Has Swihart Staked A Claim on LF?

[Bellhorn04]

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.

 

Not true anymore. Offense keeps going down, down, down. Average AL left fielder has an OPS of .709. Holt is well above average.

[Dojji]

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.

 

In Swihart's case, his performance has nothing to do with why he was sent down. He was still needed as an injury replacement for the first 8 games, then they confirmed Vazquez was ready to go and then Swihart was sent down to make way for him. They could have had Sandy Leon do the same job I suppose, but why not let Swihart pick up that little extra nugget of experience?

[cp176]

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!

 

I love the kid but I have been saying the very same thing for the past two seasons. I would like to see him pick up the pace with the bat in Pawtucket though.

[Northern Star]

Don't be a goober please.

 

Castillo isn't very good. I'm not sure how anyone could see upside with him. Young may not be better, but I think the Sox would have a better shot of trading for someone outside the organization.

 

Castillo has a strong arm and is fast. However, he fields like Wily Mo and runs the bases poorly. He's not a MLB guy right now.

 

and may already be too old to learn how to be one.

[southpaw777]

1) Do we even know if Swihart can play the OF? The factual answer is no, we don't. The majors is not the place to be learning that on the fly, or did the Hanley experiment last year teach you nothing.

 

2) Hanigan's job on this team is back-up catcher. Right now, he's catching Wright (no easy task), babysitting Owens (and Kelly before that) and mentoring Vazquez.

 

Swihart has enough catching issues without having to worry about trying to catch Wright's knuckler and trying to learn a new position. Oh, and he's hitting all of .230 at Pawtucket. Would he hit better than Hanigan? Yeah, but a catcher's job is handling the pitching staff and defense first.

 

 

Actually yes, Swiharts main position in HS was OF. He didnt turn catcher full time until he was drafted. He played limited middel infield and pt catcher his junior and senior years. By all reports after about 4-5 games in the OF he looks real good this quickly. Id like to see his offensive numbers come up a bit first before putting him in LF in Boston.

 

Hanny is doing exactly what we need from him. Agree. And i also agree that catching Swi with wright will not help his confidence on D at this point in his young career.

Keep him in AAA to get reps in the OF and behind the plate.

Use him in a trade if a front line starter comes available.

[mvp 78]

If his main position was SS, why does his wikipedia say otherwise?

[southpaw777]

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.

 

Wasnt he drafted out of HS in New Mexico?

[southpaw777]

If his main position was SS, why does his wikipedia say otherwise?

 

He played mostly OF from what I understand. Some SS and only started catching pt as a jr and sr.

The Sox saw the value with him as a catch with the bat, but lacked defensivey. No surprise there since catching is the toughest job on the field IMHO.

[mvp 78]

He played mostly OF from what I understand. Some SS and only started catching pt as a jr and sr.

The Sox saw the value with him as a catch with the bat, but lacked defensivey. No surprise there since catching is the toughest job on the field IMHO.

 

From the Herald last week: "During high school Swihart played shortstop and first base until his junior year, when he first began catching. Due to his athleticism, the Red Sox expect he’ll handle left field relatively easily."

 

I can't really see anywhere that states he played OF in high school.

[southpaw777]

From the Herald last week: "During high school Swihart played shortstop and first base until his junior year, when he first began catching. Due to his athleticism, the Red Sox expect he’ll handle left field relatively easily."

 

I can't really see anywhere that states he played OF in high school.

 

Ok, i could have sworn I read that somewhere. Thanks for the correction...

[Slasher9]

Ok, i could have sworn I read that somewhere. Thanks for the correction...

 

i'm pretty sure on one of the recent telecasts the announcer (cant remember which one) stated that Swi had played OF in the past. i could have sworn he had said "in college" which obviously is not true as he was drafted out of HS.

[Kingface]

I've said it a billion times......moving Swihart to the OF is stupid. We are not in huge need of OF'ers. We have Betts, Young, JBJ, Holt, Castillo, Betti and maybe Devers and Moncada. Swihart had a plus hit tool as A CATCHER!!! Not as an OF'er. His stock would be WAY higher as an above average hitting catcher with average D then an average hitting OF'r with average D. LF'res that hit .280, 13 HR and 60 RBI are a dime a dozen...........catchers with those numbers ARE NOT. Keep him at catcher!!!!!!!!!

[Kingface]

i'm pretty sure on one of the recent telecasts the announcer (cant remember which one) stated that Swi had played OF in the past. i could have sworn he had said "in college" which obviously is not true as he was drafted out of HS.

 

The last Avatar was better.......

[seannybboi]

Hanigan has been great with pitching staff and with Swihart getting reps at LF, I can't see Swihart immediately replacing Hanigan even though he's hitting below Mendoza line. But one positive thing about Hanigan's bat is that he works pitchers and brings good ABs every time he's up there. But I would like to see more bunt signs in situations like last night's game vs the Yanks. As far as Castillo's concerned, I don't think they have plan for him at this moment but to continue to give him consistent ABs at AAA.

[Slasher9]

Hanigan has been great with pitching staff and with Swihart getting reps at LF, I can't see Swihart immediately replacing Hanigan even though he's hitting below Mendoza line. But one positive thing about Hanigan's bat is that he works pitchers and brings good ABs every time he's up there. But I would like to see more bunt signs in situations like last night's game vs the Yanks. As far as Castillo's concerned, I don't think they have plan for him at this moment but to continue to give him consistent ABs at AAA.

good to see you Sean!

[seannybboi]

Same here Slash.

[bosoxmal]

Looks like it. Your thoughts?

[sk7326]

Looks like it. Your thoughts?

 

Maybe. I would like Farrell though to still rotate him through behind the dish while he is up.

[Slasher9]

i hate swihart in LF. not because of performance. but because i want to use him as part of a package to get a TOTR starter for the parade push. i want him in the minors catching.

[Spudboy]

Maybe. I would like Farrell though to still rotate him through behind the dish while he is up.

 

Farrell did state that he would have Swihart continue his duties as a catcher outside of games. He also stated that once Holt returns the Holt / Young platoon would resume.

 

The stick in the mud here is that Swihart is a pretty good hitter, probably better than both of those guys.

 

If Swihart hits well I don't see how he can not be in the lineup in left every day.

 

Maybe Young gets dealt since he is redundant. Swihart hits from both sides effectively, I believe. Why settle for a platoon hitter? Plus, Swihart look like he will be better defensively than Young.

 

Putting Holt back at the sub position is a good idea too.

[VA Sox Fan]

**Bump**

 

Please search for threads that may be able to be added to regarding a certain player/topic instead of starting new threads. Some of the BDC folks are seriously out of control. PLEASE STOP!!! Thank you.

[sk7326]

Farrell did state that he would have Swihart continue his duties as a catcher outside of games. He also stated that once Holt returns the Holt / Young platoon would resume.

 

The stick in the mud here is that Swihart is a pretty good hitter, probably better than both of those guys.

 

If Swihart hits well I don't see how he can not be in the lineup in left every day.

 

Maybe Young gets dealt since he is redundant. Swihart hits from both sides effectively, I believe. Why settle for a platoon hitter? Plus, Swihart look like he will be better defensively than Young.

 

Putting Holt back at the sub position is a good idea too.

 

Young still has value backing up both corners and being an emergency CF (since Betts is the first backup there). I think when Holt comes back, I'd consider moving Hanigan, and just give Swihart those one or two starts per week.

[Spudboy]

Young still has value backing up both corners and being an emergency CF (since Betts is the first backup there). I think when Holt comes back, I'd consider moving Hanigan, and just give Swihart those one or two starts per week.

 

Holt can fill in at all outfield positions. Why carry another outfielder for that purpose? Holt in the super-sub role gives Farrell a roster advantage. Like carrying another reliever or at least just flexibility.

 

Getting rid of Hannigan now would be short sided. Especially if the Sox do make it to the post season where a veteran catcher of his ilk is very valuable ( see Ross 2013 ).

[mvp 78]

**Bump**

 

Please search for threads that may be able to be added to regarding a certain player/topic instead of starting new threads. Some of the BDC folks are seriously out of control. PLEASE STOP!!! Thank you.

 

VA for mod.

[illinoisredsox]

**Bump**

 

Please search for threads that may be able to be added to regarding a certain player/topic instead of starting new threads. Some of the BDC folks are seriously out of control. PLEASE STOP!!! Thank you.

 

To be fair, prior to yours, the last post on this was May 9th, which put this thread solidly in the middle of page 2.

 

As one who almost never starts threads, I will agree with you to a point; multiple threads on similar topics are very annoying and unnecessary. It does, however, raise the question of how far back should people look? 2 pages? 3? I'm not trying to be a smart ass here. It's a legit concern but also a reasonable question to the old hands. There's one on page 12 entitled "Farrell making bad judgements, yet again, should've kept francona" which could have been used for the "Referendum on John Farrell" thread. But the former had it's last post in May 2014. What's a reasonable timeframe?

Edited May 26, 2016 by illinoisredsox

[sk7326]

Holt can fill in at all outfield positions. Why carry another outfielder for that purpose? Holt in the super-sub role gives Farrell a roster advantage. Like carrying another reliever or at least just flexibility.

 

Getting rid of Hannigan now would be short sided. Especially if the Sox do make it to the post season where a veteran catcher of his ilk is very valuable ( see Ross 2013 ).

 

I see your point - but Ross was essentially in the Vasquez position. We already have the "receiver who can hit a little hopefully" gig covered.

[mvp 78]

Swihart goes back down when Holt comes back.

[VA Sox Fan]

To be fair, prior to yours, the last post on this was May 9th, which put this thread solidly in the middle of page 2.

 

As one who almost never starts threads, I will agree with you to a point; multiple threads on similar topics are very annoying and unnecessary. It does, however, raise the question of how far back should people look? 2 pages? 3? I'm not trying to be a smart ass here. It's a legit concern but also a reasonable question to the old hands. There's one on page 12 entitled "Farrell making bad judgements, yet again, should've kept francona" which could have been used for the "Referendum on John Farrell" thread. But the former had it's last post in May 2014. What's a reasonable timeframe?

 

I personally would go back a few pages. But folks are pretty much going to do whatever they want. It's just frustrating as a long time member who couldn't stand the BDC site for all the clutter and threads.

[Hugh2]

**Bump**

 

Please search for threads that may be able to be added to regarding a certain player/topic instead of starting new threads. Some of the BDC folks are seriously out of control. PLEASE STOP!!! Thank you.

 

This was one thing that really bothered me about the BDC board, glad to see some level of organization over here.

[illinoisredsox]

I personally would go back a few pages. But folks are pretty much going to do whatever they want. It's just frustrating as a long time member who couldn't stand the BDC site for all the clutter and threads.

 

Gotcha. Perhaps 3 pages within the current season would be a good rule of thumb.

 

As I said, it won't affect me much, I very rarely start threads.

 

Thanks.