WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY

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Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.

Let’s create some running conversational threads.  And for those of you back in actual offices, here’s a question to take with you – or use via Zoom – as you talk to your co-workers.

Here is today’s topic……..

Scott Harris talked to the media on Monday.  In his conversations, he discussed both Colt Keith and Nick Maton.  Both play third base.  Both are left-handed.

Harris indicated that promoting a player like Keith from AA to Detroit is not an ideal move.  It’s because the level of pitching and diversity of pitches seen in AAA is of a much higher level than AA.  Toledo helps prepare hitters for the MLB level.

As for Nick Maton, Scott said:  “He is adjusting back to what the league is doing to him, and there are some nights where you can see a lot of progress, and there are some nights where it is difficult for him. He’s still a young hitter. He still doesn’t have quite the body of work at this level to suggest he’s gonna be as consistent a performer at this level as we think he’s going to be in the future. As long as the work looks good and as long as he continues to show the adjustments at the plate, we’re going to give him some runway.”

What Harris was implying is that hitters need more time to develop and that stats only show part of what is going on and do not represent the true level of development.  Both Keith and Maton are works in progress.

Many fans are clamoring for Keith to be promoted to Detroit and for Maton to be dropped from the 26-man roster.  So far, Keith has only 168 games to his career.  Maton has 153 in the majors.

A. J. Hinch has stated that the Tigers are desperate for left-handed hitters which is another reason why Maton continues to play in addition to working on his development as a hitter.

Keith, once expected to be somewhat fast-tracked through Toledo and arrive in Detroit sometime shortly after the All-Star break, has been slowed down in his development due to arm fatigue.  The Tigers are taking things more slowly out of an abundance of caution.

Currently, there are no other options to play third base and replace Maton within the Tigers’ system.

Given Harris’ statements about the importance of development and gained experience, do you agree with the organization’s decision to keep developing both Keith and Maton at least for the near future? 

If you are in disagreement, what is the viable solution?  Please share it!

Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the page in order for your comments to be published.

FINAL RESULTS FROM A JUNE TOTALLY TIGERS POLL:

How worried are you about Spencer Torkelson?

  • It’s not looking good….  44% 
  • Starting to get somewhat concerned.  39% 
  • Not worried at all. He needs more time.  17% 

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22 thoughts on “WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY”

  2. I can’t wait to see Colt Keith play in Detroit – but first I want to see what he can do in Toledo. He’s probably the best pure hitter in the Tiger farm system but don’t “Torkelson” him.

    Liked by 8 people

  3. Maton is not MLB ready and needs more seasoning in Toledo maybe even in Erie. Keith, after the 1st half to help Erie win that portion, needs to go to Toledo. They need someone like Malloy (though I am a bit dispointed in his decline of late) needs to come up to replace Maton.

    Liked by 5 people

  4. I don’t want to rush to judgement on delaying Keith because we have not seen this regime’s process for long term player development time. I just hope that they are not trying to delay his service time. If Maton– now hitting .153– had been an “Avila guy” like Kody, I am confident Harris would have farmed him out by now.

    Liked by 3 people

  5. I agree they need Keith to be properly seasoned in the minors until they feel he is ready. As soon as a healthy player is available to return, Maton needs to go to AAA until he figures things out.

    Liked by 4 people

  6. Keep developing them. Neither is MLB ready. I would look to trade pitching to the Reds in exchange for one of their young infielders-like Nick Senzel.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I don’t think it’s as simple as Maton or Keith. Maton is not MLB ready and Keith would probably out perform him at this time but Keith should be in Toledo. Once the league discovered Maton can’t hit a curve or change-up, he became a very unsuccessful hitter.

    Liked by 4 people

  9. Keith is presently hurting so leave him be. Maton is already 26 years old and is no longer a prospect. He is a utility player and the Tigers a loaded with those.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Move Keith to Toledo for further development. Torkelson was rushed to the bigs and he is just now showing some recovery from that botched decision. Matos probably too young to give up on for now.

    Liked by 2 people

    • As the blog stated, Harris said the other day that Keith needs to face more kinds of pitching which only happens in AAA. Maton is getting the same kind of long “runway” that Tork got last year, and like last year it is producing diminishing results.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Maton should be in Toledo to learn to hit that curve ball. Facing major league pitching is not the place to do that.
    Keith should be there for that final ‘seasoning’ before making the big club.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. I voted “yes,” as I think Colt Keith can develop his skills in the major leagues. On Torkelson, wasn’t it also true that he really never hit that well even in AAA? In other words, it’s not that he was ready and we rushed him—it’s that he was not ready and we rushed him.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Dear Readers – Many of you today are posting off-topic or submitting statements that exceed the 3-sentence maximum. If you have already not done so, please refer to the Rules page found at the top so that your comments may be published. – The Moderators

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  14. I have observed that Maton has been sort of unlucky, on hard hit batted balls. So being curious I looked up his BABIP and it’s currently .181 about .125 points below average. That may be one reason why they’re giving Maton some more “runway” while letting Keith develop in the minors.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Those who didn’t learn from the past management mistakes need to make sure they learn from those past mistakes or they are bound to repeat them

    Like

  16. I don’t think that Maton is MLB ready and certainly needs some time at either AAA or AA. He barely hits and is an average fielder at best. On the other hand we could always put Zack Short at 3rd base as he is an elite fielder and hits much better then Maton.

    Liked by 4 people

  17. The only reason Maton is still playing in the majors is because Harris traded for him. Anyone at this point anyone would be better, McKinstry, even right-handed hitters like Ibanez and Short. Looks like we should’ve signed Candelerio for another season or one of the Castro’s.

    Liked by 2 people

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