Berkman & Bogusevic

[VirtualBob]

I notice that Bogusevic has had 4 straight starts at 1B for RR ... I wonder if he is getting a few reps at that position in case Berkman is traded.  Any thoughts/rumors/laughter?

[OregonStrosFan]

I notice that Bogusevic has had 4 straight starts at 1B for RR ... I wonder if he is getting a few reps at that position in case Berkman is traded.  Any thoughts/rumors/laughter?

IIRC, they started working him in at the position more when Chris Shelton went down.  At the time, I thought it was more to do with the FO knowing they wouldn't pick up his $15M option for next year and wanted to give themselves an option at 1B in case Berkman ended up elsewhere.  Does increased playing time at the position mean a trade of Berkman is more likely?  I've no idea...

[VirtualBob]

IIRC, they started working him in at the position more when Chris Shelton went down.  At the time, I thought it was more to do with the FO knowing they wouldn't pick up his $15M option for next year and wanted to give themselves an option at 1B in case Berkman ended up elsewhere.  Does increased playing time at the position mean a trade of Berkman is more likely?  I've no idea...

He only got one start earlier when Shelton went down ... Kata was the primary guy at 1B for quite a while.  You are right, though, that preparing for next year is a better explanation than a pending trade.  Still ... juneberno.

[Gizzmonic]

Pardon me for being out of it, but what about Koby Clemens?  Is he regarded as the possible 1B of the future by anyone in the Astros' organization?

[Andyzipp]

Pardon me for being out of it, but what about Koby Clemens?  Is he regarded as the possible 1B of the future by anyone in the Astros' organization?

Only in the firey-est of fire sales.

[MusicMan]

Only in the firey-est of fire sales.

So... future, as in about 3 weeks from now.

[geezerdonk]

I wonder if he is getting a few reps at that position in case Berkman is traded. 

I sure hope so.

[VirtualBob]

Pardon me for being out of it, but what about Koby Clemens?  Is he regarded as the possible 1B of the future by anyone in the Astros' organization?

I hope not ... struggling to reach .250 at CC and still learning the position.  I think he is a career AAAA DH who will probably get some MLB time here and there due to injury or desperation. 

[austro]

I think he is a career AAAA DH who will probably get some MLB time here and there due to injury or desperation. 

Or worse, promotion potential.

[HudsonHawk]

I hope not ... struggling to reach .250 at CC and still learning the position.  I think he is a career AAAA DH who will probably get some MLB time here and there due to injury or desperation. 

If he's struggling to learn 1B, he's worthless.

[JimR]

If he's struggling to learn 1B, he's worthless.

right:

1. run to bag
2. look for throw
3. catch throw

[austro]

right:

1. run to bag
2. look for throw
3. catch throw

To be fair, in the minors there's probably some jumping and dodging involved, too.

[Hornstros]

If he's struggling to learn 1B, he's worthless.

Article (i know it's Justice) with quotes from CC Manager indicate otherwise

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/7088956.html

"Koby just loves the game," Corpus Christi manager Wes Clements said. "No matter what facet of the game you're talking about, you only have to tell him once. He has worked his butt off."

He has played third, left and catcher before shifting to first base this year.

"He's done great," Clements said. "Better than anyone thought he would. He's starting to learn the intricacies of the position."

[JackAstro]

He's starting to learn the intricacies of the position.

All 3 of them?

[jbm]

If he's struggling to learn 1B, he's worthless.

I saw him in 3 games down there. His glove at first looked fine. He's pretty agile, nice hands. Kind of short for a first baseman, but how much of a negative is that?

His inability to make contact is his biggest weakness. I doubt the Astros consider him future starter.

[HudsonHawk]

Article (i know it's Justice) with quotes from CC Manager indicate otherwise

Did you really expect the manager to say "he's learning...but then again, if you can pour piss out of a boot, you can play 1B"?

Honestly, there's not much to playing 1B.  Sure you're the cutoff man on some outfield throws, and you don't want to get picked off by your own pitcher.  There are some situation things like bunt coverages and whatnot to know, but seriously...it's the least complicated position on the field.  If you can't master the mental aspect of 1B, there's not much hope for you.

[MusicMan]

If you can't master the mental aspect of 1B, there's not much hope for you.

"Huh?" - Lance Berkman

[Limey]

Honestly, there's not much to playing 1B.  Sure you're the cutoff man on some outfield throws...

Not if Pence is your rightfielder.

[moriartp]

Has there been any indication that Clemens is indeed struggling at 1B? It seems like this thread made that leap without any mention of actual problems with his defense there.

[JimR]

Not if Pence is your rightfielder.

you are still the cutoff man, but you line up halfway between home and third.

[JackAstro]

Has there been any indication that Clemens is indeed struggling at 1B? It seems like this thread made that leap without any mention of actual problems with his defense there.

struggling ... at CC ... learning the position.

Ta da.

[Reuben]

Ta da.

I thought he was covering soccer now, or something.

[Duman]

I saw him in 3 games down there. His glove at first looked fine. He's pretty agile, nice hands. Kind of short for a first baseman, but how much of a negative is that?

His inability to make contact is his biggest weakness. I doubt the Astros consider him future starter.

I thought his lack of stature would keep him from first.  So I was surprised when he was placed there.  When he was in G'ville his body style reminded me of Ron Cey. And Koby has gotten bigger since then.  Currently listed at 5'11" 193.  One K every 3 at bats is not going to help you move to the next level.

[VirtualBob]

right:

1. run to bag
2. look for throw
3. catch throw

No disagreement.  I still stand by my original statement.  #3 is often a problem, though seldom enough to keep someone away from the position ... see Stuart, Dick [the original Dr. Strangeglove].

[VirtualBob]

I thought his lack of stature would keep him from first.  So I was surprised when he was placed there.  When he was in G'ville his body style reminded me of Ron Cey. And Koby has gotten bigger since then.  Currently listed at 5'11" 193.  One K every 3 at bats is not going to help you move to the next level.

Unless you're Dave Kingman.  But seriously ... trouble with contact; trouble with any position; adequate power; good attitude (apparently) ... He still sounds like AAAA DH material to me.

[jbm]

I tend to agree that he is probably not a major league starter, but not cause he can't field first base. That anonymous qoute about learning the position is off base, IMO.

I give the guy credit: he's been moved around, hasn't publically whined, seems like has progressed beyond what many predicted (just a token pick to please his dad), has surpassed most of the crappy picks from that time period, and he hustled in the games I saw. He just misses too many pitches.

[JackAstro]

That anonymous qoute about learning the position is off base, IMO.

Awesome.

[Bench]

That anonymous qoute about learning the position is off base, IMO.

It's a source.  You have to accept it.  That's the way this shit works.

This isn't 'Nam.  There are rules here.

[HudsonHawk]

That HudsonHawk sure is one handsome man

I'm starting to like this guy.

[JackAstro]

I'm starting to like this guy.

He's a good man. And thorough.

[strosrays]

Did you really expect the manager to say "he's learning...but then again, if you can pour piss out of a boot, you can play 1B"?

Honestly, there's not much to playing 1B.  Sure you're the cutoff man on some outfield throws, and you don't want to get picked off by your own pitcher.  There are some situation things like bunt coverages and whatnot to know, but seriously...it's the least complicated position on the field.  If you can't master the mental aspect of 1B, there's not much hope for you.

Waitaminutewaitaminutewaitaminutewaitaminute.

What about the fabled 3-6-3 double play?

[JimR]

Waitaminutewaitaminutewaitaminutewaitaminute.

What about the fabled 3-6-3 double play?

sometimes it may be a 3-6-1 by necessity.

[MusicMan]

What about the fabled 3-6-3 double play?

Getting two 3's at the same time ain't that big a deal, no matter how drunk you are.

[HudsonHawk]

Getting two 3's at the same time ain't that big a deal, no matter how drunk you are.

It is if you're only a 6.

[VirtualBob]

Awesome.

Well ... it would have been awesome if he'd done it on purpose, but somehow I doubt that.

[VirtualBob]

I tend to agree that he is probably not a major league starter, but not cause he can't field first base. That anonymous qoute about learning the position is off base, IMO.

I give the guy credit: he's been moved around, hasn't publically whined, seems like has progressed beyond what many predicted (just a token pick to please his dad), has surpassed most of the crappy picks from that time period, and he hustled in the games I saw. He just misses too many pitches.

He's been moved around because he has not been able to be even adequate anywhere they have put him.  As coach pointed out, it takes very little to be adequate at 1B, but if your strikeout rate exceeds your batting average, why bother?  And I still stand by my statement that there is some learning involved at 1B, just as there is anywhere else.  Except in an emergency, you want someone who is really comfortable in the position.  Maybe K is already comfortable after a half-season; maybe not.  I still do not see him as a big league starter or even a go-to guy off the bench.

[JimR]

He's been moved around because he has not been able to be even adequate anywhere they have put him.  As coach pointed out, it takes very little to be adequate at 1B, but if your strikeout rate exceeds your batting average, why bother?  And I still stand by my statement that there is some learning involved at 1B, just as there is anywhere else.  Except in an emergency, you want someone who is really comfortable in the position.  Maybe K is already comfortable after a half-season; maybe not.  I still do not see him as a big league starter or even a go-to guy off the bench.

i agree with you re learning 1B.

[Reuben]

Just saw this in Footer's blog, article about the Astros scouting Ovando, and she included this, which sort of relates to the topic at hand:

Funny anecdote about projecting where players will hit in the order: When Heck was with the Brewers and his group was contemplating drafting Ryan Braun, there was some consternation about what position Braun would play. Heck put the kibosh on that topic with this statement: "He'll play third or fourth. As in, in the lineup." Looks like that one worked out pretty well.

[jaklewein]

Just saw this in Footer's blog, article about the Astros scouting Ovando, and she included this, which sort of relates to the topic at hand:

Nice pull.