Dbacks sign catcher Alex Avila

[DWKB]

Just curious, why has the board turned so much on Avila, but Marte is getting a pass?

 

[Dback Jon]

Just curious, why has the board turned so much on Avila, but Marte is getting a pass?

Marte at least plays good defense, and his batting situations haven't been as at key moments. Plus he didn't come in hyped as a big bat.

But yes, he is sucking as bad.

 

[DWKB]

Marte at least plays good defense, and his batting situations haven't been as at key moments. Plus he didn't come in hyped as a big bat.

But yes, he is sucking as bad.

Statistically, Avila has been, by far, our best catcher defensively. It's harder to see than a SS defense, but that's what the data says.

You are correct in that Avila's failures at the plate have been in more crucial situations, but Marte leading the team in PA with a .267 OBP is killing the offense in a very subversive way.


Their performance is essentially a draw for the season to date, horrible offense mixed with really good defense.

 

[Shaggy]

Statistically, Avila has been, by far, our best catcher defensively. It's harder to see than a SS defense, but that's what the data says.

You are correct in that Avila's failures at the plate have been in more crucial situations, but Marte leading the team in PA with a .267 OBP is killing the offense in a very subversive way.


Their performance is essentially a draw for the season to date, horrible offense mixed with really good defense.

I think the main issue is that Murphy has been great at the plate with his limited AB. How much of a drop in defense would there be between Murphy and Avila? I doubt much.

 

[DWKB]

How much of a drop in defense would there be between Murphy and Avila? I doubt much.

I would assume that has a lot to do with our pitcher's input.

 

[devilalum]

Just curious, why has the board turned so much on Avila, but Marte is getting a pass?

He stinks too but he performed well for the Dbacks last year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BC867]

Marte at least plays good defense, and his batting situations haven't been as at key moments. Plus he didn't come in hyped as a big bat.

But yes, he is sucking as bad.

Marte is hitting only .236. I was hoping for better from him. But, have you noticed that, after a fast start, Ahmed is now down to his historic level of .229?

His fast start was because we faced mostly lefty starting pitchers to begin the season. Ahmed cannot hit righties!

Unfortunately, Marte also hits lefties well, batting .313 hitting right handed, but only .175 batting lefty.

It looks like, unless Marte can improve if given the chance, we need a new starting shortstop, with Owings at 2B. And Marte an infield backup. Ahmed, who has played only SS, should disappear.

Edit: I checked Ahmed's batting splits, too. He is hitting .158 vs, lefties. His fast start this season was just that. A fast start. IIRC, he did the same thing last season. So we can't even count on him to hit lefties well.

 

[Ronin]

Diamondbacks still standing by slumping catcher Alex Avila
https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...ndbacks-alex-avila-stats-slump-mlb/606295002/

 

[az jam]

Marte, Goldy and Avila are all looking just terrible. None deserve to start.

 

[Shaggy]

Marte, Goldy and Avila are all looking just terrible. None deserve to start.

Marte had a few hits last night and his defense is outstanding. Has not had an error yet.

 

[Ronin]

Avila went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and a pair of walks Wednesday in the Diamondbacks' 8-2 loss to the Brewers.

With a double-digit walk percentage in every season of his career since he reached the big leagues in 2009, Avila has long been lauded for his plate discipline. However, the backstop may be taking too patient of an approach, as he's swung at just 33.3 percent of the pitches he has seen this season, the fifth-lowest rate among all players in the majors with at least 80 plate appearances. Further compounding the problem, Avila hasn't been able to do much when he has bothered to lift the bat off his shoulders, as he's posted a career-worst 45.9 percent strikeout rate to depress his average to .125. Avila still looks like the Diamondbacks' No. 1 option behind the plate, but his leash has likely shortened in light of his slow start and the emergence of backup catcher John Ryan Murphy, who has been a surprise power source with a .231 ISO across 55 plate appearances.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/diamondbacks-alex-avila-draws-two-walks-wednesday/

 

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[gimpy]

Hopefully, he's coming out of his funk.

 

[AZCrazy]

I feel for the guy. It's hard to fail at your craft, let alone to do it publicly while people are ripping your guts out daily. Imagine your job being that way.
That being said, Torey hasn't handled this well. He thinks he's having the team's back by forcing Avila out there as the defacto starter, but the rest of the team is probably not seeing it that way as they fight to hold onto the division every day. I think a 'rehab stint' will get him his eye back and do wonders to take the pressure off. The other catchers aren't so bad defensively that a couple weeks of playing would harm the team.

 

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Shaggy]

Hope it continues.

 

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Dback Jon]

Hey everyone - Boxberger's ERA when Mathis catches him - 0.00
When Avila catches him - 11+

 

[Brian]

Hey everyone - Boxberger's ERA when Mathis catches him - 0.00
When Avila catches him - 11+

Thank you.

 

[AZ Native]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Where were you in April, May and June?

 

[Dback Jon]

Thank you.

TL has to be smart enough to make this substitution.

 

[BC867]

Hey everyone - Boxberger's ERA when Mathis catches him - 0.00
When Avila catches him - 11+

That would make Mathis our starting Catcher 3 out of every 5 games. If every other position in the lineup pulled their weight, his minuscule batting average could be absorbed.

But not with the likes of the .100 and low .200 batting averages we've put in the starting lineup. Although 3B just got a boost.

 

[Dback Jon]

That would make Mathis our starting Catcher 3 out of every 5 games. If every other position in the lineup pulled their weight, his minuscule batting average could be absorbed.

But not with the likes of the .100 and low .200 batting averages we've put in the starting lineup. Although 3B just got a boost.

Not at all. Like yesterday, pull Avila in the bottom of the ninth and have Mathis pull that inning. No at bats at all. just a late inning defensive sub

 

[BC867]

Not at all. Like yesterday, pull Avila in the bottom of the ninth and have Mathis pull that inning. No at bats at all. just a late inning defensive sub

Oops, I didn't pay attention that you were talking about Boxberger. My bad! I was thinking Buchholz. Hey, they both begin with "B".

That is a good idea, then. In the three games out of five that Mathis does not start, bring him in with Box in a 9th inning closing situation.

A designated catcher for a closer. I wonder if the D-backs would consider that. Or start looking for a new closer. With a beard ... and a new pitch.

 

[AZCB34]

Hey everyone - Boxberger's ERA when Mathis catches him - 0.00
When Avila catches him - 11+

All three of the primary relievers have ERAs that are highest when Avila is catching. It isn't just Boxberger.

I noticed the other day that sometimes Avila pops his fist into he glove as he is setting up. I tried to discern if there was some pattern to see if maybe Avila was inadvertently tipping pitches.