Astudillo

[jorgenswest]

When the Twins called up Astudillo the first time he hadn’t played catcher in four weeks. He began the season as a starter but then moved to 3B with some LF. It was puzzling to me because the Twins had a real need at catcher with the loss of Castro and the Twins must not have seen Astudillo as a solution. They tried Sawyer until his injury, Rupp was a catch and release, Graterol was injured (now returned) and minor league journeyman Pacheco.

 

Astudillo has started 8 games at catcher since returning to AAA over a month ago. He will get a chance with the Twins soon. With such an obvious need, I don’t get why he hasn’t played catcher more. He may be a poor defensive catcher but his ability to catch doesn’t improve while playing 3B. It can’t be that surprising that the Twins have this need.

 

I look forward to seeing him catch. I hope the major league staff sees something in his catching talents that must have been missed in AAA.

[Lonestar]

 

Astudillo is primarily a catcher, and BP’s framing metrics graded his minor-league receiving in a positive manner, but he’s played all over the field and has already manned four positions for the Twins. In an age when versatility is prized, Astudillo is an awkwardly shaped human Swiss Army knife...

 

What if Astudillo can become something of a poor man’s Altuve, a player who retains his extreme contact ability but becomes a league-average power hitter? Combine that with his defensive versatility and he becomes more than a novelty. He potentially becomes a useful, if not above-average, major-league player.

 

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

38% Caught Stealing, 1 Passed Ball, nifty no-look pick off of runner on 1B

 

I would keep Astudillo on the 40 man roster

[Linus]

He looked better behind the plate tonight than Garver. I think he is a legit 40 man keeper for next year

[stringer bell]

I saw about half of Saturday's game. I don't think Astudillo stood out in a bad way. I think he'd be an ideal 25th guy, someone who can catch, but also can play all over. As far as his hitting, well having a bench bat who almost always makes contact isn't the worst thing in the world. 

[Seth Stohs]

Molitor said that he thought ht did just fine behind the plate, though he was also watching his young pitcher, the defense, etc. But in saying that, he said that he didn't have to watch Astudillo because he was just fine. there aren't balls to the backstop, etc.

 

He said before the game that Astudillo can catch, but his value for the Twins will be more in a utility role and for his bat. So, I think it makes sense for him to move around in AAA. He's got a very strong arm.

[Riverbrian]

 

 

He said before the game that Astudillo can catch, but his value for the Twins will be more in a utility role and for his bat. So, I think it makes sense for him to move around in AAA. He's got a very strong arm.

 

Hey I'm all for the flexibility and believe in the value that brings. 

 

However, that's my view of flexibility. Coming from Molitor "value" and "utility role" means he will be sitting on the bench. 

 

To me... he looked like a catcher last night. He looked enough like a catcher that I'm wondering about those previous 18 games in July.

 

He wasn't utilized as a catcher in his previous call up so foolishly I was assuming that he had a problem squatting or he put his chest protector on backwards or something. He just rode the bench mostly. His only starts were at 3B, 2B and DH. He played more CF than he did C. 

 

Wilson got 35 AB's and Astundillo got 17 AB's during that stretch. 

 

 

[ashbury]

there aren't balls to the backstop, etc.

With Gonsalves's command not being ideal, I think that that is an accomplishment. I recall only one dropped pitch, to Astudillo's left, which he corralled quickly enough to not give the runner any thoughts of advancing. That'll happen to any catcher.

 

I also thought he looked admirably "quiet" behind the plate. He got in position and then there wasn't a lot of wiggling around. I am led to understand that umpires prefer that. And it also just seems like good form, giving the pitcher as steady of a target as possible. FWIW that's my impression of Ben Rortvedt down on the farm, as well.

 

Molitor saying "just fine" is pretty high praise for a rookie, methinks. Behind the scenes it may be "here's four or five things to clean up, but all in all I think you'll see some more action there."

[Mike Sixel]

No idea why he didn't catch last time he was up, but I'm glad he is now. 

[yarnivek1972]

No idea why he didn't catch last time he was up, but I'm glad he is now.

I think he didn’t catch before because he was the only reserve infielder on the roster.

[diehardtwinsfan]

He's perfectly fine as our 3rd catcher on the 40 man. 

[jorgenswest]

Listened to Derek Falvey this morning. I left more encouraged that he might be able to have a catcher role.

 

I am still very puzzled why they would not use him at catcher at all in the four weeks before his first call up. He may have been needed at 3B but AAA is about developing players and they had a great need at catcher in the majors.

 

I was certain then that they had made a determination that he couldn't be trusted even as a back up catcher on a roster. I am more hopeful after listening but I also know that Falvey isn't going to say on the air that his catching skills are well below average. 

 

Still puzzled. They need to invest time in developing any possible catching prospect that might be able to hit a little. 

[Riverbrian]

I think he didn’t catch before because he was the only reserve infielder on the roster.

I have no idea but like I’ve been saying... Molitor does seem to like locking people into roles so I can’t dismiss this explanation.

 

But... my response would be. The equipment can come off when needed.

[Riverbrian]

He's perfectly fine as our 3rd catcher on the 40 man.

Gardy? Is that you?

[Kelly Vance]

My theory is he was called up to be a BU catcher in July and did something that tweaked his ability to catch. Or it was Molly "DON'T FORCE THESE GUYS ON ME" refusing to play him at catcher.

 

If the latter, I think Molly's gone after this season. If the former, why was he playing outfield? 

 

Process of elimination, boys and girls

 

[mlhouse]

 

My theory is he was called up to be a BU catcher in July and did something that tweaked his ability to catch. Or it was Molly "DON'T FORCE THESE GUYS ON ME" refusing to play him at catcher.

 

If the latter, I think Molly's gone after this season. If the former, why was he playing outfield? 

 

Process of elimination, boys and girls

 

Why try Astudillo at catcher when you can find guys that will hit .150 with a 300 OPS!

[David HK]

 

No idea why he didn't catch last time he was up, but I'm glad he is now. 

MoY

[USAFChief]

My theory is he was called up to be a BU catcher in July and did something that tweaked his ability to catch. Or it was Molly "DON'T FORCE THESE GUYS ON ME" refusing to play him at catcher.

 

If the latter, I think Molly's gone after this season. If the former, why was he playing outfield?

 

Process of elimination, boys and girls

There were two catchers on the 25 man when he was called up. He was recalled when Motter went on the DL. A few days later, Adrianza went on the DL, making the need for a utility player even more acute. He was sent back down when Motter was reinstated.

 

My theory is he wasn’t recalled to be a BU catcher.

[Vanimal46]

My theory is he was called up to be a BU catcher in July and did something that tweaked his ability to catch. Or it was Molly "DON'T FORCE THESE GUYS ON ME" refusing to play him at catcher.

 

If the latter, I think Molly's gone after this season. If the former, why was he playing outfield?

 

Process of elimination, boys and girls

I'm certain these weren't the only 2 options.

[Vanimal46]

I'm not even a Molly guy, but the hate for him is overwhelming the site.

[jorgenswest]

I don’t think it is on Molitor. They stopped catching him at Rochester four weeks before he was called up. If I am the major league manager I am not starting a guy at catcher who the minor league team stopped playing there.

[Doomtints]

 

He said before the game that Astudillo can catch, but his value for the Twins will be more in a utility role and for his bat. So, I think it makes sense for him to move around in AAA. He's got a very strong arm.

 

This to me that Molitor thinks he already has his catchers, so if this guy is going to play for the Twins, it has to be somewhere else. 

Even if that's not true, no matter how you slice it, his take is nonsense. If you have a guy who can handle C, it makes no sense to move him elsewhere unless he suddenly can't play at C.

[yarnivek1972]

My question is what possibly made Molitor think Austudillo could pitch?

[Otto von Ballpark]

My question is what possibly made Molitor think Austudillo could pitch?

Managers are subject to drug testing too! But they are random -- just like some of Molitor's pitching changes.

[Riverbrian]

 

I don’t think it is on Molitor. They stopped catching him at Rochester four weeks before he was called up. If I am the major league manager I am not starting a guy at catcher who the minor league team stopped playing there.

 

I have the exact same questions rolling through my head. 

 

Castro is out for the season.

Bobby Wilson is called up to join Mitch Garver. 

Wilson becomes the starter and produces a .578 OPS and Mitch Garver is the backup with "defensive issues"

 

The need for an option on the farm couldn't be greater and Astundillo is moved away from the position to play 3B.  

 

Astundillo eventually gets called up to replace Motter and plays 3B, 2B and even CF in a pinch. Does not catch and is returned to Rochester where he resumes catching and only after Wilson gets hurt... do we finally see him put the pads on in a Twins uniform.. and he looked like he has done it before. 

 

I remain confused... But I'm glad to see him get a chance so I'll just look forward to his next start. 

 

 

 

 

[DocBauer]

I have the exact same questions rolling through my head. 

 

Castro is out for the season.

Bobby Wilson is called up to join Mitch Garver. 

Wilson becomes the starter and produces a .578 OPS and Mitch Garver is the backup with "defensive issues"

 

The need for an option on the farm couldn't be greater and Astundillo is moved away from the position to play 3B.  

 

Astundillo eventually gets called up to replace Motter and plays 3B, 2B and even CF in a pinch. Does not catch and is returned to Rochester where he resumes catching and only after Wilson gets hurt... do we finally see him put the pads on in a Twins uniform.. and he looked like he has done it before. 

 

I remain confused... But I'm glad to see him get a chance so I'll just look forward to his next start.

 

I could quote a number of posts, but this one sort of sums it up, to me.

 

I have NO CLUE what the thinking was in regards to Rochester, their roster, lineup, etc. They did have a couple guys they were looking at, one point or another, including Rupp. Maybe he was caught up in a numbers game where they wanted to keep him in the lineup and just look at some other guys? Still seems weird to me, regardless of the situation.

 

Like everyone else, I'm interested in the top to high quality prospect, at any position. But your build your team, and organization, with role pkayers as well. And I'm a sucker for the "scrappy" ball players who contribute. But depth is something you construct and don't just luck in to. Beyond being a fun story, the still 26yo Astudillo is...to me...an interesting ballplayer. Despite lack of big power, or anything resembling an athletic build/frame possible breakthrough type, or some saving grace of speed of high OB, he has flashed as a good BA, good contact player can actually play a few positions without embarrassing himself. But more importantly, he is a CATCHER who can hit some, and be versatile enough to play other positions without embarrassing himself.

 

Isn't that worth investigating? Even a little bit?

 

Sorry if you think this is a stretch, to me it isn't. (Even though it covers two different regimes in charge). Polanco is a young, athletic SS. No he's not, not special enough, and too high error totals. (Not proclaiming Polanco as a stud fielder, but even casual research will show a number of future top ML SS as having high milb error totals, and 3B and 2B for that matter). Next thing you know, Polanco is asked to play SS daily. He is young, athletic, has flashed at times, has gotten better, and should continue to get better. Not the point, but it kind of is.

 

So you sign Astudillo for catching depth...as well as his versatility...and have only Wilson for depth. Castro goes down, and you stop playing Astudillo at catcher??? WTH??? (Abbreviated political correctness).

 

And now you bring him up to catch. And he looks pretty good in his initial audition. Does this fall on Molitor? The FO? Or just happenstance for the season?

 

I really like most of what the FO has done in their initial 1 1/2 on the job. But I still think they blew the construction of the Rochester roster, and haven't like the handling of certain players. This is one of those occasions.

 

Astudillo could turn out to be nothing. He could turn out to be a viable AAAA option, or a nice last man on the bench. But with Wilson out, this is one more example of an important September to audition guys for their place and purpose in 2019.

[Doomtints]

There isn't enough data, not even close, to know anything about A-Stud's catching ability in the majors.

 

However, the same could have been said of Wilson and Garver when 2018 started.

 

I can see why they went with Garver (he was the furthest along in the pipeline), but Wilson? OK, he can pitch frame. Wow. Print up the pennants!

 

As a side note, Molitor doesn't seem to like some players (Sano and Garver), which makes it incredibly difficult for them to succeed.

 

Next year will be Castro again, along with X. X is probably Garver, but let's hope Molitor gets over whatever his hangup is so the kid has a chance.

[ashbury]

There isn't enough data, not even close, to know anything about A-Stud's catching ability in the majors.

 

However, the same could have been said of Wilson and Garver when 2018 started.

 

I can see why they went with Garver (he was the furthest along in the pipeline), but Wilson? OK, he can pitch frame. Wow. Print up the pennants!

A guy named Jason was their starter when 2018 started. Meanwhile Bobby Wilson had 300+ major league games behind the plate, so yes they did have an idea what his ability was. If you're going to print up pennants based on who is the third catcher... wait, you print up playoff tickets, anyway.

[David HK]

 

There isn't enough data, not even close, to know anything about A-Stud's catching ability in the majors.

 

However, the same could have been said of Wilson and Garver when 2018 started.

 

I can see why they went with Garver (he was the furthest along in the pipeline), but Wilson? OK, he can pitch frame. Wow. Print up the pennants!

 

As a side note, Molitor doesn't seem to like some players (Sano and Garver), which makes it incredibly difficult for them to succeed.

 

Next year will be Castro again, along with X. X is probably Garver, but let's hope Molitor gets over whatever his hangup is so the kid has a chance.

I don't mind if Molly gets over it or not, as long as he isn't in the Twins dugout next year.