Maybe Bregman-lite He still has a very un-Bregman like 25.5% K rate. I love his start and don't want to take away from it, but I don't see Bregman as a comp. Maybe more like Springer.
When I think approach for which he was using Bregman as a comp, I think swing decisions and not the swing. I'd say Chas is doing a pretty decent Bregman impersonation so far. Bregman career stats for Approach 18% Chase Rate 61% In-Zone Swing Rate Chas's 2023 stats for Approach 18% Chase Rate 63% In-Zone Swing Rate Chas still swings wildly when he swings such that he swings and misses a lot more than Bregman, but he's been a much more patient hitter this season. Chas's swing is a young Springer swing. Chas's contact has been off this season such that his BB% and K% don't reflect an improvement in plate discipline.
Bregman has a very low whiff rate and has an uncanny ability to foul off pitches so he can see more pitches. That is really what sets him apart. I think Diaz has that ability but he chases a lot. If Diaz can learn Bregmans approach, he would be a pretty darn good hitter.
Who's to say it didn't also? Not uncommon in any walk of life for advice to be better received from someone you look up to rather than an authority figure.
Guys I would actually be interested in: C: Salvador Perez*, OF: Bryan Reynolds*, Kris Bryant*, RP: Michael Fulmer*, Salvy Perez and Kris Bryant both better be free. Bryan Reynolds I would probably give up a fair bit for- like Jake or Chas plus 2 or 3 of our top 10 prospects (on the farm- so no Diaz or Brown) not named Forest Whitley. 2 if they take Chas, 3 if they take Jake. I'd love Salvy Perez and Kris Bryant if they both only cost money. Bryant solves so many problems for us for years at a time. Salvy solves our biggest problem and makes us 9 deep. If we could find a way to unload LMJ for free (which we should if Forest Whitley is good) then we could take both of those dudes back and still be under the tax. When everyone gets healthy: Altuve/Yordan/Bregman/Tucker/Abreu/Perez/(Brantley or Bryant)/Pena/Chas. Brantley faces all RHP (100 games started) Bryant faces all LHP, plus plays 15 games for Bregman, 15 for Abreu, 15 for Yordan and 15 for Tucker. That's 125 or so starts. That's plenty of games and AB's for everyone and makes the team basically flawless bat wise (Maldy gets shot into the face of the sun- Diaz gets 33% of Salvy's starts. The worst player in your entire lineup is Chas against RHP. He's fine. He's hitting 9th.
Bryan Reynolds is pretty bad at centerfield, so I don't see the fit unless you want Alvarez DHing most of the time. The lineup is pretty stacked if everyone gets healthy. I think the only real upgrade would be catcher and a certified ace. Obviously you can't have enough relief pitchers also.
If the Astros go for an OF, it should be Mike Yastrzemski. He hits RHPs very well and the potential for a platoon in CF getting called Chastrzemski is enticing.
For me you can take Marquez off the list. Marquez just went on the IL with "forearm discomfort." Rockies said nothing structural but no chance I'm going down that road. See the Yankees with the Montas deal that turned into a disaster.
Salvador Perez and Marcus Stroman might really round out this roster once it’s healthy. Gives them 9 average or better hitters and lets Lance be in the bullpen where he has been dominant in past playoffs.
Yes, thank you for articulating this so nicely. You can have similar approaches, but different end results. Last year, Chas provided a dangerous at bat to opposing pitchers, but it rarely seemed high stress. This year, he is coming with a "this f'er won't bite" approach that wears on pitchers, similar to Bregman. IMO, the more guys we have like that in the lineup, the better. However, I suspect ptichers will adjust and become more aggressive knowing that he won't bite on the throwaway pitches, so let's see how this goes long term...
Then you can shift to go into ambush mode. Once you've demonstrated that you have the skill the pitcher has to deal with that knowledge and that gives you an advantage, imo.
His sac fly is playing into the equation like Buck mentioned. Once he gets a few walks, it will flip.
IF he gets a few walks. I wish I could remember who it was but pre money ball there was a guy with like 400 or 500 AB's who was making a serious run at having a lower OBP than batting average. In his defense it was when people sac bunted so he had like 12 or 15 or something like that sac bunts and a couple SF and just no HBP and very very low walk rate. I'm sure it's been done before, I just don't know by who.
