It would have made more sense to have called up Church, recently, instead of Walker

[WeeVikes]

Only if you’re ready to add him to the 40-man and start his clock. I don’t know his situation, so I don’t know if it’s worth it or not.

I think it was futuregm that originally made this point… they likely are trying to keep Walker up all year to preserve his final option year.

Church is a guy who’d likely hold his own today in the majors but Mozeliak is married to his philosophy. He prioritizes more highly ranked prospects over guys who are earning call ups in the minors.

Indeed.

If they’ve given up on the year, why burn Walker’s option, DFA someone from the 40-man (which if I counted correctly they’d have to do) and start this kid’s clock when they can leave themselves more options for 2026? I’m not saying I agree with the strategy, but if I was punting on ‘25, I’d probably do this.

Church is 25. There’s zero reason for his service time to be any part of the decision making process.

Got it. I hadn’t checked that closely. Thank you for the info. I see your point.

[bfib]

No it wouldn’t have. Church has no future. Walker still may

[Carp4Cy]

Only if you’re ready to add him to the 40-man and start his clock. I don’t know his situation, so I don’t know if it’s worth it or not.

He just turned 25. His clock and 6 (7) years of control before FA are not going to be an issue here. No reason we should need to delay a players free agency past age 32. I think the quesions would be is he good enough to play at this level (or another Baker) and does he have enough ceiling to be worth the playing time? I don't really know.

[Wattage]

To let Walker continue to work on his pitch recognition at Memphis. And to see how Church looks to get a bead on how expendable Nootbaar might be at the trade deadline.https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/bu ... 93ba&ei=14

No it wouldnt. Dont add him to 40 already. If anything id call up a filler roster spot and actually let fermin get more at bats. Not that i believe in germin, but fermin will be out of options next year so they might as well make sure they ha e nothing there before dfaing him next year.

[Wattage]

Only if you’re ready to add him to the 40-man and start his clock. I don’t know his situation, so I don’t know if it’s worth it or not.

I think it was futuregm that originally made this point… they likely are trying to keep Walker up all year to preserve his final option year.

Church is a guy who’d likely hold his own today in the majors but Mozeliak is married to his philosophy. He prioritizes more highly ranked prospects over guys who are earning call ups in the minors.

I see no evidence church would hold his own. He never hit this well before, and baker fermin and koperniak( last year )have killed memphis before. I highly doubt church suddenly went from not being able to hit AA well at all last year to mlb ready this year.

8d give fermin a chance before church just cuz fermin will be out of options and we should see if theres anything before dfaing him next year, cuz hes had a few hits in a small sample size this season despite doing little the last 2 years

[WeeVikes]

Only if you’re ready to add him to the 40-man and start his clock. I don’t know his situation, so I don’t know if it’s worth it or not.

He just turned 25. His clock and 6 (7) years of control before FA are not going to be an issue here. No reason we should need to delay a players free agency past age 32. I think the quesions would be is he good enough to play at this level (or another Baker) and does he have enough ceiling to be worth the playing time? I don't really know.

Thank you for the info, Carp. That really helps frame the situation.

[An Old Friend]

Only if you’re ready to add him to the 40-man and start his clock. I don’t know his situation, so I don’t know if it’s worth it or not.

I think it was futuregm that originally made this point… they likely are trying to keep Walker up all year to preserve his final option year.

Church is a guy who’d likely hold his own today in the majors but Mozeliak is married to his philosophy. He prioritizes more highly ranked prospects over guys who are earning call ups in the minors.

I see no evidence church would hold his own. He never hit this well before, and baker fermin and koperniak( last year )have killed memphis before. I highly doubt church suddenly went from not being able to hit AA well at all last year to mlb ready this year.

8d give fermin a chance before church just cuz fermin will be out of options and we should see if theres anything before dfaing him next year, cuz hes had a few hits in a small sample size this season despite doing little the last 2 years

Fermin is an infielder, I was speaking to outfield opportunities.

Yes, if there is an opening for playing time at 2B/3B, by all means, let's see what Fermin can do. He has elite bat to ball skills and plate discipline.

And Church absolutely showed the ability last year - he had a walk rate of 8% and K rate of just 11%. The quality of contact wasn't great but the bat skill was there. This year, he's added pop and thus far in AAA, he's stopped popping the ball up. He has more walks than strikeouts. I want to see if it translates - that type of bat skill often does.

Koperniak struck out 96 times to 43 walks last year. His swinging strike rate was double what Church's is in 2025.

At Church's age, Baker hit .228 with a .288 OBP, striking out 129 times to 37 walks.

Church is hitting .365 with a .441 OBP, striking out 17 times to 18 walks. There is a bit of a difference, here.