Marwin Gonzalez – Overrated? Underrated? Just About Average?

Every team wishes they had a player like Marwin Gonzalez.

The Astros’ swiff army knife of sorts, Gonzalez has played five different positions this season and batted from seven different spots in the lineup.

Gonzalez’s ability to play pretty much anywhere in the field is what makes him a key part of the Astros team.

This season, Gonzalez has seen most of his time at first base, since Tyler White and A.J. Reed have yet to work out. But Gonzalez also plays second base and shortstop, when Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa need a day off, and has played third base and left field this season too.

Every team wishes they had a player like Marwin Gonzalez.

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At the plate, Gonzalez isn’t exactly Babe Ruth, but he’s also not Colby Rasmus/Jason Castro when they face lefties (read – horrendous). On the season, Gonzalez is slashing .253/.293/.407 in exactly 300 at-bats. Not great numbers by any means. Frankly, they’re decent at best.

Since the Astros shifted around their lineup, the 27-year old Gonzalez has seen the majority of his at-bats batting in the #2 hole. Hitting in between George Springer and Jose Altuve should, in theory, give Gonzalez better pitches to hit. In those 134 at-bats in between the stars, MarGo has slashed .276/.312/.418, better than his overall season numbers. Those numbers from the #2 hole are serviceable.

The Astros spent Sunday celebrating a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but I, along with many other fans, were celebrating some bigger news. In his postgame press conference, manager A.J. Hinch announced the team has called up phenom Alex Bregman from AAA Fresno. He figures to play every day, though it remains to be seen if he’ll get consistent at-bats from just one position.

If I was playing manager, I’d have Bregman sit right in between Springer and Altuve in the #2 spot. MarGo has been solid from the #2 hole, but there’s a pretty good chance Bregman could be better.

Every team wishes they had a player like Marwin Gonzalez.

But is Gonzalez really that good? The average MLB hitter this season slashes .255/.321/.417, a bit better than Gonzalez. The average #2 hitter this season slashes .271/.339/.434, also a bit better than Gonzalez. Again, is Gonzalez even good or is he average at best?

I’m not here to rip on the guy, I actually love what he brings to the team. However, Gonzalez isn’t someone that should be in the everyday lineup. His stat-line is decent at-best and he doesn’t offer much upside. However, he definitely is someone that won’t hurt you like other guys in the lineup have this season.

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In a perfect world, A.J. Reed would be up and doing A.J. Reed things at first base/DH, Bregman would be able to slide in perfectly at third base and Yulieski Gurriel/Colby Rasmus/Preston Tucker handle left field duties. In that perfect world, Gonzalez would be relegated to bench duty.

I like Gonzalez. His ability to come into any game playing almost any position (and pretty well) and bat almost anywhere in the lineup is what makes him special and valuable. But is he someone the Astros need in the everyday lineup? In a perfect world, no. In my perfect world, he plays 2-3 times a week at various positions to give some guys some half days off.

A former Rule-5 draft pick, Gonzalez has carved himself a nice career. He’s not the best starting option, but he’s a key member of the Astros and certainly one of the best utility men in the game.

Every team wishes they had a player like Marwin Gonzalez.

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