I'm a little doubtful about this, but maybe Eaton needs more time at Omaha. He only had 27 PA's there last time. And even though his OPS was over .900 clearly something didn't get fixed.
Usually I'm the guy who says "leave him in the lineup every single day. You don't get better at hitting MLB pitching by not hitting MLB pitching." The gap between AAA and MLB has never been wider and he's an excellent example of that.
I'll admit that the guy is a complete mystery to me. It may turn out that he's just the quintessential AAAA player but I hope not.
I'm with you, I'm definitely rooting for Eaton, especially because of his athleticism and defensive versatility. A strong case can be made that he can only fix his inability to hit MLB pitching by facing MLB pitching every day.
But it's also equally true that young players who go through these kinds of extended really bad stretches of not hitting can have their confidence shattered - permanently. No matter how brave a front they put on for others.
I don't pretend to know the answer but I hope Q and the hitting coaches can find it. The ultimate responsibility lies with Eaton but he needs all the help he can get.
He seems to be doing ok. He’s squared the ball up a few times of late. He should take comfort in knowing that everyone who dealt with that in April has come around in May. The hits should start dropping. At least I hope they start dropping. If he can get the bat going, he would have crazy value as a super utility guy.
I'm a little doubtful about this, but maybe Eaton needs more time at Omaha. He only had 27 PA's there last time. And even though his OPS was over .900 clearly something didn't get fixed.
Usually I'm the guy who says "leave him in the lineup every single day. You don't get better at hitting MLB pitching by not hitting MLB pitching." The gap between AAA and MLB has never been wider and he's an excellent example of that.
I'll admit that the guy is a complete mystery to me. It may turn out that he's just the quintessential AAAA player but I hope not.
He only needs to hit just a little to have value because of his defense and versatility. I'm really rooting for him.
I'm with you, I'm definitely rooting for Eaton, especially because of his athleticism and defensive versatility. A strong case can be made that he can only fix his inability to hit MLB pitching by facing MLB pitching every day.
But it's also equally true that young players who go through these kinds of extended really bad stretches of not hitting can have their confidence shattered - permanently. No matter how brave a front they put on for others.
I don't pretend to know the answer but I hope Q and the hitting coaches can find it. The ultimate responsibility lies with Eaton but he needs all the help he can get.
He seems to be doing ok. He’s squared the ball up a few times of late. He should take comfort in knowing that everyone who dealt with that in April has come around in May. The hits should start dropping. At least I hope they start dropping. If he can get the bat going, he would have crazy value as a super utility guy.
That's some very fine managing, partly because it worked and partly because of the reasoning. Great execution by Fermin too.
I love it when a plan comes together!