Carlos Cortes projection

[Tom_T]

Given how he hit in limited time last year. plus his April stats, is HQ underselling him with a .237 projection and seven more homers?

[George Hubschman]

Not to forget, Tom, Carlos Cortes will be 29 y/o at the end of June. But I'm a believer and am thinking his stats will be better than projections. But how often do you see a guy nearing 30 that suddenly become a star? It's happened a few times. Former infielder Lee Lacy for one. To a lesser extent, guys like Tony Phillips and Brian Downing. The most famous overachiever after the age of 30 (IMO) is Raul Ibanez. From his age 30 season (2002) until his career ended ((2014) Ibanez amassed 1841 hits, 278 HR, and 1095 RBI. Not saying that Cortes will be any of these guys but as we sit here, he may be as good a hitter as Lawrence Butler, Colby Thomas, or Denzel Clarke. While in the Mets' organization Cortes was looking like a career minor leaguer. But since he's made the switch to the A's he (seemingly) is hitting the ball harder and striking out less. He's always had the skill of the free pass. Cortes is a free agent in one of my 2 AL-only. I'll be making a generous FAAB bid in that league.

[Tom_T]

Yeah, I'm not suggesting we turn him into an All-Star, but there's nothing in his history to suggest he's a .235 hitter.

[usualsuspects]

Mike Easler. “Announced his presence with authority” as Nuke Laloosh might say, hitting .338 as a 29 year old near rookie for the Pirates after being a .242 career hitter over parts of six seasons before that. Then kept it up, more or less, for six more years.

[Tom_T]

Granted, he was a .254 hitter in the minors, except for last year in the PCL. I hadn't realized he was a Met. He could start for them right now.

[George Hubschman]

Yes, usual, Mike "The Hit Man" Easler was a late bloomer as well. Easler had a big year for the Red Sox in 1984: 87 runs, 188 hits, 31 doubles, 5 triples, 27 HR, 91 RBI, and an .892 OPS in 601 AB. Not a big fan of his thievery as he was only successful on 20 steals in 46 attempts. Easler was a big fan of the motto, "crime doesn't pay!"