Herrera….something special

[renostl]

426 .484 .815 1.299
5HR
20RBI

Less than a 1/3 of the AB’s as our other starters. If he can stick around 1.000 OPS for the season and stays in the middle of lineup this could be Goldschmidt(MVP) type bat who actually seems to thrive under pressure.

An actual top of league offensive weapon evolved when everyone was laser focused on Gorman and Walker

Does anyone know where the h*ll all this came from? Last 2 seasons Ivan was just a catcher--probably a backup--who hit for a decent average but the org wasn't pushing to get him as many AB's as possible to be the next Albert.

Now all of a sudden, he's projected as a middle-of-the-order bat. Someone said he figured out launch angle this spring? Not complaining. In fact, it's the opposite. I'm ecstatic and believe he can do this.

I just don't know when all of this started.

It's always been the feeling that Herrera would be a bat-first catcher. Even when he was thought of as the heir to Molina. I don't know if any of us thought he would be MOTO good.

I think he should be our DH this year, but I also would like to see him recoup SOME defensive value. I'm not sure why I feel that way, but I would like him to have the ability to take the field SOMEWHERE if necessary.

Agree. And he's fast and agile enough, with the arm, to play some LF. But again, he's your main DH for years to come, unless of course he gets reps in LF and shows he can be decent defensively.

Definitely. I think unless you're providing David Ortiz-level offense, you should be able to play the field somewhere. He doesn't need to be a gold glover. But I'd like him to get to the point where I don't whinge when a ball is hit towards him.

The rest of the roster does influence.
We can say get rid of players all we want but as long as they are still on the roster it's the absolute.

WC, Burley, Gorman, as NA could also use ---if his bat is working----should have some ab's at DH. What wrong with him still getting 50-70 games at C?
Let the prospect that emerges unseat Pages if and when it happens. Catchers in trades have value too.
I think it's still dynamic and maybe he's the heir to 1B, let him DH/C for now.

[acousticglue]

Crooks might be a very good hitter w very good defense. So as stated having Crooks and Pages w Herrera DH gives a 3rd C persona. When Bernal is ready maybe Pages or one gets dealt.

[okcardfan]

Herrera has decent speed and probably adequate agility to play both 1B and LF. If he can do it, why not? Keeps him in the game, connected in a way that DH may make harder. A young guy wants to get out there and play, not sit on the bench all day, and Herrera is an energetic guy.
Seeing how well he could play another position shouldn't take that much time, risk or downside.
Really, why all the fear? I mean, why not?