Chris Shaw claimed from Giants

[BobDylanBundy]

I wasn't a huge Chris Shaw advocate, but there's not a whole lot separating him and DJ Stewart. There's a few pitchers on the 40-man I would have cut before either.

[MurphDogg]

Shaw clears waivers. Decent AAA depth.

[MurphDogg]

On 1/29/2021 at 3:46 PM, BobDylanBundy said:

I wasn't a huge Chris Shaw advocate, but there's not a whole lot separating him and DJ Stewart. There's a few pitchers on the 40-man I would have cut before either.

Stewart walks a lot more, strikes out a lot less, has more speed, and can bunt.

Shaw's minor league power numbers are better, but that comes from playing in the PCL, Stewart's Eastern League slugging percentage was better than Shaw's.

[Number5]

15 minutes ago, MurphDogg said:

Shaw clears waivers. Decent AAA depth.

I think this was the intended outcome when we claimed him.

[Tony-OH]

On 1/29/2021 at 3:46 PM, BobDylanBundy said:

I wasn't a huge Chris Shaw advocate, but there's not a whole lot separating him and DJ Stewart. There's a few pitchers on the 40-man I would have cut before either.

I will never understand this comparison. Stewart has already had some success at the major league level, is younger, faster, and has shown significantly more ability to get on base. 

[Tony-OH]

58 minutes ago, MurphDogg said:

Shaw clears waivers. Decent AAA depth.

Not surprised at all. He'll probably end up playing corner outfield/1B/DH at Norfolk and provide some left handed power there. He's better than promoting Preston Palmeiro to play 1B at Norfolk.

[BobDylanBundy]

On 2/1/2021 at 5:11 PM, Tony-OH said:

I will never understand this comparison. Stewart has already had some success at the major league level, is younger, faster, and has shown significantly more ability to get on base. 

Stewart is one month younger than Shaw. This should be irrelevant in comparing their prospect status, and speed is hardly one of Stewart's optimal characteristics.

Stewart's OBP history is significantly influenced by a slower development schedule. Here's how their minors offense compares year by year (both players the same age and drafted/signed the same year)....

2016

Shaw - A+ - .285/.357/.544 in 305 PA
Shaw - AA - .246/.309/.414 in 256 PA

Stewart - A - .230/.366/.352 in 262 PA
Stewart - A+ - .279/.389/.448 in 240 PA

2017

Shaw - AA - .301/.390/.511 in 154 PA
Shaw - AAA - .289/.328/.530 in 360 PA

Stewart - AA - .278/.378/.481 in 540 PA

2018

Shaw - AAA - .259/.308/.505 in 422 PA

Stewart - AAA - .235/.329/.387 in 490 PA

2019

Shaw - AA - .288/.368/.500 in 182 PA
Shaw - AAA - .298/.355/.592 in 310 PA

Stewart - AAA - .291/.396/.548 in 277 PA

I wouldn't necessarily say Shaw's development looks better, but is not clearly worse either.

[Tony-OH]

13 hours ago, BobDylanBundy said:

Stewart is one month younger than Shaw. This should be irrelevant in comparing their prospect status, and speed is hardly one of Stewart's optimal characteristics.

Stewart's OBP history is significantly influenced by a slower development schedule. Here's how their minors offense compares year by year (both players the same age and drafted/signed the same year)....

2016

Shaw - A+ - .285/.357/.544 in 305 PA
Shaw - AA - .246/.309/.414 in 256 PA

Stewart - A - .230/.366/.352 in 262 PA
Stewart - A+ - .279/.389/.448 in 240 PA

2017

Shaw - AA - .301/.390/.511 in 154 PA
Shaw - AAA - .289/.328/.530 in 360 PA

Stewart - AA - .278/.378/.481 in 540 PA

2018

Shaw - AAA - .259/.308/.505 in 422 PA

Stewart - AAA - .235/.329/.387 in 490 PA

2019

Shaw - AA - .288/.368/.500 in 182 PA
Shaw - AAA - .298/.355/.592 in 310 PA

Stewart - AAA - .291/.396/.548 in 277 PA

I wouldn't necessarily say Shaw's development looks better, but is not clearly worse either.

Slash lines by themselves are not always the best way to do comparisons. You also have to consider the leagues (Shaw has been in some good hitters leagues like the PCL) and K-BB ratios. That's why my current favorite metric for hitters is WOBA.  The biggest thing for me is Shaw has been a complete zero at the major league level while Stewart has had some success, albeit in small sample sizes.

At the major league level where the stats matter most:

Stewart - .329 (301 PAs including a .347 last year in 112 PAs)
Shaw- .217 (82 PAs)
MLB avg- .317

Now obviously 82 PAs is still a bit of a SSS, but hit first players don't tend to get a lot more chances when they don't actually hit, particularly when they are putting up a 37.8 % K rate and only a 11 % walk rate like Shaw did.

While I would agree that at times their numbers have looked comparable at times in the minor leagues, you also have to factor in the fact that Stewart can play a passable, if not exciting for the wrong reasons corner outfield, while Shaw with his 15th percentile spring speed is probably best suited for first base and DH only.

We also have to consider that Shaw has been passed through waivers with no claims after the Orioles claimed him surprisingly the first time. At the end of the day, Stewart's walk rate and slightly better outfield capability makes him a better overall player than Shaw.

Saying all that, the jury is still out on Stewart as well since he numbers were driven up by a Barry Bonds like 9-game stretch last year. I'm still not convinced Stewart is the answer to anything but a stop gap and see what you got option, but he's worth giving PAs to this year to give him a final evaluation over an extended playing time opportunity at the major league level.