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Springer's K Rate
Chris already went into great detail on George Springer's strikeout rate this morning, so if you haven't read his article, please do. Just a few more points to touch on. Springer's K rate is indeed on a gradual decline, but I'd still like to see him string together a few months of < 25% K Rate at Corpus before the front office considers promoting him. Here's how the last few months break down:
Aug 2012: 32.4%
Sept 2012: 25% (only 3 games)
April: 29.4%
May: 28.6%
June: 25%
After having 10 multiple-strikeout games in the month of May, Springer is almost halfway through June with only one multi-strikeout game. There's no denying the improvement. Let's hope it continues. From his work ethic, to his defense, to his power, he's a near-super prospect. Unfortunately, the K rates may forever be his Kryptonite.
Comparing Machado and Correa
A day after Buster Onley wrote an article on Machado being in the same class with Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, I couldn't help to think of Carlos Correa.
Both players were drafted as shortstops. Both players received Alex Rodriguez comparisons on draft night. Both players have five-tool potential. They even look similar, physically. Machado was 6'3", 185 on draft night. Correa was 6'4", 190.
I see Machado's impact on the Orioles and dream of Carlos Correa carrying the Astros to the Playoffs one day. Machado has made the biggest impact is on defense, where Correa projects to be just as good, if not better, whether it's at shortstop or third base.
At the plate, Machado is a better overall hitter, but Correa has more raw power. Correa may also steal a few more bases than Machado, at least during the early stages of his career.
Because Correa is only 18 years old and hasn't played above A ball, it's almost unfair to compare him to one the best third basemen in baseball, but the measurables are eerily similar and Correa appears to be on the same career path that Machado was two years ago. Here's a side-by-side of their stats at the same age/level:
Correa (18.8, A-Ball): 51 games, .302/.403/.452, .359 BABIP, 13.2 BB%, 17.5 K%, 6/2 SB/CS, 16.4 LD%, 1.78 GB/FB
Machado (18.9, A-Ball): 38 games, .276/.376/.483, .296 BABIP, 13.5 BB%, 14.7 K%, 3/1 SB/CS, 14.9 LD%, 0.91 GB/FB
The only glaring difference is the GB/FB ratio. Carlos Correa hits a lot more groundballs than Machado did in A-ball, and pops up a lot less, which is a good thing, and explains the higher BABIP. (All stats courtesy of Minor League Central).
Oklahoma State City (34-29)
- Robbie Grossman - 0-4, 2 K
- Jose Martinez - 2-4
- Brett Wallace - 1-4, 2 K
- Brandon Laird - 1-4, K
- Jonathan Villar - 1-4, SB
- Carlos Perez - 0-2, BB, K
- Brett Oberholtzer - 7 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 6/4 GO/AO
Corpus Christi (40-25)
- George Springer - 1-4, BB, K, Assist
- Rene Garcia - 1-3, HR, 2 BB
- Jon Singleton - 0-4, BB, 3 K
- Domingo Santana - 2-4, 2B, 2 K, SB
- Jon Meyer - 2-5
- Jio Mier - 0-3, BB
- Jake Buchanan - 4 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 3/3 GO/AO
Lancaster (37-29)
- Delino DeShields Jr. - 3-4, Error
- Nolan Fontana - 0-2, 3 BB
- Andrew Aplin - 1-5
- MP Cokinos - 2-4, 2B, HR
- Preston Tucker - 2-4, HR, BB
- Tyler Heineman - 1-4, CS
- Joe Sclafani - 1-3, K
- Aaron West - 5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 4/4 GO/AO
- Theron Geith - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 5/0 GO/AO
Quad Cities (35-29)
- Teoscar Hernandez - 1-4, BB, E, CS
- Carlos Correa - 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K, Error
- Rio Ruiz - 1-4, 2 K
- Ariel Ovando - 0-3, BB, K, Assist
- Colton Cain - 4 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1/5 GO/AO
- Mike Hauschild - 3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 6/2 GO/AO