Adley as a RH batter? Not so great.

[spiritof66]

If the Orioles pick up or promote a back-up catcher who can hit a little right-handed, the number of Adley's ABs against lefties can be reduced by having platoon considerations factor into his rest days. 

[jamalshw]

2 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I know Vavra has his fans and it is nice to see someone with good plate discipline up there but I have doubts about his future in the majors.  He's really going to have to hit with that glove and I'm just not seeing the bat to ball skills so far.

Not to derail the thread too much, but I agree. He probably ends up a bench player, utility guy that gets some ABs as a pinch hitter, some in the OF and some at 2B. He can probably carve out a role in the majors (particularly on a team like the Orioles who may have a couple guys capable of playing SS and thus don't necessarily need a true back up SS in the utility role). 

Even so, Vavra or not, there's a chance of a bit of a hole against LHP and that is lessened if Adley is able to improve as a right handed hitter. 

[DrungoHazewood]

38 minutes ago, LA2 said:

Mullins had only 111 PAs vs. LHP before the switch from switching. But, of course, Cedric had time during his return to the minor leagues to work on the transition, which AR will not have. I can't imagine AR going to hitting from only one side 4-5 seasons into his career (i.e., after "600 or 800" PAs)--too much time for reps, learning, and adjustment lost. I would think the decision would have to be made by the end of the 2023 season, although my bet is that it will turn out to be unnecessary: he'll improve and besides we can rest him proportionately more against LHP if we need to and the back-up catcher has a decent RH bat.

Mullins had a long track record of not hitting well right handed in the minors.

[interloper]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

 

How about we just enjoy what we have for a second and see how he does over the next couple of years? 

Rare to hear this from you! I agree. 

Edited August 26, 2022 by interloper

[interloper]

One thing about Adley, you know he's going to work to improve this and likely succeed at improving it. 

[now]

5 hours ago, jamalshw said:

I am starting to have concerns about this team against LHP, not necessarily this year, but long term. At the start of the year, the team lacked too may lefty bats (one of the reasons Odor is here). But now that we swapped Mancini for Stowers, have Terrin Vavra looking for ABs and Gunnar Henderson on the horizon, this team has gotten lefty heavy all of a sudden. If we factor in Adley's struggles this year (and for chunks of his minor league career) against southpaws, there is a bit of a concern. Fortunately, Santander has even splits in his career and has been better against LHP this year than RHP, but going forward we really need Adley to improve against LHP. Of course, I think it's far to expect Urias, Mateo, Mountcastle and Hays always in the lineup against lefties and perhaps McKenna gets most of his ABs going forward spelling lefty OFers. As such, I may be overselling the issue a bit, but Adley improving against LHP certianly would go a long way. 

Looking forward, the O's top ten prospects per MLB are LH heavy at a 7:3 ratio:

L Henderson
L Holliday
L Cowser
R Westburg
R Mayo
L Beavers
L Stowers
L Kjerstad
R Norby 
L Basallo

[jdwilde1]

In 2021 Adley’s splits were:

v. LHP 350/439/621 1.060

v. RHP 256/377/449 .825
 

There was quite a bit of discussion about how Adley’s left handed swing was too long with too much of an uppercut.  In fact, I recall some people suggesting he give up batting from the left side. 

Mullins was an extreme  situation and is not an appropriate comp. 
 

Edited August 26, 2022 by jdwilde1
Typo

[jdwilde1]

In 2021 Adley’s splits were:

v. LHP 350/439/621 1.060

v. RHP 256/377/449 .825
 

There was quite a bit of discussion about how Adley’s left handed swing was too long with too much of an uppercut.  In fact, I recall some people suggesting he give up batting from the left side. 

Mullins was a pretty extreme  situation and is not an appropriate comp. 
 

[jdwilde1]

Here’s to Adley busting out from the right side the rest of the season!

 

Edited August 26, 2022 by jdwilde1

[Cheetos]

6 hours ago, spiritof66 said:

If the Orioles pick up or promote a back-up catcher who can hit a little right-handed, the number of Adley's ABs against lefties can be reduced by having platoon considerations factor into his rest days. 

Yup.  Wonder how well Aaron Judge frames a pitch?  

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Cheetos said:

Yup.  Wonder how well Aaron Judge frames a pitch?  

I doubt he sets a good target at the bottom of the zone.

[Frobby]

21 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

I doubt he sets a good target at the bottom of the zone.

He probably entirely blocks the umpire’s view.   And blots out the sun. 

[Ohfan67]

21 hours ago, jdwilde1 said:

Here’s to Adley busting out from the right side the rest of the season!

 

It is kind of amazing that he can kick it into another gear if he hits better from the right side. Fantastic  player. So glad he is an Oriole.