The Cincinnati Reds don’t have a game today but that isn’t going to stop them from making a roster move. This afternoon the team announced that they had optioned right-handed reliever Luis Mey to Triple-A Louisville. There was no corresponding move, though the team will almost assuredly make one on Friday before the start of their series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.
Luis Mey has pitched in 23 games this season for the Cincinnati Reds. In that time he’s posted a 3.43 ERA in 21.0 innings. He gets a ton of ground balls. Those are good things.
But it’s also not the whole story. Mey hands out a ton of free bases. He’s walked 17 batters and hit another one. And he’s allowed half of his inherited runners to score (four of eight). In his last 14 games he hasn’t been able to have a clean outing without giving up at least one baserunner, throwing 12.2 innings while giving up 15 hits, walking 14 batters, hitting a better, and striking out just nine.
In that time he’s been reliable, but not in a good way. He’s struggled in many of his outings, but has been able to wiggle his way out of them or gotten someone else in the bullpen to bail him out after he exited the game.
The Reds, trying to make a run at the playoffs and currently find themselves one game back of the final spot in the wild card chase, are looking for someone who they can maybe be a little more confident in.
His “stuff” is there but he simply can’t walk as many batters as he has at the rate that he has. I believe he’s still going to be a very quality pitcher. Maxwell is another minor league arm that needs to continue to work on his walks.
The rumor dejour is that Maxwell is being called up to take his spot. The only reporting on it though is a small time account on the bad social media site, so I am not going to report that it’s true at this point.
But if it is true, calling up a guy who walks as many guys as Mey does is just…. well, it’s something.
The bad social media site? That’s rather redundant, whether FB, X, BS, or any of the rest. Limited focus sites like RLN are about it for me. Most of your “competitors”, well, they need work and less reliance on clickbait.
There are tiers.
X is far and away the worst.
FB is bad, but not to the same level.
Instagram is less bad, but still not great.
BS is solid, but limited. Far less “I can say whatever I want about whoever I want and you can’t stop me and I’m going to actively search out to try and say the worst things about entire groups of people as I can just to make you mad” stuff. Far less bots from overseas just constantly showing up in any and every reply. It’s not perfect on BS but it’s better.
@Doug>>> The kind of “something” the Reds organization has shown it is capable of in the past 😉
I’d rather see Tejay Antone than Zach Maxwell.
I’m not really sure why. Based on the incredibly limited numbers we have on Antone – his self reported last week of pitching in Arizona and then his few outings in Dayton, he’s also walking a lot of hitters.
Um, Doug … I should have used the sarcasm font.
Are we calling guys up based on their walk rates (and not in a good way)? 🙂
I believe this is the fifth time this season that the Reds have optioned Mey so this is likely his last stint with the Reds this season as he would have to be exposed to waivers if optioned again THIS season.
They can bring him back up. They just won’t be able to send him down again without putting him on waivers.
It would be really silly to handcuff the bullpen by not having him available for the rest of the year.
“They can bring him back up. They just won’t be able to send him down again without putting him on waivers.”
Yep. That’s it. So if you promote him, you’re kind of handcuffed for the remainder of the season. If they are willing to live with that fact, then promote him for sure.
I don’t think he’s that far off. His stuff has a lot of movement coupled with top-of-the-chart velocity. Unfortunately, when he gets behind, the hitters just lay off until he gets them to two strikes. If he can find a way to get ahead of the hitters, he’ll have a lot of success.
10 days gets to roster expansion. He can come back up for the balance.
Maybe the plan is to activate Lodolo on Friday.
I think I heard on the telecast that if things go right for Lodolo, he could start Wednesday. If so, he wouldn’t be the one on Friday.
Nothing open on the 40? Hence, without another move, it’s going to be a call up from Louisville. One may wish it was more, but seems unlikely.
Nothing open on the 40 right now, but they can put Ian Gibaut on the 60-day IL if they want to. He’s nearly to 60 days on the IL as it is, so even if he’s going to be back next week (and he won’t be), it would be the easy decision.
According to the Reds website, he had arthroscopic surgery. I don’t imagine him returning this season if the website is accurate.
Maybe the Reds are shopping the Waiver Wire for a reliever, or have a “waiver – trade” deal worked out with another team. It can happen after the legendary “trade deadline” of July 31st. They do need another (better) left handed reliever. Would the Pirates “waive” Aroldis Chapman for some consideration? Would the Reds be able to get him off waivers, would the other teams before Cincy let him pass?
I think Mey has good stuff, but he hasn’t been consistent, and the only way he will is to get more work, and …and….and….The Reds are in a WC chase, and can’t afford to let him learn on the job at this point.
How can the Pirates waive a guy who is now playing for the BoSox?
You’ll never know if it works unless you try it.
It’s not “good stuff” or he would be staying up here. It’s hard high-speed stuff that keeps missing its target too often. When he gets more control for a longer period of time, he’ll be back.
No, Steve – it’s good stuff. He just can’t throw it for strikes. He’s got 70-grade stuff and 20-grade control of it.
“Million dollar arm but a 5 cent head”
Frostgiant – that kind of stuff is baseless and also stupid.
Guys would throw more strikes if it were as simple as “I want to throw more strikes”. They aren’t dumb. Some guys just don’t have the physical abilities to do it. And there are a lot of reasons for it and in almost every case it’s not because of something in their head.
chapman is on the red sox, not the pirates.
They can call up Mey,Zuletta, Phillips, Richardson, Bebtswaber, Banfield, etc. without a bit of consternation. What is so hard about calling up their best minor leaguer (Stewart)? Same rules apply to him as apply to several of the above. I don’t get it. Seems like you would do like the Cubs and Pirates and bring up your best player when an opening exists or make an opening. This is about winning isn’t it?
Calling up Stewart means you have to sit Ke’Bryan Hayes, who was sold as a key upgrade three weeks ago, or one of Andujar/Steer so that Stewart can be the DH.
Stewart has played one game at first base in his career. They are not putting him at first base right now in the big leagues. That means he’s gotta play third or DH. (Second base is not a realistic spot for him in the big leagues and anyone who says it is is incorrect).
It’s not the same thing as calling up a reliever to replace someone in the bullpen who isn’t good to begin with.
What’s Sal’s most logical long term position? 1B? If so, the Reds have to rotate him there at AAA so he’s ready.
Is he not playing any 2B in Louisville? I don’t see a spot for him then. I don’t think they are going to sit Hayes or Steer obviously, and they seem set at DH with Lux and Andujar.
I didn’t realize he’s not really playing 2B much if at all in the minors.
Hayes is a great defender and I guess I never got that trade after first CES was sent down and was to play third then Stewart gets promoted and his position is third as well.Any insight Doug as to what the Reds may do now with Stewart or other infielders in the minors.Barring trades it looks like Hayes,Elly MM and Steer next year and maybe for years to come.
You may be correct Doug but I am not sure I get that logic. Because we traded for 230 hitting Hayes, that means 3B is locked down no matter what for the foreseeable future? That makes the trade even more awkward. And so why are we keeping Arroyo, McLain, Collier, and Stewart all around because 3B and SS are locked down forever. Sorry that wasnt fair Doug. But the question still exists. Why are we not trading this treasure trove of excess perospects when there is only 1, maybe 2 open IF positions for the foreseeable future? These guys would have made a very competitive offerring for a big bat. Certainly 1-2 would have been enough for Laureano. If you are still in love with KeBryan, then go ahead and trade Stafura and Rogers too. But now we are sitting here with no big bat, weak offense, and 3-4 IF prospects that cant play 3B, SS, or 2B. The position of need right now is primary 2B, followed closely 1B and we dont have a spot for Stewart? And we have scored 2 runs or less about 1/3rd of the time. Not aiming at you Doug. Just spouting off on what seems to be very poor personnel management. Whether McLain is going to figure it out after 500 ABs isnt on my radar. He has had his chance for 2025. Adios. Plan B. We are in a playoff chase. He and Krall can give their farewell speeches at the same time if this continues. 88 wins is and has been the goal.
“Is he not playing any 2B in Louisville?”
He was there tonight and the game before. First base before that.
Jeremiah – he is playing second base in Triple-A at times, but playing a position in the minor leagues is not the same thing as playing there in the big leagues where wins and losses matter. In the minor leagues you can and will play guys at positions they will not play in the big leagues simply in order to get everyone in the lineup.
Sal Stewart, for all of the good things he is – is not a big league caliber defender at second base. He is very sure handed and he makes good, accurate throws. But his range is poor at second base and at third base, but at third it matters less so you might be able to get away with it there as long as he rakes. At second base, though, you need more defense/range than what he can provide.
Maybe they’re thinking of putting him at 1B and Steer to 2B. Who knows? Still baffling how they could seemingly block him at 3B for several years.
I’ll be mad if they bring up Bebtswaber, who’s shown me nothing.
I’m not sure who he is. The guys a ghost.
Stewart made his first error at 2B. If he can hit, great! But the Reds already have too many players without a “natural position” and too many that can’t play D. They need to start trading for guys who do have a natural position, can play D, but can also hit.
“can play D, but can also hit”
That WOULD be nice wouldn’t it? 😉
It’s Zach Maxwell.
Reds go from 0 to 2 Zack/Zachs in matter of weeks.
Man, he’s in for an uphill battle against history. The track record of pitcher Zacks (Greinke! Wheeler! Peak Britton!) vs. Zachs speaks for itself. All due respect to Eflin and Duke, but K means strikeout and H means hit. I don’t make the rules.
Maxwell has 5 saves, tops on the Bats, tied with Buck Farmer.
The only way they could find another more reliable reliever is gone and it was until at July 31th trade deadline. Now, they only have to see among 4 guys at Triple-A or maybe take a shot on a Double-A outsider like Trevor Kuncl.
BlogRedMachine web site shows Buck Farmer may have the chance to be called up.
It’s possible that a team out of contention but with a decent reliever on an expiring contract could put that reliever on waivers, just to save money on his contract. The Reds would have a shot at claiming him and taking on the contract.
Most of these types, though, were available at the deadline, but a team like the Rangers that has fallen back in August may have a guy. It’s a longshot, but not impossible.
OBE>> Very true, but I don’t think even the Reds would option someone ahead of the official waiver claim award. Then again….
Get healthy Burns and Lodolo, this is the only way our BP will improve this year imo. But Burns and Martinez would help make Ashcraft and Barlow from being exposed as much. Without that – and due to our consistently low scoring offense – the overuse/pressure will crack Pagan and Santillan and it will not matter how good our starters are. The last couple years it’s been the starters to give out, this year I’m worried about the BP arms.
Alexis Diaz is available.
He was a very good reliever for the Reds in 2022-23-24 seasons.
I presume you were not.
No, he isn’t. He was optioned back to the Dodgers AAA team and is still on their 40 man rosters.
He may be this offseason, but the Reds got rid of him for a reason. They’ll need to sign or trade for someone who closes. Phillips, Mey, and Maxwell are still developing.
Unless Doug knows something we don’t know about Rece Hinds, here is one for the rumor mill: Hinds was pulled mid game Wednesday and is not in the Louisville lineup for tonight per the Bats X site (they have a BS account but do not use it).
To be clear, I strongly doubt that Hinds is in the pipeline to be announced as a call-up on Friday. Louisville Mgr Pat Kelly has been rotating his outfielders to get them all regular plate appearances.
Hinds has been subbed out once or twice during a game prior to last night as part of this rotation and at least once entered midgame. I figured this was going on, starting with his removal last night.
But hey, Hinds makes as much sense as a Maxwell call-up,
Well, with Stephenson out, Trevino isn’t available on the bench to come into a blowout and mop up. So Hinds could do that.
😉 😉
The only conceivable circumstance for Hinds being recalled at this point is an injury or paternity/bereavement leave situation we don’t know about.
If I close my eyes and imagine>>> Benson was not used in Wednesday’s game, but then the Angels used LH pitchers until the 9th.
However, going back to Tuesday, recall that Benson was thrown out at the plate to end the Reds 9th. He had pinch hit for McLain and was subbed out for Espinal to play 2b in the bottom of the 9th.
There was a hard slide and tag on the play involving Benson and what looked like a hard stop after his doubled up legs contacted the Angels catcher. What if he reported to work Wednesday “banged up” as Tito likes to say? That might line up with Hinds being subbed out in Nashville.
Case Closed> Just saw Hinds or a dead ringer doppelganger on the field during the pre-game in Nashville 😉
I’d be comfortable with Maxwell until he proves me wrong. The strikeout numbers aren’t as gaudy as last year, but the velo will play. And hey, who doesn’t want a guy named Big Sugar on the team?!
Buck Farmer’s numbers in the Majors were pretty solid over the last 3 years if I saw correctly. I’d take him over Phillips and Mey at this moment. I understand his velocity has dropped, so maybe he doesn’t still have it, but he was solid last year. He’d be about the last guy out of the bullpen who you’re kind of pitching at last resort often, sometimes how they use Suter.
Plus, everyone could start saying the Buck stops here when bringing him in again which would be kind of fun.
I think if you get in the playoffs too, you’re hoping Burns is healthy, so you’d have Burns, Martinez, and Littell to come out of the bullpen along with regulars Santillan, Pagan, Barlow, Ashcraft, etc.
Not a dominant bullpen, but the 4/5 of Pagan, Santillan, Burns, Martinez, Barlow maybe could help win games you may not hold onto in the regular season.
Mets lost to the Nationals, Reds 1/2 game back now.
So by sending Mey down he can’t come back up until September? So he will be ineligible for post season.
He will not be “automatically” eligible for the postseason. However, as a player in the Reds organization before Sept 1, he is eligible to be named to replace a postseason-eligible player who is on the IL at the end of the season.
Also, if there is an injury before September 1 requiring the player to onto the IL, he could be called up to replace that injured player and thus be automatically eligible for the postseason.
Not the case. You can use the “replaced an injured player” rule, which allows you to select someone on the 40 man who is on the IL and has served the complete time with another player on the 40 man as of 8/31/25, whether he was on the major league roster at that point or not. Pitchers can only replace pitchers; position players can only replace position players. We have several pitchers on the 40 man who are on the 60 day IL and won’t return this year. So any pitcher on the 40 man as of 8/31/25 is eligible as a replacement (e.g., we name Rhett Lowder and replace him with Mey or whoever). We have one position player on the 40 man who’s on the 60 day and won’t return (Tyler Callihan), so if we don’t have Sal Stewart on the roster on 8/31/25 but decide we want him for the postseason, we can name Callihan and replace him with Stewart.
Would love to see them start Mey at Louisville. Not to turn him into a starter long term but to allow him to start the game in a non stress situation where he can work on his piches, change speeds and learn a different situational approach. I remember Sparky would start Clay Carroll a few times to get him out of a rut, expressing the reasons I used here. Pedro Borbon started a few times as well and it wasnt called a bullpen day in those times. Reds only carried 10 pitchers in those days so they could afford bullpen days.
Love this idea. Mey needs practice throwing strikes
Lyon Richardson is pitching in the Bats right now. This would seem to eliminate him from the call up speculation.
Lyon Richardson is pitching *FOR* the Bats right now.
Sal Stewart is playing 2b for the Bats tonight and, in the process, is getting more camera time than at 3b.
As a result, I believe the Reds would be well served to hook him up with a personal fitness trainer over the off-season.
Sal’s body type is not that of the standard uber athlete, but that does not mean he doesn’t have athleticism.
Even from his high school days playing basketball (thank heavens for.multi-sports athletes), he surprised people. I would not assume he doesn’t have a trainer, one, and I do not think he would emerge carved out of stone if he did, two. He just is what he is. And who he is, quite impressively. Sal is as highly motivated as they come. He is maniacal in his drive. I frequently say on the other site, I am not gonna be the one who tells Sal Stewart what he cannot do.
I really think it is just important not to anoint him as lord and savior, ie built like Marte, skills like Elly. He will be a very good ball player, IMO. But he isn’t winning gold glove or HR title. Think Jesse Winker. And THAT is a very good ball player (as long he isn’t asked to play CF or traded to a ball park resembling the Grand Canyon). He should be a very good member of the supporting cast.
Wait! here I am promoting Sal Stewart! Are you using reverse psychology on me, Jim?
No, I’m saying Stewart looks like a guy who might not age well and be subject to a greater than normal degree of nagging muscular stuff along the way. 🙂
And let’s hope Stewart avoids the handedness splits that emerged when Winker reached MLB.
Nats win. I am actually more concerned about the cardinals catching us
That is totally in the Reds control.
Stewart also made a throwing error tonight. While his hit skill is intriguing, playing him out of position weakens our defense, and adds additional pressure to his MLB debut. This team showed what happens when they don’t make plays in the field against the Brewers. Good defense has to happen for this team to win, given their offense output. I don’t see a sensible way to move Stewart up without an injury on existing 26 man roster, unless he can play catcher. If he could,he would be up now.
His 4th error this year. I wouldn’t say he’s error prone.
7-6 Bats. Winning is fun, but I’ll watch a bad team that can score runs. I bet the Overs are cashing right and left for Louisville this year
And now it is 8-7, on the cusp of 9-7 against the Bats. The bullpen cupboard there looks to be bare beyond Richardson and maybe San Martin.
Farmer is pitching now, so at least that would seem to count him out for the Reds on Friday. San Martin???
Farmer squirms out of the 8th without allowing a run, but is tagged with allowing an inherited runner across in the 7th. That will be the winning run unless the Bats score in the 9th.
And the Bats go 1-2-3 in the 9th and lose 8-7.
I know they don’t intend to go a man short, but the bullpen going into Friday has 4 or 5 guys who can pitch, including the 3 main guys at the back end of it. So they could wait until Saturday to add a pitcher, and anybody who pitched tonight in relief (Richardson, most likely) could make it to Phoenix in time. Then by Saturday, the guys who pitched Wednesday would be ready again.
I know no team runs a player short, but I can’t see a way on Earth that they add Buck Farmer. He’s been with the Bats most of the year and hasn’t caught on. Benschoter is the only other logical name and he’s probably curious about what actually getting to pitch would be like.
@JCU>>> They could go short a pitcher and use the spot for a position player since 13 is the maximum number of pitchers permitted and not a required number.
The question would be why, for one or two days? That makes little to no sense unless they know they have a paternity or bereavement leave that they do not want to start on Friday, but will start during the series.
And who would that position guy be? All the suspects but Hinds played in Nashville Thursday night. Hinds did not play; but, I am 95%+ sure a player I saw standing on the pregame National Anthem line was him. The camera angle was slowly panning over his right shoulder from behind. His number was not shown, but the distinctive hair, forehead, and partial facial profile were visible.
I’m wondering if the surprise name out of the hat will be Antone, simply because who else?
I guess we will know in 15 hours or so.
I watched part of the game the other night when Hinds grounded out and ran slowly to first base and had an odd look on his face going back to the bench. He was then replaced the next inning in the field. They don’t make a big deal of that in the minors and the home-team broadcasters don’t have the moxie to even care. If they call a position player, most likely it’s Vilade. No info on any of that as of this comment (9:30 am EDT).
@JCU>> I’ve noticed that maybe someone has had the same conversation with Hinds as apparently they had with EDLC, i.e., pick your spots when you use full burst speed.
Then again, for both of them, when a player hits a 100mph low rocket that the fielder picks in the grass because they were playing him deep, it can look like the guy might not be at full tilt because the ball got to the fielder so quickly that he had time to make the pick and throw for the out.
But with Hinds, several times I have also wondered if he was less than 100% when I saw him running the bases recently.
The Reds will face a righty starter for the next 5 games before facing Kershaw to end the Dodgers series. I think sacrificing some defense at 2B and starting Lux instead of McLain and putting the best offensive lineup is the best option. Friedl, Lux, EDLC, Andujar, Marte, Hays, Steer, Trevino, Hayes would be my go to lineup until the last game vs the Dodgers facing Kershaw.
Hays in left had an OPS of 553 in his last 23 games and his hit 10 homers on the year with an OPS of 668 against tight handed pitchers.Benson has 9 homers in 100 fewer at bats and an OPS of 686 against right handed pitchers.IMO Benson should be in left against ALL right handed pitchers.May provide a spark may not but Hays hasn’t got it done for a long time.Hays just like MM chases sliders all day long and can’t hit a good right hander.
Spelling is awful but you get it.
Re: “Hays hasn’t got it done for a long time.”
Hays last 7 days: .333/.348/.476/.824
I agree on playing Lux at 2B. He’s average there defensively, so there’s not much dropoff. Like Roger, I would put Benson in LF against the RHP.
Current Reds bullpen trust ranking:
Santillan
Pagan
Barlow
Suter
Phillips
Ashcraft
Maxwell
Moll
I trust Ashcraft way more than Suter and Phillips.
Would that be a circle of trust?
That’s clearly an octagon of trust
Maxwell got the call?
I know lots think we need Stewart up now, but at this stage, even with our inconsistent offense, I’d stick with good defense and pitching, for our playoff push. Hayes has made some very important plays and he’s hitting decently. Keep Steer at 1st. While 2nd base isn’t hitting with any power, MM and Lux can manage the offense/defense duties. We can worry about where to play Stewart next year. Hayes is a lock at 3rd, until he isn’t. His contract will play anywhere.
It’s difficult enough to make major league debut, doing it in playoff type of game is much harder. So I dont like the idea of promoting Stewart now at all, but then so what if he fails? Does it hold back his development if he fails in his major league debut? I don’t know. But he hits well, he can give offense a spark off the bench or spot starting.
Officially Maxwell per Reds X account:
“The #Reds today selected from Triple-A Louisville RHP Zach Maxwell and transferred to the 60-day injured list RHP Ian Gibaut (right shoulder impingement).”
https://x.com/Reds/status/1958918416414195814
Doug will no doubt have the details.
I’m not really seeing his advantage over Mey. Neither can get the ball over the plate.
I wonder if the goal is just to get him a brief exposure to the majors in case he’s needed later. His stay should be relatively short with Lodolo being activated by mid-week (barring a setback).
If I have counted correctly, Zulueta and Mey have both been optioned five times. Yes, they can be recalled, but only if the Reds don’t option them again this season or are willing to lose them. These still seem like the best options of who they had in the minors, but the Reds have boxed themselves in with these two pitchers.
LaSorsa has been optioned four times; he’s also been largely ineffective in the majors this season. Phillips (already on the 26-man roster), Petty, and Benschoter have been optioned three or fewer times.
It may or may not factor into this equation, but Maxwell was probably in the top 3 candidates to be added onto the 40 man roster this coming offseason as he would have become eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Arroyo and Rodriguez are the other two who are locks to be added on to the 40 man this winter to avoid the Rule 5 draft.
Those are good points Tom. I was thinking of the need for rule 5 draft avoidance roster additions a month or so ago in the setting of which current players would be non-tendered. They are looking at things with that in mind, ie jake fraley. If it needs to be done eventually, just do it now.
I agree; I would think Maxwell was a lock to be added to the 40-man.
Welcome to Cincinnati Big Sugar!
Great nickname! Love it. Hopefully he can be a little more reliable than Mey has been lately.
Bold predictions to set up playoff roster. Lodolo activated on 8/27 to make start against the Dodgers. Martinez moves to the bullpen and Maxwell back to Louisville. Burns activated on 8/27 or soon thereafter and placed in the bullpen. Phillips back to Louisville. Lowder activated on 8/31 and becomes the September call up and placed in the bullpen if ready. If not, call up will be Maxwell, Mey Phillips or Richardson. LaSorsa DFAd for 40 man roster spot if Lowder is ready. Stewart placed on the 40 man roster and becomes the September call up. Joe DFAd for roster spot. HRod placed on the 40 man roster and LaSorsa DFAd if Lowder has not yet been placed on the 40 man roster or Zulueta DFAd for roster spot if Lowder already on the 40 man roster.
From 9/1, 40 man roster for playoff push is
C- Stephenson, Trevino, Banfield (3)
IF- Steer, Lux, McLain, Espinal, EDLC, Hayes, CES, Stewart (8)
OF- Marte, Friedl, Hays, Andujar, Benson, Dunn, Hinds, Vilade, HRod (9)
SP – Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Littell, Singer, Petty, Benschoter (7)
RP – Martinez, Suter, Lowder, Burns, Moll, Barlow, Ashcraft, Santillan, Pagan, Maxwell, Mey, Richardson, Phillips (13)
Lowder won’t pitch until 2026.
Stuff wise, I like Mey way more than Ashcraft. Mey has walk problem, should be fixable. Ashcraft walks hitters too, not as much, but his biggest problem, based on what I observed not on stats, is that he’s hittable, he gives up hit after hit after hit. Neither Mey nor Ashcraft is good, and it does not matter who goes down and who stays either.
Mey doesn’t look as wild to my “eye test” as his walks indicate. His stuff moves a lot. Learning to land strike one would go a long way for him. He looks very close to being a good major league pitcher and he has the stuff to dominate if he can harness his arsenal just a bit more.
The amount of guys who have historically had minor league (or major league) walk rates over a long period of time like Mey or Maxwell have and “got fixed” can probably be counted on your hands. It’s not something guys tends to fix.
Guys going from “he walks too many guys” to being serviceable is something that can generally be improved on because their ability to throw strikes has a higher baseline. But guys who walk nearly a guy an inning? That baseline is very different. It means that the problems/issues need a major correction and that’s just not something that happens. For every Bobby Witt (Sr), there are 500 guys who never could make the adjustment.
Doug, I expected my post below to reply to your comment.
I understand your overall point and agree in principle. However, do the trends hold for pitchers walking five to six batters per nine innings, similar to those walking a batter every inning?
In the minors, Mey has gone from a player who was walking 7+ hitters per nine innings to 5.3 per nine innings at AAA. That’s an improvement that, if carried over to the majors, is playable. ABS may help him as well, as I’ve noticed umpires tend to miss he borderline pitches, perhaps because of the movement.
Maxwell’s walk is down 0.8 per nine innings as well to 5.8 this season.
While lower is better, is it unrealistic to expect that both could have success at the MLB level if they can get below 5 walks per nine innings (5.0 is Bobby Witt, Sr.’s career rate)? If that’s true, that amount of improvement seems to put these guys in a different category than Witt, Sr., who was walking more than a hitter per nine innings when first called up to the big leagues and walked over eight hitters per nine innings over his first two seasons (300 innings).
@ Tom Diesman in August to date Hays is 193/242/281/523 with no homers and 3 doubles in an RBI spot in the lineup.Benson could do no worse.
I was attempting to point out, that Hays in the last week appears to be coming out of his recent August slump. Hays has a much better track record than Benson. Plus, why would you sub out a longtime successful MLB player who should be your starting LF when healthy as soon as he gets on a hot streak?
I got the point Tom.I saw the same thing.I just used this month to date data and you used a weeks worth.The power of data and sample size on full display.Now that we have both used the stat sheet to make our points lets talk about his health. I wouldn’t set him if he was healthy but is he.Unless I missed a game recently he hasn’t played back to back games in the field since his IL stint.In fact he is in left tonight and Lux is at DH which was the pattern until Andujar joined in the mix.So is he healthy or not?Maybe he wasn’t and now he is or maybe he still is and had a good week.Guess we will find out,Tito has him hitting 4th tonight with Lux at DH and Benson and Andujar watching.
Maybe just go with the player that they think best matches up with Arizona’s pitcher. This may be tough to do since our hitters don’t have a lot of exposure to tonight’s opposing pitcher.
Mclain back in the line up, Francona just can’t help himself. They need to send him down just to take that option away from Francona.
Get your control under control, Luis.