Houston Astros: Why the bench needs to be utilized more
2. Evan Gattis
Current Stat Line: .276/.343/.433/.776
Advanced Stats: 112 wRC+, .295 BABIP, 0.7 WAR
Okay fans, I know I scream about this constantly on my Evan Gattis fan blog The White Bear Chronicles. But you see, in 2017, my screams carry a lot of merit!
El Oso Blanco has had quite the 2017 so far. In 127 AB’s, the Big White Bear also has a 25 point higher average and a 24 point higher on-base percentage. His current 24 RBI is on pace to get more than his 72 from last year.
His power has not been flexed as much this season, only slugging at .433 with 4 home runs. It’s not the thing you would expect from a player has physically intimidating as Gattis. Especially, given that his ISO (isolated power) over his career stands at an elite .230 in his 4 previous seasons.
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Despite the few things left to be desired about the bear, fans need not worry so much about this. If we recall, Gattis had more home runs in the second half of 2016 than he did the first. Arguably, he was the second half offensive ex-factor that kept the Astros competing. Getting back to catching certainly helped with that.
Brian McCann has been starting behind the plate more, since the veteran BMac does have significantly better defensive numbers. Don’t think for one moment, though, that Gattis cannot hold his own behind the plate. A lot of his pitch framing and defensive numbers are just a tick above average, making him a very serviceable backup.
Contact High!
Returning to his bat now, Gattis appears to have made a shift from streaky power hitter to a contact and RBI guy. According to many sources, including Evan himself, that isn’t by accident or coincidence. He wants to improve his strike zone judgement and all around hitting, and it’s proving to be effective.
The power of the bear is still very much there. If only A.J. Hinch can get him in there more often as a DH, he’ll have literal flexibility to showcase the power we know Gattis has! This can only happen if Hinch makes good on his promises to get him more consistent at-bats.
Meanwhile, Carlos Beltran can take some more outfield reps, like I highlighted in a piece on him a couple of weeks back. As unpopular of sentiments both of these ideas are to some out there, it needs to be tested for a little while to get the bear out there to mash some baseballs!