Wright gets a start this Tuesday

[Station 13]

Announce yesterday. Swihart also gets to catch him, isn't that wonderful?

 

PomPom finally being put on notice?

[moonslav59]

How often did Swihart catch Wright in the minors? Anyone know?

[Maxbialystock]

How often did Swihart catch Wright in the minors? Anyone know?

 

They were both on the 2015 Boston Red Sox when Swihart had 16 passed balls.

[a700hitter]

They were both on the 2015 Boston Red Sox when Swihart had 16 passed balls.

That sounds like fun. Luckily, Swihart is fast to chase them down.

[mvp 78]

Announce yesterday. Swihart also gets to catch him, isn't that wonderful?

 

PomPom finally being put on notice?

 

Pom's getting one more chance to pitch like garbage. Hopefully just one.

[vegasbob]

Either the showcasing of Blake Swihart goes further on, or Cora wants to give him a lot of room to get it together at the plate, to consider a move on Leon or Vazquez. That outcome is not likely yet. The Tigers will certainly be tempted to run tonight and Blake may look bad between the knuckleball and trying to throw guys out.

[Hitch]

Either the showcasing of Blake Swihart goes further on, or Cora wants to give him a lot of room to get it together at the plate, to consider a move on Leon or Vazquez. That outcome is not likely yet. The Tigers will certainly be tempted to run tonight and Blake may look bad between the knuckleball and trying to throw guys out.

 

I think it's actually that the Sox really rate him and think there is potential there. They see him as somebody that can play multiple positions so there would be no need to move Vaz or Leon, especially as it leaves us light if either of those two gets injured.

[Kimmi]

I think it's actually that the Sox really rate him and think there is potential there. They see him as somebody that can play multiple positions so there would be no need to move Vaz or Leon, especially as it leaves us light if either of those two gets injured.

 

I am just wondering why the Sox didn't rate him well enough to get these at bats while Hanley was here. Once Hanley was released, they finally see the value in Swihart?

[Hitch]

I am just wondering why the Sox didn't rate him well enough to get these at bats while Hanley was here. Once Hanley was released, they finally see the value in Swihart?

 

Well, similarly as on the other thread I've just replied to you on, I think that was mostly about Hanley's vesting option. They give him enough rope to hang himself so to speak. He was struggling and if they had dropped him out of the line up some time earlier to get Swilhart more at bats they couldn't really have gotten away with cutting Hanley without that lengthy period of poor form.

 

Personally I think it comes down to them wanting to take a real good luck at Swilhart and desperately wanting to get rid of Hanley to give them some freedom next year.

[S5Dewey]

I think it's actually that the Sox really rate him and think there is potential there. They see him as somebody that can play multiple positions so there would be no need to move Vaz or Leon, especially as it leaves us light if either of those two gets injured.

 

It's been my feeling all along that the reasons they were keeping Swihart were twofold. They want him as insurance against either Leon or Vaz getting injured or not performing well, and Swi doesn't have any options left. I'm confident that if he had options he'd have been in Pawtucket long ago.

I don't have a good answer for Kimmie's question as to why he didn't get more AB's while Hanley was here, but that doesn't change my opinion on why he was kept on the team.

[Spudboy]

How often did Swihart catch Wright in the minors? Anyone know?

 

My memory is not what it once was. Did Wright pitch for the Sox in 2015?

[Spudboy]

My memory is not what it once was. Did Wright pitch for the Sox in 2015?

 

He made 16 appearances and 9 starts for the Sox in '15.

 

I seem to remember a lot of past balls and Swi receiving them.

[cp176]

It's been my feeling all along that the reasons they were keeping Swihart were twofold. They want him as insurance against either Leon or Vaz getting injured or not performing well, and Swi doesn't have any options left. I'm confident that if he had options he'd have been in Pawtucket long ago.

I don't have a good answer for Kimmie's question as to why he didn't get more AB's while Hanley was here, but that doesn't change my opinion on why he was kept on the team.

 

I think that everybody was hoping against hope that Hanley was going to be able to turn back the clock. I think that one of the reasons Swihart was kept was in fact because Hanley just wasn't getting the job done. I think that there are some people trying to read to much into the Hanley saga. A mid 30 year veteran who wasn't getting the job done who had a 20 plus million dollar vesting option that was going to kick in if he go X number of at bats. Very well might have been worth to us if he had been hitting. He wasn't and he is gone. It was a baseball/business decision.

[Natick to NC]

Announce yesterday. Swihart also gets to catch him, isn't that wonderful?

 

PomPom finally being put on notice?

 

Seriously??? Did Swihart bang John Henry's wife ??? If he has 5 passed balls that's the under if he gets 3 or under he can catch anyone anytime .

[cp176]

Swihart is cannon fodder tomorrow night. No one wants to beat up the two starting catchers so Swihart gets the nod. I can't wait but I feel a little sorry for him. Doesn't look like a good situation to me. If he can't deal with knuckleballer, we all get to hear what a s***** catcher he is. Poor bastard. I hope he catches a great game and pounds the snot out of the ball.

[kenmeister]

Swihart is cannon fodder tomorrow night. No one wants to beat up the two starting catchers so Swihart gets the nod. I can't wait but I feel a little sorry for him. Doesn't look like a good situation to me. If he can't deal with knuckleballer, we all get to hear what a s***** catcher he is. Poor bastard. I hope he catches a great game and pounds the snot out of the ball.

 

I *want* to root for Swihart. And Wright. I hope they give me reasons tomorrow night. Swihart needs to hit again, period, or he’s gone.

 

Ironically, Rusney Castillo is mired in Pawtucket despite actually hitting decently at .295. Apparently if they bring him up, they have to pay additional luxury tax. Poor guy. Because otherwise I would say that if Swihart doesn’t start hitting, Castillo and Swihart swap roster spots.

[cp176]

I *want* to root for Swihart. And Wright. I hope they give me reasons tomorrow night. Swihart needs to hit again, period, or he’s gone.

 

Ironically, Rusney Castillo is mired in Pawtucket despite actually hitting decently at .295. Apparently if they bring him up, they have to pay additional luxury tax. Poor guy. Because otherwise I would say that if Swihart doesn’t start hitting, Castillo and Swihart swap roster spots.

 

Truthfully I think that they could both play for us right now but we all know that that ain't happening.

[Natick to NC]

Swihart is cannon fodder tomorrow night. No one wants to beat up the two starting catchers so Swihart gets the nod. I can't wait but I feel a little sorry for him. Doesn't look like a good situation to me. If he can't deal with knuckleballer, we all get to hear what a s***** catcher he is. Poor bastard. I hope he catches a great game and pounds the snot out of the ball.

 

Me too bud ...its absolute BS how they have handled this guy .A success would be a win period .The more they pull this s*** the more I want him to succeed against all odds .The way this looks to me is two camps at odds 1. Still wants Pom in the rotation 2. Want wright to take the spot .....the persons filling out the lineup card look to be butt hurt and are throwing Swihart out there hoping he fails ..why ? f*** if I know ....God I hope he has a good game.Everyone should be pulling for Swihart to look solid .

Edited June 5, 2018 by Natick to NC

[fxkatt]

I *want* to root for Swihart. And Wright. I hope they give me reasons tomorrow night. Swihart needs to hit again, period, or he’s gone.

 

Ironically, Rusney Castillo is mired in Pawtucket despite actually hitting decently at .295. Apparently if they bring him up, they have to pay additional luxury tax. Poor guy. Because otherwise I would say that if Swihart doesn’t start hitting, Castillo and Swihart swap roster spots.

 

We finally have a truly genuine need for Castillo, and his cost keeps him playing in the minors. I agree "poor guy." And Sox the are a lesser team because of this luxury line. What a lose lose situation.

[moonslav59]

Wright pitched 72.2 IP in 2015.

 

All but 9 were with Swihart (4.24 ERA).

 

Swihart caught 6.2 innings with Wright in 2016 (1.35 ERA).

 

He caught 0.2 IP this year with 1 ER allowed.

[Spudboy]

Wright pitched 72.2 IP in 2015.

 

All but 9 were with Swihart (4.24 ERA).

 

Swihart caught 6.2 innings with Wright in 2016 (1.35 ERA).

 

He caught 0.2 IP this year with 1 ER allowed.

 

Gee, is it possible that the perception that Blake can't block ball in the dirt may have anything to do with catching Wright?

 

Almost all of you have no recollection of this. Or at least you have never mentioned it. I have said this several times in the past 2 years. Unfortunately I am not savy in gathering this info.

 

Swi also hit well the second half of 2015 but you all insist in saying "what has he done in 5 years of minor league ball to show he can hit?" Lol.

 

Okay. He was a 1st round pick for a reason. He can hit.

 

Thanks Moon for finding that info.

[mvp 78]

Gee, is it possible that the perception that Blake can't block ball in the dirt may have anything to do with catching Wright?

 

Almost all of you have no recollection of this. Or at least you have never mentioned it. I have said this several times in the past 2 years. Unfortunately I am not savy in gathering this info.

 

Swi also hit well the second half of 2015 but you all insist in saying "what has he done in 5 years of minor league ball to show he can hit?" Lol.

 

Okay. He was a 1st round pick for a reason. He can hit.

 

Thanks Moon for finding that info.

 

To your point Spud, Blake was a 5.9 dWAR player in 2015 even with all of his passed balls.

 

910 OPS after August 15th.

 

He's being given a shot now so let's see what he can do with it.

[Maxbialystock]

To your point Spud, Blake was a 5.9 dWAR player in 2015 even with all of his passed balls.

 

910 OPS after August 15th.

 

He's being given a shot now so let's see what he can do with it.

 

I just looked up the catcher DWAR's in 2015, and Swihart was a -.4. Leon was a +.7.

 

Swihart is unquestionably a good athlete and all around baseball player, but catcher is very much a specialty position requiring unique skills that take time to develop. On top of that, catchers have shorter careers, which is why Bryce Harper was converted from catcher to outfield the instant the Nationals picked him in the draft.

 

Does anyone besides me remember Doug Mirabelli? He caught Tim Wakefield exclusively and was traded away or let go only to be brought back in a very dramatic way. I say again, catching is a specialized skill, and apparently the Sox don't see Swihart as having the requisite skills for full time duty unless or until, as happened in 2015, other guys go on the DL for extended periods.

 

So I think tonight is an opportunity to again show Swihart's versatility--he can play the outfield, he can play the infield corners, he can catch, he can do it all--while also getting him some more at bats because in the end I think it is his bat which will secure him an MLB career.

[mvp 78]

I just looked up the catcher DWAR's in 2015, and Swihart was a -.4. Leon was a +.7.

 

Swihart is unquestionably a good athlete and all around baseball player, but catcher is very much a specialty position requiring unique skills that take time to develop. On top of that, catchers have shorter careers, which is why Bryce Harper was converted from catcher to outfield the instant the Nationals picked him in the draft.

 

Does anyone besides me remember Doug Mirabelli? He caught Tim Wakefield exclusively and was traded away or let go only to be brought back in a very dramatic way. I say again, catching is a specialized skill, and apparently the Sox don't see Swihart as having the requisite skills for full time duty unless or until, as happened in 2015, other guys go on the DL for extended periods.

 

So I think tonight is an opportunity to again show Swihart's versatility--he can play the outfield, he can play the infield corners, he can catch, he can do it all--while also getting him some more at bats because in the end I think it is his bat which will secure him an MLB career.

 

Fangraphs or GTFO. https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

[Maxbialystock]

To your point Spud, Blake was a 5.9 dWAR player in 2015 even with all of his passed balls.

 

910 OPS after August 15th.

 

He's being given a shot now so let's see what he can do with it.

 

Did you know that the 2015 team ERA for the Sox was 4.31, ranked 25th in MLB with Swihart as the primary catcher and that the team ERA improved in 2016 and again in 2017 when he wasn't catching at all?

[Maxbialystock]

Fangraphs or GTFO. https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

I'm sorry, but that number is just downright laughable for a rookie catcher, who was converted to catcher by the Sox after they signed him in 2011 out of high school, to be 6 games better (wins above replacement) than the average MLB catcher for his defense alone. Absolutely laughable. As I have also pointed out, the team ERA was abysmal in 2015 with Swihart as the primary catcher.

[mvp 78]

Did you know that the 2015 team ERA for the Sox was 4.31, ranked 25th in MLB with Swihart as the primary catcher and that the team ERA improved in 2016 and again in 2017 when he wasn't catching at all?

 

Did you know that the pitching staff in 2015 wasn't the same as the pitching staff in 2016?

 

Miley/Porcello/Clay/Kelly/ERod

 

Price/Porcello/Wright/ERod/Clay-Pom

 

If only Swihart could've caught Price and Wright in 2016! ERod's numbers were actually better in 2015 too!

[mvp 78]

I'm sorry, but that number is just downright laughable for a rookie catcher, who was converted to catcher by the Sox after they signed him in 2011 out of high school, to be 6 games better (wins above replacement) than the average MLB catcher for his defense alone. Absolutely laughable. As I have also pointed out, the team ERA was abysmal in 2015 with Swihart as the primary catcher.

 

Team ERA??? Don't bring that s*** in here! *wags finger*

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoHXKj36o_E

[illinoisredsox]

Swihart had 16 PBs in 2015; 10 of them were with Wright on the mound. 4 of those were in 1 game and there were 2 one other time.

 

With a knuckleball you have to assume there’s going to be at least one a game no matter who is behind the plate. If it’s dancing late the way it’s supposed to, nothing you can do about it.

[Maxbialystock]

Team ERA??? Don't bring that s*** in here! *wags finger*

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoHXKj36o_E

 

Fine. Ignore catcher ERA and assume catchers don't make pitchers better. Heck, even moonslav doesn't defend that thesis any more.

 

That still leaves you defending a preposterous number--that Swihart, a rookie catcher with 16 passed balls in 2015 was defensively six wins better than the ordinary MLB catcher that year. It also doesn't match the fact that the Sox since 2015 have tried to convert Swihart to be more versatile--an outfielder, even a corner infielder--rather than have him continue to develop as a catcher.