Field General, You Say?! (Another Open Plea to Jeff Lunhow)
So it appears that this off season for the Astros has already been met with troubling words from those in charge of the team and its future. To make matters worse, a fair share of those troubling words have already been spoken about your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. The first of which came during the end of season press conference held at Minute Maid Park on Monday. Mark Berman of Fox 26 caught video of THIS statement from skipper, A.J. Hinch.
"I think we're going to have to evaluate that this offseason," Luhnow said about the team's catching situation. "Evan's done a nice job catching for us. He's done a nice job throwing runners out. If you have a catcher who can hit 30-plus home runs, that's a huge advantage in this league. There are things he needs to work on - as every player has those things - defensively, but I think Evan factors into our picture for next year."
I want to believe this. But at the same time, he is a businessman, and could still end up doing the unthinkable with trading Evan off again. Heaven forbid, that happens! Lunhow then went on to say this about pending free agent and current starting catcher, Jason Castro:
With all due respect, Mr. Lunhow, I'm gonna need a little bit of your time. And this goes for ANYONE that continuously casts doubt on Evan Gattis. There are a number of solid points I need to make to all of you:
This first one lists the zBall%, which is the percentage of balls caught inside the strike zone that are called for balls. As you can see here, not much of a difference between the two players. Both of them are below the league average of 14.5% in this category, which is a good thing.
This report lists the oStr%, or percentage of balls caught outside the strike zone that are called for strikes. Once again, not that much difference between Castro and Gattis. Both above the 7.2% league average here.
This measure looks at the number of extra strikes called over the sample of pitches caught. Castro may have the advantage here, but it is because he obviously started back behind the plate more often and has a larger sample size.
This is the measure of positive calls per game for the catcher. This is another one with not much difference between the two players.
The problem with the Evan Gattis critics and haters is that if they see even one stat category where he has a negative number next to it, they automatically count him out as a player nowhere near worthy of being a starter in this league. And as for his near elite offense? Well, they also count that out, saying things like "A Catcher should only focus on their defense," or "Bad hitting catchers are more the norm." This sort of mindset, perpetrated by certain ball club decision makers and media, is one of complete folly that I can no longer stand by and allow to continue to spread like an epidemic. It needs to be contained!
We already know about George Springer, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa being the main "core" of the team. Well Mr. Lunhow, and I say this with all of the respect in the world for the ball club you've put together, maybe it's time we start including Evan Gattis in that "core" conversation as well. He deserves more playing time, and has gone above and beyond to earn it! You want us fans to trust the process? Well, it all starts by trusting and doing the right thing with the players that have exceeded expectations, and not squandering them or their talents out of a couple of irrational fears about said players or from presumably tempting trade offers from other teams.
Have to say, it's a bit disappointing hearing those statements. Though not intended to do so, it's only going to add to the doubt casting about the defensive abilities of El Oso Blanco, even when certain statistics say otherwise. Another pair of comments by GM, Jeff Lunhow really caught my attention in an article from Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle:AJ Hinch on Evan Gattis pic.twitter.com/encHvEYm6R— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 3, 2016
"I think we're going to have to evaluate that this offseason," Luhnow said about the team's catching situation. "Evan's done a nice job catching for us. He's done a nice job throwing runners out. If you have a catcher who can hit 30-plus home runs, that's a huge advantage in this league. There are things he needs to work on - as every player has those things - defensively, but I think Evan factors into our picture for next year."
I want to believe this. But at the same time, he is a businessman, and could still end up doing the unthinkable with trading Evan off again. Heaven forbid, that happens! Lunhow then went on to say this about pending free agent and current starting catcher, Jason Castro:
"He does a really good job of working with our pitchers, working with our coaching staff, and I think people forget sometimes the catcher is the field general, the person that's running the show during the game."
1. For Mr. Lunhow: In response to your first comment, the only thing on defense that I saw, and most saw, Evan remotely struggle with is his blocking and wild pitch prevention. But do remember, the hernia surgery and DL stint that followed made his catching re-groom one big crash course. Given a full spring training when pitchers and catchers report, and barring anything cataclysmic and unexpected, Evan will certainly surprise everyone. He has the skills and durability, and now he just needs the opportunity.
2. Still on you, Mr. Lunhow: I don't believe anyone has forgotten anything about either player. And to that point, if I may be so frank about it, Evan knows how to call a good game with the pitching staff and how to work well with them. Why else would the pitching staff give him such high praise in post game interviews? For someone that knows how to throw out runners better and have a better overall catcher ERA in half as many starts, his job back there as a backstop this past season should only need a simple eye test to tell you that this team wins more games when he is back there defending in his natural position. Rather than let him stew over previous at-bats and deal with the mental anguish that comes with being a DH, which essentially sets him and the team up for failure, he should be utilized in the most optimal way possible. I would humbly suggest flipping the script from last season to make Evan a starting catcher and occasional DH when he needs a break.
3. For all readers: The narrative behind keeping Jason Castro is that he is a supposed elite defender, pitch framer, and game caller. But is that really the case? Well, let's explore that a little bit, shall we? And please keep in mind, none of this is meant to discredit Castro, but rather, to promote Gattis as much as I always do.
The following are pitch framing reports, courtesy of StatCorner.com:
This first one lists the zBall%, which is the percentage of balls caught inside the strike zone that are called for balls. As you can see here, not much of a difference between the two players. Both of them are below the league average of 14.5% in this category, which is a good thing.
This report lists the oStr%, or percentage of balls caught outside the strike zone that are called for strikes. Once again, not that much difference between Castro and Gattis. Both above the 7.2% league average here.
This measure looks at the number of extra strikes called over the sample of pitches caught. Castro may have the advantage here, but it is because he obviously started back behind the plate more often and has a larger sample size.
This is the measure of positive calls per game for the catcher. This is another one with not much difference between the two players.
This measure is catcher runs above average, or RAA. It shows how many runs throughout the season the catcher prevented with his pitch framing, compared to league average. Castro does have the bigger advantage here, having led the American League in catcher RAA. But it is the only stat that Castro is actually considered elite in. Gattis is not far behind him on this one, either.
Another important defensive stat is the total defensive runs saved, or DRS. This info provided by baseball-reference.com:
This is yet another defensive area where these two players are not that far off. Now, let's look at one last thing: Catcher ERA (CERA) and CS (Caught Stealing Ratio). This information comes to us from ESPN.com:
Jason Castro has a very slight advantage in defensive WAR (wins above replacement). But Evan Gattis has a better Catcher ERA and CS Ratio over time. It is all too clear that a power bat with serviceable to above average defense gives the team way more value than a supposed elite defender that gives you absolutely zero with his bat. If runs really are at a premium in this league these days, there is no contest between the two. One drives a lot of runs in with his bat, and the other prevents opposing teams from scoring runs with his glove....but as displayed above, only to a degree more than his counterpart.
Now, show of hands, who still believes that Jason Castro is worth the money to re-sign and prevent Evan Gattis from getting the starting opportunity that he has more than earned? FYI, if you are raising your hand right now after seeing all that I have just posted, you are out of your mind! This decision should be based on more than just Gattis' superior bat setting career highs in 2016 with home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, walk %, OPS, WAR, and P/PA (pitches per plate appearance). This is about which player is more valuable overall and over time. Also, being a fan favorite to go along with his skills is a HUGE advantage for Gattis, with fans wanting to come and see a player like him be in the lineup and take to the field more often.
The money that would be used in retaining Castro is better suited towards getting a top of the line starting pitcher. Sale or Archer, anyone? It could also be used to fill the need in the outfield for a better bat. One that bats from the left side would be ideal for this scenario. Especially since on Colby Rasmus, as you so put it in the press conference, that he is a player of which you "don't know if he fits into our plans going forward."
The money that would be used in retaining Castro is better suited towards getting a top of the line starting pitcher. Sale or Archer, anyone? It could also be used to fill the need in the outfield for a better bat. One that bats from the left side would be ideal for this scenario. Especially since on Colby Rasmus, as you so put it in the press conference, that he is a player of which you "don't know if he fits into our plans going forward."
The problem with the Evan Gattis critics and haters is that if they see even one stat category where he has a negative number next to it, they automatically count him out as a player nowhere near worthy of being a starter in this league. And as for his near elite offense? Well, they also count that out, saying things like "A Catcher should only focus on their defense," or "Bad hitting catchers are more the norm." This sort of mindset, perpetrated by certain ball club decision makers and media, is one of complete folly that I can no longer stand by and allow to continue to spread like an epidemic. It needs to be contained!
We already know about George Springer, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa being the main "core" of the team. Well Mr. Lunhow, and I say this with all of the respect in the world for the ball club you've put together, maybe it's time we start including Evan Gattis in that "core" conversation as well. He deserves more playing time, and has gone above and beyond to earn it! You want us fans to trust the process? Well, it all starts by trusting and doing the right thing with the players that have exceeded expectations, and not squandering them or their talents out of a couple of irrational fears about said players or from presumably tempting trade offers from other teams.
Mr. Lunhow, I'll leave it here with the choice being clear. The message of my retort - Don't sell the bear short! And indeed, the rhyming was intentional.
Original Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn of Getty Images
Your move, Houston Astros Organization!!!!
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