FrioAg 00 said:

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In his first 3 years he was taking walks about 100 times per year, then last year dropped to 87, and this year projects in the 70s.

He's chasing more - and that's what they are adjusting to

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BB%

6.9%
8.8%
13.6%
17.3%
13.3%
11.0%
13.3%
13.1%
Career Avg 12.7%

He's walking as a similar rate to the rest of his career.

Brandon Bielak enters today with a 1.768 WHIP and a 2.89 ERA. His Houdini act has been something else. Dusty Baker credited Martín Maldonado for changing Bielak's game plan and pitch usage in the middle of his last start, hence, Maldonado is catching Bielak today.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 24, 2023

His last start did not begin well so that should provide some insight why they love Maldy so much. He's basically a coach on the field.

cc10106 said:

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His last start did not begin well so that should provide some insight why they love Maldy so much. He's basically a coach on the field.

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That's why I said slight nod to Maldy over Yanier at catcher. Even though I do think Dusty needs to get Yanier more ABs. DH, 1B, whatever.

Dies Irae said:

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1.768 whip with 2.89 era is hilarious. That's like having a Batting average of .184, 12 home runs and 114 RBI

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it's the pitching equivalent of Joey Gallo?

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Dies Irae said:

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1.768 whip with 2.89 era is hilarious. That's like having a Batting average of .184, 12 home runs and 114 RBI

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it's the pitching equivalent of Joey Gallo?

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average is too high and homers are too low.

I'll trust the opinion of the pros that Yainer isn't quite there yet, though he obviously needs to play more. Also I imagine developing his replacement isn't* as high of a priority for Martin, and I don't blame him frankly.

I think Diaz absolutely needs more playing time, but Maldy hasn't been as bad lately....

Since May 1, he's batting .296/.380/.477, with an OPS of .857. Granted, he sucked in April and his season numbers are still anemic because of it, but Maldy hasn't been the boat anchor offensively lately and probably doesn't deserve some of the ire he is getting right now... Of course, maybe that is just everyone being tired of crapping on Abreau....

Abreu with another RBI opportunity

Abreu effs up another rbi opportunity

Harry Dunne said:

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I don't mind Maldy playing. He's a valuable part of the team and contributes in ways that can't be measured. I do think it needs to be more of a 50/50 split though so that Yainer can develop.

Great offense is just so much more impactful on runs scored than great defense, and Yainer has the potential to be a Maldy type player behind the plate, but with a middle of the lineup bat.

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I especially don't mind Maldy playing when he's got an OPS of 870 for the Month of May.

Ag_07 said:

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Yanier's botched back pick to 2B with a 2-2 count and 2 outs that cost a run isn't gonna do him any favors getting PT.

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Unless we put the play on and Pena didn't do his job. Did anyone ask Fusty about it after? He successfully back picked someone earlier in the season.

He's a great teammate though.

scrimp said:

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I think Diaz absolutely needs more playing time, but Maldy hasn't been as bad lately....

Since May 1, he's batting .296/.380/.477, with an OPS of .857. Granted, he sucked in April and his season numbers are still anemic because of it, but Maldy hasn't been the boat anchor offensively lately and probably doesn't deserve some of the ire he is getting right now... Of course, maybe that is just everyone being tired of crapping on Abreau....

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But what do you think it going to happen moving forward? Maldy continues it or the regressed back to what he has been?

Welp

Lol this is the real blielak

down 2-0, 27 more outs to get.

Wabs said:

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RED AG 98 said:

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Wabs said:

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Whoa! Meyers and Chas in the same lineup!

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Semi-hot take that I'm sure you will all agree with: this is maybe our best defensive alignment.

I think the only positions that are really up for debate would be:
C - It's really close and with more experience I think Yanier will eclipse Maldy.
2B - again, pretty close at this point in their careers

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Absolutely our best OF alignment. I would say Dubon at 2B is a slight upgrade over Altuve (defensively and at this point in their career). I hope Dubon keeps the bat going. Catcher, I think is a draw at this point, with a slight lean to Maldy. Yes, I know Yanier has a cannon, but that brain fart yesterday shows his youth in decision-making. Maldy definitely has that over him. I hope Maldy can keep recent success at the plate going...

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Dubon is a massive upgrade over Altuve defensively. Altuve plays for his bat at this point in his career.

Last season Altuve Baseball Reference had Altuve's dWar at -1.2; zone fielding runs above average at -3; and defensive runs saved at -15.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/altuvjo01.shtml

So far this season Baseball Reference has Dubon's dWar at .5 (in 36 games started at 2b, if that played out over a season he'd have well over a 2.0 dWar); 5 zone fielding runs above average; and 4 defensive runs saved.

Projected out for 1200 innings (if Dubon played 135 games) it would be 18 zone fielding runs above average, and 15 defensive runs saved. Dubon is the difference in saving (and giving up in Altuve's case) 30 runs over the course of a season.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dubonma01.shtml

Not that it means anything since it's only four games, but Altuve has already dipped into the negative in 2023, and the projected numbers are worse than 2022 defensively.

These numbers don't take into account arm strength either. Altuve is my favorite Astro of all-time, so I don't post this to run him down.

That ball was demolished

Bleh

The problem with AAAA pitchers is that you realize why they're AAAA after they get enough tape on their habits. France did impress me with his bounce back last night though.