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Ty France
#21 · February 18, 2020, 8:35 am
@annieheilbrunn: Good morning from Peoria, where Ty France is in catchers gear and working with Austin Hedges.
@sdutKevinAcee: “I ain’t mad about it,” France said yesterday when asked about his working behind the plate. It’s something the organization started tinkering with more than a year ago.
https://twitter.com/annieheilbrunn/s...81146910593024
Perhaps a key strategic move by the organization-- France can spend the season at AAA (sharing C duties with Torrens) and on the Shuttle Bus to SDP if his RHB is needed... With so many players-- Quiroz/Miller/Cronsworth/Profar/Garcia and now Arias (added to Pads ST roster yesterday) all fighting for 2B/Utility/// FRANCE learning to at least "emergency" Catch if not be short term (couple weeks) backup C like (in addition to 1B/3B/2B and LF).. would be Huge-- Profar and Garcia are both FA after 2020.. and France can play a big role (with his ++ Stick) as a 30-40 games a year at C, some everywhere else... as our version of a swiss army Knife-- Between he and Cronsworth they could cover all 9 positions -- that is a huge advantage (roster/flex wise)...
#22 · February 18, 2020, 9:28 am
Having France able to Catch in emergencies would allow more games with Mejia starting and Hedges coming in late in close games.
I talked about this last year when everyone was so down on Hedges because of his offense.....the value in his defense can't be over stated IMO.
Pitchers want/need to know they can still use their entire arsenal in the late innings.They need to be able to throw breaking balls in the dirt for example.The difference between Hedges blocking balls and Mejia is like night and day...and that isn't a knock on Frankie so much as an acknowledgment of how good Hedges is defensively.In tie games and one run games every extra base taken by the opponent on passed balls/wild pitches or just balls not fielded cleanly are killers.Then you add the fact we have some young "eager" and explosive arms in the Pen....like Munoz/Castillo/Guerra plus guys like Wingenter and even Stammen who are alot of times all over the place.
Even Yates who loves to throw in the dirt for the hitter to chase.
#23 · February 19, 2020, 7:58 am
The first week of spring training is exactly the time of year that teams' emergency catchers throw on the gear and get some reps in bullpen sessions... and Ty has gotten exposure for years.
#24 · August 30, 2020, 7:21 am
Another small sample size warning but
Ty France is hitting .... and equally well vs LHP and RHP.
So, is he securing a future full time role at DH and back-up 3B/1B? He has long control and is low cost for the next few years.
If yes, does that alter the composition of the future reserves and shape a different profile for any position player trade / FA target?
If France is full time ... would the remaining 3 non-catcher position players be more versatile in playing multiple positions defensively (not good for Naylor or Garcia). Then if a position player trade / FA is sought ... maybe the focus is zeroed in on LF?
Still this is a “small sample size” reaction BUT as France moved up the minor league ladder ... most thought he could hit at the upper levels ... he is. DH covers any defensive limitations. Since the pure DH profile is probably the easiest to find options ... gambling on France going forward makes sense confident if he fails ... a replacement could be found.
#25 · August 30, 2020, 8:47 am
Acquiring Moreland probably means France’s DH duties will be solely against LH pitching now.
#26 · August 30, 2020, 10:15 am
Quote from MrPadre19 on August 30, 2020, 8:47 amAcquiring Moreland probably means France’s DH duties will be solely against LH pitching now.
Yep DH looks to be opposing starter dependent and may also suggest less rotation of position players to DH. Will be interesting to see if Tingler flips DH mid-game as the pitchers are switched L v R since neither France nor Moreland are disaster vs same side arms. Probably the game situation will dictate.
#27 · August 30, 2020, 12:33 pm
What you WON'T see is France PH for Naylor... vs a RHP late in game like yesterday... that was telling.
#28 · August 31, 2020, 12:37 am
Quote from Brian Connelly on August 30, 2020, 12:33 pmWhat you WON'T see is France PH for Naylor... vs a RHP late in game like yesterday... that was telling.
... because France is no longer a Padre.... Preller!!
#29 · August 31, 2020, 4:07 am
Really liked France.
Hope he crushes it in Seattle.
#30 · August 31, 2020, 5:28 am
I feel so bad for him!
Had played in San Diego since College and was having so much fun on a winner finally....now goes to a bad team.
I just hope he gets to play almost everyday but with Seager at 3rd,I’m afraid he will just DH against Lefties.