Since we pay over a $100 for a ticket, $20 to park and an Outrageous $7-9 for a can of Bud...I Want to be entertained when I go to a game! We all know how playoffs go for MN teams...I like watching Eddie and the Turtle (who must being feeling like dog duty because they are always trade bait.....)Last year was fun, and we won a few games so leave my players alone!

 

Winning should be all the entertainment you need.

I'll say it again. 

 

If Astudillo simply stops swinging at crap. If he learns to work the pitcher, while continuing to improve at the catcher position.

 

With those contact skills. We will all see a rocket in terms of value increase. 

 

You keep this guy... you work with him... you fix him. 

Yeah winning is the goal, but we all know the end result pretty much soooooo I want to watch my fav players having a bomba of a good time on the field!

Agreeing with Parker and Brian. Astudillo got off to a good start before his oblique injury. After he came back, he was a little slow out of the gate and then seemed to start getting hot before getting dinged again.

 

He just needs a little more patience and recognition. Superior contact with decent power is kinda special. As long as the contact...or in some cases missed contact...isn't balls near the dirt and a foot outside.

 

As long as he just sticks to a plan and a certain zone, even a large zone, and remain in that box he is a solid hitter. His defense will never be anything special. But he's decent wherever you put him. He can be a very valuable part of the roster.

“Personally, I do like Astudillo as an interesting counter off the bench late in the game against great stuff relievers as he will be unfazed as whatever kitchen sink they throw at him.” Matt, I didn’t see enough ball games in 2019 to know. But is this happening a little already? Any chance his numbers went down because of injury and facing nasty dudes? Nice article. Thank you for posting.

It’s so easy for you to dig on La Tortuga but Jason Castro was way worse at the plate, less fun to watch, way over paid, an average catcher at that. The guy barely deserves 7 figures, There’s a reason he hasn’t been picked up yet in free agency and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if someone picked him up as a backup or for a minor league squad, hell a mascot would probably be his best bet.. And now we picked up another scrub whom is way less talented-Alex Avila. I would much rather see the turtle as a back up than those 2 any day of the week and twice on Sunday. On the plus side his versatility is way more beneficial than having scrubs as backups.

It’s so easy for you to dig on La Tortuga but Jason Castro was way worse at the plate, less fun to watch, way over paid, an average catcher at that. The guy barely deserves 7 figures, There’s a reason he hasn’t been picked up yet in free agency and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if someone picked him up as a backup or for a minor league squad, hell a mascot would probably be his best bet.. And now we picked up another scrub whom is way less talented-Alex Avila. I would much rather see the turtle as a back up than those 2 any day of the week and twice on Sunday. On the plus side his versatility is way more beneficial than having scrubs as backups.

Jason Castro had a league average OPS.

Not league average for a catcher, league average for all positions.

Astudillo had an OPS 21 percent below league average. How is league average "way worse" than 21 percent below league average?

I like Astudillo and think the point about him needing a break is on the money. The guy is pretty funny but also a gamer. Well except when he spiked Arraez. I expect him to be part of the 26 man shuttle hoping he takes a step.

 

I've never understood articles that criticize a player who will essentially be a 3rd catcher and utility guy.

You may have seen the article as criticizing Astudillo. I saw it as evaluating him.

 

Jason Castro had a league average OPS.
Not league average for a catcher, league average for all positions.
Astudillo had an OPS 21 percent below league average. How is league average "way worse" than 21 percent below league average?

 

I don't think you're taking into account how popular he is. That's gotta be worth, like, an extra 23% or so.

I don't think you're taking into account how popular he is. That's gotta be worth, like, an extra 23% or so.

How many everyday starters on the Twins have even a single elite skill? How many everyday starters do we have that are above league average on defense? The league adjusted and pounded him low in the zone. Let him adjust back. He's plenty good enough and works like crazy. I may be wrong, but I think he'll be fine and possibly even break out this year. It's a lot easier to improve your approach and understand what pitchers are doing than to magically acquire a skill God didn't give you.

 

How many everyday starters on the Twins have even a single elite skill? How many everyday starters do we have that are above league average on defense? The league adjusted and pounded him low in the zone. Let him adjust back. He's plenty good enough and works like crazy. I may be wrong, but I think he'll be fine and possibly even break out this year. It's a lot easier to improve your approach and understand what pitchers are doing than to magically acquire a skill God didn't give you.

Well said & I agree w/ you. If he could become more disciplined & take until the 1st strike. He could get a ton of walks. After they catch onto this, try not to fall in the same trap. I have high hopes for him

Only having about 300 PA's at the ML level (hitting .297 in those PA's) seems a bit premature to write someone off as a gimmick.

My favorite Astudillo moment last year was his pinch hit against Boston. My take here is probably better than going by my memory.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/blog/36/entry-11646-baldelli-and-line-ups-which-twin-has-faced-the-best-pitching/

 

I don’t know how much Astudillo helps but if you have runners in scoring position and need a ball in play against an extreme strike out pitcher he might not be a bad option.