Blake Swihart

[bosoxmal]

Mayne the next DH candidate? Injuries taken care of?

Finally starting to hit in RI?

KF is taken. He's not a catcher. What now?

[Maxbialystock]

Struck in the twilight zone, I think. You chose DH for the obvious reason there is too much competition at C and in the outfield. He could play 1b with ease, but Moreland (if he stays) and Travis are in the way. HanRam can still play 1B.

 

I think he needs to forget his age, injuries, etc, and just focus on hitting. If he can hit--and soxprospects says he can--the big club will find a slot. But not until his hitting demands something be done, and he is a long way from there. Hitting will also make him better trade bait. We have seen other good Sox prospects who did not prosper until they left the Sox system.

[OH FOY]

I think he ought to go home and forget about this season. Have some fun, see some women. Drink some beers, and relax.

[harmony]

I question whether Blake Swihart, with a projected wRC+ of about 76, has the bat to be an MLB designated hitter:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

Entering this season ZiPS projected Swihart with a wRC+ of 80 and the switch-hitting catcher did little this year to improve his standing.

 

I attracted some heat on this forum last February when I offered comparisons of Swihart to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Mike Zunino:

 

http://www.talksox.com/forum/threads/17652-Christian-Vazquez/page70?highlight=harmony

[Bellhorn04]

I question whether Blake Swihart, with a projected wRC+ of about 76, has the bat to be an MLB designated hitter:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

We really didn't need a link to any stats to know this.

 

Our friend bosoxmal is probably the only Sox fan in the world who would think of Swihart as a possible DH.

[moonslav59]

We have used Holt as our utility guy for years. He's hitting under .600 now and can barely field any position well enough to play long term.

 

If Swihart could learn to play 1B and LF a little more and maybe give 3B a try, I think having a utility player that could act as a 3rd catcher, if needed, provides much more flexibility than Holt ever did. JF could PH for a catcher and not have to worry about the second one getting hurt. He could even PH for the catcher twice in the same game. Given that our catching position looks to be our weakest hitting area next year (not 3B), I'd rather have a utility guy that can catch over one that can barely play every position but catcher.

 

We could still have Holt, or as I'd prefer, Hernandez, Lin or possibly Marrero to cover the middle IF.

 

I'm not 100% sold on the idea. Swihart is going to have to start showing the offensive promise he had years ago for me to advocate for him to be on the 25 man roster, but to me, that's his best shot. Not DH. Not FT 1B.

[Behindenemylines]

If he takes reps at 1B, can play OF and C as well, and gets his swing back, there would be a place for a switch hitter on the Sox that can do those things. I think everything that has happened to him over the last two years has got to his head. He needs to step back and refocus. Hitting a baseball is not easy, or else we would all be doing it.

[Bellhorn04]

Swihart has had a lot of setbacks. However, it must be said, there is nothing in his resume to suggest he will ever be an impact bat. His stats actually look a lot like Brock Holt's.

[moonslav59]

If he takes reps at 1B, can play OF and C as well, and gets his swing back, there would be a place for a switch hitter on the Sox that can do those things. I think everything that has happened to him over the last two years has got to his head. He needs to step back and refocus. Hitting a baseball is not easy, or else we would all be doing it.

 

Agreed.

 

While Swihart has struggled at the plate in AAA (.615 in 485 PAs), he did much better in the Majors (.716 in 384 PAs) and AA (.843 in 387 PAs). Combined, his AA and MLB PAs are a much larger sample size (771 PAs) than his 485 PAs spread over 4 AAA seasons surrounding a severe injury and position change.

 

I get why ZIPS and others are down on Swihart, but I still see a lot of promise.

[moonslav59]

Swihart has had a lot of setbacks. However, it must be said, there is nothing in his resume to suggest he will ever be an impact bat. His stats actually look a lot like Brock Holt's.

 

Yes, a .716 MLB OPS is a lot like Holt's .688 career OPS, actually slightly better than Holt's career mark, but much better than his recent OPS.

 

However, the ability to be our 3rd catcher is a huge asset. BTW, he also had a nice .843 OPS in AAA, so I wouldn't say there is "nothing in his resume." I realize the sample size was small and long ago, but it was something. In Holt's defense, depending on what we do about the 4th OF'er slot, Holt's ab ility to play the OF is something in his favor.

 

 

 

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Swilhart will be out of options next year. I think he takes Leon's roster spot in 2018. Leon is pretty useless anyway. Leon can't hit, never saw a pitch in the dirt he didn't want to swing at, and I don't like his throwing to second base. Leon is a fringy MLB player; Swilhart doesn't have to play all that well in 2018 to represent some kind of upgrade.

[a700hitter]

Swilhart will be out of options next year. I think he takes Leon's roster spot in 2018. Leon is pretty useless anyway. Leon can't hit, never saw a pitch in the dirt he didn't want to swing at, and I don't like his throwing to second base. Leon is a fringy MLB player; Swilhart doesn't have to play all that well in 2018 to represent some kind of upgrade.

But he is terrible defensively. That is usually the most important criteria for backup catchers.

[moonslav59]

Swilhart will be out of options next year. I think he takes Leon's roster spot in 2018. Leon is pretty useless anyway. Leon can't hit, never saw a pitch in the dirt he didn't want to swing at, and I don't like his throwing to second base. Leon is a fringy MLB player; Swilhart doesn't have to play all that well in 2018 to represent some kind of upgrade.

 

Leon is a plus in many areas not measured by data. He is ranked highly on pitch framing and blocking WPs.

 

If we wanted Swihart to be a back-up catcher, we wouldn't have taken him away from catching in AAA this year.

 

Leon is not going anywhere. He's Sale's caddy.

[harmony]

Mayne the next DH candidate? Injuries taken care of?

Finally starting to hit in RI?

KF is taken. He's not a catcher. What now?

I'm unclear what that question means but I would note that Blake Swihart in August posted a .111/.184/.178/.361 line in 45 at-bats at Pawtucket.

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=596119#/splits/R/hitting/2017/MINORS

 

This Over the Monster column on Swihart appeared 31 months ago amid Cole Hamels trade speculation:

 

https://www.overthemonster.com/2015/2/3/7972827/cole-hamels-trade-rumors-red-sox-blake-swihart-phillies

Edited September 4, 2017 by harmony

[Kimmi]

For the remainder of this season, I think Swihart's primary role will be to serve as a #3 catcher in case of emergency so that Farrell will have more flexibility in pinch hitting or pinch running for his catchers.

 

For next year he needs to get fully healthy first and the FO needs to make up its mind as to what Swihart's role will be. My guess is that his days of being primarily a catcher are over with. I agree that he could provide some value to the team as a utility type who can catch in a pinch if needed.

[notin]

It would be nice to see Swihart get some action at 2b and 3b this off-season. OF didn't start out so well but it shouldn't be done either...

[moonslav59]

It would be nice to see Swihart get some action at 2b and 3b this off-season. OF didn't start out so well but it shouldn't be done either...

 

I wouldn't give up on LF for Swihart.

 

If he has any chance at winning a utility role next year, being a 5th OF'er option would help his case.

 

I do think 1B, C and 3B should be his main focus points, but since Holt, Hernandez, Lin and Marrero can all play 3B, being able to play LF could tip the balance in Swi's favor.

[moonslav59]

By Steve Adams | September 4, 2017 at 9:26am CDT

The Red Sox have been getting Blake Swihart experience at first base, and he’s also been taking grounders at third base, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Boston also plans to send the 25-year-old former top prospect to winter ball this year, which will allow him to make up for some missed time (due to injuries) but could also boost his trade value by showcasing some versatility. The switch-hitting Swihart was long touted as Boston’s catcher of the future, but Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon look locked in for the 2018 season, when Swihart will be out of minor league options. “We recognize where he’s at contractually going into next year,” manager John Farrell tells Abraham. “Trying to create some versatility on the defensive side of things is part of the overall plan.” Swihart’s surgically repaired ankle has still limited him this year, so the extra time in winter ball could prove especially important as the Sox make a determination on his future.

[S5Dewey]

Two words. "Trade Bait".

 

It's too bad he couldn't/wouldn't take a deal like Butler did where he'd become a FA but re-sign with the Sox to a minor league deal. I'm still not sold on Leon being better than Swihart once Swi gets back up to speed.

[Nick]

He's not up the middle infielder. 2B is much different than 3B.

[moonslav59]

If Swihart makes the 2018 twenty-five man roster, I wouldn't be surprised, but I would not bet on it.

 

Next year's 13 everyday players: (I'm assuming we acquire a 1Bman)

 

The sure 9:

C: Vaz

1B: ________

1B/DH: HRam

2B: Pedey

3B: Devers

SS: Bogey

LF: Beni

CF: JBJ

RF: Betts

 

4 to be determined:

C: Leon (very good chance at being on the 25 man roster)

1B: Travis (depends on 1B acquisition)

IF: Hernandez (my choice as top IF utility)

IF/OF: Holt (ability to play OF and to a lesser extent 1B helps his case)

1B/C/3B/LF: Swihart (3rd catcher ability is a big plus)

IF: Lin (apparently learning to play OF)

OF: Brentz (needs to be added to 40 man roster)

OF: ______________ (off season acquisition)

IF: Marrero (seems to be the odd man out and may even be a 40 man roster casualty to make room for Brentz or a rule 5 player)

 

 

[notin]

Two words. "Trade Bait".

 

It's too bad he couldn't/wouldn't take a deal like Butler did where he'd become a FA but re-sign with the Sox to a minor league deal. I'm still not sold on Leon being better than Swihart once Swi gets back up to speed.

 

He holds very little value. Any team that wants him, which won't be very badly, will be more than willing to see if he becomes a minor league free agent.

 

Sox backup catcher is probably his most likely future...

[S5Dewey]

He holds very little value. Any team that wants him, which won't be very badly, will be more than willing to see if he becomes a minor league free agent.

 

Sox backup catcher is probably his most likely future...

 

I agree with his holding very little value. He'd be a throw-in in a deal for someone we want. However, IMO there's enough potential there that I'd hate to see him get away. I'd be more than willing to have his bat on the bench to use as the DH frequently assuming we don't go with the Designated DH next year.

[jacksonianmarch]

He's not trade bait, he's DFA bait

[Spudboy]

He's not trade bait, he's DFA bait

 

******** Doc.

 

You know damn well that kid can hit and run.

[MADSTORK]

The Player will be 26 next ST. How long do you hold on?

[jacksonianmarch]

The Player will be 26 next ST. How long do you hold on?

 

The AFL will be his final straw. If he goes out there and sucks donkey balls, then he'll be DFA'd before the Rule V

[mvp 78]

******** Doc.

 

You know damn well that kid can hit and run.

 

No, he can't. Just look at his numbers this year. Swihart is done. His bat is good enough to be a bat first C, but not to be a 3B. He's also had extensive ankle issues this year so I highly doubt he runs very well anymore.

[mvp 78]

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=596119#/gamelogs/R/hitting/2017/MINORS

 

And to the original post, he went 3 for his last 26 in PAW, so I'm not sure how that shows that he's gotten back to hitting.

[jacksonianmarch]

Swihart had a bad injury, one that clearly hasn't healed right. It's going to be a chronic problem for him and it's pretty much ruined his career. This has happened with many prospects. We had a top 10 prospect years ago named Ravel Santana who was as good or better than Florial. Well, he dove for a ball, his leg was caught under him and he basically had a Paul George injury. He came back the following year with no power or speed. He was released, was picked up by a few teams and never showed the same lower body burst on the bases or lower body drive in the box again.

 

This is why I wasn't broken up about dealing Fowler. His injury is worse than Swihart's and he may never get back to his prior abilities