Free Jesus Flores!

[KingJ]

It may be just small sample size, but it's time we start playing Jesus Flores more, especially against LHP which we faced tonight and didn't not start him.
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Team W-L Record (as starter)
Jesus Flores 9-8
Brian Schneider 27-44

ERA with Catcher (both in starts and off bench)
Jesus Flores 3.38 in 160 innings
Brian Schneider 5.03 in 626 innings

SB/CS (CS%)
Jesus Flores 8/4 (33.3%)
Brian Schneider 29/11 (27.5%)

Hitting v. LHP
Jesus Flores .282/.378/.410 in 39 ABs
Brian Schneider .188/.309/.234 in 64 ABs

Hitting v. RHP
Jesus Flores .176/.243/.235 in 34 ABs
Brian Schneider .251/.310/.353 in 187 ABs

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Flores > Schneider in 4 out of 5 categories right now. If that's enough for dentists to prefer Trident gum over it's leading competitors, then it's enough to start Jesus Flores more in the 2nd half!

[natsnsoxfan]

I'm a strong believer in starting rookies and giving the younger guys a chance, especially on a ballclub like the Nationals that isn't really contending for a few years, but I don't think he's ready yet. You have to realize that he was in A ball last year. Maybe he becomes the starter later in the year, hes definately our catcher of the future, but hes not ready just yet IMO.

[KingJ]

But statistically and according to Manny Acta, Flores is already showing above average major league defense at catcher and his upside is much higher than Schneider's as Flores hit very well in A Ball while Brian has never done much offensively in the minors or majors.

[natsnsoxfan]

I do think he should be our full-time catcher at some point this season, I just don't think its now. I'm holding out hope that Bowden is going to trade Schneider at the deadline for some decent pitching prospects, which probably won't happen since hes one of the team leaders and unofficial captains, but if it did I think thats the point that Flores would become a starter. Even if he doesn't start at some point this year hes still only 22 or so, so his time will come.

[Peorgie T]

Catcher is one of the few areas where the Nats don't really have a problem right now. Just think back to last year, and recall the backup catcher platoon of Fick and LeCroy, and realize how much better off the Nats are this year. Schneider's offensive production has been down the last couple of years, but he is a team leader, and handles the pitchers well. If the Nats had a decent lineup aside from him, he'd bat 8th, and nobody would complain. I agree that Flores should play more, especially against LHPs. At least Manny has finally gotten enough confidence in him that he is getting more starts than he was earlier in the year.

[KingJ]

I just think we should try to get Flores more starts against LHP where he excels with the bat while Schneider... doesn't.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

You know KingJ, I see what you're saying, but realistically speaking, we have no way of knowing how good Flores would be as a full-time starter or even platoon player.

Right now, we see his backup numbers in limited time compared to Schneider, who's starting almost every game.
Schneider's underrated bigtime, if only he didn't sustain those multiple injuries a couple years back, he could have been really earning his $4 million salary and we could have really gotten something good for him should he be dealt.

Well, that's life, and that kind of sucks.

[natsnsoxfan]

Have you read anything about Flores at all? He projects as a power hitting, GG caliber defensive catcher, he'll be a full time catcher and All-Star at that.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Have you read anything about Flores at all? He projects as a power hitting, GG caliber defensive catcher, he'll be a full time catcher and All-Star at that.

Making the jump from A-ball to the majors is an enormous leap, and you're telling me you'd be happy with him starting right now?
He needs to learn how to be a full-time catcher, and Schneider is showing him that, so I'm fairly happy with the way Acta and company are handling this.

You can't just say he'll be an All-Star based on what we've seen in the minors!

Again I say this, we have no idea how well Flores will transition from backup to full-time starter.

[natsnsoxfan]

Making the jump from A-ball to the majors is an enormous leap, and you're telling me you'd be happy with him starting right now?
He needs to learn how to be a full-time catcher, and Schneider is showing him that, so I'm fairly happy with the way Acta and company are handling this.

You can't just say he'll be an All-Star based on what we've seen in the minors!

Again I say this, we have no idea how well Flores will transition from backup to full-time starter.

I realize that its an enormous jump, I've stated that. But, the Nationals wouldn't have selected him in the Rule V draft if they didn't think that he would be worth keeping on the roster, only a year removed from A ball. You're twisting my words, not once did I say anything about his numbers or anything in the minors I said he PROJECTS as an All-Star and the fact that hes handled the jump from A ball to the Bigs so well, even as a backup, proves that to a great degree and says a lot about the kid and his talent.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

You're twisting my words, not once did I say anything about his numbers or anything in the minors I said he PROJECTS as an All-Star and the fact that hes handled the jump from A ball to the Bigs so well, even as a backup, proves that to a great degree and says a lot about the kid and his talent.

Sorry, but I miswrote what I wanted to say...by "you", I meant people in general, like..."It's Raining today, you can't go to the mall."

That's what I meant, I'm just saying that I don't believe scouts and GM's can just say he projects to be an all-star, not at this point in his career anyway.
Lots of players have been tabbed as future all-stars, and a lot haven't.

:)

I'd be willing to start him, after Schneider's contract is up and after he's learned enough from him to know how to be a major-league starter, and potentially become the "all-star" as scouts project.

By then, I think he will have fullly developped and he'll be ready to go, although I'd like to see the Nats hang onto Schneider and have him in a backup mentor/platoon role...and the guy's a great leader too. ;)

[natsnsoxfan]

Schneider's batting .232 and hes not even playing good defense and throwing runners out anymore....

[KingJ]

FREE JESUS!

He's a player! Schneider is good, but he's not game-changer.

[Peorgie T]

I like him too; he's the best backup C the Nats have had, but he has all of 91 career ABs. That's still kind of a small sample to determine if you want him to start over an established player who is currently healthy and who's making $3.5M this year.