My comment was true. His ops over the last 6 weeks is below .600. I’m fine with them not demoting him but if they did it would be justified beyond the service time aspect. He is at almost 400 pa in the big leagues and has been a slightly below average hitter at an offense-first position. And going by projections, Houston’s best lineup against RHP does not include Cam Smith.
Crossing this thought with Jesus Sanchez, at some point the Astros might want to play Sanchez in RF against RHP and bring in Smith as a late inning replacement ... especially if Yordan comes back and forces whoever we are DHing to LF (or some such).
Yeah, I know it’s technically true but that’s just because he’s been so bad the last 4 weeks. He had a great June and even started July off hot though. You are right about the RHP - if he doesn’t pick it up the next couple weeks, he will be looking at a platoon role with Sanchez in RF the rest of season assuming Yordan comes back.
I think we have to differentiate LH platoon from RH platoon. The term is often thrown around for both but with 75% of pitchers RH, a LH platoon player is 3x more valuable. Combine that with adequate defense (he’s not bad, just not good), and he’s really valuable. I agree he has much more value to us than Miami, but I am surprised they couldn’t / didn’t get a better offer.
Cam has probably just hit the "rookie wall" which is a common sports phenomena. Professional seasons are almost always longer and more grueling than collegiate ones. Question is do you let him try and play through it or send him down? I would imagine the Astros try and let him play through it but with more/other bats available he sees more rest days.
Agreed. Remember he was in college like last year. Don’t think he’s even gone through a full minor league season. He’s probably getting a little worn down. Call it a sore ankle or something and put him on the 10-15 day IL and bring him right back after a rest session. Or send him to the minors and bench him for a week just to rest a bit
I don’t think it’s a “rookie wall” and it’s more the league has made adjustments in how they pitch him. Without looking it up, it feels like he’s seen a ton of sliders during this slump and it’s going to be up to him to make the adjustment. Imagine if we had sent Jeremy Pena down his rookie season after he was straight ass for several months before turning it on in September and the playoffs. Edit: Just looked it up and yes they are spamming the slider against him. He’s seeing more sliders than any other pitch. He’s got a .176 average against them and really has only struggled hitting those and cutters, which has similar movement.
Most “rookie walls” or “sophomore slumps” include these facets such as the league having enough AB’s to write a book (or a player now deemed worthy enough to generate extra attention to). The grind of playing a season that isn’t just longer… but in some cases double or triple the number of games any of these guys have ever done in a full season… cannot be overlooked as part of the process. But it is part of the process and sending guys down (unless they’re absolutely not needed right now, or completely overmatched) does delay that.
I don’t know. Kind of feels like Hunter has pitched himself out of The Cy Young conversation this past month. I’m just hoping he gets back on track, and hasn’t hit the wall.
Yeah, if you want to include the adjustments the league makes as part of the rookie wall then you’re right. I’m just saying that’s way more impactful than any fatigue that comes with playing that more games than you’re used to as a position player. That’s what the comment I replied to was implying. Nick Kurtz isn’t in better shape than Cam yet the guy has still been raking. They were drafted at the same time and have the same background.
He doesn’t need to win it, just needs to finish top 3. The list is garbage though. Unless Eovaldi gets injured, he’s going to finish top 3. The guy has a 1.38 ERA through 111 innings.
ummmmmmm......like I am supposed to trust such a vague answer.............on his way back could mean many different things. Color me skeptical as long as he is back the last week or two to get some timing for the post season You think or he is, there is no in-between
