422 replies to this topic

[CantonJester]

Rookie status still intact, April AL Rookie of the month award secured.

 

What we are seeing is the most realistic upside version of Colton Cowser’s young career. It’s all about adjustments. 

 

He’ll (likely) make them, or he won’t. 

[dude]

Rookie status still intact, .....

 

...maybe phrased odd, but he's a Rookie for this season. 

 

He's no longer a prospect (already fell off the Prospect lists) in terms of MiL rankings.

[CantonJester]

...maybe phrased odd, but he's a Rookie for this season. 

 

He's no longer a prospect (already fell off the Prospect lists) in terms of MiL rankings.

 

Oooookay. How's the rest of what I wrote hold up for ya? 

[dude]

Oooookay. How's the rest of what I wrote hold up for ya? 

 

I certainly agree he'll make adjustments, or he won't.

 

I think Baseball is hard.  Evaluating anyone long-term when when they're hot or cold short term (Captain Obvious) isn't really a thing.  I think he'll be good.  I don't think he's special. You commit to the guys you want to be part of it. 

 

Hopefully he finishes top 2 in RoY and we get a pick.

[BobPhelan]

For the record you have to win to get the pick.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Last full month :  .179/.278/.333   80 wRC+

 

 

Month of May: 138/.235/ .207 35 wRC+

 

 

 

Time to start working Hays in more regularly in LF. 

[Mackus]

Hays' season so far is over 100 points worse than Cowser's May.  Not to say that Hays should never play once he's back, but just to point out that slumps happen.  I trust Cowser more than Hays moving forward.  Hays probably a slightly higher floor, but Cowser has a considerably higher ceiling.  We know Hays isn't capable of anything better than about 775 OPS.  Cowser capable of much better, IMO.

 

When Hays is back (he's played 5 rehab games, so I'm assuming today) I think he should get half to most of the starts against LHP but only one or two a week against RHP, depending on how often we see lefties.  We've got very close to 7 games a week for the next 6 weeks, so I'd aim for 5 starts for Cowser and 3 for Hays (one day off for Mullins).

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Cowser has cut back on his Ks of late. Still too high but it seems to be a more conscious effort. The positive with him is the bat speed numbers and hard hit numbers. He has some holes that Im not sure are fixable but if he fixes them he does have a nice ceiling. He's still maddening for me. You see the tools but hes so hot or cold and some of the defensive lapses are annoying too. Clearly in a period of having to adjust back right now. Teams are going to consistently give him changeups, which for now is his bugaboo, until he adjusts. Of course that opens up the high velo fastball if he sells out to adjust. Next 2 or 3 weeks will say a lot. We will see if he can successfully adjust or if he has a fatal flaw.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

This question should go in another thread but Id be very curious to hear what people think the Os OF will look like in '26. Who internally stays. Is the CF of the future in the org? Its not looking to me like Bradfield is gonna be an everyday CF by '26. Can Fabian do it. Does Beavers earn a spot by then. Is Kjersted gonna remain in the org and if so does he factor into the OF mix. Im pretty sure at this point Mullins wont be around in '26. I dont think Santander is playing much OF either if he happens to be around too.

[Mackus]

Cowser and Kjerstad I think will have two spots. I share your pessimism on Bradfield, so unless Cowser looks way better defensively I think we're searching for a CF unless Mullins is resigned, which I don't expect. Beavers sounds good enough defensively for LF, but probably not CF. Mayo could also be a RF option instead of Kjerstad, but not LF.

[makoman]

Beavers should be in AAA soon, he’s doing great. Fabian is doing a lot better than last year but 30% K is potentially a problem. I have no real opinion on any of these minor league guys yet though. No clue how anybody fields.

Kjerstad and Cowser could easily be the starting corners in 26, but I’m not writing either in pen yet.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Yes Mayo could factor into RF. Bob can talk more about CF options. I think Fabian is supposed to have really good D chops. He would be my internal fav there its just about will he hit enough to be a reg. Would also be curious if Bob thinks Beavers could play CF regularly in the Show. I sense Kjersted wont be much of an OF factor in '26 tbh. In fact, I think he will be traded by then. Make me make a '26 OF now Id go

LF- Beavers
CF - Fabian
RF- Cowser

Wildcard is Mayo and where his spot ultimately ends up being. Can he play a solid RF. If he can then Id probably readjust.

[makoman]

While it’s certainly something fans have talked about, I feel like if Mayo to OF was a serious consideration for the team they’d have tried it by now. Knocking on the MLB door and still at zero career games in the OF. They seem to love positional flexibility in general but are really trying to make him be just a 3B it seems.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I thought I saw a boxscore where Mayo played RF. Maybe not.

[Mackus]

Yes Mayo could factor into RF. Bob can talk more about CF options. I think Fabian is supposed to have really good D chops. He would be my internal fav there its just about will he hit enough to be a reg. Would also be curious if Bob thinks Beavers could play CF regularly in the Show. I sense Kjersted wont be much of an OF factor in '26 tbh. In fact, I think he will be traded by then. Make me make a '26 OF now Id go

LF- Beavers
CF - Fabian
RF- Cowser

Wildcard is Mayo and where his spot ultimately ends up being. Can he play a solid RF. If he can then Id probably readjust.

 

Beavers has played CF, but primarily elsewhere.  5 games in CF, 19 in RF/LF, 4 at 1B this season.  Last year it was 28 in CF to 76 in a corner.  

 

Fabian I don't has a good enough hit tool.  He's been 750 at AA.  Don't see a lot of three true outcome CF (exactly 50% of his PAs), but if the glove is good enough and he can maintain what he's done in the minors without much dropoff as he moves up, then he can continue his current approach.

[Mackus]

I thought I saw a boxscore where Mayo played RF. Maybe not.

 

Nope

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I believe we did hear they were having Mayo take balls in RF but I tend to agree that the longer they go without actually playing him there in games the less viable it becomes that he plays out there. Especially as a reg. COuld  maybe go out there once in a blue moon like O Hearn does now

[BobPhelan]

Fabian is right there with Bradfield Jr when it comes to CF defense and he has a great arm which Enrique does not. So even if the hit tool never quite gets there he is a great guy to have for 4/5th outfielder that can run into one and take walks.

Beavers can probably play CF in a pinch but I would easily trust Cowser out there over him. Should be able to handle Camden LF tho.

Btw, Kjerstad is getting optioned today in favor of Kyle Stowers. Not sure if Hays for McKenna is happening as well today or if that will wait a little longer.

[BaltBird 24]

Stowers will be in the same boat as Kjerstad. Very sparring playing time to actually thrive.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Yeah, Fabian would be more of a D first guy but with some pop. Def think Fabian makes it to the show in at least a 4th OF role. Future CF is the one spot where its possible they go outside the org but then again a lot of teams dont really have good all around CF. They often lean heavily to a guy with D and suspect offense or they just stick a solid bat in CF and the D is lacking.