Frobby

Would be nice if Cooper had something to say about Mayo’s defense. We know he can dominate AAA offensively. Cooper doesn’t need to tell us that.

To be clear. + 10 and -10 are compared to average. I think you know that, but a guy with -10 offense doesn’t mean “pure defense guy.”

If the O’s want Kjerstad to play over Hays, they’ll find a way to do that. They will NOT do it by optioning Hays to the minor leagues at this point. Won’t. Happen. But by the way, Hays was a finalist for MiL player of the year in 2017, so I don’t buy the premise that Kjerstad is performing better than Hays ever did. Among other things, Hays was a very good two-way player. Kjerstad has a questionable glove.

Suppose you have three players in an organization who play the same position. Player A is +10 runs on offense but -10 runs on defense. Player B is -10 runs on offense but +10 runs on defense. Player C is average on both offense and defense. Which player would you choose to be on your team? And is your answer different depending on which position we’re talking about? Apart from your preference, do you think the Orioles have a preference? For purposes of my questions, no copping out by saying it depends who else is on the team.

If you don’t understand the difference between a veteran who has been important to the team for years and a rookie getting his feet wet, I don’t know what to tell you. Hays got sent to the minors numerous times between 2017 and 2020, so it’s not like he didn’t pay his dues before settling in. i don’t want to overstate my point. It’s still a meritocracy. But the sample size isn’t at the point where optioning Hays is going to happen.

I think they’ll wait a few weeks to see if Heston sticks.

Well, I think he’s legitimately injured and it’s not a “guise.” With a veteran player, they usually give them just a few rehab games, especially if their injury didn’t keep them off the field long. So I’d put the short rehab at 70%, long rehab 25%, option 5% (and that may be high). I realize that Hays has hit very poorly, but I just don’t see the O’s putting him in the minors for any extended period. He did seem to be swinging better over the few games prior to his injury.

The Baysox are off to a 9-6 start mostly due to their bats, which lead the Eastern League with an .819 OPS and 5.87 runs per game. They have no fewer than 7 players with an .800+ OPS: Bencosme (1.026), Bowen (.989), Beavers (.972), Fabian (.969), Pavalony (.919), Cook (.815) and Ardoin (.805). The pitching has been unremarkable so far. The highlight has been Kyle Brnovich, who’s sporting a 2.08 ERA, 0.923 WHIP, and 10.4 K/9 in three starts. Brnovich had reached AAA before his TJ surgery in mid-2022, so I expect he’ll get promoted before long if he remains effective for Bowie.

By the way, Sosa spells his first name the “English” way (Thomas), not the “Spanish” way (Tomas). I made that mistake the other day and had to correct it after checking. Glad to see him picking up steam.

My guess is, teams will figure out Suárez eventually. But I’m going to enjoy the ride in the meantime. And I’d gladly see him in the bullpen in place of Baumann. This guy at least knows how to pitch.

You’re right. Cowser had a .375 OBP in his first 32 PA, unlike Holliday’s .094. They’re not at all comparable.

If so, probably just for 2 days or so.

Kjerstad also has had pretty good success vs. LHP in his career.

Banuelos? Suárez? If you’re talking about Holliday, he’s already had one fewer PA than Kjerstad had all last year. Kjerstad could go 0 for 179 and still have a higher career BA than Holliday has right now (no, I am not exaggerating). Yet Kjerstad’s decent performance last year didn’t guarantee him a continued spot on the roster. The O’s didn’t see any harm to having him spend some more time in the minors this year, even though he’s had more AAA time than Holliday. Obviously, this sounds like I’m bashing Holliday, or arguing that he MUST be sent to the minors RIGHT NOW. But that’s not my intention. I’m just saying that Holliday is off to an awful start that is far worse than what even struggling prospects have done when the O’s brought them up, and if the O’s decide at any point that he needs a stint in the minors, I would not fault them for lack of patience. This is the big leagues, not a kindergarten team where everyone gets a trophy.

I’d absolutely LOVE it if we could get to a place where we could move Suárez to the bullpen. Bye bye Baumann.