A.J. Hinch: This One's For You!
I just recently learned that the Houston Astros have succeeded in both retaking the lead in the AL West, and getting back to .500 on the year. Impressive to say the least, even though it is still early yet. They now head today to Seattle to face their divisional rival Mariners in a three game set to start off the week. All eyes, especially mine, will be on that series for sure.
But in this post, I'd like to turn my attention to the coaching staff. More specifically, to skipper A.J. Hinch. All others can feel free to leave the room, if you must. However, I prefer that all of you readers stay and be educated by me. But here goes:
Mr. Hinch, you've been making some really decent decisions as it affects your ball club. You've met, and in some cases, exceeded your expectations of a .500 season. Granted, there is still a ways to go in the season, but your team is well on it's way to being a legitimate threat to the division. If nothing else, a wild card spot in the post season is beginning to smell more real for you and your guys.
If I may interject, however, there is still one area of concern. This is one that is not only present in the Astros fan base, but among many fans and analysts of the baseball world, myself included. That area relates to a one Mr. Evan Gattis.
You have quite a commendable player and young man on your hands by having Evan Gattis in your lineup. After all, the Braves loss was the Astros gain. His sheer skills with a bat, mixed with his genuinely kind personality and treatment of fans, make him a true people's champion of this game.
But here's the problem: Batting Evan in the cleanup spot is not working for him. Don't believe me? Just take a look at these numbers. They really don't lie:
Do you see a pattern, here? It may only be 12 games in, but Evan's overall average, on-base, and slugging all appear to go up the further down in the lineup he is. Yes, he may have his lone home run and RBI in the cleanup spot, but also a whopping dozen strikeouts. When batting 5th, he had an additional hit, that included a double, PLUS fewer strikeouts.
Obviously, THIS was not an option going into the season:
Playing in left field was, obviously, not beneficial for all involved, including Evan himself. So you made him the DH? Good move, considering what choice you made with Singleton and Carter. Evan is certainly built to be a tremendous DH and could even rival Big Papi David Ortiz one day. But something happened that threw a wrench in this plan.
What is it, you ask? Simple; when you made Evan Gattis the cleanup hitter.
Now, do not get me wrong; My loyalty to Evan Gattis is unwavering and unfaltering. I couldn't care less if he struck out every plate appearance from here on out. I am rooting for that man until the day I die, which God willing, will not be anytime soon. Plenty of folks make fun of me for this, but it is only because they themselves don't understand the true value of loyalty or devotion, which are both more admirable qualities then are given credit for. If more people tried them sometime, then this world would be a much better place to live in.
But I digress. Something that many fail to also realize is that Evan has a history of depression. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to do well, and in some cases, unnecessarily too much of it. Inserting him into that particular spot in the lineup only makes him pressure himself more than he already does, causing his swing to be negatively affected, which produces equally negative results, as has been shown so far in the 2015 campaign.
Now, I know many will throw the old "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" phrase at me. But I would counter that with this: If one of your cooks is working too fast and ends up catching on fire, do you attempt to administer a put out of those flames? Or do you let him burn? If it were me, I would not only put out the flames, but nurse any and all wounds.
With all do respect to you, Mr. Hinch, PLEASE stop letting Evan Gattis burn, and put him down in the 5 or 6 hole in the lineup. It will keep him in a respectable place in the batting order, while also taking the pressure off of him that he really does not need right now. It's not playing mother hen to Evan, though a lot of people seem to think that I only do that. But instead, it is expressing true fan and ally concern for someone whom I see as more than just a baseball player.
Evan Gattis is a decent, respectable, courageous, honest and kind human being and man that should be treated as such on all levels. This includes taking into account where and how to play him in the game he, and all of us, love so much. I'd have made this move already, but like other fans, I'm powerless and helpless to this situation, and can only watch what unfolds from afar. This notion kills me a little inside, especially when I have to watch Evan struggle like he has. It's not a jump the gun reaction, but merely a desire to shield the White Bear from any metaphorical harpoons of unnecessary criticism and ridicule that may come his way. But there is only so long that my shields will hold up before something else needs to be done.
I am imploring you, Mr. Hinch, to please consider this move for all involved, for the good of the team, and for the good of Evan himself. We all know how much better Evan is than what he has shown. He knows it himself as well. But help needs to be given to make him and the team better, and you are the only one to provide that help. We know you can, Mr. Hinch, and I appreciate any thought you may give to this manner at hand. Whatever happens, GO EVAN GATTIS and GO ASTROS!!!!
Sincerely,
James Ignatius Zeankowski (Concerned fan and devoted Evan Gattis supporter)
But in this post, I'd like to turn my attention to the coaching staff. More specifically, to skipper A.J. Hinch. All others can feel free to leave the room, if you must. However, I prefer that all of you readers stay and be educated by me. But here goes:
Mr. Hinch, you've been making some really decent decisions as it affects your ball club. You've met, and in some cases, exceeded your expectations of a .500 season. Granted, there is still a ways to go in the season, but your team is well on it's way to being a legitimate threat to the division. If nothing else, a wild card spot in the post season is beginning to smell more real for you and your guys.
If I may interject, however, there is still one area of concern. This is one that is not only present in the Astros fan base, but among many fans and analysts of the baseball world, myself included. That area relates to a one Mr. Evan Gattis.
You have quite a commendable player and young man on your hands by having Evan Gattis in your lineup. After all, the Braves loss was the Astros gain. His sheer skills with a bat, mixed with his genuinely kind personality and treatment of fans, make him a true people's champion of this game.
But here's the problem: Batting Evan in the cleanup spot is not working for him. Don't believe me? Just take a look at these numbers. They really don't lie:
| By Batting Order | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | HBP | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Batting #4 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | .080 | .148 | .200 | .348 |
| Batting #5 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | .176 | .222 | .235 | .457 |
Do you see a pattern, here? It may only be 12 games in, but Evan's overall average, on-base, and slugging all appear to go up the further down in the lineup he is. Yes, he may have his lone home run and RBI in the cleanup spot, but also a whopping dozen strikeouts. When batting 5th, he had an additional hit, that included a double, PLUS fewer strikeouts.
Obviously, THIS was not an option going into the season:
Playing in left field was, obviously, not beneficial for all involved, including Evan himself. So you made him the DH? Good move, considering what choice you made with Singleton and Carter. Evan is certainly built to be a tremendous DH and could even rival Big Papi David Ortiz one day. But something happened that threw a wrench in this plan.
What is it, you ask? Simple; when you made Evan Gattis the cleanup hitter.
Now, do not get me wrong; My loyalty to Evan Gattis is unwavering and unfaltering. I couldn't care less if he struck out every plate appearance from here on out. I am rooting for that man until the day I die, which God willing, will not be anytime soon. Plenty of folks make fun of me for this, but it is only because they themselves don't understand the true value of loyalty or devotion, which are both more admirable qualities then are given credit for. If more people tried them sometime, then this world would be a much better place to live in.
But I digress. Something that many fail to also realize is that Evan has a history of depression. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to do well, and in some cases, unnecessarily too much of it. Inserting him into that particular spot in the lineup only makes him pressure himself more than he already does, causing his swing to be negatively affected, which produces equally negative results, as has been shown so far in the 2015 campaign.
Now, I know many will throw the old "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" phrase at me. But I would counter that with this: If one of your cooks is working too fast and ends up catching on fire, do you attempt to administer a put out of those flames? Or do you let him burn? If it were me, I would not only put out the flames, but nurse any and all wounds.
With all do respect to you, Mr. Hinch, PLEASE stop letting Evan Gattis burn, and put him down in the 5 or 6 hole in the lineup. It will keep him in a respectable place in the batting order, while also taking the pressure off of him that he really does not need right now. It's not playing mother hen to Evan, though a lot of people seem to think that I only do that. But instead, it is expressing true fan and ally concern for someone whom I see as more than just a baseball player.
Evan Gattis is a decent, respectable, courageous, honest and kind human being and man that should be treated as such on all levels. This includes taking into account where and how to play him in the game he, and all of us, love so much. I'd have made this move already, but like other fans, I'm powerless and helpless to this situation, and can only watch what unfolds from afar. This notion kills me a little inside, especially when I have to watch Evan struggle like he has. It's not a jump the gun reaction, but merely a desire to shield the White Bear from any metaphorical harpoons of unnecessary criticism and ridicule that may come his way. But there is only so long that my shields will hold up before something else needs to be done.
I am imploring you, Mr. Hinch, to please consider this move for all involved, for the good of the team, and for the good of Evan himself. We all know how much better Evan is than what he has shown. He knows it himself as well. But help needs to be given to make him and the team better, and you are the only one to provide that help. We know you can, Mr. Hinch, and I appreciate any thought you may give to this manner at hand. Whatever happens, GO EVAN GATTIS and GO ASTROS!!!!
Sincerely,
James Ignatius Zeankowski (Concerned fan and devoted Evan Gattis supporter)
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| Don't let this guy burn anymore, A.J. Hinch. Only you can prevent bear fires! |
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