Triston Casas promoted, Bobby Dalbec demoted

grimshaw

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May 16, 2007
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This is a good overall observation. I think Devers has a full, consistent, excellent season or two in him, where he’s a 180 OPS+ guy. And a few more 140 seasons. If that’s accurate, what do you pay to keep him, and for how many years? Especially in light of our cheaper prospects taking spots on the roster?
I think a 180 OPS+ is wishful thinking if you have a walk rate under 8% but I could see a few seasons before he hits 30 where he's a top 10 player.
I'd go something like 8/300 with an opt out after 3 seasons. Don't think that gets it done, but I'd draw a line in the sand.
 
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Manramsclan

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Jul 14, 2005
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I love your optimism and I agree about everything through Devers. If the Red Sox are starting two below league average hitters at DH, regardless of platoon advantage, that would be actual malpractice.
 

Rovin Romine

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Jul 14, 2005
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Serious Question re: Casas. Where does he bat in the order next year?

I know Casas got a normal spread of hitting in the minors, and I expect he'll come around to that in the majors. But he's clearly got a great eye/discipline compared to many on the Sox, and isn't afraid to take a walk. He's also not exactly fast.

So - 2nd/3rd but for the speed? Or even with the speed?

Obviously we won't know for sure who will be on the club, and the empty spots for SS/DH/RF may well slot higher into the batting order. But we can assume Hernandez, Devers, Story, Verdugo, and McGuire/Wong:

1 - Hernandez
2 - Casas
3 - Devers
4 - Story
5 - Verdugo
6 - McGuire/Wong
7 -
8 -
9 -
 

Cesar Crespo

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Dec 22, 2002
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Serious Question re: Casas. Where does he bat in the order next year?

I know Casas got a normal spread of hitting in the minors, and I expect he'll come around to that in the majors. But he's clearly got a great eye/discipline compared to many on the Sox, and isn't afraid to take a walk. He's also not exactly fast.

So - 2nd/3rd but for the speed? Or even with the speed?

Obviously we won't know for sure who will be on the club, and the empty spots for SS/DH/RF may well slot higher into the batting order. But we can assume Hernandez, Devers, Story, Verdugo, and McGuire/Wong:

1 - Hernandez
2 - Casas
3 - Devers
4 - Story
5 - Verdugo
6 - McGuire/Wong
7 -
8 -
9 -
He'll bat 8th or 9th vs L, anyway.
 

mikcou

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May 13, 2007
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Boston
I think a 180 OPS+ is wishful thinking if you have a walk rate under 8% but I could see a few seasons before he hits 30 where he's a top 10 player.
I'd go something like 8/300 with an opt out after 3 seasons. Don't think that gets it done, but I'd draw a line in the sand.
Raffy is great, but hes incredibly unlikely to ever have a season OPS+ of 180. David Ortiz never hit that level. Manny had all of two seasons like that in his career. Hell likely peak in the 160s, which if he maintains his improved defense from this year, is an absolutely elite player.
 

pantsparty

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May 2, 2011
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Got his first 2B, that was making me strangely anxious. Appears to be the anti-Dalbec from an approach standpoint, which is welcome.
Yeah. In hearing people talk about prospects I've never quite understood when they describe hitter's approach at the plate and how you can see even in plate appearances with bad outcomes how some players have a plan at the plate. In watching the difference between a Dalbec and Casas at-bat, it's starting to make sense.
 

joe dokes

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Jul 18, 2005
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Yeah. In hearing people talk about prospects I've never quite understood when they describe hitter's approach at the plate and how you can see even in plate appearances with bad outcomes how some players have a plan at the plate. In watching the difference between a Dalbec and Casas at-bat, it's starting to make sense.
I wonder where the line between "approach" and "skill" is. Pitch recognition is a skill. Dalbec just might lack it, when compared to Casas.
 

TapeAndPosts

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Jul 21, 2006
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I wonder where the line between "approach" and "skill" is. Pitch recognition is a skill. Dalbec just might lack it, when compared to Casas.
Approach is the conscious mental part of skill.

I just made that up but it sounded good.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Dec 22, 2002
21,588
Breaking up already SSS, but
In his first 3 games, he had 0bb/5k in 12 PA. .167/.167/.450, .167 BAbip
Since then, he's had 17bb/12k in 66 PA. .225/.424/.490, .212 BAbip (includes the 8 game stretch below)
In his last 8 games he has 11bb/5k in 34 PA. .435/.618/.870, .467 BAbip.

I'd guess he's going to struggle less out of the gate than others because of the plate discipline. I know a lot was talked about Pedroia's struggles but it was only 98 PA. The following season, he won ROY. So much struggle. Kevin Youkilis was pretty much good out of the gate too. Mookie. They all own the strike zone.

Casas can also get away with hitting .213 on a .205 BAbip because he walks a ton and hits for power. Pedroia can't get away with hitting .191 on a .188 BAbip. His whole thing was putting the ball in play. If Casas strikes out twice as often as Pedroia does, it's a success.

Can't wait for next season.


Also I just noticed that Brayan Bello is no longer a prospect. He will not be on BA, BP or MLB lists and he won't be able to win ROY.

Oh no! Our farm ranking is going to drop. Farm rankings are kinda dumb.