Has Swihart Staked A Claim on LF?

[Spudboy]

I see no urgency for either Castillo or Swihart.

 

Sure, I would really like to see Castillo play well enough to be a full time LF for Boston. But so far he has not demonstrated sufficient skill to do so. Regardless of the cost, he needs to play MiLB ball full time until he does have the skills.

 

I thought getting rid of DeAzza and replacing him with Young was kind of stupid but everyone here po-pooed my opinion at the time. If young hits lefties then fine, I guess. So far he has done nothing offensively.

 

I'm coming around to Kimmi's way of thinking on the issue of having Holt start at LF every day. I do think that he can handle the position well enough to be better than replacement level, but would prefer to have a legit LF with corner outfield power. That is not happening anytime soon. I do like Holt better as a super sub and want him in the lineup every day. Unfortunately, we now have competent players at every one of his 6 other positions so where and when does he play?

 

As for Swihart, His bat, while not fully developed, is at least MLB ready. We saw that last year. We also saw weakness in blocking pitches and that hole in his game is still there. I am no expert on framing, presentation, game calling, etc. so I just assume that he can only get better with everyday playing time in Pawtucket. He will be back, assuming that he is not dealt. Vazquez, I believe, can hit well enough to be our number 1 catcher. Certainly his work behind the plate justifies him starting, anyway. Hannigan is too valuable to this team now. I say he needs to be the number 2 catcher.

 

Of course the entire situation is fluid.

Edited May 4, 2016 by Spudboy

[Bellhorn04]

Young has only come to the plate 32 times. He could go on a little tear and suddenly have gaudy numbers. A little patience is necessary.

[mvp 78]

Young has only come to the plate 32 times. He could go on a little tear and suddenly have gaudy numbers. A little patience is necessary.

 

I agree.

[Spudboy]

Young has only come to the plate 32 times. He could go on a little tear and suddenly have gaudy numbers. A little patience is necessary.

 

I too, agree.

[billge]

I did say inthe original post, in the next couple of weeks , not now

[mvp 78]

I did say inthe original post, in the next couple of weeks , not now

 

I'd give Young into June before making a change. Obviously, the Sox have more info and should hold onto him as long as they deem fit.

[Kingface]

I'd give Young into June before making a change. Obviously, the Sox have more info and should hold onto him as long as they deem fit.

 

Agree. Young has a solid track record......giving up after less than 40AB's is not a great course of action.

[S5Dewey]

Young has only come to the plate 32 times. He could go on a little tear and suddenly have gaudy numbers. A little patience is necessary.

 

A little patience seems to have gotten this team a pretty fair CF'er. Last year there were people on the BDC board who wanted to trade JBJ "for a sack of golf balls", move Mookie back to CF and instill Castillo at RF.

 

That having been said, Young isn't exactly doing anything that says "PLAY ME!". He's a slightly better than average OF'er who's struggling at the plate. If he's going to stick here he needs to take better advantage of his opportunities. - which is what JBJ did in August of '15.

[Kingface]

A little patience seems to have gotten this team a pretty fair CF'er. Last year there were people on the BDC board who wanted to trade JBJ "for a sack of golf balls", move Mookie back to CF and instill Castillo at RF.

 

That having been said, Young isn't exactly doing anything that says "PLAY ME!". He's a slightly better than average OF'er who's struggling at the plate. If he's going to stick here he needs to take better advantage of his opportunities. - which is what JBJ did in August of '15.

 

But not what he did in September of '15........

[Slasher9]

A little patience seems to have gotten this team a pretty fair CF'er. Last year there were people on the BDC board who wanted to trade JBJ "for a sack of golf balls", move Mookie back to CF and instill Castillo at RF.

 

That having been said, Young isn't exactly doing anything that says "PLAY ME!". He's a slightly better than average OF'er who's struggling at the plate. If he's going to stick here he needs to take better advantage of his opportunities. - which is what JBJ did in August of '15.

 

JBj is special with the glove. you know my thoughts on him...he could get 1 seeing eye grounder every 10 AB's and i am keeping him as my starting CFer. His defense is that good. Young? i dont think so.

[StephenCurry30]

Castillo may be struggling in minors, but we know what Young is, he sucks. might as well give Castilo a legitimate shot

[NativeBostonian]

Castillo would hit better than Young and play better outfield, You would only catch Swihart one or two days a week and use him in the outfield one or two' You can't leave the Castillo investment in Pawtucket too long. Need to play him if only to trade him. Maybe Hanny will come around but right now his bat is exactly as bad as Young

 

As much as I like Swihart and want to see him playing Boston. I am going to have to come to my senses and agree with a lot of people here; he is too much of a liability behind the plate. He is very ready offensively to contribute. But, he costs us more runs than he produces.

 

Swihart needs time to develop into either an outfielder or an average catcher, and he can't do that playing part-time for the Red Sox. He is going to have to do that in Pawtucket.

[mvp 78]

Castillo may be struggling in minors, but we know what Young is, he sucks. might as well give Castilo a legitimate shot

 

He had one last year and didn't impress with it.

[S5Dewey]

But not what he did in September of '15........

 

I was hoping what he did in August was going to be sustainable, but deep inside....

[cp176]

I've read everything that I can find about Swihart. I hope that he becomes the player that everyone thinks that he can. I do not see him ever playing left field in Fenway. He has looked so far to actually be quite a ways away from being an everyday ml catcher. I would feel better about his Fenway future if was currently hitting just a little at the AAA level. Maybe today.

[Spudboy]

Hmm. Swihart has now played 3 games in left for Pawtucket. 7 put outs and no errors.

[cp176]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he can play a decent left field . Will his bat put him ahead of benintendi or moncada?

[Dojji]

Considering that Benintendi and Moncada are extreme longshots to even show up in the bigs this year and even if they do will probably need a bit of seasoning before they can really be productive hitters, I'd say the answer is somewhere between "Heck yes" and "well duh."

[billge]

Swihart was apparently an outfielder before he was a catcher

[Dojji]

In college, yes. But the thing is he has elite tools on both sides of the ball in the catching game. His problem as a catcher right now comes down to pure lack of polish. I'd almost rather trade him for a LF than use him in left, it'd be like using a sleek European sports car to go off roading. It's not what it's designed for and it's a waste of its potential.

[cp176]

Considering that Benintendi and Moncada are extreme longshots to even show up in the bigs this year and even if they do will probably need a bit of seasoning before they can really be productive hitters, I'd say the answer is somewhere between "Heck yes" and "well duh."

 

well duh ??? really - Actually it isn't a forgone conclusion that Swihart will wind up back in Boston this year. My opinion is "heck yes" both Moncada and Benintendi will outhit Swihart.

[mvp 78]

When was Swihart an OF? He was primarily a SS in HS and played a little C. He never went to college.

[Bellhorn04]

It's the right move giving Swihart some time in left.

[cp176]

Makes no sense unless they really feel that they have a major hurt trying to come up with a future left fielder.

[Bellhorn04]

Makes no sense unless they really feel that they have a major hurt trying to come up with a future left fielder.

 

The way Vazquez is playing and the way Hanley is doing at first, left field and DH are the only positions where a true opening looms at the moment.

[cp176]

The way Vazquez is playing and the way Hanley is doing at first, left field and DH are the only positions where a true opening looms at the moment.

 

I think that you are right but I don't think Swihart provides a solution to either of those potentials. If he provided an elite defensive ability in left maybe but still probably not. Better options are right behind him. I would be very surprised if they saw him as a serious candidate to play left field in Boston. His greatest value is as a catcher once he proves that he is able to field the position. Maybe in Boston and maybe not.

[Bellhorn04]

I think that you are right but I don't think Swihart provides a solution to either of those potentials. If he provided an elite defensive ability in left maybe but still probably not. Better options are right behind him. I would be very surprised if they saw him as a serious candidate to play left field in Boston. His greatest value is as a catcher once he proves that he is able to field the position. Maybe in Boston and maybe not.

 

It won't be in Boston as long as Vazquez is healthy.

 

A lot depends on how good a hitter Swihart turns out to be, of course.

[Hugh2]

well duh ??? really - Actually it isn't a forgone conclusion that Swihart will wind up back in Boston this year. My opinion is "heck yes" both Moncada and Benintendi will outhit Swihart.

 

I wouldn't say "heck yes" both are prospects who could outhit him if they hit their ceiling. But not only are both of them only in A ball but Swihart could still grow with the bat as well.

 

Swihart was rushed to the majors last year due to an injury, and as a catcher probably focused on defense more than offense coming up, he may have more in his bat than a lot think. Still, as someone with the potential he's had it makes very little sense to move him to LF if he has a ton more value behind the plate. To me the only thing that makes the shoe fit....is if they're trying to fit Swihart into their future plans.

[Kingface]

Moving Swihart to the OF serves zero purpose for us. We have better prospects right behind him that can all play left in Betti, Devers and Moncada. Swihart was known as an above average hitting CATCHER.......his offensive numbers for a LF'r would be average at best. Taking him out from behind the plate will kill his trade value. Team would likely trade for an average fielding but above average hitting CATCHER than an average fielding AND hitting LF'r.

 

Swihart should be trade bait.......like I've been saying for over a year now....... I hate to say it.....but my gut has 'Garin Cecchini' written all over him. Garin was a top 50 in all of baseball AND 3B prospect (not easy to do since there is a TON of competition in that position). He had an above average hit tool and average fielding tool. We also didn't really need him.....we needed pitching. Many called him untouchable but all he was was a line drive hitter with no pop. The writing was on the wall that he would fade......they clung onto him.....now he's about done. I just have a feeling Swi will go the same way......... Keep Swi at catcher.....let his stock rise and TRADE HIM in a package for SP help when the time comes!

[Maxbialystock]

The most impressive thing this year about Swihart and Castillo both is the rapidity with which they were demoted. This doesn't mean they are bad players, but does mean that the front office acts decisively when it's clearly someone isn't helping. Swihart was struggling behind the plate, as was the pitching staff, and Vazquez seemed to be ready even though the surgery was only a year ago. Young and Castillo have basically the same skills, but Young played 140 games for the Yankees last year and seemed OK. Castillo has yet to live up to expectations and clearly needs more seasoning even though he is over 25 (pushing 30?). I don't think we will see Swihart back in Boston unless Hanigan or Vazquez is injured, but we could see Castillo. Young ain't helping much, at least not yet.

 

Kind of reminds me of the saga of JBJ. The Sox didn't try to keep Ellsbury after 2013 because he was going to be way too expensive and because they had JBJ standing in the wings--an excellent centerfielder. But he couldn't hit to save his life. He still played a lot in 2014, but a lot less in 2015 with Betts taking over in CF and Bradley going back to Pawtucket. Still, the Sox kept bringing JBJ back up for short stints, including in August 2015 after Victorino was traded. I thought nothing would come of it, but agreed it made sense because the Sox were out of the race by then anyway. And suddenly Bradley started hitting and finished the season with an OPS over .800, which he still has this year. I was astounded.

 

The problem for Swihart is, as Kingface says, he probably can't hit well enough to be a leftfielder. The same goes for Castillo. However, so far Holt is barely adequate. A leftfielder should have an OPS over .800. My guess--only that-- is no one among Holt, Swihart, and Castillo can maintain and OPS over .800 or over. Holt gets to stay in Boston because he can also play all four infield positions.