Michael Chavis, SS: 2014 MLB Draft 26th overall

Lose Remerswaal

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I expect Holt will replace Lin.

Will Nunez be activated? A max rehab assignment wouldn't surprise me while the Sox figure out what they have in Chavis and see what Nunez can do in AAA on assignment. Will he ever return? He may never return.
 

Byrdbrain

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Lose has it right, Lin still has options(obviously so does Chavis) so assuming Holt is back relatively soon Lin goes down and they keep Chavis around a while longer.
They'll delay trying to do anything with Nunez as long as they can, I hope he never returns but he may.
 

Byrdbrain

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Per Twitter Cora said Nunez is going to get 20 AAA at bats and then be activated.

I think Chavis has to stay up for now at least and Lin is the only competent backup SS. I assume Lin goes down but I hate it.

Edit: Here is the report.
 

rhswanzey

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Per Twitter Cora said Nunez is going to get 20 AAA at bats and then be activated.

I think Chavis has to stay up for now at least and Lin is the only competent backup SS. I assume Lin goes down but I hate it.
It depends how many days day-to-day means, but Nunez might be back before Holt.


@ChrisCotillo - "Brock Holt was scratched from his rehab game today with right shoulder soreness, per Red Sox. He's day-to-day.

A new ailment for Holt, who has been out since early April with a scratched cornea in his eye."
 

PaulinMyrBch

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I want him on the roster with a defensive replacement as a bench player. So assuming as long as Pedroia is out of the picture, I'd like it in this order if they were all healthy.

Chavis/Holt
Chavis/Lin
Chavis/Nunez

I don't see where Nunez adds value over Chavis in anything, but I'll assume he's a marginal upgrade on D so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. He could be odd man out if they commit to keeping Chavis up. I don't see any reason to send Chavis back down unless Pedroia is back and able to play 2-4 games in a row.
 

NDame616

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It depends how many days day-to-day means, but Nunez might be back before Holt.



@ChrisCotillo - "Brock Holt was scratched from his rehab game today with right shoulder soreness, per Red Sox. He's day-to-day.

A new ailment for Holt, who has been out since early April with a scratched cornea in his eye."
Coincidentally resetting his rehab clock for a little as we get more of a look at Chavis.....
 

Cesar Crespo

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Combined across 2 leagues, Chavis's performance to date this year:
83 PA, .265/.386/.618, 13bb/17k, 18hits/10xbh/7 HRs. 20.5% K rate, 15.7% BB rate, 1 HR per 9.7 AB.

Add in Spring training:
107 PA, .267/.374/.667, 15bb/23k, 24 hits/14xbh/11 HRs, 21.5% K rate, 14.0% BB rate, 1 HR per 8.2 AB.

If you were to project that out over 650 PA, he would finish with 91bb/140k and 68 HRs. The walk rate is very encouraging because I don't see him hitting much better than .250 or .260. The difference between a 10.0%+ BB rate and a 7.0-7.5% BB rate is (obviously) 25-30 points worth of OBP. I'm so glad they didn't trade the guy for peanuts. He was never going to be properly rated as a prospect and in the off chance he did pan out, he would be far more valuable than anything they would have received in return.

I think he'd be a top 20 prospect in baseball without all the side baggage. He's raised his floor considerably and the ceiling is just as high as ever.
 

geoduck no quahog

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If Nunez is really healthy, he's established his upside as a backup 3B. A healthy Nunez is a productive major leaguer. He hit .313 with an .801 OPS two years ago in 467 ab's between the Giants and Red Sox. I don't think you just give up on a guy like that until you're convinced his hitting issues are a function of age and not injury.

Chavis is a bright and shiny thing that hasn't been around long enough to show he can adjust to what Major League pitchers will eventually do to him. Not saying he won't adjust...just that he hasn't had the opportunity yet. Absent Nunez or Pearce, Chavis is in the Show, but the team isn't going to give up on them based on 1 month of playing time.

Holt is here to stay for 2019. Does anyone doubt that?

The numbers game says Lin and Chavis will be playing for Pawtucket unless Pedroia retires himself.

Ironically, it's Pearce that should be in the most trouble, but again, he's a proven Major Leaguer so he deserves leeway.
 

Gash Prex

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Chavis looks like a very solid option as a 2nd baseman - not sure why people aren’t more exited about him? Is it just the bad start of the sox general ? Could be a long term starter for the Sox
 

charlieoscar

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Chavis looks like a very solid option as a 2nd baseman - not sure why people aren’t more exited about him? Is it just the bad start of the sox general ? Could be a long term starter for the Sox
He has 42.0 innings as a second baseman in the minors and 52.0 in the majors. I, for one, would prefer a larger sample size before deciding if he is Pedroia's successor.
 

Sprowl

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Chavis looks like a very solid option as a 2nd baseman - not sure why people aren’t more exited about him? Is it just the bad start of the sox general ? Could be a long term starter for the Sox
He's got the power tool, no question. It's not everybody who can hit a ball over Keirmaier's head. So far his fielding performance is reasonably accurate, but as mechanical and labored as one might expect from a recent position change. His performance on the double play looks slow both in the pivot and when initiating. While it could be inexperience at the position, my first reaction is that he doesn't have the agility needed for a middle infield position, and will be back at 3B in a few years, perhaps when Devers makes the move to 1B.

One beneficial side effect of the Sox' lousy start is that the team has every reason to give both Chavis and Devers lots of exposure to their highest-value positions. If either one can make the leap to consistency, this year should tell.
 

charlieoscar

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That's not what he said. He said we should be excited about him.
No. He said, "Chavis looks like a very solid option as a 2nd baseman - not sure why people aren’t more exited about him?" I simply pointed out that Chavis has extremely limited experience playing second base.
 

soxhop411

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When Chavis hits homers, they are BOMBS
Distance on his Homers:
459Ft, 441ft 441ft 374ft

In other News:

Looks like Lin is going on the DL and Nunez is coming back up


Chavis should 100% still be the starter at 2nd when Nunez is activated and should still be in the lineup every day when Pedroia returns
 

Adirondack jack

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Without having seen every defensive inning this kid has played.., one has to admit, Hugo, has some serious pop, and he is beginning to force his way to stay.

It all really comes down to--can he play second on a regular basis at this point on the major league level.

Ignoring the terrible footwork on a tough double-play and a hurried tag on a close-play double I havent seen a botched (read Nunez-level bad at second) play out there from him at second.
 

Al Zarilla

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Without having seen every defensive inning this kid has played.., one has to admit, Hugo, has some serious pop, and he is beginning to force his way to stay.

It all really comes down to--can he play second on a regular basis at this point on the major league level.

Ignoring the terrible footwork on a tough double-play and a hurried tag on a close-play double I havent seen a botched (read Nunez-level bad at second) play out there from him at second.
How many chances has Chavis had at second? The more not botched plays the better. Traveling and haven’t seen him at all.
 

Byrdbrain

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How many chances has Chavis had at second? The more not botched plays the better. Traveling and haven’t seen him at all.
Not a ton but he certainly doesn't look great there. I don't see him sticking there long term but for the short term it is the best place to put him.
Pretty sure 1B is in his future.
 

Al Zarilla

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Not a ton but he certainly doesn't look great there. I don't see him sticking there long term but for the short term it is the best place to put him.
Pretty sure 1B is in his future.
Thanks. Chavez is listed at 5’ 10. Since Williams came up in 1939, the only other first baseman the Sox have started at first for an entire year (2 years) at that height was a guy named Tony Lupien. Of course, he was only there because of the war. Steve Garvey, that height also, was successful at first for a number of years. Interesting to see how it goes.
 
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Cesar Crespo

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Any chance Chavis would play LF when Pedroia comes back, taking JBJ out of the lineup? I think LF is where he ends up long term anyway due to the height thing.
 

Jerry’s Curl

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Any chance Chavis would play LF when Pedroia comes back, taking JBJ out of the lineup? I think LF is where he ends up long term anyway due to the height thing.
I expect Chavis to platoon with Pedroia at second and get some starts at 1B. I don’t think Pedroia will hold up so eventually Chavis will play 2B most of the time. His bat is electric right now so I don’t see how Alex can keep him out of the lineup more than one game a week.
 
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judyb

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Chavis looks like a very solid option as a 2nd baseman - not sure why people aren’t more exited about him? Is it just the bad start of the sox general ? Could be a long term starter for the Sox
Lots of excitement about him is showing up in the game threads.
 

Byrdbrain

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Any chance Chavis would play LF when Pedroia comes back, taking JBJ out of the lineup? I think LF is where he ends up long term anyway due to the height thing.
I could see him there long term as the height certainly is a concern but he's never played LF before and I doubt the first time he would play there would be in the middle of a season.
He's played 1B, 2B and 3B professionally, I doubt we'll see him anywhere other than there(and DH) this season.

Edit: after I posted this I googled "Chavis left field" to see if it had been reported. Most of the results were videos of him hitting long home runs to left field but there was one article by Chris Smith from November who quoted Dombrowski saying they've discussed hitting him some fly balls in LF. I still doubt it will happen this year but I could certainly see it happening in the future.
 
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The Gray Eagle

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Thanks. Chavez is listed at 5’ 10. Since Williams came up in 1939, the only other first baseman the Sox have started at first for an entire year (2 years) at that height was a guy named Tony Lupien. Of course, he was only there because of the war. Steve Garvey, that height also, was successful at first for a number of years. Interesting to see how it goes.
Chavis is around the same height as Steve Pearce, who is listed as 5'11. Chavis kind of reminds me of Pearce-- both stocky RH batters with pop, not great defensively but can cover a bunch of positions, including first base.

Chavis was a first round pick and a high school SS, and he has more mobility and a higher ceiling than Pearce did coming into the pros, but in body type and defensively, they seem pretty similar to me.
 

Sad Sam Jones

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He looks about the same height and size as Carlos Santana, who is listed at 5'11", but I sat within 10 feet of where the on-deck batters wander to at Akron several times while Carlos was there, and he's no 5'11". It took him a couple of years to learn the position, but he eventually became an above average first baseman.

*
 

simplicio

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At minimum he offers protection on JD opting out, as it would open the door for Devers to DH and get his glove out of the field.
Or we could not write off the possibility of our 22 year old 3rd baseman continuing to improve defensively.
 

oumbi

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I've never seen him play third. What evidence is there that he would be better at 3B than Devers?
This may be a fool's errand, but here are some stats to at least begin to answer the question above.

CHAVIS MINOR LEAGUE FIELDING
1B = 13 games, 0 errors, 6 assists, Fld% 1.000
3B = 250 games, 56 errors, 470 assists, Fld% .918
SS = 15 games, 6 errors, 43 assists, Fld% .910

DEVERS MAJOR LEAGUE FIELDING
3B = 204 games, 47 errors, 415 assists, Fld% .919

Then there are these minor league stats for Devers:
DEVERS MINOR LEAGUE FIELDING
3B = 318 games, 61 errors, 658 assists, Fld% .937

I most certainly defer to other posters here when it comes to interpreting defensive stats, or even whether the stats given above are worthwhile. But, from a quick glance, and looking at 3B only, Devers and Chavis seem to be roughly in the same league as far as errors and fielding percentages.

But please, those of you who are more knowledgable on these things, please add to this.
 

Cesar Crespo

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This may be a fool's errand, but here are some stats to at least begin to answer the question above.

CHAVIS MINOR LEAGUE FIELDING
1B = 13 games, 0 errors, 6 assists, Fld% 1.000
3B = 250 games, 56 errors, 470 assists, Fld% .918
SS = 15 games, 6 errors, 43 assists, Fld% .910

DEVERS MAJOR LEAGUE FIELDING
3B = 204 games, 47 errors, 415 assists, Fld% .919

Then there are these minor league stats for Devers:
DEVERS MINOR LEAGUE FIELDING
3B = 318 games, 61 errors, 658 assists, Fld% .937

I most certainly defer to other posters here when it comes to interpreting defensive stats, or even whether the stats given above are worthwhile. But, from a quick glance, and looking at 3B only, Devers and Chavis seem to be roughly in the same league as far as errors and fielding percentages.

But please, those of you who are more knowledgable on these things, please add to this.
I'm not a scout but from my eye Devers has much, much better foot work than Chavis. I don't think either are a long term fit at 3b though.
 

bosockboy

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This may be a fool's errand, but here are some stats to at least begin to answer the question above.

CHAVIS MINOR LEAGUE FIELDING
1B = 13 games, 0 errors, 6 assists, Fld% 1.000
3B = 250 games, 56 errors, 470 assists, Fld% .918
SS = 15 games, 6 errors, 43 assists, Fld% .910

DEVERS MAJOR LEAGUE FIELDING
3B = 204 games, 47 errors, 415 assists, Fld% .919

Then there are these minor league stats for Devers:
DEVERS MINOR LEAGUE FIELDING
3B = 318 games, 61 errors, 658 assists, Fld% .937

I most certainly defer to other posters here when it comes to interpreting defensive stats, or even whether the stats given above are worthwhile. But, from a quick glance, and looking at 3B only, Devers and Chavis seem to be roughly in the same league as far as errors and fielding percentages.

But please, those of you who are more knowledgable on these things, please add to this.
Thanks for this. I should have dug this up before posting. The point stands that he offers protection on JDM walking.
 

Cesar Crespo

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3/4 with another 2 HRs so far tonight. There is no way they can take him out of the every day lineup at this point.

According to ESPN, it's the most by a Redsox player in his first 14 games in the last 100 years, tied with... Sam Horn who had 6 as well in 1987.
 

gedman211

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How does this shake out? Chavis needs to stay, and I don't see how they can keep Nunez, Holt, Pedroia and Chavis.
 

Margo McCready

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Is Chavis good at playing second base? I don’t know.
Is Chavis better than Nuñez at playing second base? Yes.
 

BaseballJones

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3/4 with another 2 HRs so far tonight. There is no way they can take him out of the every day lineup at this point.
We know he's not going to continue hitting HR at this pace, but they need to keep playing him as long as he's this red hot. Ride the wave.

One thing I'll say is that what's encouraging me about his performance isn't just the way he mashes, it's the walks he's drawing. He projects to 94 walks over 500 at-bats, meaning he's not just swinging at everything and getting lucky.
 

E5 Yaz

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I'm getting a very strong John Valentin vibe from Chavis. Apologies if this been mentioned, already.
Offensively, perhaps. But Valentin wasn't a question mark on defense.

Keith Law suggested this week that Chavis ultimately has to be a first baseman
 

SouthernBoSox

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The trouble is, so does Devers.
Devers shows all of the physical ability to be a fantastic third baseman. He has great range. Strong arm. Quick reflexes.

All he needs to do is clean up routine plays. He's 23. People who feel he has no future at third need to rethink how they view things.