Keston Hiura called up, Shaw optioned

[FVBrewerFan]

There is no place for Shaw until/unless Moose or Thames are injured or traded, that simple. Otherwise, we'll see Shaw when rosters expand.

 

Regarding Hiura, add me to the list of people who didn't think he would be this good this fast. That said, I'm pumping the brakes a bit until we go though a round or two of pitchers adjusting to him and see how he reacts.

[crossface21]

Shaw has a history of not hitting well when he's not an everyday player. The Brewers know this. Bringing him up to be bench guy or a platoon player isn't going to work based off his past history. I can see them trading Moose because they can get a good return on perhaps a bullpen arm and putting Shaw back at 3B.

[jjfanec]

Sending down Hiura makes no sense. He is might be the second best hitter on the team. He might regress once people see him more but honestly his swing is so good and he has already shown the ability to make adjustments.

[timpep]

Shaw has a history of not hitting well when he's not an everyday player. The Brewers know this. Bringing him up to be bench guy or a platoon player isn't going to work based off his past history. I can see them trading Moose because they can get a good return on perhaps a bullpen arm and putting Shaw back at 3B.

 

The only times Shaw has really struggled was at the end of 2016 and see the beginning of this year. Both times he was a full time player until he lost playing time sure to struggling with the plate. I see no evidence he is affected more than anyone else with limited playing time.

[homer]

Sending down Hiura makes no sense. He is might be the second best hitter on the team. He might regress once people see him more but honestly his swing is so good and he has already shown the ability to make adjustments.

 

I don't think anyone wants to send him down again.

[Oxy]

Shaw has a history of not hitting well when he's not an everyday player. The Brewers know this. Bringing him up to be bench guy or a platoon player isn't going to work based off his past history. I can see them trading Moose because they can get a good return on perhaps a bullpen arm and putting Shaw back at 3B.

 

The only times Shaw has really struggled was at the end of 2016 and see the beginning of this year. Both times he was a full time player until he lost playing time sure to struggling with the plate. I see no evidence he is affected more than anyone else with limited playing time.

 

Shaw has a history of being excellent against righties and mediocre to bad against lefties. He was bad all of last year against them. There is nothing wrong with being the strong side of a platoon as a lefty as long as the rest of the roster fits that type of guy (it doesn't right now...can't have both him and Thames rostered unless Shaw starts playing a decent SS)

[Fear The Chorizo]

Hiura's 0.992 OPS is currently lower than only 7 other MLB players who have at least as many ABs as he does...those 7 are Yelich, Bellinger, Trout, Gallo, Rendon, Garver, and Tatis Jr.

 

Sure, he's not going to have at least 2 hits every game - and while there's been a noticeable improvement with the K rate he still needs to try and reduce that while increasing his BB rate...but damn that kid can swing a bat!

[cesser000]

Hiura's 0.992 OPS is currently lower than only 7 other MLB players who have at least as many ABs as he does...those 7 are Yelich, Bellinger, Trout, Gallo, Rendon, Garver, and Tatis Jr.

 

Sure, he's not going to have at least 2 hits every game - and while there's been a noticeable improvement with the K rate he still needs to try and reduce that while increasing his BB rate...but damn that kid can swing a bat!

Remember too that he's just about to turn 23 next month. He likely won't reach his prime for another 4 or 5 years.

[clancyphile]

Shaw has a history of not hitting well when he's not an everyday player. The Brewers know this. Bringing him up to be bench guy or a platoon player isn't going to work based off his past history. I can see them trading Moose because they can get a good return on perhaps a bullpen arm and putting Shaw back at 3B.

 

The only times Shaw has really struggled was at the end of 2016 and see the beginning of this year. Both times he was a full time player until he lost playing time sure to struggling with the plate. I see no evidence he is affected more than anyone else with limited playing time.

 

Shaw has a history of being excellent against righties and mediocre to bad against lefties. He was bad all of last year against them. There is nothing wrong with being the strong side of a platoon as a lefty as long as the rest of the roster fits that type of guy (it doesn't right now...can't have both him and Thames rostered unless Shaw starts playing a decent SS)

 

Moose did have experience at SS in full-season A - a long time ago, but he is an option. He did make a decent transition to second base earlier this season, and hit well.

 

I'm just sayin'...

[PeaveyFury]

Clancy, every single one of us, athletes certainly included, loses range, speed, and athleticism as we get older. That Moose played SS is A BALL means virtually nothing now, so many years later.

[JohnBriggs12]

at least when they decide to recall shaw they can dump Saldy instead of Keston

 

They need an backup infielder capable of playing SS, though. I mean, I guess you could stick Moose or Shaw there in a pinch, but it isn't ideal.

 

Hey Shaw's picked it up but the infielder that's really been raking in AAA is Cory Spangenberg, and I find it interesting that he started at SS yesterday. Plus he can play virtually anywhere much like Perez.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

I recall saying that Hiura is the best RH bat in the organization which take however you want, (as an indictment of how subpar the team's RH bats are or as indicator of how good Hiura is) it's a fair opinion to hold.

 

I also said that Hiura will be the team's 2nd best bat for the remainder of whatever season they decide to keep him up permanently. And hopefully it's this one because I stand by it. His bat is that special. And it's a characterization shared by people much closer to the situation.

 

I can man up and admit that you are 100% right on Hiura, TBBC. He's exceeded my expectations in a big way. That bat has the chance of truly being difference-making. I liked him as a prospect, but in no way did I think he was going to be ready this year. I was WAY off.

 

:thumbsup:

 

This offense can be scary good the rest of the season. Now they just need to find the right mix on the pitching side.

[adambr2]

Loved the brutal honesty from Chase the other day in regard to Hiura:

 

"I don't know why we sent him down, honestly."

 

Probably not a comment Stearns was crazy about hearing, but maybe one he needed to.

[pacopete4]

Anderson’s thoughts mean very little. Stearns has big picture things to keep in mind that Anderson could not probably careless about.

[adambr2]

Anderson’s thoughts mean very little.

 

Poor Chase.

 

Honestly, you're right, it's really probably not that big of a deal to either Anderson or Stearns, but I think many of us felt the same way Anderson does.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Anderson’s thoughts mean very little.

 

Poor Chase.

 

Honestly, you're right, it's really probably not that big of a deal to either Anderson or Stearns, but I think many of us felt the same way Anderson does.

 

Obviously the Brewers' plan didn't work, but I think everyone understands why they did it, even though many disagreed with it. It's water under the bridge at this point. Hiura is up now, and he likely isn't going anywhere for a long time.

[The stache]

I knew Hiura could flat our hit. But the amount of power he displays surprises me. I'm aware of what he's done in the minors, but it doesn't always translate to the Majors. But 9 HR In 124 AB, and not yet 23? He's a legit 30 homer a season guy.

 

ESPN's home run tracker is no more. Would somebody be good enough to post a site that tracks distance and exit velocity? Does Fangraphs track this anywhere?

 

The thought of Hiura and Yelich back to back for the foreseeable future makes me giddy.

[Brew crew 92]

I knew Hiura could flat our hit. But the amount of power he displays surprises me. I'm aware of what he's done in the minors, but it doesn't always translate to the Majors. But 9 HR In 124 AB, and not yet 23? He's a legit 30 homer a season guy.

 

ESPN's home run tracker is no more. Would somebody be good enough to post a site that tracks distance and exit velocity? Does Fangraphs track this anywhere?

 

The thought of Hiura and Yelich back to back for the foreseeable future makes me giddy.

 

Grisham

Yelich

Hiura

 

This triumvirate makes me even giddier!

[The stache]

I'm seeing an average exit velocity of 93.3, with a MLB average of 87.5. Is this for all at bats, or home runs only?

 

His hard hit pct is 53.1%. MLB average is 34.4%.

 

I should have known better looking at his scouting reports before being called up. Baseball Savant gives him a 70 hit tool, and 60 power, on the 70-20 scale.

 

Yikes.

[Pugger]

at least when they decide to recall shaw they can dump Saldy instead of Keston

 

They need an backup infielder capable of playing SS, though. I mean, I guess you could stick Moose or Shaw there in a pinch, but it isn't ideal.

 

Hey Shaw's picked it up but the infielder that's really been raking in AAA is Cory Spangenberg, and I find it interesting that he started at SS yesterday. Plus he can play virtually anywhere much like Perez.

 

Then perhaps we should bring him up to take the place of Saladino...

[brewerfan82]

Hey Shaw's picked it up but the infielder that's really been raking in AAA is Cory Spangenberg, and I find it interesting that he started at SS yesterday. Plus he can play virtually anywhere much like Perez.

You weren't joking. He's actually been pretty consistently ridiculous all season once you get past April:

 

[pre]Month AB 2B 3B HR SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

----- --- -- -- -- -- -- ---- ---- ---- -----

May 87 11 1 3 8 1 .345 .414 .598 1.012

June 105 7 2 2 5 2 .352 .415 .514 .930

July 60 5 1 3 5 0 .383 .431 .650 1.081

 

Split AB 2B 3B HR SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

----- --- -- -- -- -- -- ---- ---- ---- -----

vs. L 94 7 0 1 2 1 .266 .317 .372 .689

vs. R 224 17 4 9 18 3 .344 .418 .576 .994[/pre]

 

His splits definitely favor righty matchups, but that's the majority of appearances, compliments Arcia as a soft platoon, and he's not completely useless against lefties. And as mentioned, he's played all over the field: LF (20 starts), CF (18), 2B (12), 3B (10), 1B (10), SS (8), RF (3)

 

I'm game for a Saladino/Spangenberg swap. If nothing else, this team should have some really nice depth and options in September.

[adambr2]

Swapping Saladino for Spangenberg is certainly fine by me, but Shaw is the bat we've got to try to work back in eventually. (Not at Hiura's expense of course). We've seen with Saladino how much a journeyman raking in San Antonio means.

[KeithStone53151]

Hiura has elite bat speed...which was always going to lead to more power. Just a matter of him figuring it out.

[brewerfan82]

Swapping Saladino for Spangenberg is certainly fine by me, but Shaw is the bat we've got to try to work back in eventually. (Not at Hiura's expense of course). We've seen with Saladino how much a journeyman raking in San Antonio means.

That's a good point. It's a little tricky finding a spot for Shaw with 2B/3B covered and not good options for a platoon. Aguilar's raking again this month (1.161 OPS), so I guess you have to hope that continues and you get to the point that you prefer Shaw to Thames on the roster and can find a trade partner for Thames.

[wntrtxn21]

Swapping Saladino for Spangenberg is certainly fine by me, but Shaw is the bat we've got to try to work back in eventually. (Not at Hiura's expense of course). We've seen with Saladino how much a journeyman raking in San Antonio means.

 

Spangenberg has very limited time at SS. MLB = 1 inning. Minors = 8 games. He certainly isn't a starting SS.