wRC+ is a measure relative to all hitters, right? It isn't relative to the hitters at the specific position? In other words, the 57 wRC+ at catcher includes Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuna in the measure, not just other catchers? I wonder how our catchers compare as hitters to other catchers. In this case, it looks like our catchers are really lacking, but in the world of catchers, I'd guess we're doing better than most.(And I get the desire and need to have ALL positions hit at or above 100 wRC+)
SS and 2b should both (i would hope) have a pretty significant improvement just by having cruz and either peggy or triolo at 2b. Catcher will be better just by having not hedges around. I think the pen figures to be interesting again so if ben can do something worthwhile in the rotation, I feel like the majority of the roster should figure to at least be league average. Hoping for a lot more in areas like SS, 3b, LF, etc. but i think that even not having huge black holes on the roster is an easy way to improve
A lot of that was Connor Joe. For whatever reason, happenstance most likely, he had an OPS of .835 at 1B, .575 in LF. RF was in between. He also played well defensively at 1B.
Nice point and pretty much makes a good case for continuing to using a team effort at 1B in 2024 starting with Connor Joe, Jared Triolo, and Endy Rodriguez. Celestino could be capable of providing a good RH hitting strong defensive presence in CF. He has solid numbers on both sides of the ball.
Couldn’t disagree more. I think they need an everyday 1B who’s a bopper. I’d rather gamble on Santana than roll with the 3-headed route you suggested. Might even like Mason Martin or Rowdy Tellez more than 3-man platoon.
My first choice is trade for someone who has ceiling to lead team in HR’s.
If you want a 1B, you sure don't want Santana. He was a slightly below MLB average hitter for the Pirates in 2023 and in 2024 he'll be 38. His power-related batted ball data on Statcast dropped off sharply between 2022 and 2023. In every single one, he was well below avg. In most, he was in the bottom quarter. The odds are extremely high that he'll be a weaker hitter in 2024 than he was in 2023. He's the last possibility I'd go with if I wanted a bopper.
MLBTR thinks we'll have interest in Rowdy Tellez and Dom Smith. I could see Smith with Joe getting ABs against LHers.
We need Frankie Montas, Erik Fedde, and James Paxton plus maybe like a Brandon Drury
Triolo in a full time role would help any position
If WAR is the best way to judge a player, he’s top 3 on the Pirates
Others in the top 3 - Endy and Hayes
wRC+ is a measure relative to all hitters, right? It isn't relative to the hitters at the specific position? In other words, the 57 wRC+ at catcher includes Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuna in the measure, not just other catchers? I wonder how our catchers compare as hitters to other catchers. In this case, it looks like our catchers are really lacking, but in the world of catchers, I'd guess we're doing better than most.(And I get the desire and need to have ALL positions hit at or above 100 wRC+)
Our catchers were 28th as hitters among catchers.
Ouch. But maybe ours are taller? Or funnier?
Correct, wRC+ is independent of position
SS and 2b should both (i would hope) have a pretty significant improvement just by having cruz and either peggy or triolo at 2b. Catcher will be better just by having not hedges around. I think the pen figures to be interesting again so if ben can do something worthwhile in the rotation, I feel like the majority of the roster should figure to at least be league average. Hoping for a lot more in areas like SS, 3b, LF, etc. but i think that even not having huge black holes on the roster is an easy way to improve
(Mildly) Bold prediction:
LF & 3B will both have more positive WAR compared to last year than 1B.
Is it really that bold?
10th most 1B WAR in the sport last year, not easy to improve on that!
The problem with that is that it didn’t come from a long term source, would’ve been awesome if it came from a rookie.
A lot of that was Connor Joe. For whatever reason, happenstance most likely, he had an OPS of .835 at 1B, .575 in LF. RF was in between. He also played well defensively at 1B.
Totally random and unsustainable for Joe to hit so much better as 1B than OF.
Nice point and pretty much makes a good case for continuing to using a team effort at 1B in 2024 starting with Connor Joe, Jared Triolo, and Endy Rodriguez. Celestino could be capable of providing a good RH hitting strong defensive presence in CF. He has solid numbers on both sides of the ball.
Couldn’t disagree more. I think they need an everyday 1B who’s a bopper. I’d rather gamble on Santana than roll with the 3-headed route you suggested. Might even like Mason Martin or Rowdy Tellez more than 3-man platoon.
My first choice is trade for someone who has ceiling to lead team in HR’s.
If you want a 1B, you sure don't want Santana. He was a slightly below MLB average hitter for the Pirates in 2023 and in 2024 he'll be 38. His power-related batted ball data on Statcast dropped off sharply between 2022 and 2023. In every single one, he was well below avg. In most, he was in the bottom quarter. The odds are extremely high that he'll be a weaker hitter in 2024 than he was in 2023. He's the last possibility I'd go with if I wanted a bopper.
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/carlos-santana-467793?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb
Oviedo is getting the TJ according to reports. Lets's go Ben.
Ugh, but glad hes getting it now if it needs to be done