The Twins have a new Catcher - Astudillo called up

[jorgenswest]

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.

We need a skilled staff that will project well based on working with and observing players develop in the minors. If they are relying on prospect projections of BA and fangraphs we are doomed.

[Mike Sixel]

 

We need a skilled staff that will project well based on working with and observing players develop in the minors. If they are relying on prospect projections of BA and fangraphs we are doomed.

 

of course, that's not what I said at all.

 

for example, do you think they projected Buxton to hit like this?

 

teams trade for (and from) prospects all the time, and they don't always turn out as anyone expects. If anyone could accurately project prospects, they'd be rich. And you wouldn't end up with Kohl Stewart and Tyler Jay as top 10 picks....

[jorgenswest]

of course, that's not what I said at all.

 

for example, do you think they projected Buxton to hit like this?

 

teams trade for (and from) prospects all the time, and they don't always turn out as anyone expects. If anyone could accurately project prospects, they'd be rich. And you wouldn't end up with Kohl Stewart and Tyler Jay as top 10 picks....

I believe our previous management did a very poor job. How is it possible that they have Josmil Pinto for 8 years in the minors and still think he can defend at the major league level? How is it possible that Plouffe comes up as a shortstop? They should know quite a bit about a player’s defensive skill. I don’t know how they have assessed Astudillo’s defense at catcher, but there shouldn’t be a need to gather more information at the major league level. It should be gathered.

[twinsbaby]

Not related to the news, but Felix Jorge was released!!!

 

Yes, no trade happened.

[Rosterman]

Felix Jorge released! You'd think they might've just stashed him back at Ft. Myers to get back into shape. Of course, there are so many players the Twins need to keep on the 25, 40-man, and in the minor league system instead.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

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.

 

Different than we expected reading online scouting reports or different than the team expected?

 

I get your point, and I'd play him for the record, but there is a reason that he is on his 4th team and getting his first taste.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Different than we expected reading online scouting reports or different than the team expected?

 

I get your point, and I'd play him for the record, but there is a reason that he is on his 4th team and getting his first taste.

 

given how trades work out, different than teams expect too......if this was a science, there wouldn't be bad draft picks, bad trades, and guys called up too late or too soon.

[Mike Sixel]

3:08
Dansby Samsonite: Has prospect evaluation improved over the years? Are the rates of busts going down in any sort of trackable way?

 

3:09
Eric A Longenhagen: I think you could argue it’s gotten harder as player development has improved in a way that makes prospects more volatile.

[Mike Sixel]

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/another-fascinating-thing-about-willians-astudillo/

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/another-fascinating-thing-about-willians-astudillo/

The answer to our short term catcher question could be already sitting on the bench here.

 

Betcha he's not in the lineup tonight.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

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

I’m sure SSS, but his bat sure seems to play big league ball.

 

Maybe he’ll always be the super ute, but man there’s value with a super ute who can catch a couple games a month and not butcher it, especially with how short the bench is.

[TheLeviathan]

Bobby Wilson has naked photos of a Pohlad.  Only explanation.

[Lonestar]

 

I believe our previous management did a very poor job. How is it possible that they have Josmil Pinto for 8 years in the minors and still think he can defend at the major league level? How is it possible that Plouffe comes up as a shortstop? They should know quite a bit about a player’s defensive skill. I don’t know how they have assessed Astudillo’s defense at catcher, but there shouldn’t be a need to gather more information at the major league level. It should be gathered.

Like not playing Polanco at SS his last year in the minors.

 

Then again, I think the trouble in this instance is Molly.  The front office is going to have to take Wilson away.

[Lonestar]

There is no accounting for stupidity in baseball. Someone makes a decision based on what player can't do instead of what he can do.

 

Astudillo hits a lot like Brian Harper. Harper's drawbacks was his questionable defense.  Because of front office stupidity, he didn't get regular MLB playing time until he was 29 -- his second season with our favorite team.

 

in the words of Bill James in his New Historical Baseball Abstract, Harper's career could have been much more:

   

Harper should have had a much better career than he did. He lost a lot of his career to other people's stupidity.

 

Astudillo's defense is at least as good as Harper's -- I guessing better. His drawback appears to me to be his stoutness and the way he fills out a baseball uni. Could it be that other peoples' stupidity is holding him back. Let's find out.

[h2oface]

Has Astudillo, or A-stud, even played catcher yet?

[Danchat]

 

Has Astudillo, or A-stud, even played catcher yet?

Nope. Molitor and the staff clearly don't see him as a catcher. I can't say why...

[jimbo92107]

 

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

Astudillo broke an unwritten rule: Throwing out a guy on first without looking. Baseball etiquette may require years of penance. 

[yarnivek1972]

As long as Austudillo is the only reserve for 2b, 3b and ss I don’t think it is likely that he starts as catcher. Frankly, it wouldn’t be that good of an idea. What if an infielder gets hurt with Austudillo catching? Then you have to break up that pitcher-catcher rhythm and bring someone in cold, with no feel for the game. Maybe when Adrianza comes off the DL he will replace Wilson.

[h2oface]

 

As long as Austudillo is the only reserve for 2b, 3b and ss I don’t think it is likely that he starts as catcher. Frankly, it wouldn’t be that good of an idea. What if an infielder gets hurt with Austudillo catching? Then you have to break up that pitcher-catcher rhythm and bring someone in cold, with no feel for the game. Maybe when Adrianza comes off the DL he will replace Wilson.

 

Didn't you forget left field, right field and center field and what the hell, first base and pitcher?

 

No feel for the game? You mean, the guys on the bench aren't paying attention?

Do our pitchers have a rhythm?

[yarnivek1972]

Didn't you forget left field, right field and center field and what the hell, first base and pitcher?

 

No feel for the game? You mean, the guys on the bench aren't paying attention?

Do our pitchers have a rhythm?

He’s not the only reserve for OF or 1B. He is the only reserve for 3b, 2b and essentially ss.

[USAFChief]

As long as Austudillo is the only reserve for 2b, 3b and ss I don’t think it is likely that he starts as catcher. Frankly, it wouldn’t be that good of an idea. What if an infielder gets hurt with Austudillo catching? Then you have to break up that pitcher-catcher rhythm and bring someone in cold, with no feel for the game. Maybe when Adrianza comes off the DL he will replace Wilson.

This doesn't seem like a huge problem to me. Lose an infielder? Garver goes in to catch, Astudillo takes off his catcher gear and replaces the infielder.

 

It's the exact same situation as if the starting catcher gets hurt or pinch hit for.

 

If that truly IS the reason, that's incredibly unimaginative, if you ask me.

 

I think it's far more likely Molitor doesn't like his catching skills. Same reason Wilson plays as much as he does.

[mngopherguy]

There's a reason the kid brought five gloves.  If he could catch at this level, he wouldn't need the other four.