Terrin Vavra 2022

[interloper]

Off to a solid start at AAA. 

46 AB
.304 BA

.407 OBP

.820 OPS

 

I'm curious where folks see Vavra fitting in. The bat skills and OBP are definitely exciting, but is he really starter material at 2B in the big leagues? Or is he more of a Ryan McKenna replacement, a guy who can backup CF and the IF off the bench? 19 home runs in 767 minor league AB, so he's not bringing power to the table. Thoughts? 

[CharmCityHokie]

8 minutes ago, interloper said:

Off to a solid start at AAA. 

46 AB
.304 BA

.407 OBP

.820 OPS

 

I'm curious where folks see Vavra fitting in. The bat skills and OBP are definitely exciting, but is he really starter material at 2B in the big leagues? Or is he more of a Ryan McKenna replacement, a guy who can backup CF and the IF off the bench? 19 home runs in 767 minor league AB, so he's not bringing power to the table. Thoughts? 

I know it's a lazy comp on my part, but I see him as a Eric Sogard type of player; Sogard was a high average/OBP top-of-the-order type MI in the minors, but he just doesn't have the power to be an everyday player. What takes away from Vavra's major league success chances I think is his position, and lack of being able to play SS (or apparently 3B because of his arm). When I think of fringe 2B/OF's who made successful MLB career runs with no power, I think of guys like Dee Gordon, but he had 80 grade speed for awhile and brought that value to replace the lack of power. Vavra doesn't have that. 

I am definitely rooting for him, but I'm not sure I'm optimistic about his ability to be a starting MLB player, and if he's not, I'm not sure how much value he really has to the big league team.

[interloper]

1 minute ago, CharmCityHokie said:

I know it's a lazy comp on my part, but I see him as a Eric Sogard type of player; Sogard was a high average/OBP top-of-the-order type MI in the minors, but he just doesn't have the power to be an everyday player. What takes away from Vavra's major league success chances I think is his position, and lack of being able to play SS (or apparently 3B because of his arm). When I think of fringe 2B/OF's who made successful MLB career runs with no power, I think of guys like Dee Gordon, but he had 80 grade speed for awhile and brought that value to replace the lack of power. Vavra doesn't have that. 

I am definitely rooting for him, but I'm not sure I'm optimistic about his ability to be a starting MLB player, and if he's not, I'm not sure how much value he really has to the big league team.

Yeah this is kind of how I feel right now. I definitely like him, it's just tough to see him unseating a guy like Urias. I think the spot for him is to replace Odor eventually. They both bat lefty, so you could play him just like they do Odor against righties, with Gutierrez sliding to the bench. I like that quite a bit because you're replacing Odor with a guy who has a much better chance to get on base. 

[wildcard]

I think Vavra gets 200 AB at Norfolk before they think of promoting him.   So June at least.

I need to see more of him before I can comment on where  he plays.    

[LookinUp]

I'd be getting really nervous if I were Ryan McKenna. I think Vavra will be a 4h OF and some 2b. Add Stowers to the mix and innings are really short in the OF even without Vavra. 

This is a good problem to have, but trades are going to have to be made here in the next few months. For sure.

[seak05]

I think/hope Vavra is the Owings/Gutierrez/Odor/McKenna (3 out of 4) replacement. Theoretically Urias can slide to 3b (and SS when Matteo needs a day off), and Vavra could slide to the OF when Hays/Mullins needs a day off. Keep in mind Orioles also have to drop two players at the end of April. You would need to keep someone other then Urias who could play 3b. Vavra hs a 50 grade arm though, I'm a little surprised he can't play any 3b. That definitely hurts him long terms, with his lack of power 

[OriolesMagic83]

How would Jahmai Jones be compared to Vavra as far as fitting in that super utility role.  It looks like Jones has been playing more OF. 

[ChuckS]

36 minutes ago, OriolesMagic83 said:

How would Jahmai Jones be compared to Vavra as far as fitting in that super utility role.  It looks like Jones has been playing more OF. 

Not well.  Also, I'm not sure I call someone who can just play two positions (2B and OF) a super utility.  

Vavra is a better fielder at both positions and probably a better hitter given his minor league track record. 

[OriolesMagic83]

33 minutes ago, ChuckS said:

Not well.  Also, I'm not sure I call someone who can just play two positions (2B and OF) a super utility.  

Vavra is a better fielder at both positions and probably a better hitter given his minor league track record. 

I thought Jones could play some 3rd.  Really need a utility guy who can play more than 2nd unless they can take McKenna's spot as 4th OF.

[OriolesMagic83]

2 minutes ago, OriolesMagic83 said:

I thought Jones could play some 3rd.  Really need a utility guy who can play more than 2nd unless they can take McKenna's spot as 4th OF.

Just checked, Jones has never played SS or 3B in the minors, so I'm sure he's not an option there in the majors. 

[ChuckS]

30 minutes ago, OriolesMagic83 said:

Just checked, Jones has never played SS or 3B in the minors, so I'm sure he's not an option there in the majors. 

Correct, I wasn't making up the fact that he is strictly a second baseman and outfielder. 

[waroriole]

2 hours ago, ChuckS said:

Not well.  Also, I'm not sure I call someone who can just play two positions (2B and OF) a super utility.  

Vavra is a better fielder at both positions and probably a better hitter given his minor league track record. 

If he can play CF, I’m sure he can play any Of position. I don’t know anything about his defense at any position though. 

[LookinUp]

14 hours ago, OriolesMagic83 said:

I thought Jones could play some 3rd.  Really need a utility guy who can play more than 2nd unless they can take McKenna's spot as 4th OF.

As of right now, Urias and Mateo are fighting with Vavra to eventually be utility guys, IMO. I like all three as depth guys. 

[MurphDogg]

2 minutes ago, LookinUp said:

As of right now, Urias and Mateo are fighting with Vavra to eventually be utility guys, IMO. I like all three as depth guys. 

A utility guy who can play a plus defensive shortstop is very different than one who cannot play shortstop at all. They are entirely different roles. 

[interloper]

49 minutes ago, MurphDogg said:

A utility guy who can play a plus defensive shortstop is very different than one who cannot play shortstop at all. They are entirely different roles. 

Yeah, Vavra's only real option on the ML active roster is to replace Odor as the left-handed hitting 2B, or McKenna as the backup CF. I'm down for either of those options. That's an upgrade on either roster spot IMO.