|
Post by xxdamgoodxx on Aug 8, 2013 9:29:13 GMT -5
Swihart has the chance to hit significantly better than .250. He's got the tool to hit .270-.280 with 10-15 homers and some great defense at the catcher position. Of course, it all depends on how his pitch recognition and his approach develop as he gets to the high minors, but as of now they are trending in the right direction. The case of Dan Butler is fascinating. He goes undrafted, UNDRAFTED, in a draft with 40 rounds and now he is shaping up to be the 3rd catcher come September. Bravo, Dan.
|
|
|
Post by semperfisox on Aug 9, 2013 7:51:41 GMT -5
.307/.359/.417
|
|
|
Post by threeifbaerga on Aug 9, 2013 8:30:24 GMT -5
Got the other two numbers right but his BA is still .287 according to both milb.com and b-ref.com.
For me I'm most impressed with the fact that Swihart is throwing out ~40% of potential base stealers on the season. For a kid who was supposed to be rough defensively (I understand that the running game is only part of the equation) it would be nice to have a catcher who could stop the Rays and Astros from stealing 5 bases a game.
|
|
|
Post by semperfisox on Aug 9, 2013 8:34:31 GMT -5
Got the other two numbers right but his BA is still .287 according to both milb.com and b-ref.com. For me I'm most impressed with the fact that Swihart is throwing out ~40% of potential base stealers on the season. For a kid who was supposed to be rough defensively (I understand that the running game is only part of the equation) it would be nice to have a catcher who could stop the Rays and Astros from stealing 5 bases a game. Got it from @jamesmdunne in "Cup of Coffee." news.soxprospects.com/2013/08/cup-of-coffee-swihart-leads-salem.html
|
|
|
Post by James Dunne on Aug 9, 2013 8:41:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the catch. I usually get my numbers from B-Ref, so I'm not sure where I found the .307.
|
|
|
Post by jdb on Aug 9, 2013 8:55:20 GMT -5
I wanted to pass along this tidbit from BP, where Jason Churchill had a piece about scouting a player's makeup. You can check it out here: www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=18874Anyway, the quote: A short survey of scouts from six clubs returned a handful of names of players in the minors and majors who are where they are not because of their physical abilities, but because of their makeup. Those names include Evan Longoria, Dustin Pedroia, Buster Posey, New Derek Jeter, and prospects Nick Franklin of the Seattle Mariners, Blake Swihart of the Red Sox and Drew Vettleson of the Rays. Pedroia is old news on such lists, but nice to see Swihart mentioned. Wanted to remind people of CHs original post in the thread. I love Swihart as a prospect and think he probably breaks into top 50s in the offseason.
|
|
|
Post by jdb on Aug 17, 2013 13:27:32 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by thelavarnwayguy on Aug 30, 2013 23:24:08 GMT -5
Swihart has hit .405 over the last 10 games. It seems that he makes a habit of finishing each year strong, which would seem to be to a degree unusual for a catcher who has played all year.
Why?
Could it be that other prospects get moved up faster as maybe being a catcher they keep him back a little to work more on his defense, which by all accounts is developing very well? The talent pool of pitching gets diluted a little and he starts excelling?
Or could it be that he just takes a while to make adjustments to each level but when he does he masters it eventually and stays on a consistent course of excellence. We've heard several times that he has excellent make up. He has a good team usa background but possibly not the advanced coaching of others while growing up in New Mexico. Learning a new position and such.
My instincts tell me that this kid is a fairly sure bet to be a stud. It will take him time to make it but he is still young and his athleticism is outstanding. They are taking their time with him but he is developing nicely. And I think the best is yet to be. He appears to be steadily improving. What a good sign that is.
|
|
|
Post by thelavarnwayguy on Aug 30, 2013 23:26:24 GMT -5
He's probably a lock for AA ball next year. I think this kid is going to continue to have helium. Possibly not at the start next year but he is on target for continual improvement.
|
|
|
Post by templeusox on Aug 31, 2013 2:10:12 GMT -5
Developing as a catcher AND a switch-hitter is one of the hardest things to do in baseball. If Swihart has a 100 OPS+ in the majors he'll be one of the ten best switch-hitting catchers to ever play. It's really difficult.
|
|
ericmvan
Veteran
Supposed to be working on something more important
Posts: 8,923
|
Post by ericmvan on Aug 31, 2013 4:30:45 GMT -5
Developing as a catcher AND a switch-hitter is one of the hardest things to do in baseball. If Swihart has a 100 OPS+ in the majors he'll be one of the ten best switch-hitting catchers to ever play. It's really difficult. His Davenport Peak Projection has gone from .233 last year to .256. Since the average for an MLB catcher is .252, that's an impressive feat for a guy learning the position defensively and reportedly doing a terrific job of it. Were he to make that much improvement at the plate over the rest of his minor league career, he'd project as the third best-hitting catcher in baseball after Mauer and Santana. Half as much, and he'd basically be giving you what Salty has this year (.271). Now, much of his 2013 improvement (relative to age and league, remember, above and beyond what is expected of any prospect as he moves up the ladder while growing a year older) looks like dealing better with travel, and it was all from the right side of the plate, so I wouldn't want to actually bet anything for or against further relative improvement. But given his talent and makeup, his upside is very clear.
|
|
|
Post by jdb on Sept 2, 2013 9:46:43 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by semperfisox on Sept 2, 2013 10:40:03 GMT -5
really amazing to have 2 stud catchers in our system.
|
|
|
Post by jmei on Jun 30, 2014 9:55:08 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jmei on Jul 2, 2014 18:52:21 GMT -5
Of note: so far this year, Swihart has significantly reduced his issues with platoon splits. Swihart is still destroyer of worlds versus lefties, but he's made himself a pretty good hitter versus righties, too, though his peripherals are still slightly imbalanced:
vs. L: .300/.347/.533, 8.2% K, 7.1% BB, .233 ISO vs. R: .306/.364/.463, 17.0% K, 8.5% BB, .157 ISO
|
|
|
Post by wskeleton76 on Jul 2, 2014 19:42:29 GMT -5
I am happy to see him becomes more patient at the plate.
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on Nov 21, 2014 13:13:42 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Mar 16, 2015 8:44:59 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by ibsmith85 on Mar 16, 2015 15:34:26 GMT -5
This article just makes Heathcliff Slocumb that much more enjoyable.
|
|
|
Post by rjp313jr on Mar 16, 2015 15:55:09 GMT -5
You can't post that here it's written by Tomase. Don't you know he's the devil?
|
|
ericmvan
Veteran
Supposed to be working on something more important
Posts: 8,923
|
Post by ericmvan on Mar 17, 2015 1:03:05 GMT -5
Here's a workable comp list for Swihart:
1) Best catching prospect in baseball, according to BA 2) Among the top 20 prospects overall, ditto 3) Not thought likely to end up at another position (i.e., Carlos Delgado and Jesus Montero).
Sandy Alomar Ivan Rodriguez Todd Hundley Javy Lopez Charles Johnson Ben Davis Joe Mauer Jarrod Saltalamacchia Matt Wieters Buster Posey Devin Mesoraco Mike Zunino
Nine All-Stars and 3 MVPs out of 11 or 12 guys (too soon to count out Zunino).
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on Mar 18, 2015 8:29:58 GMT -5
m.mlb.com/news/article/113014540/lyle-spencer-angels-outfielder-mike-trout-tops-list-of-most-coveted-playersThis is kind of crazy. You are starting a franchise with a focus on the future, not one season. Which three players, excluding those on your own team, would be your top choices? The question was put before 18 Major League executives and managers from 12 clubs in Arizona. Citing tampering concerns, they requested and were granted anonymity.Blake Swihart got one vote. Pretty high praise for a GM to want to build his team around Swihart.
|
|
|
Post by Oregon Norm on Mar 18, 2015 9:21:53 GMT -5
RAJr??
|
|
|
Post by rjp313jr on Mar 18, 2015 9:27:16 GMT -5
It is crazy... My two initial thoughts in Thai order were:
1. Wow that's cool, this kid is getting some attention.
2. Thank god that guy isn't in our front office.
Because lets be honest. That's just dumb.
|
|
|
Post by brianthetaoist on Mar 18, 2015 12:00:44 GMT -5
Not as dumb as this guy: "Adam Jones is a five-tool guy who comes to beat you every day and is a great leader," an NL GM said of the Orioles' center fielder. "I love Trout, but I just love Jones a little more."
Good lord ... how does someone like that get to be a GM?
|
|