Crazy ideas: I believe in J.R. Towles.

by OremLK on Dec 17, 2009 12:27 AM CST

J.R. Towles is a man on shaky ground in the Astros organization. His poor 2008 big league showing resulted in a premature yanking from the major league roster, and despite displaying some power and patience, his microscopic Batting Average on Balls In Play destroyed his offensive production.

Worse, Jason Castro is breathing down his neck as Houston's top prospect, and we're now hearing reports that Castro might make the team Opening Day.

But did you know that Towles is a career .305/.393/.490 minor leaguer? That he's still projected by most systems to bat above .700 OPS in his first full major league season, despite his poor prior performances?

I believe that with some faith and a reasonable amount of time to adapt to major league pitching he will match and eventually exceed those projections. But he doesn't have a role here if Castro is the starting catcher. So what do we do with him?

How's about this crazy idea?

Let's pull a Biggio. Towles is quick for a catcher, and if he gets his offense up toward his minor league levels, he will have the bat to play in the infield. If he hits as projected by CHONE he would be an offensive upgrade at second or third base right now, in fact.

I suspect his skills would be more suited to third than second, though I wouldn't rule out the latter entirely. Many position players have made the conversion from catcher to third base over baseball's history, and a catcher's skills translate well to 3B; quick glovework and a fast, strong, accurate arm are essential at the hot corner.

Towles deserves a chance. He's been bitten by small sample sizes, too little time to adapt, and just plain poor luck. Regardless of how his bat develops, he will likely be replaced by Castro within the next year, relegated to--at best--a backup role. He might be traded to another organization, but I like him, and would like him to stay here in Houston. A conversion to another position would give him the chance to be a starter, a chance his performance in the minors has earned him.

Do you believe in J.R. Towles?

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Comments

I do.

I’ve been kind of mute on the catching situation, so thanks for bringing this up. I think you have a great idea, provided we could play him at second rather than third, as I really like Feliz there for next year. Also, could he make the switch in spring training this year, or would he need more time?

"So I'm ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face." -Yogi Berra

by hunterpencefan on Dec 17, 2009 2:39 AM CST reply actions

I was thinking more for 2011 than this year, since Towles may need some time in the minors to gain experience at a new position. However, he may not have any options left, so that could be a problem. Do September callups count against a player’s options?

by OremLK on Dec 17, 2009 3:10 AM CST up reply actions

I still would like to see Towles given a legitimate shot at the catcher position in the majors in 2010. He has a lot more value in that position, so long as he can show that he can hit. And I think he will eventually show some offense at the major league level. We don’t know if Towles would be able to make the conversion to 2d or 3d at Round Rock or not. So I would prefer to give him another chance at catcher.

Personally, this talk about Castro as the opening day catcher kind of scares me. (Even though let’s note that the linked quote is from Enos Cabell, not Ed Wade.) I think Castro needs the time in AAA, and I hate to see his career start off badly if he is thrown to the wolves.

by clack on Dec 17, 2009 4:44 AM CST reply actions

I tend to agree, I think Castro should spend the first half of the season in AAA. But at some point he’ll be ready, and when he is, what happens to Towles?

by OremLK on Dec 17, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions

If Towles can establish his value as a catcher, he can be used in platoon with Castro or as a back up. Or he can be used as trade bait. If Towles can become a mid-.700’s OPS catcher, he will have a lot more value as a catcher than a 2d baseman or 3d baseman. Perhaps he can be traded for an infielder.

by clack on Dec 17, 2009 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

True enough, I suppose. I wonder if he has the potential to hit better than that, though?

by OremLK on Dec 17, 2009 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

I'm in as well.

I think Towles will be a quality every day MLB player. If Houston doesn’t give him all of ‘10 as an everyday player, he’s going to end up being productive for another team and make Houston regret the way they handled him.

by Snake Diggity on Dec 17, 2009 11:09 AM CST reply actions

With Kaz's contract done next year

I wouldn’t mind seeing a switch to 2B.

by Timothy De Block on Dec 17, 2009 2:13 PM CST reply actions

on a different subject....

In the Footer link in the post above, did you notice the quote from Enos Cabell saying that the Astros are looking for another middle infielder in case something happens to Manzella?

I wonder who they are looking at. Also, does this mean that the Astros don’t think Keppinger or Maysonet can back up the shortstop position?

Off-hand, the remaining shortstop market isn’t that great. Maybe Jason Bartlett, but he probably will be too expensive.

It’s too bad that the Astros aren’t in the market for a starting 2d baseman. Fangraphs had an article about the glut of good 2d baseman on the free agent market.

by clack on Dec 17, 2009 7:57 PM CST reply actions

Especially since they WILL be in the market for a starting 2B next season, and the market looks much worse then. I’d rather see them release Kaz and get somebody on a two or three year deal now.

by OremLK on Dec 17, 2009 8:20 PM CST up reply actions

Not really.

He has talent, but he hasn’t shown the mental fortitude necessary to be a good big league player. Every time he makes an out, he looks like a whipped puppy. I still think he could be a decent player, but I don’t think he’ll ever be a star.

by jmike on Dec 19, 2009 9:34 AM CST reply actions

That’s what they said about Wandy. But we had a little patience, and now he’s one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball.

by AstroAndy on Dec 19, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

Besides, even a solid, productive big league player would be a significant upgrade at second/third/catcher. Doesn’t have to be a star to help us out.

by OremLK on Dec 19, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

I don’t really foresee Towles as a “star,” if by that we mean “All Star.” I think he can become above average at catcher. If he is either average or above average, Towles would be a step up above the Astros’ normal catcher performance. For that matter, without more power, I don’t know that Castro projects to be a star either, but his combination of defense and batting average ought to make him above average at the position. I could see a scenario whereby Towles and Castros initially platoon at the position and then Towles transitions to back up catcher. Or, as I said before, if Towles has enough value, he could eventually be traded.

by clack on Dec 20, 2009 8:20 AM CST up reply actions

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