David Freese or Ian Stewart?

[Chuck]

I talked to an Angels exec recently and he said to expect a better showing this season from Ian Stewart.

 

I then heard Rojas mention on the air today that Stewart worked out with Rod Carew in the offseason on his swing. They worked out quite a bit from what I was told. 

 

1. Stewart had a better spring than Freese. Stewart batted .298/.370/.511 with three homers and six RBI over 47 spring at-bats.

 

2. His balance at the plate looks a lot like Josh Hamilton. Has much more raw power than Freese. 

 

3. Ian is known to be a better 3B defensively. 

 

4. Stewart was a top prospect, top draft pick, so he has the pedigree Freese doesn't have. 

 

5. Stewart is hungry after struggling with the Rockies, then cut by two teams. 

 

I know it's a small sample size to look at stats, but Stewart's at bats in ST and early on have looked a lot better than Freese. David Freese has looked awful chasing high fastballs and offering at sliders low and away. 

 

Which of the two would you like to start or would you go for a straight platoon with Stewart starting against righties and Freese against lefties?

[moccasin]

Freese against righties has been .103/.129/.103.

Straight platoon please.

[IowaAngels27]

As of right now I'd stick with a platoon and go with whichever guy is a better matchup against an opposing pitcher. If they're both getting ABs, then the sample size to compare is larger and hopefully one guy can stand out over the other!

[Chuck]

Freese against righties has been .103/.129/.103.

Straight platoon please.

Yep. 

 

Meanwhile Freese is hitting much better (sample size I know) vs. lefties. His only HR was against Paxton. But he seems to see the ball better from a lefty. He has 3 walks vs. 2 strikeouts. 3 hits in 6 at bats vs. southpaws. 

 

Against righties he's struck out 9 times in 29 at bats. Just one walk. 

 

In every season that Freese has been in the league, he's hit way better against southpaws with a BA well over .300 in his career. 

[NrM]

I talked to an Angels exec recently and he said to expect a better showing this season from Ian Stewart.

 

I then heard Rojas mention on the air today that Stewart worked out with Rod Carew in the offseason on his swing. They worked out quite a bit from what I was told. 

 

1. Stewart had a better spring than Freese. Stewart batted .298/.370/.511 with three homers and six RBI over 47 spring at-bats.

 

2. His balance at the plate looks a lot like Josh Hamilton. Has much more raw power than Freese. 

 

3. Ian is known to be a better 3B defensively. 

 

4. Stewart was a top prospect, top draft pick, so he has the pedigree Freese doesn't have. 

 

5. Stewart is hungry after struggling with the Rockies, then cut by two teams. 

 

I know it's a small sample size to look at stats, but Stewart's at bats in ST and early on have looked a lot better than Freese. David Freese has looked awful chasing high fastballs and offering at sliders low and away. 

 

Which of the two would you like to start or would you go for a straight platoon with Stewart starting against righties and Freese against lefties?

but stewart has been bad for most of his career.

 

I'd rather see Green starting at 3b.

[rafibomb]

Had no idea Stewart was a 1st round draft pick. He was the number 10 pick of the draft! Does anyone happen to have a scouting report of Stewart back then? Really curious to see what scouts saw in him for him to be a top 10 pick, obviously other than his power.

[krAbs]

I've actually been really liking McDonald recently. He is the best of the three defensively, he had a great spring, and he's been doing well in the regular season thus far. The only real downside is the lack of power, but we are leading the league in hr's while playing most of our games at Angel's stadium...I feel like power is something we have plenty of. It would be interesting to see how long he can sustain this hot streak as a starter.

But, seeing as that's not going to happen, so I would say Stewart with Freese as a main backup until he finds his swing a bit/till Steward cools down.

[Chuck]

but stewart has been bad for most of his career.

 

I'd rather see Green starting at 3b.

 

Green is not going to be considered for 3B so drop that idea. 

 

Despite his struggles the past few years, he has talent. Some players to realize their talent until later in their career. 

[rafibomb]

Green is not going to be considered for 3B so drop that idea. 

 

Despite his struggles the past few years, he has talent. Some players to realize their talent until later in their career. 

[NrM]

Green is not going to be considered for 3B so drop that idea. 

 

Despite his struggles the past few years, he has talent. Some players to realize their talent until later in their career. 

 

okay 

 

platoon then

Edited April 14, 2014 by Poozy

[Tyler]

Freese pretty easily for me.

 

Patience. 

[arch stanton]

As long as Hamilton is out the idea of a lefty power bat makes Stewart appealing Can he play LF?

[Chuck]

Had no idea Stewart was a 1st round draft pick. He was the number 10 pick of the draft! Does anyone happen to have a scouting report of Stewart back then? Really curious to see what scouts saw in him for him to be a top 10 pick, obviously other than his power.

 

From an old BA Handbook of mine on Ian Stewart who was ranked #1 over Tulo! 

 

 

 

 

 

[moccasin]

I don't remember seeing one hard hit off a righty from Freese yet. Even his hits are just bloopers that go above the second baseman's head.

He was bad against righties last year, and he's getting worse. Slumping is one thing, a .103 slugging avg is another.

[Troll Daddy]

I miss Callaspo

[rafibomb]

From an old BA Handbook of mine on Ian Stewart who was ranked #1 over Tulo! 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks a lot Chuck!

[HeavenlyHalos]

"He batted .333-3-12 in 12 Arizona Fall League games before re-injuring his wrist sliding into second base."

 

At least it wasn't first base. Both Stewart and Freese have been underwhelming so far (Stewart did look good today but has struck out in 7 of his 15 at bats this year). Looking at splits, I voted for a platoon, and hope this would drive them both knowing they have to fight for the starting position. Hopefully, one or the combination both can produce a 2-3 WAR season this year.

Edited April 14, 2014 by HeavenlyHalos

[bloodbrother]

Man, 3B has been a black hole for this team since Glaus moved on and McPherson busted

 

I'm all for a platoon though. I don't like either of these options but this is what they got. Freese has looked absolutely awful. Maybe 3 hard hit balls all year from him and terrible AB's/swings

[gurn67]

Can't figure out if Freese looks more like a DFA or a non-tender.

[m0nkey]

I definitely do not believein stewart

[ten ocho recon scout]

From an old BA Handbook of mine on Ian Stewart who was ranked #1 over Tulo!

Was it the same issue that said mathis was gonna be a stud?

[ten ocho recon scout]

I miss Callaspo

lol

And im not knocking callaspo.....just that saying that is so you.

Dont ever change pimp

[Marsaka]

id go with stewart.  he puts up good ab's, works the count, he showed he has opposite field power yesterday as well which is a very good sign.  who cares if he k's a lot?  many power hitters do.

 

his swing is a bit too long, but i think he can work on that over the season.  he has way more potential than freese and better defense too.  im very glad he made the team because i dont trust freese and stewart was my sleeper pick to comeback this year.

[Inside Pitch]

I'd platoon them.  I called Freese white Callapso when they traded for him.  I should probably apologize to Callaspo.

[markb]

lol

And im not knocking callaspo.....just that saying that is so you.

Dont ever change pimp

 

Even though pimp is doing his schtick, Callaspo actually has a Trout-like slash line at the moment.