diaz IF/LF Marisnick CF Straw, Fisher & Tucker as potential 13th position player.
Assuming Brantley does not come back 1. Altuve 2B 2. Pena SS 3. Alvarez DH 4. Bregman 3B 5. Tucker RF 6. Mancini 1B 7. Diaz LF 8. McCormick CF 9. Maldonado/Vazquez C Bench: Gurriel (backup IF, pinch hitter), Dubon, Meyers, backup C Gurriel gives us the best option if we are looking for a hit, Dubon is a backup SS and CF, Meyers is the pinch runner, and of course, the backup catcher. Let McCormick and Diaz get regular at bats at this point.
