Chris Herrmann

Chris Herrmann

Position: Catcher/OF
DOB: 11/24/1987 (24 years, 5 months old)
POB: Tomball, Texas
Hand: Bats left, throws right
Draft: First drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of the 2008 draft. Selected by the Twins in the 6th round of the 2009 draft out of the University of Miami.

Statistics:
2010 (Fort Myers): 408 PA, .219/.310/.301, 17 doubles/3 triples/2 home runs, 41 BB/74 K, 3 SB/5 SBA.
52 games at LF, 42 at C, 11 at CF. 36% caught stealing percentage at C.

2011: (Fort Myers): 106 PA, .310/.404/.425, 5/1/1, 15/6, 1/1.
10 games at LF, 6 at C, 5 at RF.

2011: (New Britain): 406 PA, .258/.380/.392, 14/5/7, 64/68, 9/12.
60 games at C, 22 at LF, 1 at RF. 36% caught stealing percentage at C.

2011 (AFL): 57 PA, .380/.456/.620

Current 2012 (New Britain): 64 PA, .228/.279/.386, 6/0/1, 4/11, 1/1. (.731 OPS against RH pitchers)
10 games at C, 4 at DH. 30% caught stealing percentage at C.


Scouting Book Combine Ranking: 322

Herrmann is a bright spot in the Twins system, providing a backup catching solution in the not-too-distant future. Herrmann has a great eye and is a disciplined hitter. His average and OBP this year are down so far, but he has managed to slug nearly the same as he did in 2011 while batting 30 points lower. This is mainly because of his doubles power, which is an encouraging sign for an OBP guy.

I hope that he gets time in the OF for New Britain soon. He is an average to above average defensive player at both LF and C. I would like to see him move up to Rochester this season and at least split time behind the plate and then play the corner OF positions to keep his bat in the lineup.

It is possible that Herrmann gets a September call-up this year. If Joe Mauer has a significant injury, he might be up before that as Herrmann is the only catcher near-ready or ready for MLB who can hit at all.

Last 5 games cumulative stats:
.200 (4 for 20), 2 walks, 3 strikeouts, 3 doubles

The 6-0, 200 pound catcher/OF had a pretty good week:

Game log
1-5, 1 2B, 2 k
2-4, HR, 3 runs, 2 rbi, 1 bb, 1 k
1-4, 1 run, 1 k
2-6, 1 run, 1 2B, 1 k
1-4, 1 run, 1 rbi
2-3, 3 runs, 1 bb

That's 9 runs in his past 5 games, so his ability to get on base is certainly paying off. His season numbers have jumped to:

90 PA, .265/.315/.434, 8/0/2, 6/16, 1/1

With an increase in isolated power has come a decrease in isolated discipline. I am not sure what the cause of this is, whether pitchers are pitching to him more, or Herrmann is simply swinging more. His k rate has not really increased from last year--he is just walking less.

He played two games in left field this week, which is a good thing. No errors in 108 chances and a 40% caught stealing rate.

Things have taken a turn for the worse for Herrmann:

Since last week he has gone 3 for 23 with one homer and a horrible 1/10 BB/K ratio.

Herrmann is not taking walks and his OBP is plummeting and this is not a good sign at the moment.

He's had 111 PA this year and the next 111 are going to be pretty vital for his development.

Chris Herrmann's updated statistics:

161 PA, .238/.284/.397 (.681), 12/0/4, 10/32, 1/1

This has not been a good start for Herrmann (it's official). I am not sure what is behind the bad BB/K rate at this point, but this is very un-Herrmann like after last year's performance. His power is something to watch, as he is on pace to really improve his doubles and home run numbers. But he isn't getting many singles, so the average is very low. This shift is very similar to what is happening to Aaron Hicks at New Britain, so perhaps they are both working on adding thing to their repetoires.

Hopefully.

I still think he could move up to Rochester eventually this season.

Herrmann is finally smacking the ball around.

In his last two games he is 8-for-9 with 3 runs scored, 2 rbi, and 2 doubles. He already has 14 doubles on the year with his four homers. His OPS is up to .758 even with an abnormally (for him) low OBP.

When he gets the plate discipline back (or makes it more prevalent in his approach), the OPS should jump up.

Herrmann continues to underwhelm, posting a .582 OPS in his last 10 games. In that time he has drawn some more walks, but he is not getting many hits. He definitely is still a possibility for promotion to Rochester this year, but he must start hitting and turn this regression around. He was 2 for 5 Wednesday night.

While Hermann hasnt increased his numbers greatly at New Brit this yr......he has now played about a full MLB yr in AA
151gms 546ABs .260/.360/.397 29doubles 5 triples 12HR 67RBI 10/13SBs 84bb 112Ks

While I cannot find his numbers from 2011 vs LHP....I know they were not good (low .200BAve)
This yr...15/48 for a .313BAve. Keep this up & you have to assume his BAve vs RHP (.248 in 2012) will pick up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

While Hermann hasnt increased his numbers greatly at New Brit this yr......he has now played about a full MLB yr in AA
151gms 546ABs .260/.360/.397 29doubles 5 triples 12HR 67RBI 10/13SBs 84bb 112Ks

While I cannot find his numbers from 2011 vs LHP....I know they were not good (low .200BAve)
This yr...15/48 for a .313BAve. Keep this up & you have to assume his BAve vs RHP (.248 in 2012) will pick up.

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Thanks for pointing this out as it is pretty helpful in getting an overall view of where Herrmann is at right now. Trading some OBP for SLG is not the end of the world, certainly, and I would certainly like to see how he does in a half-year this year at Rochester!

Herrmann has 6 walks and 4 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

And, of course, in that time he forgot how to hit the ball.

One thing that has jumped out at me this year is his reverse LH/RH splits. He has an OPS of .754 (58 AB) against lefties and .690 against righties (184 AB). That is something to keep an eye on, especially if that continues after the much-needed promotion to Rochester.

He also hits well at home and struggles on the road. Finally, he is terrible in day games and very good in night games.

With a .771 OPS over the past 10 games, Chris Herrmann has proved (with everything else) that he deserves a promotion to AAA. Clearly, Rene Rivera is more important to the organization, however.

His OBP is slowly creeping back up. He still whiffs too much, but there is an increase in power to go with that. He had 19 doubles and 8 homers last year in the minors and has 20 doubles and 7 homers SO FAR this year.

Herrmann turns 25 in November. There is no reason not to promote him to AAA in the next few weeks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shanewahl

With a .771 OPS over the past 10 games, Chris Herrmann has proved (with everything else) that he deserves a promotion to AAA. Clearly, Rene Rivera is more important to the organization, however.

His OBP is slowly creeping back up. He still whiffs too much, but there is an increase in power to go with that. He had 19 doubles and 8 homers last year in the minors and has 20 doubles and 7 homers SO FAR this year.

Herrmann turns 25 in November. There is no reason not to promote him to AAA in the next few weeks.

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This got argued over in another post, but for developmental purposes there just isn't that big of a difference between AA and AAA. He is fine playing full time in AA, may even get a September callup.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drjim

This got argued over in another post, but for developmental purposes there just isn't that big of a difference between AA and AAA. He is fine playing full time in AA, may even get a September callup.

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See Ben Revere 2011. Chris Parmelee 2012.

Then get back to me on that AA vs. AAA thing.

last season Hermann couldnt hit lefties
NBrit....9/65 .138/.282/.169 2 doubles 7 rbi 16k 12bb
2012--27/86 .314/.366/.430 5doubles triple hr 3rbi 15k 6bb

Last yr he hit righties great
2011---272ABs .287/.403/.445 12doubles 5triples 7hr 36rbi 52k 52bb
2012---241ABs .241/.315/.382 15doubles 6hr 31rbi 45k 26bb

some of his numbers last yr were inflated with a 9-13 w/6rbi over last 3 days...average rose 14 points & slgg 22 points over last weekend

when he puts it together....he will be in the majors. Ready for AAA IMO.....even w/our AA/AAA discusions bein legit

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

last season Hermann couldnt hit lefties
NBrit....9/65 .138/.282/.169 2 doubles 7 rbi 16k 12bb
2012--27/86 .314/.366/.430 5doubles triple hr 3rbi 15k 6bb

Last yr he hit righties great
2011---272ABs .287/.403/.445 12doubles 5triples 7hr 36rbi 52k 52bb
2012---241ABs .241/.315/.382 15doubles 6hr 31rbi 45k 26bb

when he puts it together....he will be in the majors. Ready for AAA IMO.....even w/our AA/AAA discusions bein legit

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Yeah, that is one bit of an anomaly this year. The other is the power increase with the BB/K rate being more problematic. I still wonder if they are experimenting with him some to improve on some aspects of his batting while perhaps struggling a bit at other areas that he was good at in 2011. This would be similar to how they tried to make Parmelee into an all-around hitter.

I agree that's possibly what they are doin. He has also thrown out 45% of baserunners this yr (19/42).....84/217 (39% career). No way that Drew Butera should be the 3rd C next yr with Chris around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

I agree that's possibly what they are doin. He has also thrown out 45% of baserunners this yr (19/42).....84/217 (39% career). No way that Drew Butera should be the 3rd C next yr with Chris around.

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Good god and a half. Don't make me think about DB being the third catcher next year. The Twins should pay him a nice enough salary to be the catcher for whatever affiliate at the time has the most good pitching prospects or at least capable major league pitching prospects. I am not really joking, either.

Mauer-Doumit-Herrmann means nice versatility and no need for going out after the Clete Thomas or Eric Komatsu types, or for wasting Chris Parmelee just to have a left-handed bench bat.

Im one who believes that runs scored is a stat that shows off a players skills of getting on base & baserunning skills (not necessarily basestealing but base to base & xtra base taking), while others believe it is a virtue of leaving it up to other players to knock you in.
Herrmann leads the Eastern League in runs scored as a catcher with 57 (heading into Sundays game....Aaron Hicks 2nd w/55 despite missing a couple wks)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shanewahl

See Ben Revere 2011. Chris Parmelee 2012.

Then get back to me on that AA vs. AAA thing.

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I don't follow. It shouldn't be surprising that marginal MLB regular level talent would struggle during the first go around in the bigs.

Herrmann continues to plug away at New Britain, with a .739 OPS.

He now has 848 plate appearances at AA. That comes with a .265/.361/.393 line and 15 homers.

A backup catcher and 5 OF who gets on base at .350 and slugs .390 would be valuable for the Twins.

if only he wasnt blocked by Drew Butera