Crooks

[Bomber1]

Hit his 8th home run for Memphis tonight. He'll be 25 years old in July. What are they waiting for?

They’re waiting for him to turn 28 so people can say “He’s 28, way too late to help the ML club”!

[Ozziesfan41]

Hit his 8th home run for Memphis tonight. He'll be 25 years old in July. What are they waiting for?

They’re waiting for him to turn 28 so people can say “He’s 28, way too late to help the ML club”!

Lol no kidding some say when players are young and struggling oh hes only 23 oh hes only 24 a players peak years arent until 28 and then they turn 28 and its too old to help now

[Futuregm2]

No hits today, he shouldn’t get the callup.

[rockondlouie]

Another example.
Hunter Goodman is striking out at a 37% clip this season.
He also has 12 XBH's, a .264 BA, and a .340 OBP.
He has a 28% K rate across 4 MLB seasons - but he also has a 30+ HR season, a 90+ RBI season, an ASG selection, and a Silver Slugger award.

He also play's half his games at Coors Field in Denver.

He has 24 home runs in his career on the road in 475 at bats and 27 at home in 502 at bats. His average and OBP on the road is bad though but pages can’t hit for average or get on base so if crooks can hit about .200 like pages and provide some pop while playing better defense which wouldn’t be hard it would be a big improvement you could then platoon crooks and Herrera and get rid of pozo for a more useful bench player. If this is a runway for young players it should be crooks not pages pages is not the future

You know I'm no fan of Pages, been saying since last season he has no future here.

he could be DFA'd today and I'd be happy.

But I also can see Crooks isn't ready w/that swing & miss rate and shouldn't be up here until he shows he can make better contact.

[Melville]

For those very concerned about high strikeouts let me present this tad food for thought.

Would you trade a high number of strikeouts for 56 homeruns ?

Well, Kyle Schwarber had 56 home runs in 2025 and had the 197 strikeouts 3rd highest total in MLB.
Despite the enormous number of whiffs, he was highly coveted by several teams in free agency.

Not saying Crooks would hit 56 but the point is you can be productive with quite a few whiffs.
Catcher is a premium defensive position ( one of 3 with SS and CF)
Having a good defender like Crooks along with plus power is tough to find.

Correct.
It is about production - not strikeouts.
K's would be an issue with guys like Scott.
But not for power guys who are paid to drive in runs.

[Basil Shabazz]

You know I'm no fan of Pages, been saying since last season he has no future here.

he could be DFA'd today and I'd be happy.

But I also can see Crooks isn't ready w/that swing & miss rate and shouldn't be up here until he shows he can make better contact.

Strikeouts be damned. But, also let's be clear. The K% that people are dramatizing is based on very low sample sizes. Last year in MLB he K'd 37% of the time, IN 46 PAs!! This year in Memphis, he has K'd 35% of the time, IN 80 PAs! Note the small sample sizes!

Historically, he has K'd 24% of the time in MiLB, 18% of the time in College, and 18% of the time in Fall/Summer ball. Those are real sample sizes.

If we have a +glove and +arm catcher defensively with 20+ HR power from the left side that hits .270+ and gets on base at a .350+ clip, do we really care if he strikeouts 25% of the time? Bat that guy 7th all day long and play ball!

[Talkin' Baseball]

Regardless of what we think, the front office has said on many occasions that their hitting philosophy values bat to ball skills. We can hold whatever opinions we like, but if you are wondering what the front office will do, or why they are doing something- listen to what they are saying (unlike in the past saying and doing match pretty well)- they are telling you how they will evaluate and act.

[rockondlouie]

You know I'm no fan of Pages, been saying since last season he has no future here.

he could be DFA'd today and I'd be happy.

But I also can see Crooks isn't ready w/that swing & miss rate and shouldn't be up here until he shows he can make better contact.

Strikeouts be damned. But, also let's be clear. The K% that people are dramatizing is based on very low sample sizes. Last year in MLB he K'd 37% of the time, IN 46 PAs!! This year in Memphis, he has K'd 35% of the time, IN 80 PAs! Note the small sample sizes!

Historically, he has K'd 24% of the time in MiLB, 18% of the time in College, and 18% of the time in Fall/Summer ball. Those are real sample sizes.

If we have a +glove and +arm catcher defensively with 20+ HR power from the left side that hits .270+ and gets on base at a .350+ clip, do we really care if he strikeouts 25% of the time? Bat that guy 7th all day long and play ball!

But notice how the K rate goes up as the pitching gets better?

And it's the swinging & missing (re: not enough contact) that seems to be the issue.

Just a bit of a stretch there Basil to say Crooks is a "+glove and +arm catcher defensively with 20+ HR power from the left side that hits .270+ and gets on base at a .350+ clip" in MLB.

I highly doubt he'd be even close to 20+ HR, .270+ w/a .350+ OB%.

Listen, I loathe seeing Pages in there almost every night and you know that.

But I also don't want to see them make the same M0 Mistakes they made in the past bringing players up who simply aren't ready.

I'm not saying that applies to Crooks, but I trust R. Cerfolio and his group down below if they're recommending Crooks stay at AAA to C. Bloom/

[Basil Shabazz]

Regardless of what we think, the front office has said on many occasions that their hitting philosophy values bat to ball skills. We can hold whatever opinions we like, but if you are wondering what the front office will do, or why they are doing something- listen to what they are saying (unlike in the past saying and doing match pretty well)- they are telling you how they will evaluate and act.

Nolan Gorman's K rate is 34% for his career and 30% this year.

Jordan Walker is 27% for his career and 32% this year

Pedro Pages is 27% for his career!! With no production.

What you say above does not correlate with the data given. What I see is that Oli Marmol really has an affinity for Pedro Pages, and to keep him around, they are using Crook's k rate as an excuse.

[Basil Shabazz]

You know I'm no fan of Pages, been saying since last season he has no future here.

he could be DFA'd today and I'd be happy.

But I also can see Crooks isn't ready w/that swing & miss rate and shouldn't be up here until he shows he can make better contact.

Strikeouts be damned. But, also let's be clear. The K% that people are dramatizing is based on very low sample sizes. Last year in MLB he K'd 37% of the time, IN 46 PAs!! This year in Memphis, he has K'd 35% of the time, IN 80 PAs! Note the small sample sizes!

Historically, he has K'd 24% of the time in MiLB, 18% of the time in College, and 18% of the time in Fall/Summer ball. Those are real sample sizes.

If we have a +glove and +arm catcher defensively with 20+ HR power from the left side that hits .270+ and gets on base at a .350+ clip, do we really care if he strikeouts 25% of the time? Bat that guy 7th all day long and play ball!

But notice how the K rate goes up as the pitching gets better?

And it's the swinging & missing (re: not enough contact) that seems to be the issue.

Just a bit of a stretch there Basil to say Crooks is a "+glove and +arm catcher defensively with 20+ HR power from the left side that hits .270+ and gets on base at a .350+ clip" in MLB.

I highly doubt he'd be even close to 20+ HR, .270+ w/a .350+ OB%.

Listen, I loathe seeing Pages in there almost every night and you know that.

But I also don't want to see them make the same M0 Mistakes they made in the past bringing players up who simply aren't ready.

I'm not saying that applies to Crooks, but I trust R. Cerfolio and his group down below if they're recommending Crooks stay at AAA to C. Bloom/

The only number I may have stretched was the 20+ HRs. I actually downgraded his historic BAs and OBPs to arrive at my numbers. I suspect Cerfolio and Bloom are just saying what they are so as not to appear off page with Marmol. Eventually, they will tell Marmol to get on their messaging, and then the move will be made.

As far as the K rate trending up, once again, sample size, my friend. In 2025, he had 430 PAs at Memphis and k'd 26% of the time. That is pretty much in line w/ his historic MiLB K rate. I will take that from an LH hitting catcher w/ good defense and decent power.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Regardless of what we think, the front office has said on many occasions that their hitting philosophy values bat to ball skills. We can hold whatever opinions we like, but if you are wondering what the front office will do, or why they are doing something- listen to what they are saying (unlike in the past saying and doing match pretty well)- they are telling you how they will evaluate and act.

Nolan Gorman's K rate is 34% for his career and 30% this year.

Jordan Walker is 27% for his career and 32% this year

Pedro Pages is 27% for his career!! With no production.

What you say above does not correlate with the data given. What I see is that Oli Marmol really has an affinity for Pedro Pages, and to keep him around, they are using Crook's k rate as an excuse.

Two important distinctions-

1- These numbers are taking place at the major league level, not AAA. I don't believe any of these players would be called up with this front office if these numbers were being put up at AAA.
2- They DO value bat to ball skills. Gorman and Pages may not be long for St Louis because of their lack of it. Walker's K rate might be tolerated if he continues to produce as he has been. Even at that, I'm sure they are trying to get that down.

[Basil Shabazz]

Regardless of what we think, the front office has said on many occasions that their hitting philosophy values bat to ball skills. We can hold whatever opinions we like, but if you are wondering what the front office will do, or why they are doing something- listen to what they are saying (unlike in the past saying and doing match pretty well)- they are telling you how they will evaluate and act.

Nolan Gorman's K rate is 34% for his career and 30% this year.

Jordan Walker is 27% for his career and 32% this year

Pedro Pages is 27% for his career!! With no production.

What you say above does not correlate with the data given. What I see is that Oli Marmol really has an affinity for Pedro Pages, and to keep him around, they are using Crook's k rate as an excuse.

Two important distinctions-

1- These numbers are taking place at the major league level, not AAA. I don't believe any of these players would be called up with this front office if these numbers were being put up at AAA.
2- They DO value bat to ball skills. Gorman and Pages may not be long for St Louis because of their lack of it. Walker's K rate might be tolerated if he continues to produce as he has been. Even at that, I'm sure they are trying to get that down.

I shared my supporting data and my opinions.

We will agree to disagree

[Talkin' Baseball]

Regardless of what we think, the front office has said on many occasions that their hitting philosophy values bat to ball skills. We can hold whatever opinions we like, but if you are wondering what the front office will do, or why they are doing something- listen to what they are saying (unlike in the past saying and doing match pretty well)- they are telling you how they will evaluate and act.

Nolan Gorman's K rate is 34% for his career and 30% this year.

Jordan Walker is 27% for his career and 32% this year

Pedro Pages is 27% for his career!! With no production.

What you say above does not correlate with the data given. What I see is that Oli Marmol really has an affinity for Pedro Pages, and to keep him around, they are using Crook's k rate as an excuse.

Two important distinctions-

1- These numbers are taking place at the major league level, not AAA. I don't believe any of these players would be called up with this front office if these numbers were being put up at AAA.
2- They DO value bat to ball skills. Gorman and Pages may not be long for St Louis because of their lack of it. Walker's K rate might be tolerated if he continues to produce as he has been. Even at that, I'm sure they are trying to get that down.

I shared my supporting data and my opinions.

We will agree to disagree

Don't misunderstand- I wanted Pages traded last winter and think the team may very well be better off today if Crooks were here instead (strikeout warts and all), but what I'm saying is that is not what this front office will do. They will never DFA Pages and they aren't calling Crooks up before the trade deadline at the earliest. One of them will be traded then and the outlook will change.

[Futuregm2]

Regardless of what we think, the front office has said on many occasions that their hitting philosophy values bat to ball skills. We can hold whatever opinions we like, but if you are wondering what the front office will do, or why they are doing something- listen to what they are saying (unlike in the past saying and doing match pretty well)- they are telling you how they will evaluate and act.

Nolan Gorman's K rate is 34% for his career and 30% this year.

Jordan Walker is 27% for his career and 32% this year

Pedro Pages is 27% for his career!! With no production.

What you say above does not correlate with the data given. What I see is that Oli Marmol really has an affinity for Pedro Pages, and to keep him around, they are using Crook's k rate as an excuse.

Crooks hit .133 last year in the MLB in 46 PAs, and a huge reason was the 17 K’s that he had there. I’m sure the front office isn’t looking at his AAA numbers and seeing 28 K’s in 80 PAs and going “YAY he’s surely improved, let’s call him up!” Yes it’s all small sample size, but logically I see why he’s not there yet.

[rockondlouie]

You know I'm no fan of Pages, been saying since last season he has no future here.

he could be DFA'd today and I'd be happy.

But I also can see Crooks isn't ready w/that swing & miss rate and shouldn't be up here until he shows he can make better contact.

Strikeouts be damned. But, also let's be clear. The K% that people are dramatizing is based on very low sample sizes. Last year in MLB he K'd 37% of the time, IN 46 PAs!! This year in Memphis, he has K'd 35% of the time, IN 80 PAs! Note the small sample sizes!

Historically, he has K'd 24% of the time in MiLB, 18% of the time in College, and 18% of the time in Fall/Summer ball. Those are real sample sizes.

If we have a +glove and +arm catcher defensively with 20+ HR power from the left side that hits .270+ and gets on base at a .350+ clip, do we really care if he strikeouts 25% of the time? Bat that guy 7th all day long and play ball!

But notice how the K rate goes up as the pitching gets better?

And it's the swinging & missing (re: not enough contact) that seems to be the issue.

Just a bit of a stretch there Basil to say Crooks is a "+glove and +arm catcher defensively with 20+ HR power from the left side that hits .270+ and gets on base at a .350+ clip" in MLB.

I highly doubt he'd be even close to 20+ HR, .270+ w/a .350+ OB%.

Listen, I loathe seeing Pages in there almost every night and you know that.

But I also don't want to see them make the same M0 Mistakes they made in the past bringing players up who simply aren't ready.

I'm not saying that applies to Crooks, but I trust R. Cerfolio and his group down below if they're recommending Crooks stay at AAA to C. Bloom/

The only number I may have stretched was the 20+ HRs. I actually downgraded his historic BAs and OBPs to arrive at my numbers. I suspect Cerfolio and Bloom are just saying what they are so as not to appear off page with Marmol. Eventually, they will tell Marmol to get on their messaging, and then the move will be made.

As far as the K rate trending up, once again, sample size, my friend. In 2025, he had 430 PAs at Memphis and k'd 26% of the time. That is pretty much in line w/ his historic MiLB K rate. I will take that from an LH hitting catcher w/ good defense and decent power.

I'd have to say pump the breaks on that .270+ BA & of course the .350+ OB% too Basil, that's some pretty high marks for a hitter like Crooks.

I agree w/you that "eventually" Crooks will be here, hopefully sooner than later if they think he's ready.

Again, they could DFA Pages today and I'd be happy.

But you'd agree that Crooks is eventually a trade piece, right?

Given Bernal is the way better defense catcher (MiLB Gold Glove winner) and a switch hitter.........then of course behind him is R.R. on a rocket ship to St. Louis (although he could change positions?).

I get the SSS but let's not gloss over Crooks hit an anemic .133 .152 .244 .397 in those 46 PA"s last season, that's below A. Wainwright level!

I'm pulling for the kid, hope he does get that call-up sometime this season.

But let's trust the new team (Bloom, Cerfolio etal), this isn't Mo the idiot running the show anymore.

[riff raff]

If they promote Crooks you'll lose Pozo off the roster not Pages.