The Blake Swihart Thread

[moonslav59]

We're talking about his last 32 PAs, so let's have some context.

 

I love what he's doing and hope he continues, but he has not done well for long enough to make any definitive statement about his role going forward.

 

He's filled in nicely for Vaz, who incidentally, had just hit .860 in June over 60 PAs- a much larger sample size than Swihart's recent run.

 

[S5Dewey]

It does seem like some of us (Dewey & Kimmie to name just a couple) have been saying for some time that Swihart wasn't getting a chance to play enough to get his game together.

I know it's a small sample size but as I keep saying, every sample size means something. Had he been hitting ~.100 this same small sample size would be enough for TalkSox to bring out the tar and feathers.

 

I think Swihart is a ballplayer and I always have thought so. Now I'm hoping he can prove it.

[moonslav59]

I've always felt Swihart was probably a better hitter than Vaz and Leon. To me, it's always been about his defense in comparison to Vaz/Leon.

 

He's looked good, when he gets a chance here and there, but it's hard for me to judge every aspect of his defense from my living room.

 

It would be awesome, if he can hit near or over .800 for a long stretch. He'd only need a little improvement on his defense from his last long look to win more playing time behind the plate. Hitting near .800 would also get him more chances at other slots.

[oldtimer]

I've always felt Swihart was probably a better hitter than Vaz and Leon. To me, it's always been about his defense in comparison to Vaz/Leon.

 

He's looked good, when he gets a chance here and there, but it's hard for me to judge every aspect of his defense from my living room.

 

It would be awesome, if he can hit near or over .800 for a long stretch. He'd only need a little improvement on his defense from his last long look to win more playing time behind the plate. Hitting near .800 would also get him more chances at other slots.

 

When it comes time to select the playoff team, if Swihart continues to look this good, he is going to force a decision by Cora and the front office.

[SoxnCycles]

When it comes time to select the playoff team, if Swihart continues to look this good, he is going to force a decision by Cora and the front office.

 

Yup, Swihard has at least another month to make his case. If he keeps playing like he has, it is going to be tough for the front office.

[Hitch]

Swilhart has been my man from the start. I love the kid. I'd love to see him push on and become the no1 catcher. Still a long way for him to go yet though. Signs are encouraging.

[Maxbialystock]

I've pretty much been anti-Swihart, but have to agree he is showing us he has a pretty darn good skill set.

 

With his speed and athleticism, his hitting well could mean the Sox will want to shift him away from catching on a regular basis. Maybe corner infielder. But his catching has been pretty darn good so far this year.

[Lansdowne]

I just don't think he's been given enough consistent playing time during his career. The crux of the problem is his defense was well behind Vazquez when he was first called up and we didn't have any holes in the outfield for him to fill. There's a reason he was widely considered the top catching prospect in baseball a few years ago.

 

It makes me wonder how Flores would have developed. That story still kills me.

[moonslav59]

He certainly has looked good for 32 PAs and has showed his athleticism for years.

 

It's interesting to note that he probably would not have been given a chance this year, if he still had an option left.

Edited August 1, 2018 by moonslav59

[Kimmi]

And I don't meanf or number TWO catcher. His with-hittin capability may give hime the edge. He is cartainly a different catcher than he was two years ago!

 

Once upon a time, Swihart was projected to be the better overall catcher between him and Vazquez. He was never projected to be as good as Vaz defensively, but throw in his projected offense with his above average defense and he was supposed to be better.

 

It is far too early to anoint Swihart our starting catcher, but he has looked pretty good out so far. I am at the point where I would like to see him catch some more games, maybe 30-40% of the time. Not only would it benefit Swihart, but it would benefit Leon as well. And that's coming from someone who is really high on Leon's and Vaz' defense, and defensively oriented catchers overall.

[oldtimer]

He certainly has looked good for 32 PAs and has showed his athleticism for years.

 

It's interesting to note that he probably would not have been given a chance this year, if he still had an option left.

 

He is hitting 368 since the AS break and has helped us although he certainly hasn't had a lot of plate appearances. During the same period Pearce has hit 227, Betts 208, Bogaerts 205, Moreland 143, Holt 111 and Leon 083. So you can make the case that we have faced good pitching while he has compiled this club leading average. Good for him but a little worrisome for the others.

[dustcover]

Can we wait for Swi to play a full season in the MLB before pronouncing him "officially better" than anybody.

 

How 'bout we see if he can come close to this?

 

99 324 43 94 18 2 5 32 17 64 7 2 .290 .330 .404 .735

 

I wonder who this guy is? I'd like a catcher who can hit like this!!! In the MLB. . .

 

O.K. 75, you've got my attention. I too wonder what modern day MLB catcher has put up season numbers like this?

[moonslav59]

32 PAs is a tiny sample size.

 

It's very encouraging, but it's still tiny.

[moonslav59]

Leon & Vaz both have hit .735 in more recent seasons than Swihart.

[Kimmi]

Playing time is not given, it's earned. Swihart wasn't deserving of any more playing time than he got early in the season.

 

That's one of the reasons that it's frustrating me that they're going back to jerking him around the moment he's finally starting to get his feet under him

 

That's kind of a catch-22, no? You can't really show that you are deserving of more playing time unless you get some consistent playing time.

 

I do agree with the jerking him around thing. He is not going to be able to develop properly as a catcher if he is trying to learn several other positions at the same time. That said, if the Sox are not planning on making him a primary catcher, then I would like to see him get reps at other positions. I think he could be a real asset to the team in a super utility role and 3rd catcher.

[Kimmi]

I look at it another way: Swihart wasn't given a fair chance to EARN playing time early in the season. Its hard to play that way...or at least play well. Look at his game logs: he would play a day or two then sit for 3-4 days or longer. You cannot get a rhythm like that. Now he is playing more regularly and his play is improving. I don't think he cares where he plays as long as he is given a chance to be in the lineup. Its still early; maybe he flops. But I am glad to see that finally he is being given the chance he always deserved.

 

I agree.

 

The only thing I am hesitant to do is to play him at other positions while Vaz is still on the DL. That is too risky in terms of injury.

[Kimmi]

Vazquez has had a terrible year by his own standards. I'll be honest, if I had to cut one of Swihart of Vazquez going into next season, I'd think long and hard about cutting Vazquez. A Swihart-Leon tandem is interesting, and Vazquez has done little to help his own reputation.

 

I am a huge Vazquez fan. He has had a down year defensively by his standards, but I would hate to see the Sox trade him.

[kenmeister]

Given the swoon that Moreland is in, on days when Pearce plays first and Leon is catching, I'd like to see Swihart DH.

[vegasbob]

Given the swoon that Moreland is in, on days when Pearce plays first and Leon is catching, I'd like to see Swihart DH.

 

Guessing that Moreland's knee soreness is part of his acknowledged serious swoon. Maybe that's aggravating his back too. When one of the DL crew is ready to come back, perhaps Mitch should be given a 10 day rest and treatment, let Pearce play first daily, although he has lost his instant impact bat status also.

[bosoxmal]

When it comes time to select the playoff team, if Swihart continues to look this good, he is going to force a decision by Cora and the front office.

 

Playoff team? Playoff tea,? He's making a move to become the No. 1 catcher!

[mvp 78]

1081 OPS since July 6th.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

If he locks up the starting C job, which is a real possibility, who doesn't make the playoff roster--Vazquez or Leon?

[Bellhorn04]

If he locks up the starting C job, which is a real possibility, who doesn't make the playoff roster--Vazquez or Leon?

 

Vazquez

[vegasbob]

If he locks up the starting C job, which is a real possibility, who doesn't make the playoff roster--Vazquez or Leon?

 

Vazquez, although he may be a lot fresher than Leon at that point. Christian just wasn't having a strong season up to his injury. But I think you can see Leon fading somewhat, along with others, from the heavy workload recently. So it's a definite maybe depending on what happens or various alternatives that may or may not arise.

[mvp 78]

If he locks up the starting C job, which is a real possibility, who doesn't make the playoff roster--Vazquez or Leon?

 

Vaz just stays on the DL until Spring Training.

[Kimmi]

Vazquez, although he may be a lot fresher than Leon at that point. Christian just wasn't having a strong season up to his injury. But I think you can see Leon fading somewhat, along with others, from the heavy workload recently. So it's a definite maybe depending on what happens or various alternatives that may or may not arise.

 

Since Vaz went on the DL, Leon is batting .133/.204/.178/.382 . It's not that big of a sample, but I don't think we'll see much improvement if Leon continues to catch 5 times a week.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I'm all for SWI catching Johnson tomorrow. Why not, Cora? Makes no sense having a player who's hot offensively and more than capable of catching to not be playing. Let's see what Cora does. We tend not to agree.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

In the last month the conversation has gone from "let's get rid of this bum" to "maybe he should be the #1 catcher." Baseball is a funny game.

Btw, VAZ's injury may have just restarted someone else's career. This wouldn't be the 1st time that's happened.

Edited August 1, 2018 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[Sox75]

Can we wait for Swi to play a full season in the MLB before pronouncing him "officially better" than anybody.

 

How 'bout we see if he can come close to this?

 

99 324 43 94 18 2 5 32 17 64 7 2 .290 .330 .404 .735

 

I wonder who this guy is? I'd like a catcher who can hit like this!!! In the MLB. . .

 

O.K. 75, you've got my attention. I too wonder what modern day MLB catcher has put up season numbers like this?

 

 

 

These were the numbers Vas put up last year.

 

 

Now, I too am happy to see Swi stepping up just when really needed! I'm happy for him, & I'm happy for the Sox

 

I don't know what's up with Vaz this year? He hasn't looked right all year long. idk why he's gone so cold?

He's never Been a great hitter, but not bad either.

 

Last year? Not too shabby!

Edited August 1, 2018 by Sox75

[cp176]

Many of us have been rooting for this kid since day one. Many of us! None have been pulling for him more than the Spudman. Let's hope for the best for this young athlete.