Blake Swihart

[Kimmi]

No.

 

You have a healthy attitude towards life and death.

 

I have 5 sisters- 3 older and two younger. All are still alive and relatively healthy. My Dad is 92 and my mom is 82. They still live at their home and keep the lake house going. They amaze us all.

 

When I was 3, my 2 year old brother drowned in my grandparents pool in Memphis. My parents never recovered, and in my opinion, never faced the anguish, blame and anxiety in a healthy way. We all suffered as a result. I barely remember that sad day, but I know it played a big role in my upbringing and the formation of who I am today.

 

I'm not sure how I will handle the death of my parents, and I'm trying to communicate with them as often as possible, despite my Dad being a real prick too often than any of us care to experience. I've learned that acceptance does not mean agreement, but it took me half my life to figure that out.

 

 

Losing anyone close to you is hard enough.

 

Losing a child, IMO, would be unbearable.

[moonslav59]

Losing anyone close to you is hard enough.

 

Losing a child, IMO, would be unbearable.

 

Yes, I totally agree.

 

Many from my parents' generation don't believe in therapy or talking through psychological issues. They let it fester and nearly destroy any enjoyment in life. It wasn't paradise for the surviving siblings either.

 

[Dojji]

I'm beginning to think in terms of Chavis @ 3B & Devers @ 1B next season.

 

 

Doubt you can contain Chavis in the minors all year. If he's not with the team by the All Star Break I'll be shocked, barring some pretty serious regression to the mean. Good bats are hard to find, especially when they come with a solid glove.

 

I think Devers might eat his way out of the third baseman's role or at least never keep his weight in line enough to be fully productive there, similar to Miggy or the Beltbuster. I would be fine with a move to first base, assuming a moderate uptick in his offensive production -- remembering that a lot of guys who were moderately decent at third flourished at first and wound up improving on both sides of the ball, examples like Jeff Bagwell and Kevin Youkilis spring to mind, so it's hardly unprecedented.

[moonslav59]

Doubt you can contain Chavis in the minors all year. If he's not with the team by the All Star Break I'll be shocked, barring some pretty serious regression to the mean. Good bats are hard to find, especially when they come with a solid glove.

 

I think Devers might eat his way out of the third baseman's role or at least never keep his weight in line enough to be fully productive there, similar to Miggy or the Beltbuster. I would be fine with a move to first base, assuming a moderate uptick in his offensive production -- remembering that a lot of guys who were moderately decent at third flourished at first and wound up improving on both sides of the ball, examples like Jeff Bagwell and Kevin Youkilis spring to mind, so it's hardly unprecedented.

 

I couldn't disagree with a post any more than this one.

[notin]

I couldn't disagree with a post any more than this one.

 

 

Especially the part about Bagwell flourishing at 3b, a position he never played above AA ball...

[moonslav59]

Especially the part about Bagwell flourishing at 3b, a position he never played above AA ball...

 

I thought Chavis on the team by the All Star Game was hilarious with the insinuation it would be to replace Devers (not Moreland or Pearce or Pedey or Nunez...).

 

[Spudboy]

Pedroia will start the season on the DL so there will be no urgency regarding 3 catchers on the 25 man roster.

[Kimmi]

Doubt you can contain Chavis in the minors all year. If he's not with the team by the All Star Break I'll be shocked, barring some pretty serious regression to the mean. Good bats are hard to find, especially when they come with a solid glove.

 

I think Devers might eat his way out of the third baseman's role or at least never keep his weight in line enough to be fully productive there, similar to Miggy or the Beltbuster. I would be fine with a move to first base, assuming a moderate uptick in his offensive production -- remembering that a lot of guys who were moderately decent at third flourished at first and wound up improving on both sides of the ball, examples like Jeff Bagwell and Kevin Youkilis spring to mind, so it's hardly unprecedented.

 

Chavis might get a call up here and there due to injury of another player, but I have a hard time seeing the moves you're talking about occurring this season.

 

I agree that Devers might eventually end up at 1B, but not this year.

[Kimmi]

Pedroia will start the season on the DL so there will be no urgency regarding 3 catchers on the 25 man roster.

 

Despite the team's desire to not carry 3 catchers this season, I would not be at all surprised if we do for a couple of months.

 

This will (maybe) give the team a clearer picture of what Swihart can do behind the plate.

 

I still like the idea of having that 3rd catcher on the team, provided that Cora will give Swihart ample playing time.

[vegasbob]

Pedroia will start the season on the DL so there will be no urgency regarding 3 catchers on the 25 man roster.

 

Excellent observation. Pedey is showing no signs yet (intentional holdback ?) of being ready to play beyond some BP and fielding workouts. His DL will buy some time for DD to continue working through the crowded roster, assuming the Spring results don't clarify the catching position. Perez's injury is just the first in a line of guys who will get hurt in ST and need replacements. It may even happen to one of our guys, but hope not.

[Bellhorn04]

Excellent observation. Pedey is showing no signs yet (intentional holdback ?) of being ready to play beyond some BP and fielding workouts. His DL will buy some time for DD to continue working through the crowded roster, assuming the Spring results don't clarify the catching position. Perez's injury is just the first in a line of guys who will get hurt in ST and need replacements. It may even happen to one of our guys, but hope not.

 

Cora says Pedey is going to have a full workout tomorrow and if all goes well he'll play next weekend.

[harmony]

The Oakland Athletics have lost presumptive backup catcher Chris Herrmann to knee surgery:

 

 

[moonslav59]

If Pedey starts the season on the DL, I'm not so sure that gives Swihart life. Chavis taking Pedey's place doesn't make sense either.

 

I think I'd want Lin on the roster, but it's not clear cut.

[SCM33]

i wish Swihart would show us that he has the talent to match his projections. He is athletic enough, show them he can hit and they will find a position for him. LF, 3B, 2B, 1B, C...........that doesnt matter, prove to them you can hit as much as your talent/projections say you can.

 

Just hit, they will find a position for you.

[moonslav59]

 

...Just hit, they will find a position for you.

 

That's always been his dilemma. Since he's out of options, he never has gotten a chance to play a lot. Even his highly touted 2015 season, when he was called up before he was ready, he only hit .712.

 

There just isn't much in his record that screams out he can hit. Just being a good athlete who can catch doesn't promise anything.

 

.490 RK (44 PAs)

.702 A (378)

.794 A+ (422)

.843 AA (387)

.615 AAA (485)

.678 MLB (597 scattered after 309 in 2015)

 

Only his AA numbers look promising.

 

Add to this the impression that he's not all that good behind the plate, despite his arm and throw-release time, and I just can't get myself too excited about his future.

 

I've not given up. He turns 27 soon, so there is still a chance he improves. V-Tek wasn't really all that great until after 27, especially on defense.

 

 

 

 

[notin]

If Pedey starts the season on the DL, I'm not so sure that gives Swihart life. Chavis taking Pedey's place doesn't make sense either.

 

I think I'd want Lin on the roster, but it's not clear cut.

 

 

Lin is clearly the Jeff Bailey Award favorite, but even if Pedroia starts on the DL, Swihart definitely and possibly even Chavis are ahead of Lin...

[SCM33]

That's always been his dilemma. Since he's out of options, he never has gotten a chance to play a lot. Even his highly touted 2015 season, when he was called up before he was ready, he only hit .712.

 

There just isn't much in his record that screams out he can hit. Just being a good athlete who can catch doesn't promise anything.

 

.490 RK (44 PAs)

.702 A (378)

.794 A+ (422)

.843 AA (387)

.615 AAA (485)

.678 MLB (597 scattered after 309 in 2015)

 

Only his AA numbers look promising.

 

Add to this the impression that he's not all that good behind the plate, despite his arm and throw-release time, and I just can't get myself too excited about his future.

 

I've not given up. He turns 27 soon, so there is still a chance he improves. V-Tek wasn't really all that great until after 27, especially on defense.

 

The problem with those numbers, is that he moved up so fast so young, did well, then has been stalled ever since his debut MLB appearance. You have to discount almost all of his AAA numbers due to the fact he only really played those games due to rehab/injury. He went from AA to the bigs in 2014 and has stalled ever since due to injury, playing time etc.

[moonslav59]

The problem with those numbers, is that he moved up so fast so young, did well, then has been stalled ever since his debut MLB appearance. You have to discount almost all of his AAA numbers due to the fact he only really played those games due to rehab/injury. He went from AA to the bigs in 2014 and has stalled ever since due to injury, playing time etc.

 

He went from AA to AAA in 2014, and then to MLB in 2015.

 

Being called up to AAA at age 22 is not really a big rush. It was a short stint, for sure.

 

The call up to MLB at age 23 was a big rush, but his numbers before the "big rush" were not all that great in their totality (up to April 2015).

 

His AAA numbers look bad, but in all fairness, they have been scattered. (He had about 200 during ages 22-23.)

Edited March 7, 2019 by moonslav59

[SCM33]

He went from AA to AAA in 2014, and then to MLB in 2015.

 

Being called up to AAA at age 22 is not really a big rush. It was a short stint, for sure.

 

The call up to MLB at age 23 was a big rush, but his numbers before the "big rush" were not all that great in their totality (up to April 2015).

 

His AAA numbers look bad, but in all fairness, they have been scattered. (He had about 200 during ages 22-23.)

 

So, all that...but you agree with me.

[moonslav59]

So, all that...but you agree with me.

 

I don't see all that much evidence he can hit, except for 387 PA sample size in AA way back in 2014.

 

That's a long time to rest on short AA laurels.

 

I'm fine with giving him another chance, but once again, unless someone gets hurt, he won't get 200 PAs this year... again.

[SCM33]

Multiple reports say they are looking to unload a catcher. Swihart has the highest upside. Sandy Leon, is at a career intersection.

 

Do they value Swihart's perceived potential more than Leons production, which will most certainly trend down given his age, ability, potential and regression?

[oldtimer]

Multiple reports say they are looking to unload a catcher. Swihart has the highest upside. Sandy Leon, is at a career intersection.

 

Do they value Swihart's perceived potential more than Leons production, which will most certainly trend down given his age, ability, potential and regression?

 

Ian Browne is still thinking Leon will be gone.

[mvp 78]

Multiple reports say they are looking to unload a catcher. Swihart has the highest upside. Sandy Leon, is at a career intersection.

 

Do they value Swihart's perceived potential more than Leons production, which will most certainly trend down given his age, ability, potential and regression?

 

Swihart's upside went out the door a long time ago.

[Dojji]

It's not about potential anymore with Swihart. The word you're looking for is "salvage."

[moonslav59]

Multiple reports say they are looking to unload a catcher. Swihart has the highest upside. Sandy Leon, is at a career intersection.

 

Do they value Swihart's perceived potential more than Leons production, which will most certainly trend down given his age, ability, potential and regression?

 

Personally, I do.

 

I hope DD does, as well.

[cp176]

Personally, I do.

 

I hope DD does, as well.

 

I'm in a minority here I know but I still feel that it is more than likely that Swihart would wind up hitting far better than either Vazqueth or Leon if he was given the opportunity. I have said this many times before. I do not think that it is necessary to carry two starting catchers who in all likelihood would be back up catchers on most other teams.

[Dojji]

I'm in a minority here I know but I still feel that it is more than likely that Swihart would wind up hitting far better than either Vazqueth or Leon if he was given the opportunity. I have said this many times before. I do not think that it is necessary to carry two starting catchers who in all likelihood would be back up catchers on most other teams.

1: Swihart has not shown any realistic ability to hit better than Leon or Vazquez.

 

2: Both Vazquez and Leon have produced significant samples of offensive production superior to Swihart's 2015 production.

 

3: You're talking about a catching tandem that just won the World Series, and the pitchers are effusive in their praise of those catchers' ability.

 

4: Catcher is one of the two positions, shortstop being the other one, where mediocre offensive production is tolerable as long as the defense is good enough.

 

5: Between Leon and Vazquez, 70 efforts to steal a base were recorded (and if that seems low considering their combined workload, that's because it hella is) , with 22 of those being caught. That's a 30% success rate, significantly above the league average . So not only were the overall attempts incredibly low (an average year sees somewhre around 120 to 150 attempts to steal on your catchers, and even with Swihart thrown in there were only 89 such attempts on the Boston catching teams which is, again, WAY small, half an attempt per game is TINY) but even those who were brave enough to give it a go, or fast enough to pull it off, were nabbed fairly regularly

 

In other words Vazquez and Leon did a whizzbang job at controlling the running game, they created a fear factor that scared off a lot of first base coaches and even the guys who felt they were fast enough to make an effort (in other words, we're probably talking mostly about elite runners here) were gunned down at a level above the league average. Combine that with the great work our boys did on the basepaths and it's very easy to understand exactly why we had such a competitive advantage against a lot of other good teams.

 

Now let's look at Swihart. He played 33 games and saw 19 steal attempts, of which he caught 5. That's a significant increase in the willingness of baserunners to try something on Swihart comprared to other catchers and he only caught baserunners at about an average level. Bottom line here is that while Swihart isn't bad at controlling the running game he's nowhere near as good as either Leon or ESPECIALLY Vazquez, who is a superstar at this aspect of catching defense.

 

Final analysis baserunners aren't anywhere near as afraid of Swihart as they are of L and V and will try his arm more, resulting in increased scoring chances for the opposing team than if we stick to L and V, regardless of other factors of offense or defense. I'm reluctant to surrender an advantage of that magnitude in the name of a single hitter hitting a few extra hundred OPS points, even if Swihart would definitely hit it might not be worth it -- but to surrender an advantage this huge for merely the CHANCE of a slight offensive uptick -- on a team whose offense is already at juggernaut levels -- is patently ridiculous.

Edited March 7, 2019 by Dojji

[notin]

It's not about potential anymore with Swihart. The word you're looking for is "salvage."

 

 

After his age 26 season, Blake Swihart has had 597 plate appearances and an OPS+ of 82. After his age 26 season, Jason Varitek had 248 plate appearances and an OPS+ of 85.

 

While stardom is probably out of reach for Swihart, it also might be early to be talking “salvage” as well...

[mvp 78]

4: Catcher is one of the two positions, shortstop being the other one, where mediocre offensive production is tolerable as long as the defense is good enough.

 

The trade JBJ thread is starting early this year folks!

[mvp 78]

After his age 26 season, Blake Swihart has had 597 plate appearances and an OPS+ of 82. After his age 26 season, Jason Varitek had 248 plate appearances and an OPS+ of 85.

 

While stardom is probably out of reach for Swihart, it also might be early to be talking “salvage” as well...

 

Now compare Blake's last two years of production in the minors to Varitek's last two years!