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Rocco Baldelli has earned a reputation for mixing and matching his lineups. In 2022, there were no two back-to-back games in which the same lineup started. Through four games in 2023, the only lineup move made was swapping the catchers, Christian Vazquez and Ryan Jeffers —a routine move to give the starter at the most demanding position a day off.
In truth, when he can, Baldelli often begins altering the lineup early in the season. In 2022, by the fourth game against a right-handed starting pitcher Nick Gordon, Gilberto Celestino, Trevor Larnach, Luis Arraez, and Gary Sanchez had all been rotated in. In 2020, Jake Cave and Marwin Gonzalez were in the lineup by the second game.
In contrast, in years like 2023—years where the top reserve has been thrust into the starting lineup (this year Gordon, in 2019 Gonzalez, in 2021 Arraez), he has been relatively consistent. However, there have been in-game moves, so let’s look at Baldelli’s bench usage through four games.
Kyle Farmer
Farmer was the first of the three starting-caliber players acquired over the offseason who will occupy reserve roles in 2023. When Farmer was traded for, he was penciled in as the starting shortstop, though those plans ended when Correa signed his 200 million dollar deal. Farmer is now anticipated to serve as the utility infielder, having experience at all four infield spots.
In the first three games, Farmer was brought in in the middle innings to replace Gordon at second base after a left-handed reliever entered the game. Given the difference in their splits against lefties (Gordon’s OPS in 2022 was .542; Farmer’s was .948), Baldelli seems keen on swapping them for each other when the pitcher’s handedness changes.
We will likely see the inverse when Farmer starts against lefties, like what we saw on Wednesday. In all cases, Farmer will be expected to be locked into the game, whether he starts or begins the game on the bench.
Max Kepler ’s injury may lead to Farmer seeing more starts against righties, with Gordon being shifted to the outfield, though that was not the case Tuesday, the first game without Kepler, who is day-to-day. He will also see spot starts around the infield to give the starters a day off, but he himself will likely never see an actual put-up-your-feet day off, even though he didn’t make it into Tuesday’s game, his first of the year despite no starts.
Donovan Solano
Solano, the other lefty killer on the bench, has seen two pinch-hitting appearances and a start at designated hitter, giving Byron Buxton a day off. Following Farmer’s pinch hit for Gordon on Opening Day, Solano hit for lefty Joey Gallo, driving in a run on a line-drive single.
Given that the starting lineup currently contains four left-handed starters (Kepler, Larnach, Gordon, Gallo), even as the second option behind Farmer, he will also be called upon to pinch hit versus lefties and then stay in the game at first base, with a potential Gallo move into the outfield.
In addition to his pinch-hitting duties, he will also probably start every game against a southpaw while potentially getting spot starts on the infield or at designated hitter against righties. No matter what, though, he’s in the same spot as Farmer, as Baldelli could call his number any game, even in the middle innings like on Opening Day. That’s especially true if Farmer starts that game, as Solano would be the top righty pinch-hitter.
Ryan Jeffers
The second two members of the bench are less noteworthy in their early usage. The acquisition of Vazquez has moved Jeffers into a backup catcher role, as opposed to his starting role in 2022 or the timeshare he had in 2021. As such, he’s one of the top backup catchers in the league.
Given that he’s only started one game thus far, there’s evidence that he will be a proper backup, though he will likely get more play against a left-handed starter, given his .790 OPS against them for his career and his .909 last season. If things go right, he may even see time as the designated hitter.
For now, though, he has been relegated to a backup role behind one of the best defensive catchers in MLB. Keep an eye on his usage in the near future to get a better idea of his role, especially if he shows that he can hit enough to get time at designated hitter.
Willi Castro
Castro finally got into a game Monday, and drew a start in left field in place of Kepler Tuesday. As a 2023 non-roster invite to spring training, he was added to the Opening Day roster to provide additional depth at every outfield and infield position.
However, he seems to be a late-tenure Willians Astudillo -type—a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option, and Kepler’s injury probably qualifies as an emergency, in the short-term. He provides positional flexibility to make any lineup work—if needed. However, he doesn’t have a stand-out skill and will likely be the first player on the chopping block when players get called up or return from injury.
He still has an option remaining, so he can return to AAA without being exposed to waivers. He’s the quintessential 26th man who provides a warm body, and thus far, he’s been treated as such, only seeing action in a blowout to get the big boppers off their feet and as an extra outfielder covering for a day-to-day injury..
How do you feel about the early roster management? Are my assessments correct? Would you like to see any changes so far?
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- mikelink45 and weitz41
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