The Blake Swihart Thread

[Kimmi]

oltimer - one of the best posters on here. Got the class others are lacking.

 

Oldtimer is a class act, indeed.

 

And one of the best posters here.

[a700hitter]

Posse rounding the wagons. LOL!!

[dgalehouse]

Regarding the hamstring problem on this team : I spoke to the Sox' team physician , Dr. Vinnie Boombatz. He blamed it on social media. Said the boys need to silence their cellphones and spend more time stretching.

[oldtimer]

Regarding the hamstring problem on this team : I spoke to the Sox' team physician , Dr. Vinnie Boombatz. He blamed it on social media. Said the boys need to silence their cellphones and spend more time stretching.

 

We are aggressive on the base paths and that may explain why we have more hamstring issues than most teams. Nothing like accelerating between bases to strain ones hamstring.

[S5Dewey]

We are aggressive on the base paths and that may explain why we have more hamstring issues than most teams. Nothing like accelerating between bases to strain ones hamstring.

 

OT.. .I thought of you last weekend. My old softball league had a reunion and I got to play again. And yep, I tried to accelerate between the bases - and got a slight hammy pull. LOL

[moonslav59]

OT.. .I thought of you last weekend. My old softball league had a reunion and I got to play again. And yep, I tried to accelerate between the bases - and got a slight hammy pull. LOL

 

That's because you are in tremendous shape and all buffed out and all.

[S5Dewey]

That's because you are in tremendous shape and all buffed out and all.

 

Yeah. That's me all right!

[Kimmi]

We are aggressive on the base paths and that may explain why we have more hamstring issues than most teams. Nothing like accelerating between bases to strain ones hamstring.

 

Makes sense to me.

[Emp9]

Not a slam against him, but it happens to guys who have been sitting on the bench who all of a sudden are getting a lot of playing time and running the bases a lot. He may be a tremendously conditioned athlete, but there is a different conditioning when you play regularly.

 

This may be true to a certain extent but then why Kinsler then?

[Emp9]

He does have 100+ IP with 3 of the guys listed, and while the others sample sizes are too small individually, the fact that he finishes in 3rd in all but one case, I think it's safe to say that to date, Swihart gets the least out of our pitchers.

 

Unless there’s some need in the future to trade one of 3 of our catchers to make our team better (like next season er something), I really like carrying all 3. It’s not the worst thing in the world, particularly to how this team is presently built. I like having immediate depth to go to for the most physically grueling position in baseball. Swihart has other skills Vaz & Leon don’t have. Carrying 3 catchers may seem like a lot at a glance, but I don’t think it’s a situation of redundancy.

[S5Dewey]

Unless there’s some need in the future to trade one of 3 of our catchers to make our team better (like next season er something), I really like carrying all 3. It’s not the worst thing in the world, particularly to how this team is presently built. I like having immediate depth to go to for the most physically grueling position in baseball. Swihart has other skills Vaz & Leon don’t have. Carrying 3 catchers may seem like a lot at a glance, but I don’t think it’s a situation of redundancy.

 

I agree. A team can (almost) NEVER get through a season without a catcher being injured. Having a #3 catcher who can also hit and play other positions is a huge plus. If Swi can be at least serviceable at 1st & 3rd it frees Holt up to be the #4/5 OF'er as well as the UIF. I like it.

[a700hitter]

This may be true to a certain extent but then why Kinsler then?

Age, plus he has had a hamstring and leg issues a lot over the last couple of seasons -- a s*** can happen. LOL!!

[moonslav59]

Unless there’s some need in the future to trade one of 3 of our catchers to make our team better (like next season er something), I really like carrying all 3. It’s not the worst thing in the world, particularly to how this team is presently built. I like having immediate depth to go to for the most physically grueling position in baseball. Swihart has other skills Vaz & Leon don’t have. Carrying 3 catchers may seem like a lot at a glance, but I don’t think it’s a situation of redundancy.

 

That was one of the reasons I have always been a big advocate of getting Swihart to learn different positions.

 

The other reason is that when we have two weak hitting starting catchers, it's nice to have a 3rd catcher, so we can PH for one (or both) late in the game and not have to worry about a catcher injury late in a game. (So far, it doesn't seem like we've done this very often, if at all, this year.)

 

[Sox75]

Swihart since All Star Break

 

C 21 59 10 15 4 0 1 8 4 14 2 0 .254 .302 .373 .674

 

Yet, so many demanded that he can rake? His minor league stats never suggested that, yet we were told he's an excellent bat?

 

It seems the best we can say about Blake is, Sandy blows this year, Vaz sucked & now is injured.

 

Has he added trade value since Vaz went down? Sure.

[moonslav59]

Swihart since All Star Break

 

C 21 59 10 15 4 0 1 8 4 14 2 0 .254 .302 .373 .674

 

Yet, so many demanded that he can rake? His minor league stats never suggested that, yet we were told he's an excellent bat?

 

It seems the best we can say about Blake is, Sandy blows this year, Vaz sucked & now is injured.

 

Has he added trade value since Vaz went down? Sure.

 

Sandy "blows" on offense, but he's our starting catcher game one with Sale. Vaz probably catches Price in game 2, although Leon did very well with Price in limited action this year. Vaz has been ERod's caddy-pretty much, but he did great with Leon in limited time this year. Leon is the only guy who has caught Porcello this year.

 

If Cora was going to play Swihart at catcher in the playoffs, wouldn't he have at least 1 inning with our top 4 starters this year under his belt, especially when you figure Vaz was out for weeks and weeks?

 

Zero innings caught by Swihart with all 4 of our top starters.

 

It's obvious he ain't starting a playoff game.

[sk7326]

He's going to make the roster - because he can play a bunch of positions including catcher, and that is valuable.

 

He's gotten better as his reps have gotten a bit more regular. I'm happy for him - his road has been rocky, but it's nice there is still a real interesting player in there.

[dustcover]

I agree. A team can (almost) NEVER get through a season without a catcher being injured. Having a #3 catcher who can also hit and play other positions is a huge plus. If Swi can be at least serviceable at 1st & 3rd it frees Holt up to be the #4/5 OF'er as well as the UIF. I like it.

"If Swi can be at least serviceable at 1st & 3rd," not to mention his 'serviceable' availability to play RF as he did today. Swihart starting in RF and batting 2nd may have gone a not so illustrious 1-5 but his one hit was a key 2 RBI double that got the scoring started in the 6-run 8th inning. Just one of the numerous highlights of a dramatic come-from-behind win.

[Maxbialystock]

Right now my five spares are Vazquez, Swihart, Holt, Nunez (platoon with Devers at 3b), and Pearce (ditto with Moreland at 1B). However, if Phillips gets in more games and continues to play well, I would then consider having him replace Nunez or Swihart or Holt. The guy has four gold gloves, was good at AAA this year, and had a decent MLB year last year. Yesterday he played with a lot of enthusiasm and skill before that amazing 9th inning dinger to win the game.

[OH FOY]

You don't need 3 Catchers in the AL Play-offs. Where you will need 3 Catchers is the WS, with National League Rules. They were talking about this on the Radio during yesterdays game. Edited September 6, 2018 by OH FOY!

[illinoisredsox]

Right now my five spares are Vazquez, Swihart, Holt, Nunez (platoon with Devers at 3b), and Pearce (ditto with Moreland at 1B). However, if Phillips gets in more games and continues to play well, I would then consider having him replace Nunez or Swihart or Holt. The guy has four gold gloves, was good at AAA this year, and had a decent MLB year last year. Yesterday he played with a lot of enthusiasm and skill before that amazing 9th inning dinger to win the game.

 

All this after 1 game? Swihart I can see, but Nunez?

 

Right now Devers is no lock to be on the postseason roster. He’s going to have to earn it this month. Cora has said as much said so.

[OH FOY]

During a 162 game season no problem carrying 3 Catchers, Manager should be evaluating the whole season anyway, not just counting injuries. In Play-offs it will be about Match-ups, and versatility for the Manager. The more positions you can play, the better to make in game adjustments. 2 Catchers that only play 1 position, holds back a Manager, from moving around other positions. 2 guys basically does the same thing as 1 do. No need. 2 Catchers where one plays 4 or 5 positions, plus switch hits, gives a Manager tons of flexibility.

 

With Devers, its all about his fielding, he improves here he makes it. Smart Managers knows the importance of good Defense in the Play-offs. You cannot give good teams extra outs, you saw that yesterday.

Edited September 6, 2018 by OH FOY!

[Maxbialystock]

All this after 1 game? Swihart I can see, but Nunez?

 

Right now Devers is no lock to be on the postseason roster. He’s going to have to earn it this month. Cora has said as much said so.

 

I'm guessing just like everyone else because Cora still has 21 games to make a decision. Devers played in the ALDS last year vs. Houston's great pitching staff, played all 4 games, and had 2 dingers and an OPS of 1.338. I agree he is not a lock, but this year his OWAR is .8, his OPS .721 with 16 dingers, and, agreed, suspect defense. I do believe he is part of the future of this club. Oh, and his hamstring could go bad again.

 

I just threw Nunez's name out there because Phillips has basically the same skills and might be a better choice--gold glove, higher lifetime OPS, maybe a better baserunner, etc. But it's just one game, as you say, and let's see what happens this month.

[Maxbialystock]

During a 162 game season no problem carrying 3 Catchers, Manager should be evaluating the whole season anyway, not just counting injuries. In Play-offs it will be about Match-ups, and versatility for the Manager. The more positions you can play, the better to make in game adjustments. 2 Catchers that only play 1 position, holds back a Manager, from moving around other positions. 2 guys basically does the same thing as 1 do. No need. 2 Catchers where one plays 4 or 5 positions, plus switch hits, gives a Manager tons of flexibility.

 

With Devers, its all about his fielding, he improves here he makes it. Smart Managers knows the importance of good Defense in the Play-offs. You cannot give good teams extra outs, you saw that yesterday.

 

Good stuff, all around. Agree Devers needs to show he is more consistent at 3B.

[Slasher9]

#0 on pace to hit 21 dingers this year.

[moonslav59]

You don't need 3 Catchers in the AL Play-offs. Where you will need 3 Catchers is the WS, with National League Rules. They were talking about this on the Radio during yesterdays game.

 

We've had 3 catchers all year, except for the time Vaz was on the DL.

 

Swihart can and does play other positions, so it is not technically just a 3rd catcher.

[OH FOY]

Don't need 2 guys that do the same thing, in a positional standpoint. Counter productive, Manager stuck to work around them instead of playing players as the game dictates, especially in different situations. for a short series. 162 games different story, more about evaluating who should be playing. Edited September 6, 2018 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

Don't go by 162 games when Play-offs begin. Go by the who helps the Team and Manger best chance make moves as each game is played, to win it.

To me a guy that just plays one position, hand-cuffs a Manager, already, you don't need 2 of them.

[moonslav59]

Don't need 2 guys that do the same thing, in a positional standpoint. Counter productive, Manager stuck to work around them instead of playing players as the game dictates, especially in different situations. for a short series. 162 games different story, more about evaluating who should be playing.

 

You have to think of who the bench is more likely to replace.

 

Moreland-Pearce: platoon at 1B, check.

 

Maybe Nunez-Devers platoon at 3B.

 

From a "positional standpoint" when and where will Holt or Phillips ever play? We certainly don't need both. Is the need to PH for Kinsler or Nunez or Devers higher than for Vaz or Leon?

 

Our biggest positional weaknesses are:

 

1) catcher offense

2) 3B defense

 

We can't do much for 3B defense, since all our 3Bmen are sub par on defense.

 

We can PH for our catcher- maybe even twice in one game.

[OH FOY]

Probably have to wait and see in Sept. who might get hot. Vazquez gets hot going into Play-offs, Leon should sit. Both are the same to me. Devers, to me has to be on Roster, need the Left Handed Bat. I would be playing him to death right now, and see if his Defense has improved. Saw him over weekend he was working hard with Phillips at 3rd with his footwork. Phillips didn't even play one game and worked with Raffy a long time at 3rd.

Phillips is a very good glove man, he could handle 3rd no problem. If he gets hot hitting in Sept. Cora has decisions to make.

[FredLynn]

All this after 1 game? Swihart I can see, but Nunez?

 

Right now Devers is no lock to be on the postseason roster. He’s going to have to earn it this month. Cora has said as much said so.

 

Exactly. Devers' *potential*, so often mentioned here, has not resulted in a decent enough performance for him to have earned a spot on the postseason roster. He may or may not eventually develop into a good every day player, but as of now, he is very raw.