Unsolicited Observations: Axford, the Pen, O-Woes, and it’s “Chiz Kid” time
April 22, 2014FanGraphs: Indians have one of “smartest” lineups in baseball
April 22, 2014If you’re one of those Tribe fans who only cares about high-profile prospects, you may want to make an exception for Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar, the Columbus Clippers first baseman blasted his fifth home run of the season on Monday, and is now putting up a red-hot slash line of .386/.453/.737 (1.190 OPS) through 16 games.
The portly Aguilar is listed at 6-feet-3-inches and 250 pounds, though he is likely closer to a an offensive lineman-like three bills. This hasn’t stopped the 23-yaer-old right-hander from anhiliating anything thrown his way.
Last year, Aguilar batted .275/.349/.427 with 28 doubles, 16 home runs and 105 RBI in 130 games at Double-A Akron. As our own Kirk stated earlier this month, Aguilar could easily fill in at first base if the team would be willing to put Nick Swisher in the outfield against lefties. This, of course, would come at the expense of Ryan Raburn who recently signed a two-year deal to be—well—Aguilar. Though an equal-opportunity masher, against left-handed pitching this season, Aguilar has provided a line of .348/.444/.826 (1.271 OPS) with two doubles, three home runs and five runs batted in. He’s also walked four times as compared to just three strikeouts.1
Aguilar didn’t crack Baseball America’s top 10 list for Top Prospects this season. He doesn’t have the hype or long-term potential of Francisco Lindor; he certainly doesn’t have the tools of someone like Clint Frazier. But for a team that is in dire search of someone who can not only hit left-handed pitching but do so with power, their answer may be just two hours south on Interstate 71.
- It’s worth pointing out that his 2013 slash line was more favorable against right-handed pitching. [↩]
8 Comments
Why limit him to just playing against lefties? If there’s an injury to either Murphy or Swisher, I’d think Aguilar would get a shot with the big club.
I feel pretty good about the lineup vs RHP, I’m not sure Aguilar would be good enough to crack it. Though I don’t think Giambi is good enough to crack it either and he’s going to get plenty of opportunities.
Good to hear. Eventually someone will go down with and injury, and his time will come. Then we can get a look against the big boys.
I’d rather talk about Bauer. Hope he keeps it up that way the Indians can get Carrasco out of the rotation and back into the bullpen where he should stay as long as he’s a member of this organization.
I love the idea of Carrasco, but not as much as the idea of Bauer. Besides, we need Tabasco to see if he can handle the bullpen for when Axford self-destructs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=080GUPWRrDg
I heard Bauer isn’t into his pre-game antics as much perhaps he learned from the Indians allowing him to do it his way then the way they wanted. Whatever happened I hope he keeps it up for no other reason then to displace CC.
Axford has looked better his last few appearances.
Carrasco is clearly a bullpen arm (possibly long reliever with back end potential) because he struggles facing guys more than once per appearance. Bauer looks completely healthy and the adjustments he made with miracle worker/pitching coach Mickey Callaway seem to be working (not going to jump to conclusions over AAA outings and one start against offensively challenged San Diego).
You said it man…