In 1,100 AB in AAA, he has a .418 obp. He is getting on base this spring and looks like a good option for the lefty bat and also to free up Caratini (& Diaz on days off) to ph. Let's see if that extremely high obp can translate to .340+ in the show. 4 years, 1,100 AB's is no fluke. If Dezenzo & Cam make the roster, we are talking 3 of Hummel, Chas, Dubon, Rodgers, Guillorme, Singleton. None of those guys is getting on at a .340 obp clip. Maybe not even .300
Hummel has been extremely good in the minors. He got some good run in his rookie year but hasn’t really gotten much big league time since. Now he’s 30 so I’m sure teams are hard pressed to justify giving him extended looks. He’d be really interesting if he was a good defensive catcher. But as he is I like him as a fit for the 13th spot. Lefty bat, can handle RF/LF/1B and be an emergency 3rd C. Not super valuable but for somebody who won’t play much, he’s a decent option.
Chas isn't approaching ST like he's got to earn a spot. His approach is he's working on plate patience and taking walks. I don't think he does that if he thinks his roster spot is in jeopardy to begin the season. I think Smith and Dezenzo have certainly earned a spot. Jake Berkshire Meyers isn't a different player than he was last year based on a few good spring ABs against minor leaguers. His quality of opponent in ST is 7.8, just under AAA quality. I suspect both Meyers and McCormick make the roster, but we'll see. Both have a lot to prove this season.
Chas really doesn’t look right to me and appears to have lost his confidence. I’d suggest a trade would be best for both parties, but I’m sure his value has tanked.
I know it's early, but damn, Dezenzo and Smith have made me not miss Bregman or Tucker. Imagine if we get better with these young dudes. Give them a chance day 1. **** all the service time manipulation.
I think Hummel has about the same chance of making the team as of Altuve being moved back to 2b full time - less than 1% Bottom line is he has zero upside, he is all floor, and younger players who do have upside have had better springs.
The pitchers will love it. Not that there's really a better option unless you go full-defense on the IF
The premise was Dezenzo & Smith make the team and then it would be 3 out of Dubon (29) McCormick (29) Rodgers (28) Guillorme (30) Singleton (33) Hummel (30) Gamel (32) to go with Caratini on the bench. Is there someone else? Who are the 3 younger players who have had better springs and have better upside? How do we know Hummel's upside? It could be .340-.360 obp? Who knows? Who out of the above players has better upside? Dubon? Chas? Gamel? That is the competition.
Hummell had 200 ABs in the majors in 2022 and had a .580 OPS. He was as bad as Chas was, last season. Chas is still a well above average hitter for his MLB career. So I’d say we have a decent idea which one has more upside. Dubon makes the roster on defense and versatility. Hummell isn’t close to competitive on those measures. He’d be fine if we needed a right handed short corner OF or 1B who takes walks but hits with little power. But I think we have other needs.
Ok, hopefully Chas has a better year, but I would not want him starting in RF over Cam. As a 4th OF or LF if Altuve plays 2B, that would be ok. Hummel is a switch hitter, though. The Lefty bench competition is Hummel, Gamel, Guillorme, Singleton. Hummel also has value a a third Catcher to free up Caratini as a left-handed bat to pinch hit.
I would like Altuve Paredes Alvarez Walker Smith Diaz Peña Dezenzo Meyers But, only way that works is if Tuve or Paredes plays 2B. Otherwise, it's Dubon, Rodgers or Guillorme.
That's a .418 on-base percentage mainly in the AAA league filled with extremely favorable hitter's environments "Cooper Hummel's" potential fit on an MLB roster (he does not fit anywhere on a serious Astros roster) is #5500 of #5500 on the priorities list
With Salazar optioned, catcher is set at Diaz and Caratini. Walker, Paredes, and Pena are set at 3 infield positions. With Paredes playing exclusively at 3b, the vacancy is at 2b. Altuve and Meyers are entrenched at LF and CF. Yordan will play some LF. Dubon is on the team as primary utility and position player #10. Rodgers, Guillorme, or Short will make the team as the starting or platoon starting 2b. My money is on Rodgers. The team needs a RF and the candidates are McCormick, Gamel, Dezenzo, and Smith. If Smith makes the team, he will start every day. It's looking more and more like he has earned the spot. That leaves 2 spots. McCormick- OF is inexperienced and short on backups. Gamel- see McCormick + LH bat is an extreme need. Dezenzo- Has absolutely earned a spot but likely needs everyday ABs and innings in RF/LF. It's either him or Smith. Guillorme- Not really needed if Rodgers makes the team but his LH bat and defensive versatility gives him a chance. Short- he's a poor fit for a team with Dubon and even worse for a team with Dubon and Rodgers. Singleton- valuable LH bat but can the team afford to roster him with a complete lack of versatility. My bet is McCormick and either Gamel or Singleton.
