Article: Three Catcher Conundrum

[Minny505]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe both ZIPS and Pecota project Astudillo as one of the top three hitters on the Twins roster.

Between his performance in AAA/MLB last year, his MVP runner-up season in Venezuela (where reports had him playing primarily LF) and his showing over the last month or so, I don't see any reason those systems are incorrect.

 

He should be a fixture in the lineup in the 2-4 spots with a TBD position every day, kind of like an in-his-prime Ben Zobrist. Winning teams (other than the 2019 version of the Cardinals) do not have one of their three best hitters regularly absent from the starting lineup. For example, it did not take long for Aaron Hicks to become a regular in the lineup in NY once he become a monster at the plate. 

 

Use Astudillo at C, 3B, 1B, LF, RF and DH (for the ~6.5 games Cruz needs a breather) and fix him in the lineup somewhere 2-4. 

Even if he regresses to a .300/.325/.475 hitter over the next few seasons, that's basically CJ Cron and Eddie Rosario, hovering around a 115 wRC+. It's a long fall to whoever you see as the fifth best hitter after those top four.

 

His defense basically needs to be Ryan Doumit for him to not be the best catcher option on this team, and yet the untrained eye might think him the best due to his mobility and arm. That said, if it's possible to carry three catchers, I'd only have him start 30 or so games behind the dish so he can be in the lineup almost daily. 

[rv78]

Castro is a lot like Buxton was last year. Good defensively but can't hit, and has never been an offensive player. Simple fix.......... Trade Castro. I'd much rather watch Astudillo play than Castro any day of the week.

[yarnivek1972]

Castro is a lot like Buxton was last year. Good defensively but can't hit, and has never been an offensive player. Simple fix.......... Trade Castro. I'd much rather watch Astudillo play than Castro any day of the week.

Yeah, and who would trade FOR Jason Castro?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah, and who would trade FOR Jason Castro?

Lots of teams who value pitch framing and catcher defense.

 

Seriously, the Astudillo hot takes in this thread are making my head spin. He’s a fun player and a player I want to see more of going forward but handing everyday duties to him at pretty much any position is madly irresponsible. This team has proven players at most positions and many of them are defensively proficient. Stop drooling over OPS+ numbers over 100 PAs. I expect better from the posters on this site.

[ashbury]

I expect better from the posters on this site.

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/08/0848cba1a97180c12eb83fc7f228d6c535ddb1e5994d198a0b8eae2d602a25fa.jpg

[Aerodeliria]

At some point, you have to say that La Tortuga is the man to beat, considering that all other catchers have ZERO (I think this is correct) hits.

[rdehring]

Is Astudillo working himself into the backup catcher role?

 

Expect to see him playing around the diamond, especially after Gonzalez play last night, but he could be earning more playing time behidn the plate.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Is Astudillo working himself into the backup catcher role?

I don’t think it will - or should - be that clear cut. Castro is long in the tooth and could certainly use some breaks. Garver is pretty bad behind the dish so you don’t want him out there all the time.

 

It all boils down to how the front office views Astudillo’s defense, I think.

[howieramone2]

 

When Blaine Parker comes in to pitch, put all three catchers behind the plate. No more wild pitches!!!

He looked good yesterday, but I understand the built in hatred of most of our free agents. Did you hear how cold it was the other day?

[howieramone2]

 

Lots of teams who value pitch framing and catcher defense.

Seriously, the Astudillo hot takes in this thread are making my head spin. He’s a fun player and a player I want to see more of going forward but handing everyday duties to him at pretty much any position is madly irresponsible. This team has proven players at most positions and many of them are defensively proficient. Stop drooling over OPS+ numbers over 100 PAs. I expect better from the posters on this site.

Bingo!