McKenna optioned to Norfolk

[Aristotelian]

1 hour ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Are we hurting McKenna’s development right now by using him only vs LHP, and then as a defensive replacement?  The guy was actually putting up decent numbers in AAA. 
 

He might not be a top prospect, but we should have a vet filling the role that he’s filling right now. It’s kind of a waste. 

McKenna needs to succeed in this role if he wants to stick. I wouldn't change anything based on 22 AB's in AAA. As long as he gets reps as defensive replacement I'm OK with that. 

[Gentile4]

If we take out his season at Frederick, his numbers are very ordinary. I can't see him ever being more than a 4th or even 5th OF (do 5th outfielders even exist anymore?), so as Aristotelian says, he needs to show he can do that job.

[Ruzious]

Great to see that he hit his 4th homer at Norfolk and has an OPS of .974 there in SSS.  The pop in his bat will likely always be a question, but right now, I think there's some hope for him.  We don't need him to be a power-house, but it'd be great to see him keep this up.  

[sportsfan8703]

McKenna needs to be playing everyday at this point. I know he projects as a 4th OF but he needs ABs in AAA to develop into that. We should have a stop gap to cover our 4th OF spot. 

[sportsfan8703]

Another homer for McKenna last night in AAA. 
 

https://www.milb.com/player/ryan-mckenna-663630?stats=career-r-hitting-minors&year=2021

Not saying he’s ever going to be more than a reserve OF, but if they would just leave him in AAA for an extended period of time, and stop yanking him around, he may be having a breakout season. 
 

A guy like McKenna is valuable, turned 24 in February, because of how much Hays, Santander, Stewart, and Diaz are hurt. 
 

If we need a part time OF to get 30 ABs in 30 games, or to pinch run, or to be a defensive sub, then we should a vet doing that and actually try and see if McKenna can develop. 

[Frobby]

43 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Another homer for McKenna last night in AAA. 
 

https://www.milb.com/player/ryan-mckenna-663630?stats=career-r-hitting-minors&year=2021

Not saying he’s ever going to be more than a reserve OF, but if they would just leave him in AAA for an extended period of time, and stop yanking him around, he may be having a breakout season. 
 

A guy like McKenna is valuable, turned 24 in February, because of how much Hays, Santander, Stewart, and Diaz are hurt. 
 

If we need a part time OF to get 30 ABs in 30 games, or to pinch run, or to be a defensive sub, then we should a vet doing that and actually try and see if McKenna can develop. 

I’m not as down on McKenna as some around here.   Not sure he can be more than a 4th outfielder, but teams need 4th outfielders.   I’m glad to see him hitting well at Norfolk.    I do think he’ll be in the bigs again if any of our outfielders go on the IL, which always seems like a likely contingency.  Of course, they might want to get a look at Diaz if he’s not on the IL himself.   

[interloper]

1 hour ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Another homer for McKenna last night in AAA. 
 

https://www.milb.com/player/ryan-mckenna-663630?stats=career-r-hitting-minors&year=2021

Not saying he’s ever going to be more than a reserve OF, but if they would just leave him in AAA for an extended period of time, and stop yanking him around, he may be having a breakout season. 
 

A guy like McKenna is valuable, turned 24 in February, because of how much Hays, Santander, Stewart, and Diaz are hurt. 
 

If we need a part time OF to get 30 ABs in 30 games, or to pinch run, or to be a defensive sub, then we should a vet doing that and actually try and see if McKenna can develop. 

Have to admit those AAA numbers are fairly impressive. Good to see him playing well at that level.