11 Comments
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Gary Karr's avatar

Another reminder that hitting in AAA is just a lot different than in MLB.

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Blake Harris's avatar

Just makes us appreciate that hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports!

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Rocío A's avatar

J-Hair mentioned on SNLA the other day that Vargas has revamped his swing since AAA. He said it looks more like JD Martinez's swing and wish he would go back to his swing in AAA because that's where he had success. Did he tinker with his swing too much while training with JD in the offseason? I hope Vargas figures it out, I'm rooting for the kid.

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Blake Harris's avatar

I’ve been hearing a lot about his changed swing. I do wonder if they maybe try to revert back to his old ways. I trust the staff at the end of the day, but something isn’t working!

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David Dutcher's avatar

You cushion a lot of your rips with the reality of his youth; that’s reasonable. The caveat of being strong defensively up the middle with guys like Vargas & Rojas is that other guys have to pick up the slack offensively. Clearly, this isn’t Lux & Trea.

While I’ve enjoyed CT’s work over the years, he’s been awful again & doesn’t have the youth crutch. He’s probably a better target for your angst. Perhaps Rojas, too. Outman also has been on the serious down elevator for a while. Heyward has been meh. Persistent injuries (as usual) also takes protection away from weaker hitters. In short, let the kid find his way & realize that, as per normal, it’s a multi-sourced offensive issue, while his leather’s been an asset.

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Blake Harris's avatar

CT has been fantastic against LHP so at least he’s been valuable there. Heyward has also been an above average addition so far!

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David Dutcher's avatar

.206 & .235, respectively. I think concern should be addressed towards vets with mediocre performance, before young players with promise.

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Blake Harris's avatar

115 wRC+ for Heyward (100 is league average) so he’s been 15% better than the average player

130 wRC+ for CT3 against left-handed pitching.

Both guys are doing their jobs well

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David Dutcher's avatar

The franchise aspires for much more than what CT & Heyward are delivering. 15% anove the mean & success vs. only 40%-ish of the pitchers one faces are merely specious apologies. .206 & .235 are crap.

Granted, Heyward is unbelievably cheap. Concern is more appropriate with these vets than with youngs with upside & little experience at the MLB level. The difficulties that players like Vargas & Outman face represent the price paid for them learning on the fly.

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Baseball Geek's avatar

First, Austin Barnes is the worst hitter on the Dodgers followed by Trayce Thompson. Second, where are the famous hitting coaches helping him make his adjustments, and last where are his teammates.

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Blake Harris's avatar

Yup. Given the circumstances and expectations, Vargas has been the worst (if that makes sense)

We all knew Barnes would be horrible 😂

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