Reasons Why Callaspo, NOT Aybar Should Bat Second

[ScottT]

That was Salmon, not Langston.

 

And baseball players believe a lot of things, not all of them are true.

 

Baseball players are good at playing baseball.   

[tdawg87]

Baseball players are good at playing baseball.   

 

Guess that makes Vernon Wells an accountant.

[AZMike]

Guess that makes Vernon Wells an accountant.

... so what does that make Reagins?

[Corona]

I'm sure we'll get to see a massive platoon in the 2 hole with the way Sciosca handles his line ups.

[HaloFan85]

Aybar

Kendrick

Callaspo

Bourjos

Ianetta

Bourjos moves update the list if he gets to hittin

+1

 

I know some have suggested that there's no evidence the #2 hitter will see more fastballs, but you'd have to be a dunce of a pitcher to not throw strikes with Trout on 1B AND Pujols on deck, followed by Hamilton.  Torii was one of the most aggressive free swinging hitters on this team and Trout still stole 49 bags.  The Angels will need a hitter who can take advantage of the fastball, and that's either Aybar or Kendrick.  With Aybar being a switch hitter, I think it should be his spot to lose.  Why anyone would want Callaspo just because he's supposedly a "patient" hitter is beyond me.  He'll be looking at too many strike 3 call fastballs if that's the case.

 

And FYI, Aybar and Kendrick were 2 of the best fastball hitting Angels in 2012.  Callaspo...one of the worst.  If due to his bat speed, I doubt his extra weight will make things easier.

[Inside Pitch]

Kendrick hasn't hit 2nd with Trout leading off yet. I think he should get that chance. Completely different dynamic than having Aybar or Izturis leading off which is who he hit behind last season.

 

I don't really believe in lineup protection, but I do believe hitting behind a guy that runs means more fastballs, especially if it's Pudge Rodriguez behind the plate.  Kendrick as a whole hasn't hit well in the 2 spot save for 2011 when he posted an OPS 0f .872 in 197 plate appearances there, no idea whether or not he was being sent up there to do something specific or whatever, but he can hit fastballs pretty well.  We can all roster-bate all we want, But I think we all know when it's said and done that MS will try Howie there at some point.  He will also try Callaspo, and Aybar, and likely PB.  The first time HK hits into a DP the usual suspects will act like it's the end of the world.  The first time Callaspo goes 0-3 with a walk, people will clamor for Jimenez.  The first time Aybar bunts for strike 3, people will call him stupid.

 

Circle of life...

[Chuck]

I don't really believe in lineup protection, but I do believe hitting behind a guy that runs means more fastballs, especially if it's Pudge Rodriguez behind the plate.  Kendrick as a whole hasn't hit well in the 2 spot save for 2011 when he posted an OPS 0f .872 in 197 plate appearances there, no idea whether or not he was being sent up there to do something specific or whatever, but he can hit fastballs pretty well.  We can all roster-bate all we want, But I think we all know when it's said and done that MS will try Howie there at some point.  He will also try Callaspo, and Aybar, and likely PB.  The first time HK hits into a DP the usual suspects will act like it's the end of the world.  The first time Callaspo goes 0-3 with a walk, people will clamor for Jimenez.  The first time Aybar bunts for strike 3, people will call him stupid.

 

Circle of life...

 

We all have our opinions about the lineup, but at the end of the day when Mike rolls out his lineup on opening day, I've moved on from mine and will root on the Halos for a victory. We all know Mike won't keep a consistent lineup all season long anyhow. If Callaspo doesn't hit well this spring, he probably won't get to hit in the #2 spot. So far from what I've seen from him this spring, he's out of character, swinging are more pitches early in the count opposed to working it... But that could be because he's hitting lower in the lineup too in RBI situations. 

 

LOL @ roster-bate

[Lifetime]

Callaspo did not hit well last year either. He has his best numbers hitting in the lower half so I am not sure why that would affect him hitting out of character. I hope he gets it together but I am a little concerned at this point.

[angelduck]

I'm very concerned about Callaspo as well. Sub-.700 OPS out of the 3B position isn't what we should settle on.

[HaloMagic]

And FYI, Aybar and Kendrick were 2 of the best fastball hitting Angels in 2012. Callaspo...one of the worst.

Aybar and Callaspo, yes. Aybar was good, Callaspo was bad. But your claim on Kendrick is false. He was second worst on the team against fastballs last season and hasn't performed well against fastballs since 2009. Out of 143 qualified hitters in 2012, Kendrick ranked 114th in his performance against fastballs. Over the last three years he hasn't been the amazing fastball hitter that we knew him to be in the minors and over the first part of his big league career.

[Bashbrothers]

Collaspo wasn't bad last year.  Just slightly below average offensively and above average defensively.  Equalling to someone who is just average.

[Lifetime]

I'm referring to his offense which was not up to par for him. He needs to hit better if he is going to be valuable in the 2 hole

[tdawg87]

valuable in the 2 hole

 

Torii Hunter just got a chill down his spine.

[Second Base]

Roster-bate is my word of the day. 

[Brent Maguire]

Callaspo or Aybar for me. I don't like Howie getting another shot. 

[HaloFan85]

Aybar and Callaspo, yes. Aybar was good, Callaspo was bad. But your claim on Kendrick is false. He was second worst on the team against fastballs last season and hasn't performed well against fastballs since 2009. Out of 143 qualified hitters in 2012, Kendrick ranked 114th in his performance against fastballs. Over the last three years he hasn't been the amazing fastball hitter that we knew him to be in the minors and over the first part of his big league career.

According to what I was looking at, he hit .337 overall against fastballs last year.  He hit .403 against anything over the plate (not just in the strike zone).  He hit worst with a .158 BA against fastballs on the inside and off the plate.

 

I will admit I only compared him to Aybar and Callaspo from last year since they're probably the only other realistic choices for the 2 spot.

[Hubs]

Collaspo wasn't bad last year.  Just slightly below average offensively and above average defensively.  Equalling to someone who is just average.

He was way below average offensively and capable defensively. He doesn't screw up plays often, but doesn't have Aybar's range for instance, so he doesn't make errors. Also, he is short, so a lot of balls get over his head. Which from a fielding metric standpoint adds up to him being good defensively.

 

I also believe that a position player is judged on five tools, not just two. 1) Can he hit for average / get on base at a reasonable clip?? Callaspo has hit for nice averages in the past, but mostly no he doesn't. He does get on base often, due to his high walk total. Ok, then give him one point. 2) Can he hit for power? Slugging percentage is not a great metric, but he was 133rd of 143 qualified players in slugging percentage in 2012. Meaning almost every player in the majors with regular playing time hit for more power. So no. 3) Does he have speed? He had the same number of stolen bases as Miguel Cabrera in 2012. So. No. 4) Throwing arm. He has a good arm. 5) Fielding Ability. He's average at 3rd, can play 2nd. Probably ok in the OF. 

 

So, there you have it…average fielding skills, below average hitter, poor base running skills. So… 

[tdawg87]

He is definitely better than "average" at 3rd.

[Brent Maguire]

Yeah not sure why some people say he's average at 3rd. He's a very solid defender over there. Makes a lot of good plays for a small guy. 

[angelduck]

He's very good defensively, and if he hits like he did in 2009 or 2011...he's more than adequate. His 2010 and 2012 seasons really sucked though. Here's hoping we get at least a .350 OBP out of him this year.

[Wallerrrr]

He's very good defensively, and if he hits like he did in 2009 or 2011...he's more than adequate. His 2010 and 2012 seasons really sucked though. Here's hoping we get at least a .350 OBP out of him this year.

 

its an odd year so we should be good

[Hubs]

He's not going to hit to a .350 OBP. He's been good for two months of his two and half year tenure in Anaheim. 

 

Bourjos will be a better hitter.

[angelduck]

He's not going to hit to a .350 OBP. He's been good for two months of his two and half year tenure in Anaheim. 

 

Bourjos will be a better hitter.

 

I have serious doubts about that one.

[Second Base]

I notice that in Aybar's absence during the WBC, we've seen quite a bit of rotation in this spot.  Callaspo, Kendrick and Bourjos have all appeared there.

 

My gut feeling is that Aybar's probably going to hit 2nd 75% of the time, with the other 25% being rotation between Kendrick, Callaspo and Bourjos.  The issue has been beat to death about who the best fit in, and while I still believe its Bourjos (gorgeous bunt and HR today btw), I just think my biggest overall concern is that whatever flaw these guys have, could in turn hurt Trout and thus the Angels ability to score. 

 

- Aybar, if the AB only lasts 2 pitches, Trout really doesn't have a lot of opportunity to make things happen.

- Callaspo, can't bunt, which means Trout absolutely has to be on the move because Callaspo can't sac him over.

- Kendrick, Trout can't be of much use if Kendrick leads the league in GIDP.

- Bourjos, he's going to swing and miss.

 

Of all the weaknesses, I see Bourjos' as the least of all evils because it doesn't affect Trout's ability or opportunity to steal and Bourjos can still bunt and motor. 

[angelduck]

People put way too much emphasis on being able to bunt. It's a good thing to have a guy who can't bunt in the 2-hole so Scioscia isn't tempted to waste outs.