Out of curiosity, what makes you say that? Nothing in his minor league stats suggests he'll be above average at the big league level. CJ's already put in an above average 3B season.
Paredes has much better raw tools than CJ, and he's much younger. CJ's above average season was a mirage caused by him getting very lucky on balls in play. Realistically Paredes probably ends up as a utility infielder, but I agree that he has a much better chance of being a MLB player long term than CJ. CJ will be a career minor leaguer.
Man, it was fun watching the 'stros beat up the Nats yesterday on MLB Network. I'll be listening to today's game on the radio up at the office. So glad baseball is back.
CJ was in A ball at Jimmy's age. I actually like CJ. Even know he struggled last year, he had shown strides in the minors. If he could play defense he would stick in the majors. Jimmy in the minors isn't a terrible thing, since he was rushed, and is still only 23, but after his success last year, I think he'd have to be severely outplayed by Wallace/Johnson in the spring.
Rhiner Cruz got roughed up today... he allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 2 hits and walked 2 without recording an out in the 7th. Well.... he allowed a single and a double to the first two guys he faced. Then Scott Moore committed an error, Cruz walked Joe Terdoslavich with the bases loaded, and he ended up leaving the game. Henry Villar came in and allowed 2 runs he inherited from Cruz to score.
He has raw power (remains to be seen if it translates) and above average speed, yes. Pretty strong arm too. His fielding actions could use some work, but he's new to third base so give him time. Does he hit enough to play 3rd base every day? Definitely less than a 50% chance of that, but sometimes guys suddenly figure it out. If it ever clicks for him and he figures out how to manage the strike zone, watch out, he has a gorgeous swing and great power. If he only makes marginal improvements to his hitting then he's probably a utility infielder
Paredes hit .286/.320/.393 (with .713 OPS) in 46 MLB games last year. Small sample size but very similar to his minor league totals. These number are solid for a utility infielder and maybe even a starting 2nd for some teams. The thing from his slash line that jumps out to me is that Paredes needs to walk more for Luhnow to be happy in his $$$ball ways.
Both Snyders have had homers so far in todays game, and Wandy pitched great.. hope to see some more hitting, have been pretty impressed with the bats in the first three games
Huh, interesting. Didn't know that much about him, thanks. He sounds like the kind of player I'd like to see earn a spot rather than be gifted a spot. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what they do with him.
Bud Norris looking very sharp. 3 no hit innings and outside of walking Thome no one reached. 7 of his 9 recorded outs were ground balls so he has the breaking stuff working. JD Martinez, Jordan Schafer continue to have a big spring.
