Hays' CF Defense

[banks703]

4 minutes ago, CaptainRedbeard said:

This isn’t about Cowser v. Kjerstad - in fact, it’s the opposite. It’s about whether Hays can play CF effectively enough that we don’t need to devote a roster spot to a backup CF like McKenna, so that we can accommodate both Cowser and Kjerstad. 

While we have Hicks it doesn’t matter, because he’s probably a better CF than Hays and a good enough hitter. But between these choices when Mullins is out of the lineup, which is better?

1. Hays CF, Cowser LF, Kjerstad RF or DH

2. McKenna CF, Hays LF, Cowser or Kjerstad RF or DH (with the other of Cowser/Kjerstad in AAA)

I know I like #1 better. For next year certainly and for September & playoffs if we don’t have Hicks. 

A lot of folks will point to the advanced stats and will be overly critical of Hays as an OF. He looks perfectly capable to me on the defensive side of the ball though in all three outfield spots and a lot of us forget that he came through the system as a CF and had it not been for Mullins breaking out a few years back, it would have been Hays in center.

I think he's fine to man center for short stretches but I also think that by putting him out there you have to expect that he's going to play more aggressive and his risk of injury increases.

As far as the two options that you posted, defensively McKenna in CF, Hays in LF and Cowser in RF is the best alignment if Ced is not in the lineup. 

Cowser can play center but as much as I have argued that he is capable of playing out there (he is) McKenna is a better defensive CF, when he's not dropping balls and his focus is in the game. 

I don't think that we will ever see an outfield alignment with both Kjerstad and Cowser playing out there together. Kjerstad is destined for 1B. If we think that Cowser looks iffy in the OF, or Ant.. Kjerstad is going to be a tick below Ant. You can put him out there and he's not going to completely butcher your D but he's also not going to do you any favors. 

[CaptainRedbeard]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

It does cost a 40 man slot.  I don't think that should be a deal breaker but it is a factor.

And Kjerstad is Rule 5 eligible this offseason, so it only burns the 40-man slot right now. They have a number of candidates who could be removed (or moved to the 60-day IL). 

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, CaptainRedbeard said:

And Kjerstad is Rule 5 eligible this offseason, so it only burns the 40-man slot right now. They have a number of candidates who could be removed (or moved to the 60-day IL). 

I know, and I'm not disagreeing with you.

But GM's tend to value their 40 man slots.  I think Elias has shown a tendency in the past to keep flotsam around.

[CaptainRedbeard]

1 hour ago, banks703 said:

A lot of folks will point to the advanced stats and will be overly critical of Hays as an OF. He looks perfectly capable to me on the defensive side of the ball though in all three outfield spots and a lot of us forget that he came through the system as a CF and had it not been for Mullins breaking out a few years back, it would have been Hays in center.

I think he's fine to man center for short stretches but I also think that by putting him out there you have to expect that he's going to play more aggressive and his risk of injury increases.

As far as the two options that you posted, defensively McKenna in CF, Hays in LF and Cowser in RF is the best alignment if Ced is not in the lineup. 

Cowser can play center but as much as I have argued that he is capable of playing out there (he is) McKenna is a better defensive CF, when he's not dropping balls and his focus is in the game. 

I don't think that we will ever see an outfield alignment with both Kjerstad and Cowser playing out there together. Kjerstad is destined for 1B. If we think that Cowser looks iffy in the OF, or Ant.. Kjerstad is going to be a tick below Ant. You can put him out there and he's not going to completely butcher your D but he's also not going to do you any favors. 

Defensively of course it’s better if McKenna is playing, but he has to hit too! I think the difference between his bat and Cowser/Kjerstad more than makes up for the loss of defense. 

[SilverRocket]

 

[Can_of_corn]

This was just being discussed on here yesterday right?

 

[Sports Guy]

So, we aren’t DFA’ing Mateo I see?

[Can_of_corn]

4 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

So, we aren’t DFA’ing Mateo I see?

Maybe he'll provide more value in a position he's barely played than he does at the position he's played his whole life?

[deward]

6 hours ago, banks703 said:

I don't think that we will ever see an outfield alignment with both Kjerstad and Cowser playing out there together. Kjerstad is destined for 1B. If we think that Cowser looks iffy in the OF, or Ant.. Kjerstad is going to be a tick below Ant. You can put him out there and he's not going to completely butcher your D but he's also not going to do you any favors. 

If Kjerstad can play an acceptable RF then it makes much more sense to leave 1B open for Mayo.

[Fan4Life]

[AnythingO's]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

Maybe he'll provide more value in a position he's barely played than he does at the position he's played his whole life?

He was playing CF in SD before we got Jim. Don't know how many reps but with his speed and arm it makes sense to try before DFS. He could be Util IF and  OF for 1 roster slot

 

[2001OriolesFan]

Hays would be fine in center field.  IF you watch TV or even a game in person, you probaby are not watching the outfielder at the time the ball is pitched and then batted.  Hays and McKenna both, are starting their run as the ball is hit. They get up to speed quickly and have fluid running motions. They take the proper path to the ball and make a lot of catches in stride wtihout having to lunch the last 10 feet.  Left field in Camden Yards is now huge and if you can play left, you can play center. 

An interesting read. Note the comment that center is the easiest position to play because of the nature of balls hit there. .https://probaseballinsider.com/baseball-instruction/outfield/outfield-2-tracking-fly-balls/

Interesting: where do balls to the outfield go?https://www.pitcherlist.com/going-deep-batted-ball-direction-and-baseball-savants-xstats/

 

[CaptainRedbeard]

Mateo as the backup CF is pretty much the only way he can stay on the roster next season if they don’t trade another infielder.  Maybe he can give you about Ryan McKenna value out there, and is a more valuable bench piece otherwise because of SS and pinch runner? But they won’t really need him as a SS and he’s such a bad hitter that the defensive bar for him will be very high for that to make sense. 

Still much rather have Hays as the backup CF and use that roster spot on a better player. Or if they want a better defensive CF, get a better overall player than Mateo or McKenna from outside the organization.

[Bahama O's Fan]

So...dud Hays get badly hurt on the catch in the ninth?

[AdamK]

1 hour ago, Bahama O's Fan said:

So...dud Hays get badly hurt on the catch in the ninth?

Hopefully just road rash from sliding across the Dura Trax. Was glad he could catch it and thrilled he didn't have to head first it and rake hands over the crushed stone, but geez... Must not feel great.