In case you have not heard, the Astros made a trade yesterday. As this is typed, fans are already erecting the bronze statue of Jeff Lunhow outside of Minute Maid Park. New shortstop, new starter, low price. Nothing to be upset about there!
This post is not about that trade.
Quietly, Brian Bogusevic has been one of the best hitters in the Dominican Winter League, or Liga de Beisbol Dominicano. His slash line (BA / OBP / SLG) sits at .317/.446/.500 on December 15 after 120 AB.
The usual caveats apply: Small sample size. Lower level of competition than he typically faces.
Still, Bogusevic's stats compare extremely favorably to some top prospects in the league, including San Francisco's Brandon Belt, the top prospect in their system heading into 2011. And for this, Astros fans should be happy.
This does not necessarily predict greatness for Bogusevic in the big leagues, but there are several positive things to take away.
None of this makes me want to predict a huge 2012 breakout for Bogusevic, but it does interest me enough to want to see him with an everyday role. Bogusevic should be given every chance as a starter in Right or Center Field. The steady improvement he's shown, plus an impressive showing in the Winter Leagues demands it, if only to find out if he's for real.
0 recs | 101 comments
I predict Bogey will be good this year. He’ll hit .270 with 15 HRs and provide plus defense in RF.
Snake Diggity - December 15, 2011
I'm not ready to predict 15 HR
But I don’t mind predicting 30+ doubles, if he gets the playing time. If he keeps that walk rate up, he’s got a solid argument to be the leadoff hitter.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
Bogey seemed to show decent plate discipline last year. It seemed like he would look fastball early and jump on his pitch with an aggressive hack.
conroestro - December 15, 2011 via mobile
I'm loving his walk rate right now
Considering it’s coupled with a .500 slugging percentage. I know it’s the DWL, but it indicates he’s waiting for his pitch and then making the pitcher pay. I hope he can keep that up against stiffer competition.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
Forgot to say he had a nice approach at the plate.
conroestro - December 15, 2011 via mobile
Great write up.
I was very encouraged by bogey last year. He looks like a player and has always had some nice tools. Looking forward to seeing him and J.D lock down the corner of spots.
MadMartygan - December 15, 2011 via mobile
I am trying very hard not to get very interested
But I won’t lie. A top of the lineup consisting of Bogusevic, Lowrie, Martinez, and Lee really doesn’t sound too terrible to me at this point. Obviously not a playoff lineup, but if there is ANY growth from Altuve and Paredes (or Johnson) at least watching the Astros hit might not be as brutal as last season.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
Altuve
While we’re at it, it’s worth noting that Jose Altuve is hitting well in the Venezuelan Winter League.
His slash line: .362, .395, .495, .890.
Altuve’s walk rate is around 5.5% in the VWL.
I try not to get too excited about the carribean winter league stats. Sometimes they are a harbinger of things to come, but sometimes the hitter with good stats will fall flat on his face in spring training. But the Altuve stats are encouraging, as are Bogusevic’s.
clack - December 15, 2011
Nice
I didn’t look up anybody else, I just noticed on fangraphs today that the SCOUT ranking had bogusevic listed 2nd.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
The batting average being that high
and small difference between his BA and OBP actually bother me.
There is not way he gets that kind of BA in the majors specifically if he keeps swinging at everything. I really do not like the idea of a second basemen with and OBP below .330 at the very lowest. Hopefully Altuve gets to start the season in AAA and the staff there makes being more selective at the plate an emphasis for him.
Crzycjunx76 - December 15, 2011
It's actually very hard to hit .300 as a middle infielder and not be valuable
I would like to see more walks from Altuve, but even if he ends up as an empty .300 hitter who plays average defense at second base, that’s a pretty good player.
OremLK - December 15, 2011
Yes, I can see Freddy Sanchez as a comparable for Altuve if Altuve can hit .300 in the majors. Sure, everyone would like to see Altuve walk more, but realistically we shouldn’t expect anything more than a slight improvement in his walk rate as his career moves forward. It’s very infrequent that players can make major changes in their BB/K profile by the time they reach AAA.
clack - December 15, 2011
To be fair, Altuve has always been very young for his level
So he may have more room for improvement than the majority of prospects.
OremLK - December 15, 2011
Altuve was at an 8% walk rate in A+ and had been over 7% since his first year in american pro ball. He only had horrific rates once they started jumping him quickly through the system. Let him take a deep breath and gather himself in AAA, and then call him up. He has a chance to be really good, but he got pushed a little too quickly. He should probably still be in AA.
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
I think Altuve may improve his walk rate to 6% – 7% with more experience. My point is that I think he probably will always be a below average BB% player. I hope I’m wrong, but dramatic shifts in walk rates are unlikely without completely revamping his batting approach, which is unlikely to happen at this point.
clack - December 16, 2011
Yes, I agree he will likely always be below average at drawing walks
But I think getting up to 6-7% is possible like you said, and that is a substantial improvement.
OremLK - December 16, 2011
Altuve’s OBP has risen to .400 since I posted this comment.
.365, .400, .495, .895
I re-checked his stats because Astros.com has a blurb saying that Altuve led all Astros’ winter leaguers with a .400 average. I think they were misreading OBP for batting average.
clack - December 16, 2011
Other winter league results besides Bogey and Altuve
OPS
Rene Garcia PWL .953 (OK, who is he?)
Barnes (AFL) .928
Austin (AFL) .829
Hinze (AFL) .825
Thurston (VWL) .790
Castro (AFL) .720
Paredes (DWL) .716
M.Gonzalez (VWL) .659
Sanchez (PWL) .621
clack - December 15, 2011
I'm ok with all that
But I’m much more interested in K% and BB%
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
Ohhhhh Sanchez.... Never seems to amaze me.
Either way you look at it, looking at how solid Bogey and Altuve’s lines are, it’s hard not to get somewhat happy.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
I'm really not happy about Altuve's walk rate
In that league, a good hitter should be walking at least 10-15%. Altuve has 11 walks in 196 AB. What that tells me is he’s still hacking at every pitch that’s in the same zip code of the plate. That works against the skill level of pitchers he sees in Winter Leagues, but he’s going to continue to get chewed up by major leaguers who can hit the outside corner of the zone. I’m not thrilled by Altuve’s performance – it indicates a lack of growth, in my opinion.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
Ya, but I guess I just kinda accept that he won't walk.
We might have to wait a cpl years for him to finally start maturing, that’s what I think.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
He's gotta learn to lay off borderline pitches.
Honestly, I don’t have any other huge issues with him. If he’d lay off pitches on the edges of the strike zone I think he could be pretty special.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
If he is going to fit in the line up he has to start walking.
Being 5 ft tall you would think it would not be that hard to draw some walks. Or maybe that is the point he is just looking to hack at whatever is close. If he had power like Vlad Guerrero then it would be ok to hack away.
Nado2036 - December 15, 2011
The problem is that he still believes that he's gonna get that 1st pitch fb over the plate.
He needs to learn not to. (captian obvious, I know.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
Rene Garcia was the 35th rd draft pick in ‘08 out of a HS in Puerto Rico. He is alleged to have a very good defensive profile, but hasn’t hit consistently or with any power, so those #‘s are very encouraging. He may be Chris Wallace’s backup in CC in 2012. He was invited to ST last season, so apparently he’s not totally lost in the shuffle. If he can improve his bat, he could end up as a Q wannabe.
Snake Diggity - December 15, 2011
that obp
no right field for Matt downs then in 2012.
though what next for luhnow, will he trade bogusevic for Jeremy hellickson? (yes I am joking).
crp are you on Twitter?
AstroB - December 15, 2011
Matt Downs
I’m not sold on him defensively at any position. He’s only had 25 IP in the outfield, so it’s really hard to say how he’d play there, but he grades really poorly in the infield, other than 1B. He may be better suited to the outfield, who knows. I’m also interested to see what he would do with playing time, but I’m not sure where he fits on this roster unless the Astros give up on either Paredes or Schafer in 2012, and decide that Bourgeois is not a starter. I think it’s much more likely that Downs plays the Darrin Erstad role, filling in at all positions except for pitcher, catcher, shorstop, and center, and winds up with something like 250-300 AB at most. But a lot of that is going to depend on how Paredes, Altuve, and Johnson play. I think the outfield is too deep for Downs to crack a decent role out there.
I’m not on Twitter, but thanks for asking. I have this deep-rooted aversion to social media that was born in my post-college days due to a bad experience involving global warming and my next-door-neighbor’s dad. I only recently got back on Facebook, and that’s only so I could promote TCB like the good organizational soldier that I am.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
Downs seemed extremely shaky in the outfield, which I understand why. I could definetely see Downs as an extreme utility player, plus he’s pretty good at waiting for his pitch. Shafer on the other hand, he seems ready to take off, in my opinion. I’m not sure why though.
Also, as a TCB’ER, thank you for your promoting of TCB. ITS TIME TO MAKE DUMB FANS INTO SMART FANS!!!! CHAAAAAARGE.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
Not sure I'm the right guy to be leading any charges towards smartness.
Smartassness, maybe. But not the other.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
Clack then?
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
Schafer is what I meant.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
I don’t know what Downs was like statistically at 2b, I don’t really like defensive metrics anyway, but he doesn’t really pass the eyeball test. Having said that, I would like to see him get the bulk of the second base time to at least start the season. I think I’ve already said what I need to about Altuve. Haha.
MadMartygan - December 15, 2011
"due to a bad experience involving global warming and my next-door-neighbor’s dad."
Oh, do tell. This sounds hilarious.
I do share your aversion to so called “social media” though. I just don’t have any bad experiences with it because I have always stayed away.
chilam balam - December 15, 2011
Nah, no need to air dirty laundry
Besides, anything you guys can imagine based on that one sentence is probably a lot more interesting than the actual story.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
DAT OBP
:P
mike_o - December 15, 2011
Im sure it would be impossible to find
but i would like to see his splits against rightys and leftys. i know that was keeping him from an everyday role
lawson3 - December 15, 2011
It would have been nice last year if Mills would have played his ass from the first day he was brought up. I still think Mills needs to go. Is this his last year on his contract?
Nado2036 - December 15, 2011
In the majors, Bogusevic has only been allowed to bat against lefties 15 times. That should tell us something. In the Winter Leagues, it probably wouldn’t matter much because the pitchers are pretty awful compared to the majors so even a good line against lefties there would be too small a sample to mean much.
CRPerry13 - December 15, 2011
most of that might've been down to
Brad Mills’ mancrush on Jason Michaels. Thankfully he is gone.
AstroB - December 15, 2011
The winter lefty righty splits are on his milb player page.
Click the link in the original post and then click on his name and scroll down a bit.
………AVG OBP SLG
vLHP: .271 .386 .396 48AB 3DBL 0TPL 1HR 8BB 14K
vRHP: .347 .484 .569 72AB 5DBL 1TPL 3HR 19BB 14K
So yeah, he’s still faring much better against righties.
reillocity - December 15, 2011
Here are his minor league splits at the AA and AAA levels through 2010 (AVG/OBP/SLG)
2010 vs. LHP: .323/.411/.465 [127 AB at AAA]
2010 vs. RHP: .260/.351/.397 [365 AB at AAA]
2009 vs. LHP: .242 .329 .306 [124 AB at AAA]
2009 vs. RHP: .278 .345 .380 [392 AB at AAA]
2008 vs. LHP: .357 .550 .643 [14 AB at AA]
2008 vs. RHP: .373 .430 .545 [110 AB at AA]
AstroAndy - December 16, 2011
2011 vs LHP (AAA): .217/.276/.290 [69AB 0HR 5BB 19K]
2011 vs. RHP (AAA): .282/.399/.450 [149AB 3HR 25BB 30K]
source: minorleaguecentral dot com
reillocity - December 16, 2011
Awesome. I’ve been sort of lost since minorleaguesplits went away.
AstroAndy - December 16, 2011
I'm hoping Bogey and Downs get a significant amount of starts next season.
The team might as well see how they do in an everyday role.
DrewRusse - December 15, 2011
Thanks for posting. I really like the OBP.
PeteyNhtown - December 15, 2011
I guess our lineup won't be half bad...
Schafer
Lowrie
J.D
Lee
Bogey
Paredes
Alltuve
Castro
This is, assuming that we don’t have major issues.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
I think I'm too optimistic.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
Now:
CF Schafer
SS Lowrie
LF Martinez
1B Lee
RF Bogey
3B Paredes
2B Altuve
C Castro
Future:
3B Paredes
SS Villar
CF Springer
1B Singleton
DH Nash
LF Martinez
RF Santana
2B Altuve
C Castro
BustaPozee - December 15, 2011
Current lineup is still pretty bad
CF – Reclamation project—former top prospect whose stock is way down
SS – Reclamation project—former top prospect whose stock is moderately down, though likely to be at least an average regular
LF – Borderline top 100 prospect, probably grade B
1B – A dead horse
RF – 28 year old pitcher-turned-outfielder, never higher than grade C+
3B – Raw grade B- toolbox who has shown few signs of his hit tool matching his raw physical skills. Just 23 next year though.
2B – Legitimate top 100 prospect with upside to be an above average regular, grade B/B+ range
C – Legitimate top 100 prospect with upside to be an above average regular, grade B/B+ range, but suffering from a worrying series of injuries
When you consider the success rate even on real top 100 prospects (not fallen ones or guys below that level), it’s a pretty ugly picture. At least there are the raw tools that you can dream on all of these guys, even Bogusevic and Schafer, but the likelihood that we get more than three everyday regulars out of this group is fairly low.
OremLK - December 15, 2011
If anything after catcher
our next greatest immediate need is center field. If you assume wrongly/rightly that Austin Wates is more suited to RF, then we have a wait until Springer. Do you stick with Schafer in the meantime or go after someone with a slightly higher ceiling?
AstroB - December 16, 2011
I actually think our lineup will be ok everywhere except CF and C, mostly due to depth.
SS- Agree that Lowrie will be an average regular.
LF- Martinez has done well and should be at least average.
1B- Lee profiles to be productive this year, and Wallace still has potential.
RF- I am high on Bogey, but even if he struggles, Buck is a great backup option.
3B- Sure Paredes may struggle, but his ceiling is very high and Downs and CJ behind him provide insurance.
2B- See 3B.
CF- This is where I worry. Schafer is not ready and none of the backups appear qualified for everyday CF play.
C- Even more worried here. I’ve never viewed Q as anywhere near a regular (especially since a lineup this bad doesn’t have room for black hole bats), and Castro appears to need time to get back into shape and get some low-pressure ABs.
I don’t think the lineup is going to be good, but it won’t be that bad. Anytime you have a bunch of injury risks and young players, the range of outcomes gets wider, but there’s plenty of room for optimism.
Snake Diggity - December 16, 2011
I don't feel that optimism
Even without considering comparative talent I see a confusing mish-mash of players who have no reason to trust their or their teammates’ abiltiy to function iin and as a winning team, or for that matter to stick with the team all season.
If they gel, the youthful enthusiasm may carry them. I don’t see it.
Carlos Lee is the only player (Okay -Q) with any stability on the team (and he may be traded in the next month).
Right now I’m thinking come all-star break, the Astros will be basement dwellers.
Joe in Birmingham - December 17, 2011
It is likely that Houston will be a losing team at the break. I think getting off to a good/hot/lucky start would help tremendously.
Snake Diggity - December 19, 2011
Well I doubt
Altuve or Paredes start the season with the major league club… or Castro due to injury.
Crzycjunx76 - December 15, 2011
Why?
BustaPozee - December 15, 2011
I suspect our NEW front office
,not motivated by trying to show progress in their younger players to save their jobs, will be more inclined to properly develop our younger players, instead of throwing players obviously not ready into the fire.
In AAA you Paredes and Altuve can work on the very glaring deficiencies in their game in a way they are less likely to manage in the majors. All the while the franchise saves MLB service time so we can hold on to them longer, and we get the added benefit of trying to develop some sort of value in the players we currently have in the majors (or chep vets we can pickup as the market dwindles) so that we might be able to swing a few minor trades when the youngsters are ready to move back up.
Anuery Rodriguez and Henry Sosa, should likely be in that number as well.
Even Lyles could likely stand a bit more seasoning but necessity may dictate that he be with the big league club on opening day.
Wallace and Johnson are due for sink or swim time (though Wallace could start in the minors if Lee is not moved) and though Martinez could probably use a little more time in the minors himself, he struck me as the youngster in the bigs who was the least out of his element last season… though pitchers seemed to adjust to him as the season came to a close. Either way I will trust in our front office for now… I wonder who will have the final say on the opening day roster, Mills or Luhnow.
Crzycjunx76 - December 15, 2011
You assume too much
You don’t really have any evidence for any of these ideas.
OremLK - December 15, 2011
That seemed pretty well reasoned. Do you honestly believe that Paredes and Altuve should have been promoted to the majors when they were? Was Jordan Lyles the Felix Hernandez type of prospect that should have been in the majors at 20, or was he a prospect that should have probably gotten the Hellickson treatment? What are the out of line assumptions here?
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
The reasoning is okay, but there is plenty of opposing reasoning (as clack illustrated), and he is apparently assuming his conclusions are true without any evidence from the front office’s statements to support those conclusions.
OremLK - December 16, 2011
Maybe I’ve missed some of his posts, but I haven’t really seen where he assumed his conclusions were true.
I wouldn’t say that was an over the top opinion.
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
I am more curious as to why you don’t think it’s a good idea to have them polish up in AAA. I think most of us thought they were rushed when they were called up.
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
I think they were rushed, but once a guy is up, I don’t like sending him down unless he struggles for an extended period (two to three months, maybe). I think prospects should be rewarded, not punished, for being called up early and holding their own.
Both Altuve and Paredes were above replacement level last season and as long as they can keep that up, I say let them play.
It would have been better if they hadn’t been rushed in the first place, but what’s done is done.
OremLK - December 16, 2011
I do think Altuve and Lyles struggled. Paredes is more than likely going to struggle. They jumped because of panic. Don’t compound a screw up. Altuve was progressing very nicely. They do not have to keep him there just because the last jackass rushed him.
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
I don't really see the argument that Altuve struggled
It’s not that common for 21-year old rookies to play at a 1 WAR pace. He wasn’t walking much, but he was making plenty of contact and playing solid defense.
Lyles, also, had an solid FIP/xFIP for a guy his age.
OremLK - December 16, 2011
Ok. I agree with you on that. They didn’t exactly struggle. They did well for their ages and they did not embarrass themselves. But, they have more potential. They need to be developed. They can hold their own right now, but why wouldn’t a team that cant contend right now let their prospects develop fully and then get promoted. The astros would get a player that was closer to his potential and not wasted service time developing skills that should have been mastered in the minors. I don’t understand the reason for a green prospect to be playing right now.
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
There were a lot of typos on that, but it wasn’t my fault. I was on the phone and assumed I could type properly.
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
Altuve
This page bothers me:
http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=5417&position=2B&page=8&type=full
Every single one of Altuve’s performance graphs trends sharply downward as the season progressed. Pitchers adjusted, his BABIP slipped, and he started beating balls straight into the infield grass.
CRPerry13 - December 16, 2011
Yeah, that's fair
There are always adjustments to be made… I was in favor of giving him more time to adjust though.
OremLK - December 16, 2011
As I recall, Altuve had a really bad 0-for slump in September. I think he started pressing; that’s not unusual for young players seeing their first time in the majors.
clack - December 16, 2011
I doubt that Altuve and Paredes are in AAA to start the season, unless they just don’t perform well in the spring. It’s true that they were both called up too quickly and a case can be made that they could use more experience in the minors. But, now that they are in the big leagues, I just don’t see the team sending them down to AAA without a performance reason. I think Crane & Co. will want to give fans the belief that the team is committed to young guys. And it’s not like the roster alternatives are all that good. And hasn’t Mills already said that Altuve and Paredes are his starting 3d baseman and 2d baseman going into spring training?
clack - December 15, 2011
I am hoping Crane & Co. disregard the previous front office’s moves. They seem committed to doing things the right way, and having kids jumping levels when they are not elite prospects is not the right way. A triple A lineup with Altuve, Paredes, Hinze and Goebbert sounds about right. Mills doesn’t decide what the 25 man roster is.
MadMartygan - December 16, 2011
If I were King (and I am in my own mind)
I would leave Altuve alone, but send Paredes to AAA.
I just think Altuve has the skill set to succeed at this lvl. I feel like once the league catches up to Paredes it could get ugly.
chilam balam - December 16, 2011
If we say Crzycjunx76 backward
do you blink back to another dimension?
Joe in Birmingham - December 17, 2011
Bogusevic hasn't played since Dec 3, so his winter season may already be over.
You brought up CF – I expect him to accumulate a surprising amount of starts there in 2012. I think he could play there respectably for a couple of seasons as a Josh Hamilton-like defensive CF with a better arm.
reillocity - December 15, 2011
Does Chris Johnson have a future with the Astros ?
Brad Mills talks as though Chris Johnson is there in case Paredes falters.
CJ seems to be a forgotten man in the TCB discussions (For the most part)
I sense no one expects he will play a game for the Astros after 2013.
Where does CJ stand?
Joe in Birmingham - December 15, 2011
I honestly think he'll get traded.
If not, well I could see him getting a shot, but sweet Jesus he can’t recognize a breaking even if I threw it.
ccislanders - December 15, 2011 via mobile
He likely ends up as a starter at OKC for a while
He strikes out too frequently, can’t take a walk, and makes you cringe every time he throws the ball back to the first baseman. The only thing good about him is that he is a good line-drive hitter when he actually gets the bat on the ball. His value as a utility player is low if he can’t play 2nd or SS.
But since Paredes is fairly new to the big leagues, I would keep CJ as a backup plan in case Paredes regresses badly. CJ doesn’t have much trade value to risk losing a backup to Paredes.
BustaPozee - December 15, 2011
I think CJ needs to have a gangbusters type spring training in order to be in line for significant ML playing time. It’s not like the Astros are in desperate need for a back up 3d baseman. To some extent, CJ and Downs would be redundant. That said, one has to think that there is a significant chance that Paredes will falter and given CJ and/or Downs a shot at the starting 3d base job.
clack - December 15, 2011
^^this^^
I would start Downs @ 3rd. Let Paredes get some seasoning @ AAA, and Have CJ backup Downs.
chilam balam - December 16, 2011
CJ is behind Downs on the depth chart
And I wonder if they will ever give him another shot again, for that matter. If both Paredes and Downs get injured and/or falter, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some different move, like putting Lowrie at third base and Sanchez/Gonzalez at shortstop.
OremLK - December 15, 2011
With the way CJ has hit minor league pitching in his last two AAA stints
If he does start the year in AAA, I see him putting up numbers that are hard to ignore. And I think he usually has a tendency to start the season really hot and die off a little later. I haven’t forgotten CJ, I still see him as a possible .300 hitter with 15-20 HR power.
Its Gonna Happen - December 16, 2011 via mobile
I also think that CJ might put up good offensive numbers that prompt a call up if he starts the season in AAA. I don’t see any way that CJ can sustain a .300 average though. He strikes out too much. I agree that he is capable of 15 – 20 HR power. Unless he makes major improvements on defense, that may not be enough to be more than a platoon type major league third basemen.
clack - December 16, 2011
CJ is a butcher at 3B
So his offensive stats would have to be ridiculously good to merit a starting gig in the major leagues. I just don’t see it happening. If Altuve and Paredes are both sent down (a scenario that I doubt, but is very possible given their ages), CJ will likely get another crack at 3B with Downs at 2B.
But to be honest, Downs doesn’t play gifted defense either, so it’s really hard to say. I think CJ either gets traded for a minor league reliever, or he gets released to give him a chance to stick elsewhere.
CRPerry13 - December 16, 2011
I think he’s Aaron Boone with worse defense. But if he can manage anywhere near average defense at 3B, he could put up a consistent 750 OPS. I’d like to see Paredes start in AAA and see if CJ can’t get a good start and build some value.
Snake Diggity - December 16, 2011
Each time I see the headline, I do a double take because I think it says “Bogusevic—Worth Nothing.” That’s exactly the opposite of the article’s point. But somehow my eyes add an “h,” at least momentarily.
clack - December 16, 2011
Me too
ntn - December 17, 2011
This is stupid
Altuve and Paredes will be the starting 2nd and 3rd basemen respectively for the Astros, barring injury. No prospect is a finished player once they get to the majors. It’s stupid to think that Altuve and Paredes will not continue to refine their games while getting the best instruction they can get.
Neil Leininger - December 16, 2011
I do think that
you could move Bogusevic to CF and lead-off if Schafer falters.
Neil Leininger - December 16, 2011
I would probably consider Bourgeois before I consider Bogusevic. But I don’t think Bogusevic is out of the question. He is very athletic.
BustaPozee - December 16, 2011
A platoon of Bogusevic and Bourgeois in CF is probably the best case scenario offensively for 2012. Bogusevic won’t be Schafer in CF defensively but figures to cover more turf than Shuck would and is hands down the biggest offensive threat of the three lefthanded batters. That defensive configuration vs RHP also opens the door for one or more other semi-productive bats to play RF (Downs, Buck, Cheap Free Agent). Lineup-wise though, I just can’t see Bogusevic in the lead-off spot. Instead, I’d be looking to work Paredes into the leadoff spot at some point in 2012 and therein slyly get him to look at at least one more pitch per plate appearance.
reillocity - December 16, 2011
Paredes would be a good candidate to mix into the lead-off spot when Schafer isn’t playing. Since Schafer doesn’t really fit anywhere else in the Astros lineup, it would be best to leave him batting lead-off.
BustaPozee - December 16, 2011
I don’t think Bogusevic can play CF in MMP for more than an occasional game or so. To me, it’s a bad idea because it converts a plus RFer into a negative defender in CF.
clack - December 16, 2011
Bogey was an exciting player to watch in right field last year. I was just waiting for someone to run on him.
conroestro - December 16, 2011 via mobile
Bogey reminded me of Ankiel throwing out runners in his first couple of years as an outfielder. And they were both former pitchers.
clack - December 17, 2011
Didn't he throw out 3 Cardinals in one game?
ccislanders - December 17, 2011 via mobile
Bogusevic has a cannon or missle launcher for an arm
He’d be a great CF for throwing the ball back from the deepest part of the outfield.
I bow to others on whether he has the speed to play center. He’s defintetly not in Bourn’s or Bourgeois’ class. For some reason I never took to Schafer. I didn’t dislike him. It’s more like he was a curiosity out there, and I didn’t pay much attention to him.
Joe in Birmingham - December 17, 2011
There are very few players that can play CF in MMP at a good level.
Timothy De Block - December 18, 2011
norris and bogusevic
bogusevic has a good eye strong arm too…he is a good hitter… norris is a very good pitcher…do not trade him…. trade wandy…he will bring big return…..recent trade was ok…we filled ss position…with trade and rule 5 player… astros should go into spring thinking of winning nl central…we have a bunch of good players… position, starting pitchrs…bullpen… melancon will be missed..but, we have others…if we cant get enough for wandy, myers, clee…then keep them…question in my mind is jason castro…will he be 100 percent.. if so, i think he will be big contributor…if not, we are thin at catcher…mike h
Mike HJALM - December 19, 2011
Patience is a virtue
With so many free-swingers it is nice to see Bogusevic have a high on base percentage.
Killer Bee - December 20, 2011
Can Bogusevic play CF?
I think an outfield of Bogusevic, Martinez, and Travis Buck would be near average. I don’t view Jordan Schafer as ready for an everyday MLB CF job, and I don’t see Jason Bourgeois becoming more than a good 4th OF. I wouldn’t mind seeing a CF-by-committee approach with Bogusevic and JB Shuck (or Bourgeois, although I’d rather see Shuck) getting ~40 games each in CF, with Buck and Schafer each getting ~25 games and Matt Downs, Marwin Gonzalez, and Jimmy Paredes possibly getting some experimental time (~10 games each).
Snake Diggity - December 28, 2011
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of The Crawfish Boxes to post a comment.