It really comes down to: SS: Correa 3B: Moran or SS: Bregman 3B: Correa The point is that you put the best players on the field. You dont just keep Correa at SS because you like the idea of having a player of that caliber at SS. The best players need to get in the game, and sometimes, you have to make adjustments to the lineup for the benefit of the team. Plus, as Ive mentioned, there is a good chance Correa fills into his frame and will be better suited for 3B anyways.
Thomas Eshelman was just promoted to Quad Cities, and he'll make his first start tonight in Kane County.
Correa is likely a better defensive SS than Bregman. You would want your best glove at SS, since SS will see more plays than 3rd.
Bregman was one of the best defensive SS in the nation...Correa might be better, but it wouldnt be much of a downgrade.
Am I the only one that does not understand this Correa or Bregman to 3rd "debate"? I suppose we are discussing a hypothetical situation so we can better plan for the future, but Correa is [hopefully] a once-in-a-generation talent that has actually managed to exceed our already-high expectations of him, and Bregman was drafted a few months ago. I say we just enjoy the moment, and cross that bridge (if we even have to) in a few years. I guess the last several years of the rebuild has ingrained most of us fans to "look forward to the future," and I find myself doing that, but I think we should transition to enjoying the now a little bit more. I totally understand that this is the minor league thread, and the future is the focal point, but I guess I am not seeing the value added from this specific back and forth. There are more positions than just 3B and SS, and talent will always win out. The best case scenario is that Correa and Bregman are both very good. If it works out that way, both will be in the everyday lineup, and we will benefit from it. I've been wrong many times before, but isn't it as simple as that?
There is no debate here. Correa is already producing at an MVP level, at the most important position, both offensively and defensively. He is on pace be the GOAT at the SS position(homer comment alert, but still true). He will be our SS until he is on another team or his legs fall off. All of the guys Correa is routinely compared to(Ripken, Tulo, ARod, etc.) were never moved off of SS due to filling out "like scouts projected".
This team needs major help at 1B and 3B...and until we get that help, we will have black holes in the lineup. That needs to be addressed if the Astros want to be considered legitimate contenders....and it's not something we should be worrying about a few years down the line. Moran needs to be given a shot next season and Bregman needs to get his chance in 2017.
Understood, and thanks for the explanation. But if Bregman will probably get a chance in 2017 (I agree with your timeline), then why exactly are we discussing a potential position change for Bregman or Correa now? I guess my overall point is that in my humble opinion, this discussion is way too premature. And if they are both really good, why should us as fans care which one is at 3B and which one is at SS? If they both pan out, wouldn't either provide an upgrade at 3B? I don't know, I guess I'm just confused or missing something. Sorry to derail.
I apologize for continuing to discuss this, but my argument is that no matter how Bregman progresses, he will not be playing SS for us as long as Correa is here. I hope Bregman turns out to be Pedroia 2.0, but then that will make him more valuable to us when he first breaks in as a super utility guy/injury insurance for a year or two. Maybe we trade Altuve and he becomes our everyday 2B? Maybe we trade HIM in a package for a stud proven 3B? There will be many ways to deal with Bregman IF he pans out, but moving our bonafide MVP candidate off of his natural position shouldn't be one of them. That's just my opinion and I'll leave it at that.
The nice thing is, both are a position of need. 1B/DH has been awful for us this season, though I'm betting we keep Gattis, and pitching is always a need (unless you are the Mets right now).
Totally agree with the fact that it's premature and that we wont have to worry about this for a few years. I didn't go back to see what started it, but basically, it was just a discussion of the future and I mentioned Correa's body type possibly making him more suitable for 3B and how that would factor in with other players we have on our team. And yes, I totally agree that if Bregman is really good, then it doesn't matter who plays SS and 3B…that's why I don't understand this notion that Correa must stick at SS. For the time being, Correa is our only real option at SS…but that can certainly change in 2-3 years.
The fact that he didn't pitch in competitive games for 2 months probably has a lot to do with it. I imagine the Astros believe he could have been sent straight to AA and he would have been fine. They felt limiting his innings and getting his feet wet were more important.
Good point. They are also probably working with him on his mechanics a bit, they aren't perfect by any means. In Lancaster, Bregman is 2-3 with a BB tonight. His OPS will be around .750 there after this one.
Bregman is currently on an 8-game hitting streak and has raised his average to .300 with the JetHawks. He's slashing .346/.396/.444 this month.
