Wood/Crews Debuts

[imref]

As high as I am on Call right now, it's worth looking at his entire season in AAA this year: .222 / .362 /.413 in 252 ABs. It's much more likely that he reverts to a low .200s hitter than it is that he stays at anywhere near his current level.

[IanRubbish]

As high as I am on Call right now, it's worth looking at his entire season in AAA this year: .222 / .362 /.413 in 252 ABs. It's much more likely that he reverts to a low .200s hitter than it is that he stays at anywhere near his current level.

BABIP issues.  Look at the AVG-OBP gap, he had incredible BB/K numbers there too.  The oddity is how his BABIP is so volatile.

[Elvir Ovcina]

BABIP issues.  Look at the AVG-OBP gap, he had incredible BB/K numbers there too.  The oddity is how his BABIP is so volatile.

Here, let me help you: he's not a good hitter. He is good at taking pitches. 

His BABIP fluctuates because he isn't good enough to hit the ball hard consistently, and soft contact doesn't find holes.

[nobleisthyname]

He's the kind of depth piece good teams have, but he probably shouldn't be on the OD 26 man roster.

[Slateman]

Call is fine as a 4th outfielder next season.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

he's a solid 4th OFer with his BB/K numbers, regardless of the remarkable BABIP ups and downs.

It's 20 games.  He didn't turn into something he's not at age 29.  He doesn't strike out much, walks a fair amount, and generally doesn't do much with contact when it's against major league pitching. He's useful because Thomas is gone, but let's not get too excited here.

I think both of these views are realistic. He's good enough / useful as a 4th OF. To turn this back to a "who  should start when Crews is called up," the default OF should be Wood / Young / Crews, with Call as a 4th, maybe call getting some ABs at DH (or Wood / Crews occasionally) if he remains hot.

[Smithian]

I've always liked Alex Call as a reserve OF. I still do. But there is no reason to believe he is now a plus hitter, or even an average one. When Joey Menenses came up, he as hitting the ball hard in AAA. Call wasn't. Call is a guy who can play all three spots and occasionally run into a ball and put it over the fence. In my opinion, a really solid #4 OF. I'm not getting my hopes up this is more than a hot streak.

[welch]

I've always liked Alex Call as a reserve OF. I still do. But there is no reason to believe he is now a plus hitter, or even an average one. When Joey Menenses came up, he as hitting the ball hard in AAA. Call wasn't. Call is a guy who can play all three spots and occasionally run into a ball and put it over the fence. In my opinion, a really solid #4 OF. I'm not getting my hopes up this is more than a hot streak.

I just agreed with that in another thread. Call has never hit much in the majors, and he was not hitting in Rochester this year. A good 4th OF with Young, Wood, and Crews starting.

[aspenbubba]

Crews did not play yesterday in Rochester with the Redwings having an off day today. I posted in the GDT that I suspected he was being called up but there are no rumors even circulating about this. Why wouldn't the Nats promote his promotion to increase attendance?

[varoadking]

I just agreed with that in another thread. Call has never hit much in the majors, and he was not hitting in Rochester this year. A good 4th OF with Young, Wood, and Crews starting.

I think you'd be surprised to see how similar Call and Crews' AAA OPS stats are this year...and Call is hiiting quite well in the Bigs...

[Natsinpwc]

I think you'd be surprised to see how similar Call and Crews' AAA OPS stats are this year...and Call is hiiting quite well in the Bigs...

Call is almost 30 years old and has a career OPS+ of 97.  So slightly below major league average even with the stats of the past couple weeks.  You need to give Crews the spot because he has more potential and a future.  Regardless of the Triple A numbers this year.  I think Call was in Rochester basically all year?  Call has been raking since he was called up.  That will stop soon enough.  I'm fine with him as a 4th OF for now.  He plays hard.  Although he still has gaffes like the bad throw yesterday that you would not expect from a 30 year old.  Not a great filter either to my eye test.  It's time for the youngins. 

[Natsinpwc]

Crews did not play yesterday in Rochester with the Redwings having an off day today. I posted in the GDT that I suspected he was being called up but there are no rumors even circulating about this. Why wouldn't the Nats promote his promotion to increase attendance?

They are waiting for the Yankee series to boost attendance that week.  LOL.

He also could have an injury and that changed the plans?

[imref]

Absolute silence on Crews.

[nobleisthyname]

If Crews isn't up this month and we're punting next season, what are the chances Crews isn't called up next season until the Nats get an extra year of guaranteed control?

[varoadking]

If Crews isn't up this month and we're punting next season, what are the chances Crews isn't called up next season until the Nats get an extra year of guaranteed control?

Boras will take it to DEFCON 1...

[nobleisthyname]

Boras will take it to DEFCON 1...

I just feel like if the only concern was maintaining rookie eligibility there's no reason not to call him up now so he can get as many major league reps as possible going into next season. If they're not doing that then that suggests to me they have other considerations in mind.

[Slateman]

Boras will take it to DEFCON 1...

Can do what all he wants, but the Nats can point to a sub .800 OPS and its pretty easy to justify it

[varoadking]

Can do what all he wants, but the Nats can point to a sub .800 OPS and its pretty easy to justify it

That pretty much describes the entire MLB roster as well, certainly the qualified players, of which there are only 3...

[Slateman]

That pretty much describes the entire MLB roster as well, certainly the qualified players, of which there are only 3...

But not in Triple A. Or Double A.

No, Boras is going to keep his mouth shut about it. If he were going to scream bloody murder, it would have been over Wood

[rileyn]

CALL HIM UP!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It might be hard to displace Call in the middle of a hot streak with someone who is doing middling in AAA. Next most sensible time to bring up Crews would be when rosters expand in September.

Kind of shocking that not messing with Call would enter the thinking. It's got to be that they want to see more from Crews before a call up.

[Smithian]

It might be hard to displace Call in the middle of a hot streak with someone who is doing middling in AAA. Next most sensible time to bring up Crews would be when rosters expand in September.

Kind of shocking that not messing with Call would enter the thinking. It's got to be that they want to see more from Crews before a call up.

I agree with this. If you bench Alex Call in a hot streak, you're telling the clubhouse that performance doesn't matter. Big difference between "we'll let a veteran work through a rough stretch" and "screw your hot streak, off to the bench"

[Slateman]

Just bench Young.

[rileyn]

Young could use a day off.
The clock is going to strike midnight for Call.
You could DH Wood every few days.

There is no way you delay bringing Crews up because of an Alex Call hot streak on a 56-69 team.  Good Lord.

[Natsinpwc]

Young could use a day off.
The clock is going to strike midnight for Call.
You could DH Wood every few days.

There is no way you delay bringing Crews up because of an Alex Call hot streak on a 56-69 team.  Good Lord.

This.