Heston Kjerstad 2023

[DirtyBird]

5 minutes ago, deward said:

The 5 K's in 13 AB would definitely suggest that he's got some adjusting to do. And while I think HK has easy power to all fields, it's worth noting that last night's HR snuck into the first row of the cheapest LF in baseball. It's hard not to be happy with the early results though, and I haven't seen anything to move me off my expectation that he becomes a force in the middle of the lineup.

And he had 2 outs with xBA of .890 and .820. Things even out.

[Aristotelian]

8 minutes ago, DirtyBird said:

12 pitchers is plenty for the playoffs. Especially a 5 game series.

That could work. For what it's worth, 3 of the last 4 WS teams went with 13/13. 

 

[DirtyBird]

6 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Gold Glove at 3B is a pretty spectacular trait.

Has that glove been gold the past 2 weeks?

[Mooreisbetter27]

4 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Gold Glove at 3B is a pretty spectacular trait.

Except that he isn't gold glove this year.  He's -7 OAA at 3B this year.  And -1 DRS at 3B.  

[deward]

4 minutes ago, DirtyBird said:

And he had 2 outs with xBA of .890 and .820. Things even out.

True enough.

[Pickles]

12 minutes ago, deward said:

The 5 K's in 13 AB would definitely suggest that he's got some adjusting to do. And while I think HK has easy power to all fields, it's worth noting that last night's HR snuck into the first row of the cheapest LF in baseball. It's hard not to be happy with the early results though, and I haven't seen anything to move me off my expectation that he becomes a force in the middle of the lineup.

He looks good.  But we shouldn't be exalting anybody over their first 13 plate appearances nor burying anybody over their first 50.

But this kid looks the part for sure.

[Just Regular]

Kjerstad v. Hicks will be a juicy deployment choice to watch unroll the next few days and weeks.

Small Sample Theater:

3 barrels through 13 PA is a very red 23.1 Brls/PA%.     He's 1st in MLB in Avg EV.     He does lag Ronald Acuna in PA by 694-13, but has nipped him for the moment with an xwOBA around .470.

Today I'm interested to see 5 more PA against Cristian Javier and HOU RH relievers to see what happens.

It would be a great moment in You Can't Predict Baseball to time machine back to Memorial Day Mike Elias, give him that first sip of coffee data but also tell him Aaron Hicks will be ahead of him on your depth chart.

[btdart20]

1 hour ago, Just Regular said:

Kjerstad v. Hicks will be a juicy deployment choice to watch unroll the next few days and weeks.

Small Sample Theater:

3 barrels through 13 PA is a very red 23.1 Brls/PA%.     He's 1st in MLB in Avg EV.     He does lag Ronald Acuna in PA by 694-13, but has nipped him for the moment with an xwOBA around .470.

Today I'm interested to see 5 more PA against Cristian Javier and HOU RH relievers to see what happens.

It would be a great moment in You Can't Predict Baseball to time machine back to Memorial Day Mike Elias, give him that first sip of coffee data but also tell him Aaron Hicks will be ahead of him on your depth chart.

A:  The PA comparison of Acuna-HK made me laugh.

B:  I almost put Hicks in my debate but think the switch-hitter/CF experience as an MLBer gives him the tie-breaker.  But yeah, the last few spots on the bench are competitive and each have some "it" factor.

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

 

[baltfan]

18 minutes ago, OsFanSinceThe80s said:

 

The 98.3 was the homer last night.

[Just Regular]

Since 2000, here are some wRC+ results of LH outfielders who hit well, a kind of ladder for any LF/RF to climb as far as they can:

203, Bonds

165, Yordan

153, Soto

145, Berkman

141, Bryce

136, B. Giles      -     '23 Aaron Hicks is here now, O'Hearn 2 points behind

132, Tucker

129, JD Drew     -     '23 Gunnar is at 126 midway between here and Luis Gonzalez

124, Luis Gonzalez

121, Schwarber     -     '23 Adley is here

116, Zobrist       -      '23 Santander and Hays are 1-2 points ahead of here

112, Raul Ibanez

108, Markakis/Santander

103, Kepler

100, A. Hicks

 

 

[DirtyBird]

Sorry if already discussed, is Heston definitely eligible for the playoff roster?

[Aristotelian]

1 hour ago, DirtyBird said:

Sorry if already discussed, is Heston definitely eligible for the playoff roster?

He replaced Vavra so I believe the commish would have to sign off, but in principle, yes.

[wildcard]

4 hours ago, Mooreisbetter27 said:

Except that he isn't gold glove this year.  He's -7 OAA at 3B this year.  And -1 DRS at 3B.  

I am very comfortable with Urias at 3B.  His reflexes are so good there he catches balls that others would not.   I agree he has not been as good as last year.  But still above average 3B for me.  His offensive power has dropped which may cost him this off season.  He is arbitration eligible.

Gunnar was not as good at 3B as at SS to start the season.  But he has improved at both positions during the season.

Westburg looks very good at 2B but he does not have Urias reflexes at 3B from what I have seen.

I am looking forward to seeing Ortiz at 3B.  The reports of his defense give me hope he can be as good as Urias at 3B defensively and hit better.

Edited September 20, 2023 by wildcard

[Frobby]

5 hours ago, wildcard said:

Where is the adjustment period that Gunnar, Adley, Westburg went through?

We’ll see.  Sone guys don’t have one.  Other guys start hot, then the league figures them out and they cool off.  Let’s not forget, Gunnar’s adjustment period wasn’t in his first major league at bats.  He hit very well last September but still needed an adjustment period this year.  

Edited September 20, 2023 by Frobby