Vazquez

[gojohn99]

Christian Vazquez hit a long fly ball to LF that almost went out last night @ Pawtucket, in a 8-3 loss. He's not exactly tearing up the International League with 0 HR's and a .636 OPS so far in 135 AB's. Here's a link

[Spudboy]

He's not in AAA to tear it up. He's there to get some experience and seasoning at the plate versus higher level pitching.

 

We have all heard that he is MLB ready behind the plate.

 

I can't wait to see him in Boston either late this year or next season.

[gojohn99]

I don't think the Sox need another .200 hitter in their lineup, there's enough of those now. Not that I have a problem with good defense!

[seabeachfred]

I don't think the Sox need another .200 hitter in their lineup, there's enough of those now. Not that I have a problem with good defense!

 

gojohn, welcome aboard. You're right. We need some hitters. We don't need a regular who has trouble cracking 200. We have some of those already. Vasquez will make a good No. 2 catcher. Blake Swihart up in Portland is having a good year so far and projects as both a good receiver and solid hitting prospect. He's the guy I think we should be waiting for.

[mvp 78]

He's a 23 yr old outstanding defensive catcher batting .270 in AAA.

 

He'll be on the opening day roster next year. Could he hit any worse than Ross at this point?

[seabeachfred]

He's a 23 yr old outstanding defensive catcher batting .270 in AAA.

 

He'll be on the opening day roster next year. Could he hit any worse than Ross at this point?

 

No!!!!!!!! But will not be a decent Major League hitter. Swihart is the guy and 2015 or 2016 is when we get a hitting catcher who can field behind the plate. We need hitters!!!!!!! Nothing can be more obvious than that. I have followed this team for almost 14 years now and I have never seen a more inept hitting aggregation than this one.

[Behindenemylines]

Swihart is the catcher for the future, but if the Sox start bringing up youth then Vasquez gets a look here in 2014.

[a700hitter]

Swihart is the catcher for the future, but if the Sox start bringing up youth then Vasquez gets a look here in 2014.

There is no reason not to bring up Vasquez immediately. Ross needs to be put out to pasture.

[Behindenemylines]

There is no reason not to bring up Vasquez immediately. Ross needs to be put out to pasture.

 

Ross is still a good backup for the Sox. If Vasquez is the FO selection to be the every day catcher in 2015 I could see the Sox bringing Ross back for one more year. He is good in the club house, still catches a good game, and is willing to work with the kid. What ever O you get is a plus. The Sox are not starting 2015 with two kids as their catchers.

[Behindenemylines]

What is the latest on Vasquez and his recovery from TJ surgery?

[a700hitter]

What is the latest on Vasquez and his recovery from TJ surgery?

Several weeks ago, I heard that he is progressing and had been cleared to throw.

[Spudboy]

I think that he should be given the shot at being the #1 catcher for 2016.

 

He was on his way to becoming that when he was hurt.

 

Some here have concluded that he can't hit well enough. I have not seen this at all. I think that given the chance, he can be productive enough.

 

His defense and all that goes with being behind the plate appears ready.

[mvp 78]

Spud, what would you do with Blake? 1b?

[a700hitter]

Spud, what would you do with Blake? 1b?

Trade bait?

[Spudboy]

Spud, what would you do with Blake? 1b?

 

If Shore turn into a pumkin, yes, possibly. Or even 3rd base. He was an infielder converted to catcher, IIRC.

 

I also want Hannigan back as the number 2 catcher.

[Spudboy]

Trade bait?

 

Sure. If only for a top end pitcher. Otherwise he should stay.

 

He still needs work behind the plate but it is clear that he will hit well in the Majors, I think.

[sk7326]

Swihart is the ceiling guy, Vasquez is probability. Certainly Swihart has shown at lower levels he can be very good defensively too. Clearly there is a gap in pitch framing which is sad but true (sad that it is a thing). It is a good problem for the Sox to have. Swihart earlier on looked overwhelmed, but the tools - both offensively and behind the plate - are obvious. This isn't shoehorning a bat.

[a700hitter]

Sure. If only for a top end pitcher. Otherwise he should stay.

 

He still needs work behind the plate but it is clear that he will hit well in the Majors, I think.

It would have to be for a top tier guy as he is arguably our most valuable trade chip right now. We could be selling high on him or he could become a star. That is for DD to figure out.

 

The thing with high value prospects is that once you give them the job of they hit .250- .260 with 12 HRs and average defense, they lose value as trading chips.

[sk7326]

Interestingly at this point, both guys have more or less identical ML samples:

 

Vasquez 201 PAs .240/.308/.309

Swihart 210 PAs .259/.301/.345

 

Both rated well defensively. Really a question of upside and whatnot. I'd choose Swihart myself, but I would be against seeing what he can fetch because Vasquez is such a likely starter.

[a700hitter]

 

Both rated well defensively. Really a question of upside and whatnot.

They are not even close defensively. That type of fielding talent cannot be learned. Hitting can be learned. Look at Yadier Molina.

[sk7326]

They are not even close defensively. That type of fielding talent cannot be learned. Hitting can be learned. Look at Yadier Molina.

 

I think you're debating elite vs very good ... instead of elite vs Hanley Ramirez in LF ... neither will be a minus back there. When discussing the two catchers on this board, because Swihart is a good athlete, good enough to play an infield position competently - the discourse seems to lapse into him basically catching because of his bat, like he was Mickey Tettleton. He looks like he will be a very good defensive catcher. There is a real possibility Swihart's total package eclipses Vasquez, and the defense would be part of that package.

 

The fascinating thing to me is Vasquez' pitch framing vs Swihart's bat - and that is probably where the decision point is ... that and whether you think Vasquez can hit better than what he has shown so far (which is not quite enough, but close)

Edited August 21, 2015 by sk7326

[a700hitter]

I think you're debating elite vs very good ... instead of elite vs Hanley Ramirez in LF ... neither will be a minus back there. When discussing the two catchers on this board, because Swihart is a good athlete, good enough to play an infield position competently - the discourse seems to lapse into him basically catching because of his bat, like he was Mickey Tettleton. He looks like he will be a very good defensive catcher. There is a real possibility Swihart's total package eclipses Vasquez, and the defense would be part of that package.

 

The fascinating thing to me is Vasquez' pitch framing vs Swihart's bat - and that is probably where the decision point is ... that and whether you think Vasquez can hit better than what he has shown so far (which is not quite enough, but close)

I think the organization would keep the elite talent over the very good. Hitting wise, Swihart projects to be better than Vasquez, but not elite. I think you stay with the elite catcher over the better hitter as the elite catcher is more valuable.

[sk7326]

I think the organization would keep the elite talent over the very good. Hitting wise, Swihart projects to be better than Vasquez, but not elite. I think you stay with the elite catcher over the better hitter as the elite catcher is more valuable.

 

Perhaps elite for the position, and has been a good defender so far - and the age gap is signficant here also. Red Sox can't lose either way really ... there is no question Vasquez has some Molina-esque projection. Just a matter of which one.

[a700hitter]

Perhaps elite for the position, and has been a good defender so far - and the age gap is signficant here also. Red Sox can't lose either way really ... there is no question Vasquez has some Molina-esque projection. Just a matter of which one.

Never trade elite. You lose when you do that. It comes along far less frequently than good or very good.

[Kimmi]

Interestingly at this point, both guys have more or less identical ML samples:

 

Vasquez 201 PAs .240/.308/.309

Swihart 210 PAs .259/.301/.345

 

Both rated well defensively. Really a question of upside and whatnot. I'd choose Swihart myself, but I would be against seeing what he can fetch because Vasquez is such a likely starter.

 

Tough decision, and nice problem to have. From what I've read, Swihart rates as the better catcher overall, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Vazquez. For me, a catcher's top priority is what he does behind the plate, and most think that Vazquez is elite in that regard. I read this morning that he has been with the team this entire season while rehabbing, sitting in on the meetings, etc. You have to love that in a player. The idea of having a Vazquez/Hanigan tandem next season is very exciting to me.

 

Not that I'm trying to knock Swihart. I would hate to see him traded. I'd like to see him tried out at 1B.

[mvp 78]

Blake is now hitting .274/.315/.368.

 

He's getting better by the day.

[Kimmi]

Blake is now hitting .274/.315/.368.

 

He's getting better by the day.

 

He's been hitting well since coming off the DL. Still needs some more work behind the plate, but under the circumstances, he has does an admirable job this season. Like I said, it's a tough call.

[a700hitter]

Blake will be a good major league hitter, maybe even very good. I don't think that he projects as elite, offensively or defensively. Vasquez, if healthy, is already an elite defender. I am always in the camp of keeping the elite talent. If Swihart could play third base, that would be great. We could dump Fatass and dumbass.

[Spudboy]

Blake will be a good major league hitter, maybe even very good. I don't think that he projects as elite, offensively or defensively. Vasquez, if healthy, is already an elite defender. I am always in the camp of keeping the elite talent. If Swihart could play third base, that would be great. We could dump Fatass and dumbass.

 

I endorse this post.

[mvp 78]

I endorse whatever posts agree with my opinion too!