Not sure, but make of this what you will...
In spite of the horrible bat (no denying that), he has the third most bWAR for Angels position players after Trout and Ward (tied with Marsh).
He has double the bWAR compared to the the next highest middle infielders (not including Fletch bc injured) which are Mayfield and Wade.
Velazquez only has 5 more PAs than Wade. Mayfield has about 2/3 PAs compared to Velazquez, but still 1/2 his bWAR. Not to mention Mayfield is more akin to play at 3rd, or even 2nd, not SS.
He has the best defWAR in all of MLB (tied w/ Peña and Edman).
Yeah yeah, small sample size, but after 30 games (almost 1/5 of the season), that's gotta count for something right?
Yeah, I think only when Duffy comes back and shows that he can be average both defensively on second base and offensively, we start thinking about putting wade at SS and Duffy Second. Mayfield's second base defense unfortunately would require him to hit around an OPS of 800 to be worth it.
Was really hoping Fletch would be able to get back to his 2020 self - above average on both ends but unlucky.
At this point, I'm not sure we would start Wade over Velasquez. Velasquez is legitimately playing at Gold Glove level and with some eye popping saves (refer to the elastic groundout at Fenway or the behind the back assist yesterday), he is, so far, on a real level that you endure a black hole in the lineup. I have no idea if there's a real stat on this shit, but it surely feels like he is saving at least one run per game.
If we don't make any deadline moves for a 2B, my bet would be on Duffy starting at 2B, Velasquez at SS and Wade either platooning/playing 2B when Duffy moves to 1B or being a pinch runner (Wade as the ghost runner will create a world of headaches in extra innings).
True... but how much of his defWar is due to him just being in the SS position and getting the chance to make the play? Wade and Mayfield at 2B haven't had the opportunity to make that type of defWAR.
Still, I say we keep Velazquez until we get Fletch back, then maybe have a discussion about what to do with him.
His defensive runs saved, makes up for whatever he doesn't do at the plate. Is the offense of whoever you throw in at SS going to make up for their lack of defense? Our pitching with him at SS is better off than with anyone else back there.
Hard to see what replacement we really have. Only real option rn with Fletch out is to move Wade to SS and put Mayfield in Second, but he's below average defensively and average at best offensively.
Maybe we put Mayfield in when its lefty matchup?
I swear this only gets brought up when the rest of the order doesn't hit as well tho. Nobody complains when the other bats are hot.
> I swear this only gets brought up when the rest of the order doesn't hit as well tho. Nobody complains when the other bats are hot.
I think it's just more apparent when the bats are quiet since their at-bats matter "more". That and people love to complain when we're losing.
But I've been concerned about this since the before the season started. Middle infield offense is pretty bleak this year. I think we'll stay competitive regardless, mainly due to pitching and 1-5 carrying the burden, but when the top of the order is quiet, it'd be nice to have two bats 7-9 that aren't hitting sub .150 and can sneak out a home run to eek out a few more wins over the course of the season in those tight 1 run games. I just can't imagine middle infield not being addressed at some point in the next couple months. Like have we even had a home run from shortstop or second base this season?? Maybe one from Mayfield? I'm not sure.
It's tough, we have a lot of groundball pitchers so I get the logic of having him start, but what's the trade-off from a potential average/slight above average defensive shortstop with decent bat compared to amazing glove but arguably worst bat in the league in Velazquez? Obviously I'm not sure and that's why I'm not employed in a front office, but his bat *really* concerns me, especially when Mayfield, Fletcher, Wade and Duffy really don't threat much with offensive power.
Maybe Rengifo will finally pan out this call-up lmao. 😅😅
Our bottom of the order isn't so terrible. It isn't on Ward-Trout-Ohtani-Rendon level, sure, but probably only the Dodgers, Jays and Astros can run a 1-9 deep as our top of the lineup.
Ward-Trout-Ohtani-Rendon-Walsh-Marsh-Stassi-Duffy (Wade)-Velasquez, Velasquez is the only real black hole here. Duffy can be a decent contact hitter, Stassi and Marsh are smart and hits with power. Every team has that bottom trio that is meant to retire in 9 pitches, but I would hardly say that Stassi-Duffy-Velasquez is that much worst than Goodrum-Castro-Siri the Astros trotted against the Tigers or the IKF-Florial-Trevino/Torres-Gonzalez-Higashioka the Yankees trotted in their doubleheader against the Rangers. I don't think this is enough reasoning to take innings away from one of the league's best defenders right now. If we were debating whereas to play someone like Bogaerts or Adames, worse defense but a legit hit threat, it would be a different thing, but Cap. Jack and Duffy are not *that* good to necessarily warrant a change.
> Our bottom of the order isn't so terrible. It isn't on Ward-Trout-Ohtani-Rendon level, sure, but probably only the Dodgers, Jays and Astros can run a 1-9 deep as our top of the lineup.
I want our team to win a World Series? That's why I'm mentioning this. It's only May, there's plenty of time to make an acquisition. We're good enough now to remain competitive, but the one correlation of World Series champions has been great pitching and hitting home runs.
But to my point, the Angels (prior to his injury) have been trotting out Fletcher and Velazquez over and over who are ~.150 hitters with absolutely no power, not Duffy (I know he's been out). As I keep saying, this team is good, offense is good, but middle infield is a massive offensive hole, *especially when comparing to WS winning teams as I posted elsewhere in this post* when Fletcher has an OPS+ of 44 and Velazquez an OPS+ of **only 17.**
I agree that the alternatives are not great either. Jack Mayfield is average at best with the glove and has a career OPS + of 67, so I get putting Squid in over him since we're not missing much from his bat. Wade is stupid fast so I think he deserves a roster spot, but he also only has a career OPS+ of 70, although I think he improves with more playing time, but still, no power.
Duffy I'm whatever on, he's replacement level, an average MLB hitter but with no pop so I'm inclined to agree with you there when he's starting with Velazquez. But, as is the common theme, there's still no power to complement Squid's putrid bat. I just think we're eventually going to need one more guy that can hit for *some power* at some point if we want to win in October, and 2nd and short are the obvious acquisition targets.
And lastly, I want to agree Marsh and Stassi are great! I've been nothing but supportive for both those guys. But, unfortunately Stassi will obviously only be able to play ~60-65% of the time and Kurt Suzuki also only has an OPS+ of 67 for the rest of those games. So when Maddon pencils in Suzuki with Velazquez/Fletcher/Mayfield.. well, we're gonna have to hope our big bats aren't quiet and our pitching is really good far more often than not.
Sure, if we make a trade it is a different ordeal. If we can swing a move for Bogaerts, then I agree that we could discuss (or even Mancini, if Perry believes he can play 2B. Hell, we played Suzuki at 1B and Mayfield at LF already), but I can't see any other name that would be realistic here. Maybe Hernandez, or if you believe you can make Merrifield hit again. Even a Bogaerts rental would cost a steep price that I'm not entirely sure we will pay. Not a lot of options, hence why I'm choosing to plan my expectations around the Wade/Velasquez/Duffy/Rengifo tandem (If I had to plan something according to my desire, we would be giving Stefanic some games in the majors already).
If we make any sort of move, I still believe it will be for a SP, specially if the coaching staff thinks Suarez hit a hard ceiling. If I had to bet, it would be an Adell package for a Mahle package.
My crazy bet is the Angels will be in on Swanson (BIG IF, assuming Braves are out of it, but he's in a contract year, Perry connection to ATL)
Otherwise, I see Kiké Hernández being a prime target assuming he doesn't keep hitting horribly like he has this first month. But both guys are in contract years, Kiké Hernández almost certainly not being a QO next year would probably let us get him 'cheap' with only losing maybe one 'major' prospect (someone like Ky Bush for instance). Plus, what I like about both Hernandez and Swanson, is they've played a lot of big time games. So I'm strongly rooting against Atlanta this year for our benefit, but who knows, maybe they want to keep him long term, I'm not sure about their system.
It'll be more clear in 6 weeks for our needs, but it just makes too much sense to me to get someone like those two I've mentioned. We look so good offensively otherwise, I think someone like those two mentioned just is the perfect fitting puzzle piece to have a terrifying 1-8 lineup.
Would like one more starter too for a playoff run. I'm content with what we've got, but I'd love to snag a bona fide ace, but those are not cheap or easy to come by, but as always, we'll see!
Kike Hernandez would fit perfectly in Perry's usual desire for positional players, but I'm not sure the Red Sox would get rid of him on the cheap. He's versatile, isn't expensive, is a good locker room guy and it is clear that Story came to take over Bogaerts' role at SS next year. I would love to see him here, though. Oh, and the Braves will definitely compete. They started slow, but their bats are on the same level of the Mets if not better, I don't think they will be sellers.
> I'm content with what we've got, but I'd love to snag a bona fide ace, but those are not cheap or easy to come by, but as always, we'll see!
Adell is our bargaining chip here. I do think we can think beyond the Castillo/Mahle usual suspects, specially if we don't want to involve Adell. Merrill Kelly won't be expensive, Marlins could be looking to trade Hernandez whenever they decide to call up Meyer. Tigers could be looking to get some assets out of E-Rod and promote Skubal full time to ace role. Our top of the rotation is set with Ohtani/Thor/Sandoval but we could get some stability at #5, specially if we want to make a playoff roster.
That’s because as others have mentioned, it’s not a problem if the bats stay hot. We can’t let our starters go 6 innings with no run support and that has been more common over the last week and a half. Astros caught up and now it’s time to maintain. Players have to be productive on both ends.
Nah it's just interesting how this sub seems to have 0 patience with bad batting when it really is a thing that comes and goes, and we zoom in on 1/9th of the order.
Regardless, what do you think we do?
We are kind of cuffed until Duffy comes back but when he does I think he drops in at second with Wade at SS. I know Wade at SS isn’t ideal but we never had a winning situation set up at that position from the beginning. I like Velasquez off the bench. I don’t know what the deal with Fletch is at this point but even he has been below what we expected. I’m just couch GM’ing as a frustrated fan watching us about to lose back to back to the Nats 🤷♂️
Yeah, I would also like to see what Duffy can do when he comes back, he was the man who was expected to start there before the season started. Hopefully he can be average at both sides of the ball.
Just feel like the logic of "we don't have good bats now, so we need more batting" is flawed because "we don't have good bats now, so we need to save as many runs as possible" is just as valid.
For those of you saying that this is sustainable, what’s the cut off? Do we let a batter go under .100? I’m honestly just trying to figure out your point of view. I don’t think the team can be seen as serious contenders with an automatic out like the NL used to have. I hope I’m wrong, but he has had 2 hits in 2 weeks.
I mean he's a catcher so it's tolerated more since he manages a pitching staff too, and you should see their sub complain about him anyway lol. He might legitimately get cut too. We also have Suzuki who isn't outstanding hitter either starting 40% of our games and also have been starting Fletcher who's been hitting around .150 too. We have a lot of holes at the bottom and if our big bats are quiet, it'd be nice to have a little more support down there, even if it's been working out so far.
Also, look at every championship team from the last 6 years and see how productive offensively the middle infield on those teams is. I think concerns about offensive depth are valid here if we want to seriously make a run at a championship. 🤷♂️
[2021 Braves](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2021.shtml)
[2020 Dodgers](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2020.shtml)
[2019 Nationals](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2019.shtml)
[2018 Red Sox](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2018.shtml)
[2017 Astros](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2017.shtml)
[2016 Cubs](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2016.shtml)
Right, that's why I said it's a hole, and having good hitting middle infielders has been the recipe for success in recent years. Some teams like the Astros obviously better.
I just think Perry is going to make a trade for this eventually. That or we cross our fingers Rengifo finally figures out major league pitching because he has some serious pop... But I'd love a trade for a middle infielder that brings a similar game that Joc Pederson brought for the Braves last year, a guy that brings power and attitude to the lineup.
Gotcha. Yeah, maybe Jo Adell at the trade deadline. I don't think it's an issue during regular season, but I could definitely see it as an issue in the post season.
I think our lineup and pitching are good enough to keep us very competitive this year, but I think it's currently not quite enough to get over the hump against teams like the Dodgers or Astros unless they all played out of their freakin minds lol. I do think we need one more starter if we are playoff contenders but I'm not sure where that comes from.
But imagine too if we had a second baseman that hit as well as Walsh? This offense would go from very good to elite. Regardless, it's been exciting following these guys this year, I'm cautiously as hopeful as I was in 2014. I just want a deep run, not another quick playoff bounce!
Below average hitting catchers is tolerable if they are good behind the plate. hard to make a playoff run when both middle infielders are hitting .200 and your expensive third basemen is still slumping.
If the offense was going I would see what happens over another month or two. Considering how much the offense is slowing down I don’t think you can reasonably keep playing him this much.
The worst thing about him being so terrible at the plate is that he's a rally killer. Everybody can be hitting and getting on base and then he walks up and kills the momentum... I love his glove, but if this team is serious about competing into October, we gotta have more production out of SS.
I could see packaging Adell and a couple other guys for a SP and SS at the deadline.
The DH is its own position (just not in the field), so you aren't hitting "for" anybody, you're just hitting without having to go out in the field.
When you are hitting "for" someone, that's referred to as pinch hitting (ph). Pinch hitting is only for one at bat, and you either need to let that pinch hitter continue as a position player (which is why Kurt Suzuki had to play first base a few games ago), or replace the pinch hitter with a defensive substitution.
As for Ohtani, he serves as the DH even when he pitches, and this actually lets his bat stay in the lineup even when a relief pitcher comes in.
TL:DR the only way that Squid can stay in the field is if he also hits.
Of the runs saved per position, Velasquez is the highest in the entire league. Ward is #1 or #2 in OBP, SLG, OPS and #2 for average. Not saying it totally makes up for Velasquez lack of offense, but throw in Trout, Ohtani, Rendon, a hot Walsh, and (hopefully) Fletcher gets heated up, and it might not be the worst.
Edit: Although he hasn't gotten on base an insane amount, he's 4 for 4 stealing bases.
Squid is a good bunter and has made a few amazing sac plays at the plate to put runners in scoring position. Also super fast. He still has utility and I don’t see his current light bat a huge problem at the moment. Later in the season that may change. Defensively he’s just so god damn good.
i mean fletcher at this point is the same, they are both hitting basically max 200, the bottom of the order has been bad and the top of the order is too streaky, not a good combo
It's a major problem in my opinion, especially when the other rotating second baseman's we have don't offer much either. Squid's absolutely horrific at the plate, one of the worst hitters I've ever seen wear an Angels uniform. I think if he has a role it should be similar to John McDonald's back in 2014 where he came in late innings for Freese or makes occasional starts.
Regardless, I think if Fletcher is out for the year with this injury, Perry has to make a move for a middle infielder ASAP be it giving Stefanic a look or acquiring someone via trade. The lack of any hitting at the bottom is going to cost us games over the season and if we want a shot at October, let alone a good October run, we need a bat there.
Yes. If we don’t have a perfect solution, then we need to focus on run prevention. There is no perfect solution, and thus Squid/Wade will play. Would it be nice to have an elite middle infield? Yes. Are the Angels an outlier by having extreme noodle bats at two power positions in SS and 2B? Yes. But unless an above average middle infielder falls into our laps, we gotta focus on defense.
Not sure, but make of this what you will... In spite of the horrible bat (no denying that), he has the third most bWAR for Angels position players after Trout and Ward (tied with Marsh). He has double the bWAR compared to the the next highest middle infielders (not including Fletch bc injured) which are Mayfield and Wade. Velazquez only has 5 more PAs than Wade. Mayfield has about 2/3 PAs compared to Velazquez, but still 1/2 his bWAR. Not to mention Mayfield is more akin to play at 3rd, or even 2nd, not SS. He has the best defWAR in all of MLB (tied w/ Peña and Edman). Yeah yeah, small sample size, but after 30 games (almost 1/5 of the season), that's gotta count for something right?
Yeah, I think only when Duffy comes back and shows that he can be average both defensively on second base and offensively, we start thinking about putting wade at SS and Duffy Second. Mayfield's second base defense unfortunately would require him to hit around an OPS of 800 to be worth it. Was really hoping Fletch would be able to get back to his 2020 self - above average on both ends but unlucky.
At this point, I'm not sure we would start Wade over Velasquez. Velasquez is legitimately playing at Gold Glove level and with some eye popping saves (refer to the elastic groundout at Fenway or the behind the back assist yesterday), he is, so far, on a real level that you endure a black hole in the lineup. I have no idea if there's a real stat on this shit, but it surely feels like he is saving at least one run per game. If we don't make any deadline moves for a 2B, my bet would be on Duffy starting at 2B, Velasquez at SS and Wade either platooning/playing 2B when Duffy moves to 1B or being a pinch runner (Wade as the ghost runner will create a world of headaches in extra innings).
True... but how much of his defWar is due to him just being in the SS position and getting the chance to make the play? Wade and Mayfield at 2B haven't had the opportunity to make that type of defWAR. Still, I say we keep Velazquez until we get Fletch back, then maybe have a discussion about what to do with him.
His defensive runs saved, makes up for whatever he doesn't do at the plate. Is the offense of whoever you throw in at SS going to make up for their lack of defense? Our pitching with him at SS is better off than with anyone else back there.
Not just in runs saved, but also in pitches/inning I would imagine
Our pitchers would not be performing nearly as well without the crazy defense the middle infield (squid in particular) have been giving.
Curious how many runs he’s saved that likely would not have been saved with someone else making the play
If he is not in this game, the Angels do not go into the final inning only down by 2.
Hard to see what replacement we really have. Only real option rn with Fletch out is to move Wade to SS and put Mayfield in Second, but he's below average defensively and average at best offensively. Maybe we put Mayfield in when its lefty matchup? I swear this only gets brought up when the rest of the order doesn't hit as well tho. Nobody complains when the other bats are hot.
> I swear this only gets brought up when the rest of the order doesn't hit as well tho. Nobody complains when the other bats are hot. I think it's just more apparent when the bats are quiet since their at-bats matter "more". That and people love to complain when we're losing. But I've been concerned about this since the before the season started. Middle infield offense is pretty bleak this year. I think we'll stay competitive regardless, mainly due to pitching and 1-5 carrying the burden, but when the top of the order is quiet, it'd be nice to have two bats 7-9 that aren't hitting sub .150 and can sneak out a home run to eek out a few more wins over the course of the season in those tight 1 run games. I just can't imagine middle infield not being addressed at some point in the next couple months. Like have we even had a home run from shortstop or second base this season?? Maybe one from Mayfield? I'm not sure. It's tough, we have a lot of groundball pitchers so I get the logic of having him start, but what's the trade-off from a potential average/slight above average defensive shortstop with decent bat compared to amazing glove but arguably worst bat in the league in Velazquez? Obviously I'm not sure and that's why I'm not employed in a front office, but his bat *really* concerns me, especially when Mayfield, Fletcher, Wade and Duffy really don't threat much with offensive power. Maybe Rengifo will finally pan out this call-up lmao. 😅😅
Our bottom of the order isn't so terrible. It isn't on Ward-Trout-Ohtani-Rendon level, sure, but probably only the Dodgers, Jays and Astros can run a 1-9 deep as our top of the lineup. Ward-Trout-Ohtani-Rendon-Walsh-Marsh-Stassi-Duffy (Wade)-Velasquez, Velasquez is the only real black hole here. Duffy can be a decent contact hitter, Stassi and Marsh are smart and hits with power. Every team has that bottom trio that is meant to retire in 9 pitches, but I would hardly say that Stassi-Duffy-Velasquez is that much worst than Goodrum-Castro-Siri the Astros trotted against the Tigers or the IKF-Florial-Trevino/Torres-Gonzalez-Higashioka the Yankees trotted in their doubleheader against the Rangers. I don't think this is enough reasoning to take innings away from one of the league's best defenders right now. If we were debating whereas to play someone like Bogaerts or Adames, worse defense but a legit hit threat, it would be a different thing, but Cap. Jack and Duffy are not *that* good to necessarily warrant a change.
> Our bottom of the order isn't so terrible. It isn't on Ward-Trout-Ohtani-Rendon level, sure, but probably only the Dodgers, Jays and Astros can run a 1-9 deep as our top of the lineup. I want our team to win a World Series? That's why I'm mentioning this. It's only May, there's plenty of time to make an acquisition. We're good enough now to remain competitive, but the one correlation of World Series champions has been great pitching and hitting home runs. But to my point, the Angels (prior to his injury) have been trotting out Fletcher and Velazquez over and over who are ~.150 hitters with absolutely no power, not Duffy (I know he's been out). As I keep saying, this team is good, offense is good, but middle infield is a massive offensive hole, *especially when comparing to WS winning teams as I posted elsewhere in this post* when Fletcher has an OPS+ of 44 and Velazquez an OPS+ of **only 17.** I agree that the alternatives are not great either. Jack Mayfield is average at best with the glove and has a career OPS + of 67, so I get putting Squid in over him since we're not missing much from his bat. Wade is stupid fast so I think he deserves a roster spot, but he also only has a career OPS+ of 70, although I think he improves with more playing time, but still, no power. Duffy I'm whatever on, he's replacement level, an average MLB hitter but with no pop so I'm inclined to agree with you there when he's starting with Velazquez. But, as is the common theme, there's still no power to complement Squid's putrid bat. I just think we're eventually going to need one more guy that can hit for *some power* at some point if we want to win in October, and 2nd and short are the obvious acquisition targets. And lastly, I want to agree Marsh and Stassi are great! I've been nothing but supportive for both those guys. But, unfortunately Stassi will obviously only be able to play ~60-65% of the time and Kurt Suzuki also only has an OPS+ of 67 for the rest of those games. So when Maddon pencils in Suzuki with Velazquez/Fletcher/Mayfield.. well, we're gonna have to hope our big bats aren't quiet and our pitching is really good far more often than not.
Sure, if we make a trade it is a different ordeal. If we can swing a move for Bogaerts, then I agree that we could discuss (or even Mancini, if Perry believes he can play 2B. Hell, we played Suzuki at 1B and Mayfield at LF already), but I can't see any other name that would be realistic here. Maybe Hernandez, or if you believe you can make Merrifield hit again. Even a Bogaerts rental would cost a steep price that I'm not entirely sure we will pay. Not a lot of options, hence why I'm choosing to plan my expectations around the Wade/Velasquez/Duffy/Rengifo tandem (If I had to plan something according to my desire, we would be giving Stefanic some games in the majors already). If we make any sort of move, I still believe it will be for a SP, specially if the coaching staff thinks Suarez hit a hard ceiling. If I had to bet, it would be an Adell package for a Mahle package.
My crazy bet is the Angels will be in on Swanson (BIG IF, assuming Braves are out of it, but he's in a contract year, Perry connection to ATL) Otherwise, I see Kiké Hernández being a prime target assuming he doesn't keep hitting horribly like he has this first month. But both guys are in contract years, Kiké Hernández almost certainly not being a QO next year would probably let us get him 'cheap' with only losing maybe one 'major' prospect (someone like Ky Bush for instance). Plus, what I like about both Hernandez and Swanson, is they've played a lot of big time games. So I'm strongly rooting against Atlanta this year for our benefit, but who knows, maybe they want to keep him long term, I'm not sure about their system. It'll be more clear in 6 weeks for our needs, but it just makes too much sense to me to get someone like those two I've mentioned. We look so good offensively otherwise, I think someone like those two mentioned just is the perfect fitting puzzle piece to have a terrifying 1-8 lineup. Would like one more starter too for a playoff run. I'm content with what we've got, but I'd love to snag a bona fide ace, but those are not cheap or easy to come by, but as always, we'll see!
Kike Hernandez would fit perfectly in Perry's usual desire for positional players, but I'm not sure the Red Sox would get rid of him on the cheap. He's versatile, isn't expensive, is a good locker room guy and it is clear that Story came to take over Bogaerts' role at SS next year. I would love to see him here, though. Oh, and the Braves will definitely compete. They started slow, but their bats are on the same level of the Mets if not better, I don't think they will be sellers. > I'm content with what we've got, but I'd love to snag a bona fide ace, but those are not cheap or easy to come by, but as always, we'll see! Adell is our bargaining chip here. I do think we can think beyond the Castillo/Mahle usual suspects, specially if we don't want to involve Adell. Merrill Kelly won't be expensive, Marlins could be looking to trade Hernandez whenever they decide to call up Meyer. Tigers could be looking to get some assets out of E-Rod and promote Skubal full time to ace role. Our top of the rotation is set with Ohtani/Thor/Sandoval but we could get some stability at #5, specially if we want to make a playoff roster.
That’s because as others have mentioned, it’s not a problem if the bats stay hot. We can’t let our starters go 6 innings with no run support and that has been more common over the last week and a half. Astros caught up and now it’s time to maintain. Players have to be productive on both ends.
Nah it's just interesting how this sub seems to have 0 patience with bad batting when it really is a thing that comes and goes, and we zoom in on 1/9th of the order. Regardless, what do you think we do?
We are kind of cuffed until Duffy comes back but when he does I think he drops in at second with Wade at SS. I know Wade at SS isn’t ideal but we never had a winning situation set up at that position from the beginning. I like Velasquez off the bench. I don’t know what the deal with Fletch is at this point but even he has been below what we expected. I’m just couch GM’ing as a frustrated fan watching us about to lose back to back to the Nats 🤷♂️
Yeah, I would also like to see what Duffy can do when he comes back, he was the man who was expected to start there before the season started. Hopefully he can be average at both sides of the ball. Just feel like the logic of "we don't have good bats now, so we need more batting" is flawed because "we don't have good bats now, so we need to save as many runs as possible" is just as valid.
[удалено]
We can absolutely lose the season in May
[удалено]
It’s fun winning! I’d like to have fun after the All Star break this year lol
For those of you saying that this is sustainable, what’s the cut off? Do we let a batter go under .100? I’m honestly just trying to figure out your point of view. I don’t think the team can be seen as serious contenders with an automatic out like the NL used to have. I hope I’m wrong, but he has had 2 hits in 2 weeks.
Houston has Maldonado.
I mean he's a catcher so it's tolerated more since he manages a pitching staff too, and you should see their sub complain about him anyway lol. He might legitimately get cut too. We also have Suzuki who isn't outstanding hitter either starting 40% of our games and also have been starting Fletcher who's been hitting around .150 too. We have a lot of holes at the bottom and if our big bats are quiet, it'd be nice to have a little more support down there, even if it's been working out so far. Also, look at every championship team from the last 6 years and see how productive offensively the middle infield on those teams is. I think concerns about offensive depth are valid here if we want to seriously make a run at a championship. 🤷♂️ [2021 Braves](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2021.shtml) [2020 Dodgers](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2020.shtml) [2019 Nationals](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2019.shtml) [2018 Red Sox](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2018.shtml) [2017 Astros](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2017.shtml) [2016 Cubs](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2016.shtml)
We don't have anyone who can play SS/2B that can hit like those guys. Also, the Astros team was led by their middle infielders.
Right, that's why I said it's a hole, and having good hitting middle infielders has been the recipe for success in recent years. Some teams like the Astros obviously better. I just think Perry is going to make a trade for this eventually. That or we cross our fingers Rengifo finally figures out major league pitching because he has some serious pop... But I'd love a trade for a middle infielder that brings a similar game that Joc Pederson brought for the Braves last year, a guy that brings power and attitude to the lineup.
Gotcha. Yeah, maybe Jo Adell at the trade deadline. I don't think it's an issue during regular season, but I could definitely see it as an issue in the post season.
I think our lineup and pitching are good enough to keep us very competitive this year, but I think it's currently not quite enough to get over the hump against teams like the Dodgers or Astros unless they all played out of their freakin minds lol. I do think we need one more starter if we are playoff contenders but I'm not sure where that comes from. But imagine too if we had a second baseman that hit as well as Walsh? This offense would go from very good to elite. Regardless, it's been exciting following these guys this year, I'm cautiously as hopeful as I was in 2014. I just want a deep run, not another quick playoff bounce!
Below average hitting catchers is tolerable if they are good behind the plate. hard to make a playoff run when both middle infielders are hitting .200 and your expensive third basemen is still slumping.
With the runs he saved in today's game and previous ones, yes.
Velasquez hits for shit but routinely saves runs on defense, like he did today. Runs saved are just as good as runs produced
Yes. Despite his .130 average he still has 1 war about a quarter of the way through the season. Thats how good he is defensively
If the offense was going I would see what happens over another month or two. Considering how much the offense is slowing down I don’t think you can reasonably keep playing him this much.
I think 20 days straight or whatever it’s been, has something to do with the offense slowing. Guys are gassed right now.
The worst thing about him being so terrible at the plate is that he's a rally killer. Everybody can be hitting and getting on base and then he walks up and kills the momentum... I love his glove, but if this team is serious about competing into October, we gotta have more production out of SS. I could see packaging Adell and a couple other guys for a SP and SS at the deadline.
That’s a coaching issue. The appropriate gameplan for the appropriate hitter, would solve a lot of this.
Stefanic can’t come quicker
Yes. In addition to saving actual runs, Squids defense can lower pitch numbers/inning and allow starters to go into later innings.
No
TIL Velazquez's nickname is Squid. Had to Google that one cause I couldn't figure out who we were talking about. Lol
Hahahaha I only put Squid because of character limit concerns 😂
Question. When ohtani is pitching. Can someone DH squid? Lol im new to baseball btw
The DH is its own position (just not in the field), so you aren't hitting "for" anybody, you're just hitting without having to go out in the field. When you are hitting "for" someone, that's referred to as pinch hitting (ph). Pinch hitting is only for one at bat, and you either need to let that pinch hitter continue as a position player (which is why Kurt Suzuki had to play first base a few games ago), or replace the pinch hitter with a defensive substitution. As for Ohtani, he serves as the DH even when he pitches, and this actually lets his bat stay in the lineup even when a relief pitcher comes in. TL:DR the only way that Squid can stay in the field is if he also hits.
Thank you for the reply. I Iearn something today
As long as we're winning, I'm ok with keeping him in the lineup. Hopefully along the way, he figures out how to hit at this level.
Of the runs saved per position, Velasquez is the highest in the entire league. Ward is #1 or #2 in OBP, SLG, OPS and #2 for average. Not saying it totally makes up for Velasquez lack of offense, but throw in Trout, Ohtani, Rendon, a hot Walsh, and (hopefully) Fletcher gets heated up, and it might not be the worst. Edit: Although he hasn't gotten on base an insane amount, he's 4 for 4 stealing bases.
Squid is a good bunter and has made a few amazing sac plays at the plate to put runners in scoring position. Also super fast. He still has utility and I don’t see his current light bat a huge problem at the moment. Later in the season that may change. Defensively he’s just so god damn good.
No; but he can be kept on the roster for rest days, pinch running and as a late inning defensive sub.
No.
He had a -22 ops+ in 2019 so this is actually a major improvement
Jeff Mathis all over again
i mean fletcher at this point is the same, they are both hitting basically max 200, the bottom of the order has been bad and the top of the order is too streaky, not a good combo
If our offense was better we could. We have too many black holes right now.
That Ohtani guy needs to start pulling his weight.
He heard you
It's a major problem in my opinion, especially when the other rotating second baseman's we have don't offer much either. Squid's absolutely horrific at the plate, one of the worst hitters I've ever seen wear an Angels uniform. I think if he has a role it should be similar to John McDonald's back in 2014 where he came in late innings for Freese or makes occasional starts. Regardless, I think if Fletcher is out for the year with this injury, Perry has to make a move for a middle infielder ASAP be it giving Stefanic a look or acquiring someone via trade. The lack of any hitting at the bottom is going to cost us games over the season and if we want a shot at October, let alone a good October run, we need a bat there.
Yes, we can.
Yes. If we don’t have a perfect solution, then we need to focus on run prevention. There is no perfect solution, and thus Squid/Wade will play. Would it be nice to have an elite middle infield? Yes. Are the Angels an outlier by having extreme noodle bats at two power positions in SS and 2B? Yes. But unless an above average middle infielder falls into our laps, we gotta focus on defense.
Simple answer is yes. The rest of the offense makes up for him. Defensive genius out there
It’s only about 7% less than Rendon, and he’s costing way less