Astudillo

[notoriousgod71]

More HR than K.

 

 

[Riverbrian]

I admit I was watching the Vikings and Twins at the same time and probably more Vikings than Twins. 

 

I didn't see every single pitch or situation today but from what I did see and have seen before... Astundillo LOOKS CATCHING CAPABLE!!! 

 

I am going to continue to wonder out loud on these airwaves.

 

Why didn't Astundillo catch during his first call up?  

 

He was up for 18 games. He didn't play in 11 of those 18 games. He came off the bench for 3 of those 18 games and he made 4 starts, 2 at 3B, 1 at 2B and 1 at DH. 

 

Choosing Bobby Wilson over Astundillo is hard to explain at this moment.    

 

 

[Otwins]

Choosing Bobby Wilson for a rebuilding team is hard to explain

[RatherBeGolfing]

Choosing Bobby Wilson for any reason is hard to explain.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Building up trade value?

[ashbury]

I bet there's a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth over on Diamondbacks Daily about the one who got away.

[Doomtints]

 

Why didn't Astundillo catch during his first call up? 

 

You ask this knowing that Molitor is the manager?

[Nine of twelve]

There always have been and always will be a few late-season call-ups who do well. But for every one of them who succeeds there will be some Joe Bensons and Chris Parmelees. We all hope Astudillo can become a real major leaguer, but it's still too soon to start planning around him.

[Doomtints]

It makes some sense to "ease in" pitchers. Molitor likes to call them up the same day they pitch. This hasn't worked well.

 

It makes zero sense to "ease in" position players. Molitor calls them up and sits them on the bench and plays them out of position, then sends them back to the minors without having gotten a look at them.

 

Trying to figure out what Molitor is thinking is an exercise in futility. His decisions are bizarre.

[AceWrigley]

Bobby Wilson was our path to getting Chris Gimenez back. C'mon.

[AceWrigley]

I loved the mob at home plate for Astudillo. That was awesome. I guess you could call him a "non-standard" skill set, but I like him. Doesn't seem bad behind the plate, throws well, has his head in the game, puts the bat on the ball ... always. Runs like he's carrying a refrigerator, but hey, he's a catcher. I missed his CF appearance. That must have looked unique.

[Circus Boy]

 

I loved the mob at home plate for Astudillo. That was awesome. I guess you could call him a "non-standard" skill set, but I like him. Doesn't seem bad behind the plate, throws well, has his head in the game, puts the bat on the ball ... always. Runs like he's carrying a refrigerator, but hey, he's a catcher. I missed his CF appearance. That must have looked unique.

And Gorg's "great hair" comment is a classic.

[Rosterman]

Astudlllo will be a nice keeper on the 40-an. Expect the Twins to do so. Yes, can't understand why Wilson was up. If you want him to work with pitchers, should be doing it at Rochester where all the starters of the future were pitching. I don't see a reason to keep Gimenez on the 40-man, unless you have more than enough other names to eliminate. Navaretto might be the only catcher you have to consider as an add. But will someone grab him Rule 5? Does he have a chance to make the Twins as a backup? He'll need to start at Rochester otherwise.

 

Astudillo is a good keeper. He can catch (be the third catcher) and looks to play every other position on the diamond adequately, which is a plus...even pitcher if you don't care.

 

DH/OF: Grossman or Astudillo - especially if you have Austin on the team. 

 

 

 

[Vanimal46]

I don't see Astudillo back with the Twins next year unless he's not offered a spot on any other team's 25 man roster.

 

He barely plays C now with Castro completely out of the mix. What makes people think he'll get more opportunities with this team next year? Castro and Garver will be back and taking all of the reps at C.

 

He's an interesting story in an otherwise dreadfully boring season for the Twins. Nothing more than that.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

I don't see Astudillo back with the Twins next year unless he's not offered a spot on any other team's 25 man roster.

He barely plays C now with Castro completely out of the mix. What makes people think he'll get more opportunities with this team next year? Castro and Garver will be back and taking all of the reps at C.

He's an interesting story in an otherwise dreadfully boring season for the Twins. Nothing more than that.

agreed from all the evidence  - but what if Molitor and are Falvine are on different pages? If I were Falvine and trying to put as many pitchers on my 2019 roster as humanly possible, I would like Astudillo's combination of position flexibility and contact skills.  he's passable at C, 3b, 2b, LF and never Ks.

[Tomj14]

 

I don't see Astudillo back with the Twins next year unless he's not offered a spot on any other team's 25 man roster.

He barely plays C now with Castro completely out of the mix. What makes people think he'll get more opportunities with this team next year? Castro and Garver will be back and taking all of the reps at C.

He's an interesting story in an otherwise dreadfully boring season for the Twins. Nothing more than that.

his only chance next year, is last guy off the bench, to cover multiple positions. Oh, and the Sunday start were the Twins like to put the worst possible lineup out.

[Vanimal46]

agreed from all the evidence - but what if Molitor and are Falvine are on different pages? If I were Falvine and trying to put as many pitchers on my 2019 roster as humanly possible, I would like Astudillo's combination of position flexibility and contact skills. he's passable at C, 3b, 2b, LF and never Ks.

I'd be okay with that too if his defense in the field isn't significantly worse than glove first utility guys like Adrianza.

 

They could use a bat first player on the bench to be the primary pinch hitter and not kill the lineup whenever they do play. I assume Mauer could fill that role very well if he agrees to it. Otherwise Astudillo can do it.

[Doomtints]

Astudillo seems a lot like the type of player the Twins won games with in the 00s. He would have fit in on those teams.

[Lonestar]

 

I don't see Astudillo back with the Twins next year unless he's not offered a spot on any other team's 25 man roster.

He has two options left. I think it would be a mistake to boot him from the 40-man roster for the likes of DeJong or Curtiss or Duffey.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Unless he's out of options, he's the perfect guy to be the 3rd catcher on the 40 man roster. I'd have no problems with him being the backup plan in that sense. 

[Tomj14]

 

Astudillo seems a lot like the type of player the Twins won games with in the 00s. He would have fit in on those teams.

Didn't those teams do a good job of walking? minus Hunter

[yarnivek1972]

Didn't those teams do a good job of walking? minus Hunter

And Jones. And Guzman. And Rivas. And Pierzynski. So yeah, other than 5/9 of the lineup.

[yarnivek1972]

I absolutely could see Astudillo as a 25th man type. I don’t think anyone thinks he is some sort of superstar in the making or even an “everyday” utility type. But his versatility is definitely an asset that can’t be ignored.

 

If the choice is between a 27 year old that can play 4-6 positions and a 36 year old that plays 1 I think the decision is pretty easy.

 

But that’s me.

[jkcarew]

If the Twins think he can catch in the majors (in games that count...not just Sept mop-up games)...then I like him to remain on the 40.

 

His career minor league OPS is about 750.  He'd never shown much offensive value (beyond what would be considered decent for a catcher)...until he started showing occasional power.  And that only started this year.  The defensive flexibility is great, but it's not like he's going to be a late-inning defensive replacement anywhere on the field.  He'll justify the roster spot with the bat...and that means, he'll have to continue to show the power.

[Vanimal46]

Unless he's out of options, he's the perfect guy to be the 3rd catcher on the 40 man roster. I'd have no problems with him being the backup plan in that sense.

I doubt Astudillo wants to spend another 2 years in the minors, and would like a real opportunity somewhere. If he wants to be a C it's not going to be in Minnesota with Castro returning from injury.

 

There are plenty of teams that will still be tanking in 2019 that could give him 300-400 PAs. Who knows, maybe the Twins will be one of those tanking teams!

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I doubt Astudillo wants to spend another 2 years in the minors, and would like a real opportunity somewhere. If he wants to be a C it's not going to be in Minnesota with Castro returning from injury.

There are plenty of teams that will still be tanking in 2019 that could give him 300-400 PAs. Who knows, maybe the Twins will be one of those tanking teams!

Astudillo doesn't really have a choice in this particular matter. 

 

Let's hope we aren't one of those tanking teams personally. 

[Tuba]

REJECT the false "three true outcomes". There is only one true outcome and that is CONTACT. HAIL ASTUDILLO

[Mr. Brooks]

I doubt Astudillo wants to spend another 2 years in the minors, and would like a real opportunity somewhere. If he wants to be a C it's not going to be in Minnesota with Castro returning from injury.

 

There are plenty of teams that will still be tanking in 2019 that could give him 300-400 PAs. Who knows, maybe the Twins will be one of those tanking teams!

I doubt any player in the minors wants to be in the minors.

He's still under team control for quite some time. It's not his decision.

[Nine of twelve]

I think the Twins will keep him on the 40-man because he'll be gone on the first pick in rule 5 (assuming he's eligible). I doubt he'd be the 25th player if Castro and Garver are healthy next spring but he's too valuable to jettison.

[Riverbrian]

Use them options. 

 

Stash in Rochester. Call him up when needed.