The kid could/would be in the College World Series this weekend, but he's been playing for the Stros all year. His defense in RF is waaaay better than I expected, dude's got a GG in his future
Yeah if he hadn’t been so good on defense I would be calling for him to be sent down until he learns how to lift more balls. A league average bat in RF isn’t worth burning a year of a guy who might be a $35M/yr player at his peak, but here we are.
McCormick or Dezenzo or Melton or coulda been Gamel or could eventually be Trammell; any of those guys could reasonably produce more than a 102 wRC+.
I’m not advocating for replacing Smith you illiterati. I’m saying I would be if Smith weren’t good on defense, and just noting it’s a shame they are using up Smith to be a league average bat/player when if they’d given him this season to adjust his swing in AAA they might’ve turned him into a superstar. As it stands, if Smith never takes another big step forward we will be left wondering if he would have had they not rushed him, and left with the risk of him having the bulk of his prime in post free-agency.
Whooooooa...you had me until "using up Smith" ...and I don't really understand what you're saying after that I guess all I could ask is "how?" "illiterati" is a proper slur though, I'll have to remember to use that one sometime.
I'm sure someone here has the video, but last night Dana Brown joined TK and Blummer in the booth and Cam was one of the topics they discussed. Think they even mentioned something about not trying to overload him with stuff as well. Would love to hear it again if someone has a link to it!
Even MVP candidates have an adjustment period in the majors. The fact that he is hitting decently is a good thing. It's easier for him to adjust when he is young. If he figures out his launch angle this off-season he could get MVP votes in the next 2 seasons.
Oh I get it. You're worried about some future year that may or may not happen instead of the current year where things are actually happening.
Bottom line. Smith is playing all of 2025 in Houston as a, basically, league average hitter. He will be a free agent in 2031. If the Astros had put him in AAA, then MAYBE He is a ROY candidate in 2026 and a free agent in 2032. It's basically 1 average year and 5 potentially good/great years Or 6 good/great years and the possibility of an extra comp pick for him winning ROY
What did he say about Melton? The dude has so much potential but looks so lost at the same time. Either he's going to be an all-star or be a AAAA player and it's totally dependent on making contact with the ball.
Yes. But additionaly in 2025 he is essentially league average so putting a JAG there instead doesn't hurt 2025 much and could potentially pay off big in the future. And FTR I'm not advocating for that. He has already developed beyond that now. That was only a good plan before May. March/April: 96 wRC+ and 0.3 fWAR May/June: 107 wRC+ and 0.6 fWAR
He said he loves Meltons speed and defense. Said something to the effect of if he gets a hit every once in awhile he will be a good player because of his speed and defense, and that he’s played a lot because of the injuries and because he’s lefthanded. Melton has certainly had moments where he’s looked overmatched at the plate but to me it looks more like pitch recognition than contact ability so I am pretty optimistic about him. But if he’s up he needs to be playing, especially against RHP.
I'm optimistic also but making contact is easier said than done especially for a guy that has never been known for contact at any level. The experience will only help him. I'm rooting for him because his other skills are god given and isn't something you can develop.
No way Smith doesn't improve His approach is great and extremely mature . All this talk about launch angles , we will see if they tinker with his swing at some point .. or at least give him the idea and present data etc. But the most important thing is the experience and approach. The practice Smith is gaining against MLB pitchers in serious game situations is worth way more than seasoning in AAA and working on mechanics. At least imo It will be very interesting seeing how the rest of the year plays out . There will be more of a book on him and he will have to adjust to the adjustment . But I bet most young rookies that end the season as a league average bat so on to have pretty good careers. So if he can keep it up and have a few more hot streaks and continue to hit the ball hard I will feel very positively about him
Booth: What do you see in Melton? "[paraphrase] he's got great feet, glove, speed (this is an exact quote) and every once in a while he'll get a hit"
