1B COMPARISONS

[BC867]

It has been reported that Torey Lovullo has promised Chris Walker that he will have 400 more
at-bats this season. It is difficult to see how he can promise that, considering that Jake Lamb
is beginning rehab and with the emergence of Kevin Cron. They are all in their mid to upper 20's.

And they are all primarily 1B now. It is difficult to do a strict comparison of their stats. For
Lamb, I took his Major League average for full seasons. For Walker, I projected his stats for
a full season. And for Cron, I used his Minor League stats, but only 2 seasons of AAA.

You must be registered for see images attach

What will Torey do? A 3-way rotation decided weeks in advance? A lefty-righty platoon?
Send Cron back to the Minors, even though he is potentially the best choice to play 1B?

It will be interesting, and probably frustrating, to see how the Manager handles it.

 

[overseascardfan]

I thought it was mentioned that Lamb would go back to 3B when he comes back or was that just speculation?

 

[BC867]

I thought it was mentioned that Lamb would go back to 3B when he comes back or was that just speculation?

That was before Escobar at 3B emerged as our best run producer. He was the last one, yesterday, to receive a mandaTOREY day off, only when Peralta came back.

Escobar has twice as many RBI's as Walker (who is sixth). Walker leads the team in strikeouts. It would make more sense for Lamb to replace Walker at 1B.

Of course, my choice is that Lamb and Walker would both go, because neither of them should stand in the way of Cron at 1B.

Keeping Lamb as backup 1B/3B might be an idea, but (A) Lamb's fielding at 3B sucks and (B) it would be better for the team to trade rather than demote him.
Lamb and Walker might bring us a good starting pitcher in a trade.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[overseascardfan]

That was before Escobar at 3B emerged as our best run producer. He was the last one, yesterday, to receive a mandaTOREY day off, only when Peralta came back.

Escobar has twice as many RBI's as Walker (who is sixth). Walker leads the team in strikeouts. It would make more sense for Lamb to replace Walker at 1B.

Of course, my choice is that Lamb and Walker would both go, because neither of them should stand in the way of Cron at 1B.

Keeping Lamb as backup 1B/3B might be an idea, but (A) Lamb's fielding at 3B sucks and (B) it would be better for the team to trade rather than demote him.
Lamb and Walker might bring us a good starting pitcher in a trade.

You must be registered for see images attach

I agree with you on Cron being the right choice at 1B, not sure why he was so underrated in our farm system. Maybe because he is 25 and at that age if your not in the bigs you're forgotten. I thought I heard Escobar would move back to 2B and Flores would go to bench with Lamb going to 3B and Walker at 1B (before Cron call up). We do have some young 3B prospects in the minors but they are at least 2 - 3 years away. Problem with trading Lamb is he has no value, his 30 HR 100 RBI season was a couple of years ago and he looks like he will never have that type of season again the way his career is going now. He needs to play in hopes of increasing his trade value.

 

[BC867]

I thought I heard Escobar would move back to 2B and Flores would go to bench with Lamb going to 3B ...

Lamb is playing 1B in his rehab game. So it doesn't look like he is going to go back to 3B with Escobar moving to 2B.

And it leaves a bottleneck at 1B. Of course, Torey will 'resolve' that by splitting time between Lamb and Walker and send Cron down.

 

[AZCB34]

Lamb is playing 1B in his rehab game. So it doesn't look like he is going to go back to 3B with Escobar moving to 2B.

And it leaves a bottleneck at 1B. Of course, Torey will 'resolve' that by splitting time between Lamb and Walker and send Cron down.

Don't absolve Hazen in the decision making.

 

[BC867]

Don't absolve Hazen in the decision making.

You're right! The GM is the one primarily involved in player movement, with input from the Manager,
who should be getting input from the Hitting, Pitching and Bullpen coaches.

I wonder if that is the case with the D-backs.

 

[Azjose86]

I don't understand why Torey would promise any player any type of bat counts. I get he wants to show his player he's committed to him and trying to take pressure off him. But he's a major leaguer, pressure is part of the job. You perform consistantly to keep your job.

 

[devilalum]

Pick one of them. He gets to stay in the lineup if he gets 2 hits, a home run or an RBI. If not next man up. No mercy. If you can’t perform under pressure you need a different job.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BC867]

Pick one of them. He gets to stay in the lineup if he gets 2 hits, a home run or an RBI. If not next man up. No mercy. If you can’t perform under pressure you need a different job.

I don't see a smiley, so I assume you're serious.

That is what causes players to press. Are you saying that if a batter doesn't get 2 hits or a home run or an RBI in a game, he should be benched?

Would you factor in whether you are facing the ace of the staff that day? Or the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th starter? Or a righty or a lefty?

A manager should pick his best candidate and give him a chance to succeed. My personal opinion is that neither Lamb nor Walker is the best candidate.

Should a manager likewise be afraid of being replaced if he doesn't win every game? 162-0?

There is a difference between performing under pressure and causing an atmosphere of stress. Especially in a job where there is an opponent in your face.

 

[Azjose86]

I don't see a smiley, so I assume you're serious.

That is what causes players to press. Are you saying that if a batter doesn't get 2 hits or a home run or an RBI in a game, he should be benched?

Would you factor in whether you are facing the ace of the staff that day? Or the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th starter? Or a righty or a lefty?

A manager should pick his best candidate and give him a chance to succeed. My personal opinion is that neither Lamb nor Walker is the best candidate.

Should a manager likewise be afraid of being replaced if he doesn't win every game? 162-0?

There is a difference between performing under pressure and causing an atmosphere of stress. Especially in a job where there is an opponent in your face.

I agree with you that the 2020 first base man is not in the team currently. Cron has a shot of Torey gives him opportunities. But neither Lamb or Walker are future guys for the dbacks.