Forecasts for Fifteen: Travis d'Arnaud

[Edgy MD]

Following a profound split between his first half and his second, sandwiched around a torrid visit back to AAA, what do you think Travis d'Arnaud will provide this season?

[MFS62]

breakout!
.288-17-83

Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

He's funny. Everyone expected great things from him, he didn't deliver, then when he did nobody could believe it.

18-61- 260/320/430 // 750. All-Star.

[smg58]

500 AB, 22 hr, 70 RBI, .270/.320/.480

[smg58]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: He's funny. Everyone expected great things from him, he didn't deliver, then when he did nobody could believe it. 18-61- 260/320/430 // 750. All-Star.

First impressions seem to count a little too much. But that's hardly unique to the judgment of baseball players.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think we'll be happy with his offensive production this year. 20 homers, 30 doubles, .265, 70 RBI.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Breakout, sorta-- ouchies keep him from Mesoraco-kinda numbers. (Unfortunately-- PUNCHBOWL-SPOILER ALERT-- I think the dings and dents are a pretty significant indicator of how the career's going to work out.) It doesn't take too much squinting to see an All-Star appearance, maybe, depending on when the dings come.

118 G, 498 PA, 54 R, 16 HR, 59 RBI, .263/.327/.438, 44 XBH

[Guest themetfairy]

Hoping for the best this year.

[Ceetar]

142 G, 25 HR, .255/.315/.465, wRC+ 115

[A Boy Named Seo]

I think the 2nd half splits are a good hint of things to come.

440 AB, .270, 19 HR, 72 RBI, 55 runs.

[ashie62]

Two trips to the DL

.285 14 HR 53 RBI

[nymr83]

I think he hits ok but gets hurt again. Kevin Plawecki comes up and makes the decision a tough one when d'Arnaud comes off the DL

[Lefty Specialist]

15/60 .255. Good, but not so good that he keeps Plawecki down in Vegas.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Don't think he'll ever be as good as originally touted,
but I expect another year of noticeable improvement.

[Edgy MD]

Depends on which original touting we were talking about.

.297 / .361/ .482 // .843

All-Star.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Your predicted All-Star is like a Slam Dunk starter.

Mine is more of a named-to-the-team-by-the-manager type.

Still, not difficult right now to imagine d'Arnaud leads all NL catchers in d'Ingers. This clown led last year and I don't even know who the hell he is.

[Edgy MD]

Sheesh. Is he wearing Colon's trousers here?

themetfairy wrote:

[Centerfield]

Odd facial hair patterns and frosted tips lead to rumors about sexual orientation.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Edgy MD wrote: Depends on which original touting we were talking about.

d'obviously, Mr. d'Solie... one could say that about most Mets.

[Edgy MD]

Which touting are you referring to?

[Guest d'Kong76]

Well, on quick googlin', he was the fourth highest rated prospect
in 2011 in the Blue Jays organization.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Oops, and the number one rated one in 2012.

[Ceetar]

Should be noted how excellent he is at pitch framing. It seems he's a great catcher for a pitching staff. So if he augments our already excellent pitching staff? nifty.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Number one at BP in 2012 too...

1. Travis d'Arnaud
Position: C
DOB: 02/10/1989
Height/Weight: 6’2’’ 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: 1st round, 2007 draft (Phillies), Lakewood High School (Lakewood, CA)
2012 Stats: .333/.380/.595 at Triple-A Las Vegas (67 games)
The Tools: 5 hit; 6 power potential; 6 arm; 5+ glove

What Happened in 2012: A knee injury ended his season before he could climb to the majors, but the 23-year-old backstop is ready to take his turn on the biggest stage.

Strengths: Balanced skill-set; shows above-average bat speed; hands/hips work well; good contact ability; ability to drive to all fields; swing characteristics for power production; good lift and leverage to swing; profiles as above-average hitter for position; quality receiver; good catch and throw skills; arm strength is 6; good body for position; makeup for success on both sides of the ball.

Weaknesses: Setup can get noisy; aggressive approach; tendency to pull-off balls on outer-third; hit tool might only play at 5; game power might play under plus; can play fast behind the plate, lose accuracy on throws, rush footwork.

Overall Future Potential: 6; first-division player

Explanation of Risk: Low risk; some injuries on resume; ready for primetime

Fantasy Future: Could develop into top-shelf bat at position, with .275-plus batting average and 17-25 HR power potential.

The Year Ahead: If fully healthy, d’Araud is ready for the major league challenge, with a mature bat and a game-ready skill-set behind the plate. His biggest hurdle will be the adjustment against major-league quality pitching, as his approach and setup both show signs of vulnerability. Some sources see d’Arnaud as future all-star, and the dearth of above-average hitters at the position could make that a reality if his tools find full utility.

Major league ETA: 2013

[Edgy MD]

Baseball Prospectus wrote: Fantasy Future: Could develop into top-shelf bat at position, with .275-plus batting average and 17-25 HR power potential.

Yeah, I certainly still have faith in that.

[Vic Sage]

.280/20 hr, 120 games.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Edgy MD wrote: Yeah, I certainly still have faith in that.

Someone in 2012 did too!

[Frayed Knot]

Considering that, at age 25 and with < 100 ML ABs under his belt, he hit 13 HRs in <400 ABs and hit .265 after his call-back during his first full-(ish) season, BP's best case projection from a couple years ago -- [[u:ew8rtq91]Could develop[/u:ew8rtq91] into top-shelf bat at position, with .275-plus batting average and 17-25 HR power potential] -- certainly isn't out of reach.

[Guest themetfairy]