TT: Mullins: Starter or Future 4th Outfielder?

[Il BuonO]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

His defense in the majors last year looked far from elite.

I’ll echo this sentiment and add that if he doesn’t stop hitting from the right side he’ll never be more than a 4th OF.

[HowAboutThat]

I’m curious about the OF depth chart. Are the outfielders ranked as a group, or by individual position? I’m pretty sure Mullins is #2 CF behind Diaz, right? Where is he in the overall group?

is he better than Rickard, for instance? Rickard is a solid 4OF and has done well at each spot. That’s Rickard’s ceiling, god bless him, but If Mullins is that good, that’s his floor.

Altuve is short and had some growing pains. I think Mullins can have a year to develop, and it will be fun watching him become more of himself.

[LookinUp]

No idea what he will be, but Mullins has the athleticism to outperform expectations. If not, he can be a spark plug.

I like a future outfield of Hays, Mullins, McKenna and Diaz. Mullins versus McKenna for CF might be an interesting follow.

[DrungoHazewood]

2 hours ago, Moose Milligan said:

Yeah, just because the guy is fast doesn't mean his defense is elite.

It CAN be elite.  He's got a bit of a ways to go to get there.

I see him as a 4th OF/platoon type, too.  Can only hit from one side of the plate and that's going to be what holds him back if he can't fix it.  If he can figure out how to hit from the right side I think his 4th OF status changes.

I don't know that there's much precedence for a good defender becoming elite as he ages.  Generally defense peaks early.  He is currently as fast as he'll ever be, and it's unlikely knowledge and positioning will get so much better that it'll completely overcome his inevitable decline in range due to age.

I also have serious doubts that he'll suddenly learn how to hit right-handed.  His vLH splits his four years as a professional are .549, .632, .604, .645.  If those were his overall numbers he would have been released.  His vRH splits have been more like .800.  A normal platoon split is something like 75 points of OPS.  If I were the Orioles I'd have him give up switch hitting yesterday and we'll probably see his overall OPS go up 30 or 40 points.

[Can_of_corn]

10 minutes ago, DrungoHazewood said:

I don't know that there's much precedence for a good defender becoming elite as he ages.  Generally defense peaks early.  He is currently as fast as he'll ever be, and it's unlikely knowledge and positioning will get so much better that it'll completely overcome his inevitable decline in range due to age.

I also have serious doubts that he'll suddenly learn how to hit right-handed.  His vLH splits his four years as a professional are .549, .632, .604, .645.  If those were his overall numbers he would have been released.  His vRH splits have been more like .800.  A normal platoon split is something like 75 points of OPS.  If I were the Orioles I'd have him give up switch hitting yesterday and we'll probably see his overall OPS go up 30 or 40 points.

I think the argument is that Mullins was a plus defensive player in the minors and a host of minor issues (tentativeness, upper decks, lighting, positioning ect) played a role in his glove being down.

[AceKing]

I am so tired of everyone picking our guys apart all the time, pointing out every flaw in everyone’s game.  These are all players with a new set of tools to learn from including greater technologies and data and also an entirely new coaching staff.

 

There is a lot of room for improvement with all of our players, but we are now providing them with an actual OPPORTUNITY to perform better.

[DrungoHazewood]

11 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I think the argument is that Mullins was a plus defensive player in the minors and a host of minor issues (tentativeness, upper decks, lighting, positioning ect) played a role in his glove being down.

Ah, okay, I wrongly assumed that you were saying he just wasn't that good.

[weams]

25 minutes ago, DrungoHazewood said:

I don't know that there's much precedence for a good defender becoming elite as he ages.  Generally defense peaks early.  He is currently as fast as he'll ever be, and it's unlikely knowledge and positioning will get so much better that it'll completely overcome his inevitable decline in range due to age.

I also have serious doubts that he'll suddenly learn how to hit right-handed.  His vLH splits his four years as a professional are .549, .632, .604, .645.  If those were his overall numbers he would have been released.  His vRH splits have been more like .800.  A normal platoon split is something like 75 points of OPS.  If I were the Orioles I'd have him give up switch hitting yesterday and we'll probably see his overall OPS go up 30 or 40 points.

Oh my yes. 

[Tx Oriole]

11 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

http://www.orioleshangout.com/2019/02/18/mullins-starter-or-future-4th-outfielder/

What say you?

I hope he is a starter. 

[Can_of_corn]

29 minutes ago, DrungoHazewood said:

Ah, okay, I wrongly assumed that you were saying he just wasn't that good.

The numbers and the scouting reports from the minors say he was good there.

[Legend_Of_Joey]

3 hours ago, Philip said:

I’m curious about the OF depth chart. Are the outfielders ranked as a group, or by individual position? I’m pretty sure Mullins is #2 CF behind Diaz, right? Where is he in the overall group?

is he better than Rickard, for instance? Rickard is a solid 4OF and has done well at each spot. That’s Rickard’s ceiling, god bless him, but If Mullins is that good, that’s his floor.

Altuve is short and had some growing pains. I think Mullins can have a year to develop, and it will be fun watching him become more of himself.

The way I have seen it before, outfielders are grouped both ways.

Example: On a depth chart, Mullins might be first in center and second in left. Rickard second in center, first in right, ect. Just an example, not an actual current chart.

[jrobb21613]

Even though he needs a better showing at AA this year I belief McKenna to be the Centerfielder of the future. I see Mullins long term as 4th outfielder.

[AceKing]

He is a good fourth outfielder on a good team.  We are not a good team.

[BohKnowsBmore]

8 hours ago, LookitsPuck said:

Mullins strikes me as a Rajai Davis type. So to that end, a 4th OF, PR and maybe part of a platoon.

I'd love to see us have more of a four starters situation with him, Diaz, McKenna and Hays (vs. him being a true 4th OF).

[waroriole]

Felix Pie?

He’ll serve a purpose but not an everyday guy