The Twins have a new Catcher - Astudillo called up

[scottz]

Your starting 3B tonight is William Austrudrillons.

[Thrylos]

And if you wonder about Astudillo's defense as c, you likely forget what he did last Spring Training:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JG-ZnnqSWw

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

be nice if he actually did get to catch at some point

[yarnivek1972]

be nice if he actually did get to catch at some point

As long as he is the de facto back up infielder, there is little chance he starts a game behind the plate.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

As long as he is the de facto back up infielder, there is little chance he starts a game behind the plate.

Good point.

[Riverbrian]

 

Sorry. Not intentional. Phone auto correct from the first time I typed his name.

 

My auto-correct changes it to "Austin City Limits". 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

 

As long as he is the de facto back up infielder, there is little chance he starts a game behind the plate.

 

Probably correct... But... He could always take off the tools of ignorance when the need calls. 

[Riverbrian]

 

Your starting 3B tonight is William Austrudrillons.

 

Escobar needs a break. He has been scuffling a bit. 

[mlhouse]

 

There have been bad choices, but I'm not sure if Austudillo not getting the call is a hill I want to die on.

Have you seen him catch in person? I've only seen the 5 second clip where he threw behind the runner to pick him off at 1st. Wilson, even though he's terrible at hitting, is still an MLB caliber catcher defensively. Maybe they know more than us about their abilities.

 

IT isn't a hill and you are overstating my position on this specific player.  The preference that this FO, and the last, to play these waiver wire players who are already 29+ years old and have zero future with this team as it rebuilds is indefensible.  

 

But, Bobby Wilson is not a MLB caliber anything.  NOr is Motter.  NOr is half the players they pick up on waivers and force the fans to watch.  Austidllio may or may not be talented enough either offensively or defensively to play at the MLB level.  But, at 26 years old there is still time for him to prove it or fail.   The unknown is much more valuable than the known in these cases.

 

[jun]

 

Concur. Average catchers don't get moved around to different positions in the minors. They stay at catcher and play as many games as possible there.

He would be similar or worse than Garver behind the plate.

That's totally biased.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

IT isn't a hill and you are overstating my position on this specific player. The preference that this FO, and the last, to play these waiver wire players who are already 29+ years old and have zero future with this team as it rebuilds is indefensible.

 

But, Bobby Wilson is not a MLB caliber anything. NOr is Motter. NOr is half the players they pick up on waivers and force the fans to watch. Austidllio may or may not be talented enough either offensively or defensively to play at the MLB level. But, at 26 years old there is still time for him to prove it or fail. The unknown is much more valuable than the known in these cases.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Not%20a%20hill%20I%20want%20to%20die%20on

[mlhouse]

 

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Not%20a%20hill%20I%20want%20to%20die%20on

 

I fully understood the meaning of the metaphor.

[jokin]

Molitor can't say he has no room for Astudillo at Catcher because of how Bobby Wilson has performed. 

 

Molitor can't say he has no room for Astudillo at DH because of how Morrison and Grossman have performed. 

 

Molitor can't say he has no room for Astudillo at 3B because of how Dozier has performed. (Escobar can play 2B or SS).  

 

Molitor can't say he has no room for Astudillo in the OF because of how Kepler and Grossman have performed.

 

You've made a good case for a strategy of humiliation towards the "real" players. Kind of like when a college basketball coach puts a walk-on in the game in the first half when the scholarship athletes are stinking up the joint.

[jokin]

What were Puckett’s height and weight? I don’t think he was as short as 5’9”, but he couldn’t have been that much taller.

FWIW, Dick Bremer expressed grave doubt that Astudillo is even 5'9"... and somewhat comically expressed "no doubt" that Astudillo is all of 225# (with the accompanying giggle from LaTroy Hawkins).

[Squirrel]

FWIW, Dick Bremer expressed grave doubt that Astudillo is even 5'9"... and somewhat comically expressed "no doubt" that Astudillo is all of 225# (with the accompanying giggle from LaTroy Hawkins).

I was at the Cubs game on Sunday, and my thought was that his body somewhat resembled Danny Devito’s in his prime.

[jokin]

Astudillo was a minor league free agent each of the last 3 offseasons, so front offices have definitely passed on him.

 

But, it's a little more complicated than that. Astudillo didn't become a productive hitter in the high minors until 2017, and that season was marred by injuries / tiny sample (only 128 PA), and also in the notoriously hard-to-read Pacific Coast League. Even his winter league performances in 2015 and 2016 were poor.

 

So it looks like teams were passing on a different hitter than Astudillo is today.

 

(I can't really comment on his defense, although I've seen passing mention of it being below average.)

The Fangrapgs article makes an extremely solid case that he's the exact same hitter he's always been. I highly encourage reading the facts behind the amazing saga of Willians Astudillo.

 

And his defense HAS to be blow average or he would have caught yesterday or today, and he clearly would have been in the majors before now.

[jokin]

I was at the Cubs game on Sunday, and my thought was that his body somewhat resembled Danny Devito’s in his prime.

That's the most apt description. Saying this in the nicest way possible, he's the closest thing to a cartoon character in a major league uniform since Kennys Vargas- he's a Baby Bartolo. Lots of fun.

[Riverbrian]

 

You've made a good case for a strategy of humiliation towards the "real" players. Kind of like when a college basketball coach puts a walk-on in the game in the first half when the scholarship athletes are stinking up the joint.

 

Exactly! 

 

I've been trying and failing to make this point all year. You summed it up perfectly. Although, I'm not sure humiliation is the purpose but if its a by-product... so be it. 

 

I posted Games Started Percentage to show that there has been very little consequence for poor performance. Our worst performers are getting the playing time and crickets is the response.

 

I suggest that the team play LaMarre in April and I get painted as a LaMarre guy instead of what I actually am... an anti 1 for 35 guy. 

 

If I woke up in the Morning and read that Jokin was called up from Rochester. I'd be saying "Put Him In". 

 

I have no idea who Astudillo is. Still don't, but... I do know that he is not Wilson and he is not Morrison and those are players who had extended chances to contribute. 

 

When the autopsy of the season is complete. 

 

We will be able to primarily blame:

 

1. Dozier, Morrison, Kepler, Sano and Buxton because they all failed to be (at the very least) average. 

2. Whoever kept playing these 5 over and over again despite being (at the very least) below average. 

3. Whoever failed to provide alternative options to #1, possibly causing #2. 

 

You hit the nail on the head Jokin. Thank You. 

 

 

 

 

[Doctor Wu]

I'm happy to see Astudillo finally called up and hitting well thus far. Yeah, yeah, I know small sample size and all that, but let's enjoy this small ray of hope while it lasts. But is it my imagination or lack of paying attention: I don't think he's played a game at catcher yet.

[Vanimal46]

I'm happy to see Astudillo finally called up and hitting well thus far. Yeah, yeah, I know small sample size and all that, but let's enjoy this small ray of hope while it lasts. But is it my imagination or lack of paying attention: I don't think he's played a game at catcher yet.

He has not played catcher yet. Probably for a good reason.

[Twinsbar107]

 

Exactly! 

 

I've been trying and failing to make this point all year. You summed it up perfectly. Although, I'm not sure humiliation is the purpose but if its a by-product... so be it. 

 

I posted Games Started Percentage to show that there has been very little consequence for poor performance. Our worst performers are getting the playing time and crickets is the response.

 

I suggest that the team play LaMarre in April and I get painted as a LaMarre guy instead of what I actually am... an anti 1 for 35 guy. 

 

If I woke up in the Morning and read that Jokin was called up from Rochester. I'd be saying "Put Him In". 

 

I have no idea who Astudillo is. Still don't, but... I do know that he is not Wilson and he is not Morrison and those are players who had extended chances to contribute. 

 

When the autopsy of the season is complete. 

 

We will be able to primarily blame:

 

1. Dozier, Morrison, Kepler, Sano and Buxton because they all failed to be (at the very least) average. 

2. Whoever kept playing these 5 over and over again despite being (at the very least) below average. 

3. Whoever failed to provide alternative options to #1, possibly causing #2. 

 

You hit the nail on the head Jokin. Thank You. 

Who do they replace them with? It isn't like Gordon, or Wade, are knocking the doors down to get here. Replace Buxton with Cave/Lemarre. Sano to an extent with Escobar, who do you replace Kepler with? How do you have a plan for a year like this? When do you start playing the regulars again, once the replacements like Lamarre go 1-35? Once, Kepler goes on and dominates AAA pitching?? I'm not sure the people in AAA would fair any better in MLB. Otherwise, I'm sure they would be up.

[LaBombo]

 

He has not played catcher yet. Probably for a good reason.

 

If that reason is "His defense will be so poor as to play a significant role in holding back the team from improving from 4th worst in the American League to a playoff contender" or "The 35 year old, .347 OPS, -0.6 WAR journeyman's defense is better", then I'm withholding my support for the 'good' part of it.

[ashbury]

I was at the Cubs game on Sunday, and my thought was that his body somewhat resembled Danny Devito’s in his prime.

Danny DeVito ever had a prime?

[Ben Noble]

 

He has not played catcher yet. Probably for a good reason.

 

Idk, Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs wrote that "even the Triple-A pitch-framing numbers see Astudillo as more or less average," and he's thrown out 35% of base stealers this year with one passed ball in over 250 innings.

[Riverbrian]

 

Who do they replace them with? It isn't like Gordon, or Wade, are knocking the doors down to get here. Replace Buxton with Cave/Lemarre. Sano to an extent with Escobar, who do you replace Kepler with? How do you have a plan for a year like this? When do you start playing the regulars again, once the replacements like Lamarre go 1-35? Once, Kepler goes on and dominates AAA pitching?? I'm not sure the people in AAA would fair any better in MLB. Otherwise, I'm sure they would be up.

 

You are looking at it strictly as black and white. You don't replace guys entirely like you can only have 9 starting players at a time. It's not like there are only two options here... Playing every day or barely playing at all.

 

You play the players who are playing better more and the players who are playing worse less. When it comes to lineups... this is a concept that every manager needs to grasp because if a manager can't grasp this concept... I'm going to say that we can find a better manager somewhere else. 

 

It is very hard to plan for a year like this but a year like this has been made much much worse by refusing to try something else. I picked this starting 9 and these are the guys who are going to play every day regardless of how they play. 

 

Byron Buxton when on the 25 man roster has started 26 out of 28 games and his OPS+ is 7. Yes he is our future... Yes he is the greatest defensive CF we have seen in quite some time... Yes he is one of the fastest players in the majors... Yes... he is very very important... I love Byron Buxton... I drafted him on my fantasy baseball team! BUT... BUT... His OPS+ is 7

 

Why does Byron Buxton get to walk right past the posted lineup card with no concern of not being on it. His OPS+ is 7. 

 

Brian Dozier has been in the lineup nearly every single day. Yes... we are waiting for him to get hot again... Yes... He has been an overall solid baseball player over his career... Yes he has a track record that suggests he has talent.  BUT... BUT...  In 2018 it's July and he has .221/.309./.394 slash line. He isn't warming up either... he is currently .172/.300/.333 over his past 30 days... He's been worse lately and wasn't good before that but he gets to walk past the lineup card without bothering to check if he is in the lineup. These are not the slash lines of an everyday player. He isn't earning it. 

 

I don't blame the front office for signing Logan Morrison. I appreciate the effort. BUT... BUT... His slash line is .191/.251/.351. Taking a wrong turn is something that we all do from time to time. Signing Logan Morrison may have been a wrong turn in the wrong direction but once you see you are going the wrong direction... who keeps going that direction? 

 

I know the response is typically, Yeah but look who Molitor has to work with. Grossman, Adrianaza, LaMarre, Cave, Petit and Motter are not good options.

 

I have a few responses to that. 

 

1. I don't care... At some point you have to look Brian Dozier in the eye and say you are not in the lineup tonight because we need offense and you are not providing it. I'm going to start taking a look at some other options at 2B until you get it in gear and let me know that you deserve to be in the lineup every day. Until then... make sure you check the lineup card to see if you are in it so you don't run out to second base by mistake. 

 

2. I assume a consensus was reached in the front office that they would break camp with Grossman, Adrianaza and LaMarre so that means somebody must have thought they were OK. If you can't play Grossman because Morrison is busy not producing every day... then you made a mistake rostering Grossman. If Grossman isn't good enough defensively to get more playing time when you have two outfielders busy not producing... then you made a mistake rostering Grossman. 

 

Jokin said it right... At some point you have to look at your scholarship guys who are playing like crap and let them watch the walk on's to least send a message. Maybe along the way... you'll stumble on a walk on who ends up being Max Muncy, Chris Taylor, Kike Hernandez or Adam Thielen. 

 

This isn't black and white. This isn't just two options of playing every day or not playing every day. If you are playing every day you need to produce like you should be. If you are not... check the lineup card. 

[ashbury]

You are looking at it strictly as black and white. ...

 

You play the players who are playing better more and the players who are playing worse less.

That's not wholly wrong, but it's still another form of black and white.

 

Some people need a pat on the back and others need a kick in the butt.

 

Part of the manager's job is to figure out which is which.

 

When a player is scuffling, helping him feel comfortable may be part of the secret to getting him back on track.

 

Your approach is to give the guy a kick in the butt to get him going, next time he gets his chance.

 

It may be that Molitor has not chosen the right approach in each instance. The results certainly are not there for the batters. It has worked somewhat better for the pitching.

[Riverbrian]

 

That's not wholly wrong, but it's still another form of black and white.

 

Some people need a pat on the back and others need a kick in the butt.

 

Part of the manager's job is to figure out which is which.

 

When a player is scuffling, helping him feel comfortable may be part of the secret to getting him back on track.

 

Your approach is to give the guy a kick in the butt to get him going, next time he gets his chance.

 

It may be that Molitor has not chosen the right approach in each instance. The results certainly are not there for the batters. It has worked somewhat better for the pitching.

 

I agree with you 110%. I'm not going to stand here and say that I'm right but by now it's obvious that I'm fixating on it so I believe I am at least somewhat correct. 

 

No matter the approaches chosen either individually or collectively... It hasn't worked for our Manager this year. It didn't work for him in 2016 either. Is it possible that it worked in 2017 simply because the players he chose to ride did the job and therefore he kind of lucked into it as some sort of blowing in the wind fate? If that is true... is it possible that Molitor is not the guy to come up with a different idea if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction? 

[Mike Sixel]

I can't believe he hasn't caught once. It's like they don't want to gather information.

[jorgenswest]

I would like to see him catch also but I don’t buy that they need to see him catch to gather information. How different is catching in the majors than AAA? They must have the information necessary to evaluate his catching skill.

[Mike Sixel]

I would like to see him catch also but I don’t buy that they need to see him catch to gather information. How different is catching in the majors than AAA? They must have the information necessary to evaluate his catching skill.

Must be quite different, because prospects often perform differently than expected. Very often. If we knew how good a prospect would actually be, well, we don't.