Casey McGehee's struggles: how much leash does he get?

[Ando Calrissian]

I'm ready for Casey to be swapped out as much as anyone is, but it seems as though we're reliving one of those Yost moments when the "player's manager" gives the "good/hardworking/gritty battler/ whatever guy" an irrationally long time to get things right at the expense of the team. This is more excruciating even than the Turnbow affair as we've actually got a couple dudes that could arguably step up.

I seem to recall that everytime Joe Maddon was asked about Roenicke this off-season the most repeated adjective he used was, "stubborn." I hear ya, Joe.

[reillymcshane]

I've seen it mentioned a few times now here and there that we can't call up Green because we're in a pennant race. Would someone care to explain this to me? The worst thing that could happen is he'd hit like McGehee until the end of the month (with better defense) and we'd still have a chance to go out and get a guy.

 

Do others know something I don't about his character? From what I know, the last words I would use to describe him are "wilting lily."

I've seen this comment several times too, and I agree, it's ridiculous. You get your best players on the field. Whether they are rookies or 15 year vets, you put them on the field. McGehee is, frankly, playing TERRIBLE. He's as bad (if not worse) than Yuni. If we have a guy at AAA who can possibly do better - make the move.

[TooLiveBrew]

Casey hit the ball hard several times last night. Definitely looked like the "real" Casey. If he can be the .800-.850 OPS guy he's been the past two seasons the rest of the way, that'd be big.

[JohnBriggs12]

Casey hit the ball hard several times last night. Definitely looked like the "real" Casey. If he can be the .800-.850 OPS guy he's been the past two seasons the rest of the way, that'd be big.

If he's a .750 OPS guy, that's significant enough improvement to make a huge difference. I believe he's certainly capable of doing that over 60 games. That's not to say I wouldn't want a lefty bat not named Counsell that can play 3B two or three times a week and be a viable PH too.

[danzig6767]

Casey hit the ball hard several times last night. Definitely looked like the "real" Casey. If he can be the .800-.850 OPS guy he's been the past two seasons the rest of the way, that'd be big.

It was good to see, but that Enright dude was just dreadful. He kept splitting the plate with high 80's belt high fastballs, a hitters wet dream pitch.

[endaround]

Also Casey hits the DBacks as if he was Bill Hall playing the Reds. His line (and yes this is BA/OBP/SLG):

 

.482/.525/.893

[DuWayne Steurer]

Also Casey hits the DBacks as if he was Bill Hall playing the Reds. His line (and yes this is BA/OBP/SLG):

 

.482/.525/.893

Aren't splits vs 'teams' almost meaningless? Personnel changes from year to year mean that those vs. splits are against a wide range of pitchers, and honestly, shouldn't count for a whole lot, if anything at all.

[endaround]

Yes and no. For example if a hitter likes a given parks eye it may make a big difference. McGehee in Chase: .467/.529/.833. Now that is only 34 PAs but its so far outside his norm that he might just see things better there.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Yes and no. For example if a hitter likes a given parks eye it may make a big difference. McGehee in Chase: .467/.529/.833. Now that is only 34 PAs but its so far outside his norm that he might just see things better there.

I can buy parks, but not vs. teams. I remember Adam Dunn saying he didn't like hitting in MIller Park, and he had something like only a career. 750 OPS there or something like that.

[Ayt]

Just look at our team. With the changes in our pitching staff, how much do career numbers against the Brewers matter at all? Even if a guy killed us 2 years ago it has no real bearing on how he'll do against our current staff.

[RightFieldCoder]

Casey hit the ball hard several times last night. Definitely looked like the "real" Casey. If he can be the .800-.850 OPS guy he's been the past two seasons the rest of the way, that'd be big.

It was good to see, but that Enright dude was just dreadful. He kept splitting the plate with high 80's belt high fastballs, a hitters wet dream pitch.

Casey's first hit was on a fastball right down the middle. This was after Casey missed a hanging curve ball right down the middle. Yesterday might have been a bad thing in that now people can say he's turned the corner.

[jmeks23]

People getting excited that McGehee had a couple singles last night shouldn't. It was a blowout against a truly terrible pitcher, who wasn't just terrible against the Brewers, but against everyone this year.

 

Just because he got some "hard" hits against fastballs down the middle doesn't mean anything.

 

Honestly he's getting way too much leash, and RR seems to be in denial about McGehee this year. He still thinks McGehee is going to drive in 100. Anyone ever think last year was the fluke year and not this one? I know he's a fan favorite for people, but he's never struck me as a legit MLB talent. People also need to remember that the Brewers were dreadful in 09 (when McGehee started playing) and 2010, and I don't doubt that it's easier to hit when the games don't mean anything.

[ELCABALLO45]

Fangraphs has Casey's UZR/150 at 1.4.

 

Wait, what?

[JoeHova]

I remember Adam Dunn saying he didn't like hitting in MIller Park, and he had something like only a career. 750 OPS there or something like that.

Dunn would be loving a .750 OPS now.

[ilovebeer]

If Melvin and RR think they can go to the playoffs and win with Casey and Yuni as started they are in dream world.

[Thurston Fluff]

Not to belittle the problems Casey has been having but look at Scott Rolen's numbers this season .242/.279/.397. Granted he's a very good defender but is he $7,688,666 good? That is the difference in salaries between he and McGehee. Not saying that should change our view of McGehee. Just saying it could be worse. We could be paying over $8 million for essentially a defensive specialist. Comparing the two moving forward I think it easier to see Casey regaining form than Rolen.

[Baldkin]

Rolen's LD% is right in line with his career numbers, his BABIP is .262 (career .306). His BB% is down a lot as well, but that will probably bounce back up.

 

Casey's LD% is down, his FB % is down (resulting in less doubles and HR) and his GB% is way up. Just not a good sign for things going forward.

[geddymd73]

Brewers are fine in the playoffs with Casey and Yuni, especially if they hit the way they have been hitting for the past 2 weeks.

Casey: .290/.343/.290/.643

Yuni: .290/.313./.548/.861

I'd go with RR, who pretty much said there is no desperate need to make moves with these guys.

[CheezWizHed]

I'd go with RR, who pretty much said there is no desperate need to make moves with these guys.

 

That normally code for "a trade is in the works." http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

Casey: .290/.343/.290/.643

He hasn't hit anything but singles in 2 weeks? Ouch...

[Thurston Fluff]

He's also 36 years old. In the steroid era that was middle age. Now not so much. That is the major reason why I'd put my money on Casey having a better shot at turning it around.

[FVBrewerFan]

I don't see any signs of Casey turning it around. So he has a few hits up the middle? Why? Pitchers are willing to groove a fastball if they get behind in the count. Even at that, he's still missing a ton of them. I just see a lot of guessing and uncertainty up there. How many times has he taken a called 3rd strike just because he's hoping it's a ball?

 

If they sent him down a month ago, he may have straightened himself out by now. No way to ever prove/disprove it, but who knows?

[docduany]

I like Casey McGehee. He's been a great story. An underdog. An everyman. A guy the hated division rival gave up on and then proceeded to produce at an standout level. A seemingly good guy. But it's ENOUGH! ENOUGH! I sat watching last evenings game hoping for Casey to come through, to do something. What does he do? In the only inning the crew was able to bust through, Casey bounced into what should've been a double play. Only Sandavol's poor defense saved the double play.

 

I don't know, and quite frankly don't care what the Brewers do wit Casey. Send him down, cut him, bench him, trade him. Don't go away mad Casey, just go away. Many on this site would love Taylor Green to get a shot. Management for some reason won't do this. What ever. I'm so frustrated that I would honestly be ok with Gamel manning third. His defense would no doubt be as bad as many on this site fear, but I feel desperate times may call for desperate measures. I would be fine with acquiring a third baseman via trade, as foolish as it may be due to limited trade chips and potential in-house replacements. But IMO, it's time. Please do something Doug. Enough is enough.

[dlk9s]

It seems to me that Casey is never/rarely swinging with his body going straight towards the pitcher. He is either "pulling off" the ball and therefore hitting it off the end of the bat or jamming himself on pitches that he shouldn't get jammed on. There have been tons of times where there's a pitch over the middle of the plate that he doesn't hit with the center of the bat. Obviously, nobody hits hittable pitches well every time, but when guys miss-hit them they either top or bottom the ball, as opposed to Casey, who makes contact too far up or down the bat. Last year, it seemed pretty much automatic that if a ball was over the heart of the plate, he'd square it up, even if it was for an out. And with pitches on the inner or outer halves, he'd be able to adjust his bat position to get the sweet spot where it needed to be.

[TooLiveBrew]

Responding to a post by gifted1 in the Bring Up Taylor Green thread:

If McGehee's lack of performance at the plate isn't enough to get him demoted, maybe his lack of effort will. It was absolutely pathetic last night when he got caught off third and didn't even force a throw.

I actually thought Casey looked pissed off after getting tagged out.
Like the coaching staff/RRR hung him out to dry, which they/he
completely did. I can't put that on Casey, honestly. I would've liked
to see him hustle more, but he realistically probably can't outrun the
catcher, so what's the real point?

[brewmann04]

I think the casey experiment is over come aug.