League average OPS for Catchers: .688

OPS for Flowers: .693

Is that starting catchers or all catchers?

Is that starting catchers or all catchers?

 

I'm guessing all catchers. I just looked up the 30 catchers who got the most PA as catchers in 2014, and Flowers was 21st in OPS at .693. The median for those 30 players was .718.

I'm guessing all catchers. I just looked up the 30 catchers who got the most PA as catchers in 2014, and Flowers was 21st in OPS at .693. The median for those 30 players was .718.

What do you use for stats. When I run all catchers to see individual numbers on ESPN or fangraphs, they exclude about 1/2 of the catchers, including Flowers.

 

Yes the number I put above is based on at bats from all catchers.

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by GreenSox

What do you use for stats. When I run all catchers to see individual numbers on ESPN or fangraphs, they exclude about 1/2 of the catchers, including Flowers.

 

Yes the number I put above is based on at bats from all catchers.

 

I went to espn.com and looked up individual hitting stats for 2014, then played with the minimum PA requirement until it returned 30 lines.

Yep, it's a new environment. A 690 OPS from a solid defensive catcher is fine. My problem with Flowers is that I expect him to OPS 640 and be .5 WAR or so.

 

Conor is a fine starting 3B. He's not a star, but compared to say 2012 -- the Sox are OK at 3B.

 

The real problems are the 4th and 5th starters. I'm not convinced on either Hector or Danks. They def need Rodon to come in and be a 100 ERA+ guy in July.

What do you use for stats. When I run all catchers to see individual numbers on ESPN or fangraphs, they exclude about 1/2 of the catchers, including Flowers.

 

Yes the number I put above is based on at bats from all catchers.

Thats what I thought. He can't be above average for starters for hitting. That being said im all for catchers being primarily receivers. If the pitching staff likes throwing to him and the coaches like his catching and defense. Its fine with me for him to start. Unless you have one of the premier offensive catchers, this should be their role.

Yep, it's a new environment. A 690 OPS from a solid defensive catcher is fine. My problem with Flowers is that I expect him to OPS 640 and be .5 WAR or so.

 

He might end up sucking that bad. However..

 

Things I think could bode well for Flowers

 

1) .891 second half OPS. That can't be 100% luck. And it was the tail end of him getting his first full season as a starter.

2) A legit back-up will let him rest more than with Nieto. More rest throughout the year might help his performance.

3) Legit left-handed backup will allow him to get a greater percentage of his at bats against lefties, against whom he had a .732 OPS last year.

The problem is that we already have offensive holes at C an 3B. You can't expect to be contenders with huge gaps at a third of your positions.

 

Batting Gillespie further down in the order this upcoming season will help. I'll gladly take a .280 average from my #7 hitter. Sox should be fine so long as they go out and get a solid bench bat that can spell him against LHP.

The problem is that we already have offensive holes at C an 3B. You can't expect to be contenders with huge gaps at a third of your positions.

 

I would not call Flowers and Gillaspie huge gaps offensively. They are fine for a contending team. Look at the Giants, they had some holes in the line up when looking at it on paper and they still won. Royals had holes in their line up and made it to the WS.

The problem is that we already have offensive holes at C an 3B. You can't expect to be contenders with huge gaps at a third of your positions.

 

You just named two positions where there is a lack of good talent at in the whole league. Each player will serve their purpose at their position, though. The Royals almost won the WS w/ Moose at 3rd hitting terribly.

League average OPS for Catchers: .688

OPS for Flowers: .693

 

Flowers 2014 BABIP: .355 (which we can all confirm from watching had a LOT to do with ducksnorts)

 

He had a 93 wRC+, which was exactly league average for a catcher, but he'll be substantially below that with a league average (or even career average) BABIP.

 

Flowers is not good as he currently exists. Maybe he has upside left, but he's a comfortably below average starting catcher as of today, unless you think he's an elite game caller or something.

Edited December 19, 201411 yr by Eminor3rd

Flowers 2014 BABIP: .355 (which we can all confirm from watching had a LOT to do with ducksnorts)

 

He had a 93 wRC+, which was exactly league average for a catcher, but he'll be substantially below that with a league average (or even career average) BABIP.

 

Flowers is not good as he currently exists. Maybe he has upside left, but he's a comfortably below average starting catcher as of today, unless you think he's an elite game caller or something.

 

But what about the new super Flowers ------ the one wearing glasses?

 

 

3rd base

 

I don't know.

But what about the new super Flowers ------ the one wearing glasses?

The 2nd half of the season which translates to 48 games , so really it's 1/3 0f the season Tyler had a .280 B.A. , .337 OBP, .553 SLG, and .891 OPS. Odd thing is looking at the stats for August and Sept/Oct. which is 38 games the numbers don't match up except fot the Sept/Oct OPS . He must have been very hot the last 10 games of July.

 

Is that the period when he went crazy with the Sorcerors Spec's ?

 

Anyway Tyler chalked it all up to studying how great hitters do it on film so maybe he can carry over what he learned to 2015.

I don't know.

Classic.

Gillaspie is so inconsistent on defense. He can pluck the spectacular play then look like a Little Leaguer. I'm thinking he is what he is by now. He's going to make his ton of errors. He's definitely below par defensively. He did have a lot of line drive hits last year though. I don't think he's a very valuable player because of his lousy defense. Can he platoon? I guess.

I would not call Flowers and Gillaspie huge gaps offensively. They are fine for a contending team. Look at the Giants, they had some holes in the line up when looking at it on paper and they still won. Royals had holes in their line up and made it to the WS.

Yeah, really. Unless your payroll is $175-$200M, you're going to have SOME question marks. That's just the way it is. I don't think Flowers or Conor are going to be our biggest problems in 2015, and if they are? Get ready for some late October baseball on the South Side.