On 10/3/21, I laid out what I thought the Astros ALDS roster should be and what I thought it will be here.
I promised some follow-up articles. In this follow-up essay, I will address why I believe Taylor Jones should be on the ALDS roster.
First, I ask you to forget we are discussing Taylor Jones. Let me quote from my “Who Am I” article
My OPS (0.948) is third on the Astros since the All-Star Break (Min 40 PA)
I have driven in more runners per plate appearance since the All-Star Break than any other Astros player with more than 40 PA
My OPS for the 2021 season with RISP is 1.000 (wRC+ 159). This is only in 33 PA because I have not played a lot
If you combine my AAA and MLB stats this year, my slash line would be 0.301/ 0.375/ 0.518/ 0.894. Among Astros with 100 PA that would be
Third in batting average
Second in OBP
Third in SLG
Second in OPS
In an even more fair assessment, if you discount my AAA stats by 80% (and increase strikeout 120%) and then combine those stats with my MLB stats, my slash line would be 0.257/ 0.323/ 0.442/ 0.765. Among Astros with 100 PA that would be
Tenth in batting average- tied with McCormick- ahead of Castro, Gonzalez, and Maldonado
Ninth in OBP- tied with Meyers- ahead of McCormick, Diaz, Gonzalez, and Maldonado
Eighth in SLG- 0.001 behind Castro- ahead of Meyers, Brantley, Bregman, Diaz, Gonzalez, and Maldonado
Tenth in OPS- 0.001 behind McCormick- ahead of Meyers, Diaz, Gonzalez, and Maldonado
Even with the reduction of the minor league stats Jones would project to have a full season of 21 HR and 103 RBI. This would be an above average MLB player.
Another way to consider this because I think the decision essentially comes down to Siri or Jones is who was better in Sugar Land this year over a more statistically significant number of plate appearance?
The answer is Jones. Jones was statistically on par with Meyers and both were better than Siri.
I have stated before I think the post season is about taking advantage of single moments in time. Imagine this scenario
It is the seventh inning game tied 2-2
Aaron Blummer (LHP) just started the inning by giving up a double to Tucker
Meyers just struck out- one out
Maldonado is due up
Siri was used as a PR for Brantley last inning and stayed in LF (if he is not on the team then McCormick was used as the PR)
Who do you want going to the plate?
Jones 0.908 OPS vs. LHP
McCormick 0.822 OPS vs. LHP
Diaz 0.789 OPS vs. LHP
Gonzalez 0.713 OPS
Maldonado 0.665 OPS vs. LHP
Castro 0.561 OPS vs. LHP
I want Jones. That is why Jones is on my ALDS roster.
To read my take on Siri, click here.
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