MONDAY MINORS FINAL SCHEDULE 8/16/21

[rico43]

MONDAY MINORS ACTION

All Times Eastern

ROOKIE COMPLEX

Game One
FCL Braves 6, FCL Pirates 1 (8)
***Five-run 8th***

SP: Bautista 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
WP: Alesandro (BS, 3-1) 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB< 5 K

Zebrowski 1-4, R, 2 RBI (.364)
Morton 2-4, 3B, R, RBI

Game Two
FCL Pirates 3, RCL Braves 1 (7)

SP: Samuelson 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
Vidal 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
LP: Moreno (0-3) 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Strickland 0.2 IP

Palma 1-3, R

--------------

TRANSACTIONS:

Kevan Smith, like Jonathan Lucroy ahead of him, elected free agency when outrighted to Gwinnett

 

[50PoundHead]

MONDAY MINORS ACTION

All Times Eastern

ROOKIE COMPLEX

Game One
FCL Pirates vs FCL Braves, 10 a.m.

Game Two
FCL Braves vs FCL Pirates

--------------

TRANSACTIONS:

Kevan Smith, like Jonathan Lucroy ahead of him, elected free agency when outrighted to Gwinnett[/QUOTE]

These guys and their advisers tend to know what they are doing, but I'm a little surprised by this one. Maybe they got a clear answer that Smith wouldn't be a September call-up. The game has changed dramatically since Bobby Cox managed the team, but he always seemed to add a defensive-centric catcher to the playoff roster as a third catcher. I thought the Braves might go that way with Smith. Of course, after being DFA'd, the Braves would have had to clear a roster spot to bring him back and with guys coming off the 60-day DL, that might have been too tall an order.

 

[clvclv]

MONDAY MINORS ACTION

All Times Eastern

ROOKIE COMPLEX

Game One
FCL Pirates vs FCL Braves, 10 a.m.

Game Two
FCL Braves vs FCL Pirates

--------------

TRANSACTIONS:

Kevan Smith, like Jonathan Lucroy ahead of him, elected free agency when outrighted to Gwinnett[/QUOTE]

These guys and their advisers tend to know what they are doing, but I'm a little surprised by this one. Maybe they got a clear answer that Smith wouldn't be a September call-up. The game has changed dramatically since Bobby Cox managed the team, but he always seemed to add a defensive-centric catcher to the playoff roster as a third catcher. I thought the Braves might go that way with Smith. Of course, after being DFA'd, the Braves would have had to clear a roster spot to bring him back and with guys coming off the 60-day DL, that might have been too tall an order.

JMO, but if they're considering adding a third Catcher to a playoff roster Smith probably wouldn't have been in the running to be that guy anyway. I would guess that they'd want that third guy to be much more of an offensive threat since you're not likely to go to your framing guy in the playoffs anyway - the need for offense is magnified.

I'm sure your point about having to clear a roster spot makes sense, but the fact that Contreras is a MUCH bigger offensive threat AND doesn't need a spot makes him a much better option IMO - especially considering the fact that you're not likely to be concerned with defense from that spot anyway. That third Catcher is likely only going to play defense really late in games. If Snitker wanted/needed to pinch hit for d'Arnaud in the 7th or 8th and wanted the platoon advantage he could go ahead and use Vogt knowing that he'd have Contreras to fall back on if he wanted offense in extra innings.

 

[50PoundHead]

JMO, but if they're considering adding a third Catcher to a playoff roster Smith probably wouldn't have been in the running to be that guy anyway. I would guess that they'd want that third guy to be much more of an offensive threat since you're not likely to go to your framing guy in the playoffs anyway - the need for offense is magnified.

I'm sure your point about having to clear a roster spot makes sense, but the fact that Contreras is a MUCH bigger offensive threat AND doesn't need a spot makes him a much better option IMO - especially considering the fact that you're not likely to be concerned with defense from that spot anyway. That third Catcher is likely only going to play defense really late in games. If Snitker wanted/needed to pinch hit for d'Arnaud in the 7th or 8th and wanted the platoon advantage he could go ahead and use Vogt knowing that he'd have Contreras to fall back on if he wanted offense in extra innings.

I agree at a level, but where does the scale land in a close game? What's going to be more valuable: one AB out of Contreras with the risk of having to watch him having to chase a ball to the backstop or nothing offensively out of Smith?

 

[Russ2dollas]

If we add a third catcher this year I think it's to let Snit feel free to pinch hit TDA in a rare game TDA is not playing. Contreras is better than smith.

I think Contreras is a good catcher. He'll get used to that new stance.

I thought the third catcher made a lot of sense last year with the DH. We just didn't use the bench much and it would open TDA up to be able to pinch hit if needed. Also I thought Contreras was as good a hitter as most of our bench options. This year I think our bench has much better hitters.

 

[clvclv]

I agree at a level, but where does the scale land in a close game? What's going to be more valuable: one AB out of Contreras with the risk of having to watch him having to chase a ball to the backstop or nothing offensively out of Smith?

In this particular scenario, I think Contreras would be more than adequate for the role we're talking about. Not "ideal" by any stretch, but who really is? Contreras isn't a complete butcher back there, but it's more than fair to worry about him a little. That said, you could have said the same about Flowers. For as good a framer as he was, he had his own issues blocking and catching balls more than you'd like - and he wasn't nearly the offensive threat he was earlier in his career (or that Contreras is today) the last 2-3 years of his time here.

If you were going to carry a third Catcher with this group, ideally it would be Contreras coming in to hit with Vogt left to play defense. It wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to have him hitting in d'Arnaud's place since you wouldn't be gaining a platoon advantage, but if you used him as the first pinch-hitter to hit for the Pitcher you'd be able to hold back Duvall/Heredia (assuming the lefties started in the OF) for later in the game where they'd actually even improve your defense in a tight game.

 

[Deester11]

Not being dismissive but can someone enlighten me on the "defensive" prowess of Smith. I thought he was terrible behind the plate and at the plate.

 

[50PoundHead]

Not being dismissive but can someone enlighten me on the "defensive" prowess of Smith. I thought he was terrible behind the plate and at the plate.

He's no prize, but Contreras was having a lot of trouble with framing and passed balls. I guess I'm just looking back to how Cox handled it and it always seemed like the third catcher on the playoff roster was somebody that simply was there for defense. I could be wrong, but it just seemed that way.

 

[Deester11]

He's no prize, but Contreras was having a lot of trouble with framing and passed balls. I guess I'm just looking back to how Cox handled it and it always seemed like the third catcher on the playoff roster was somebody that simply was there for defense. I could be wrong, but it just seemed that way.

I would get that but in less inning pitchers gave up 19 WP'S to him vs 21 for Contreras. 4 PB to 7 for Contreras. I can understand framing for sure, but as putrid as contreras was, I see no reason to ever see Smith again. Even in passing. Contreras could at least run into one.

 

[mfree80]

I would get that but in less inning pitchers gave up 19 WP'S to him vs 21 for Contreras. 4 PB to 7 for Contreras. I can understand framing for sure, but as putrid as contreras was, I see no reason to ever see Smith again. Even in passing. Contreras could at least run into one.

Could see Vogt being the designated D first Catcher. The days off in the playoffs mean the 1st catcher can play every game, so Vogt just allows you to use Contreras as a PH without the danger of having d' get hurt and having no backup.

 

[50PoundHead]

Could see Vogt being the designated D first Catcher. The days off in the playoffs mean the 1st catcher can play every game, so Vogt just allows you to use Contreras as a PH without the danger of having d' get hurt and having no backup.

That's the sole idea behind the third catcher. Just more roster flexibility.

 

[50PoundHead]

Two more hits for Tyler Collins yesterday and he's off to a good start in the FCL. Be aware that when you do a search of information on Collins online, you have to make sure it's this TylerCollins:

and not this Tyler Collins:

 

[jpx7]

Nice to see Kadon Morton pop up in the highlights. He was perhaps the rawest high-schooler plucked in the later rounds of 2019, but he reported oozes athleticism. Hoping something clicks, but he's one of those guys—now 20 and still in the FCL—whose development was undoubtedly disrupted by last year's shutdown.

Backstrom, too—who's likewise struggling—but he's at least a year younger (since he was a 17-year-old HS draftee, like Estes).