238 replies to this topic

[makoman]

Incompetent was never a word used. Hes no great shakes anywhere though. The bat will have to carry him. Unlike an Ortiz.

"Literally not a second baseman" or whatever it was does not imply competence, but if I mischaracterized your opinion, then sure, I can take that back, so be it.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I dont care to go look it up. Its possible I worded it in a way that was very strong. Especially at 2b. I did and do have quesions about his defensive ability there. But incompetence in a way comparable to Mountcastle isnt fair. It was clear before Mountcastle was done with AA let alone higher levels that he wasnt gonna play on the dirt anywhere other than 1b. Thats a special kind of incompetence.

[makoman]

Probably meaningless, probably dumb, but he'll wear #11. Stowers came up and got 83, Diaz got 84, Vavra got 77, Ortiz got 65. Stowers and Vavra have since changed so probably didn't want those numbers. Adley, Gunnar, Grayson got more standard numbers. Kinda seems like they think of him more in the latter group.

[CantonJester]

Probably meaningless, probably dumb, but he'll wear #11. Stowers came up and got 83, Diaz got 84, Vavra got 77, Ortiz got 65. Stowers and Vavra have since changed so probably didn't want those numbers. Adley, Gunnar, Grayson got more standard numbers. Kinda seems like they think of him more in the latter group.

 

I think there's definitely something to be said for this phenomenon. The long-shots who get the call aren't given the lower numbers simply because they need to overcome greater odds of sticking with the club. Or, they're just temporary injury replacements anyway. 

 

The fact Westburg was given #11 suggests what we already knew about him. 

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Anyone want to throw out a comp for Westburg. For shits and gigs

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Im thinking Brandon Drury

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Gleyber Torres could fit too. Especially the last few years. Dont think Westburg is gonna have a 38 HR season

[CantonJester]

Gleyber Torres could fit too. Especially the last few years. Dont think Westburg is gonna have a 38 HR season

 

MLB was using a juiced ball during said 38 HR season. So long as they don't go back to that, I sorta doubt Gleyber Torres ever hits 30 HR in a season again. 

 

I'd need to see a spray chart to be able to compare Westburg's hit profile to major leaguers with a similar build. But then again, I'd realize I'm not being paid to do that, and I would therefore quickly lose focus. 

[makoman]

I don't know comps, but 30 is just a really tall order for a RH in this park now.

 

Westburg hit 36 in 714 PAs in AAA. Mountcastle hit 25 in 553 PAs in AAA, which would pro-rate to 32ish in 714. Westburg also walked over twice as much for whatever that's worth, more like 30 in the same # of ABs. But Mountcastle was 1-2 years younger. Mountcastle hit 33 pre-wall, 22 last year, so I'd say Westburg is probably capable of that kind of power. So 30 may be possible, but LF is rough now.

[You Play to Win the Game]

MLB was using a juiced ball during said 38 HR season. So long as they don't go back to that, I sorta doubt Gleyber Torres ever hits 30 HR in a season again.

I'd need to see a spray chart to be able to compare Westburg's hit profile to major leaguers with a similar build. But then again, I'd realize I'm not being paid to do that, and I would therefore quickly lose focus.

Plus, Baltimore isn’t changing the wall back to the Torres wall.

[BaltBird 24]

If he's any less than Jeff Kent he's a failure.

[BobPhelan]

Anyone want to throw out a comp for Westburg. For shits and gigs

Austin Hays.

[BobPhelan]

The interesting thing to me is Westburg has played shortstop more than anywhere else this year.

Bob, what is the word on him at shortstop. Is he good enough to play there as a regular in the majors?

He’s fine up the middle, pretty good at third IMO.

[Mackus]

Slash line and age/level in the minors remind me a bit of Mancini. Trey tore up AA then was just ok at AAA whereas Westburg did it the other way.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I expect a middling BA. Would hope he walks more than Hays

[BSLChrisStoner]

Alex Bregman

[BSLChrisStoner]

A walk in the rain to start his career.

[CantonJester]

Alex Bregman

 

I like the optimism! 

[BobPhelan]

I expect a middling BA. Would hope he walks more than Hays

Hays with better health and plate discipline. Hits the ball hard consistently without top end max EV.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I don’t think we have seen him barrel one up tonight yet, but I could be wrong there.

But the thing that jumps out is the quality of AB he has.

AB 1 - falls behind 0-2, draws a walk on a 7 pitch AB
AB 2 - a 2 pitch dud but he did leg out a FC and got an RBI out of it, could’ve been a double play, do like that he hunted for a pitch and went for it there
AB3 - falls behind 1-2, works the count full, fights off an inside breaking pitch for his first career base hit - another 7 pitch AB

A cool 19 pitches in his first 3 trips to the plate.