DENVER — Accounting for Yordan Alvarez’s absence is an unenviable exercise. Alvarez defines the term designated hitter, a man whose mere presence stokes fear into opposing dugouts. Alvarez’s power is prodigious, perhaps dwarfing his pristine plate discipline. He is a lefthanded hitter in a Houston lineup littered with superstars who swing righthanded.
“He just brings that fear factor for us in the middle of that lineup,” outfielder Josh Reddick said on Friday.
Two games after it arrived, the fear is gone. Alvarez will undergo season-ending knee surgery next week, leaving the Astros in search of an answer at designated hitter. Whether one even exists is a mystery. No candidate boasts anything close to Alvarez’s presence or prowess. The team’s most consistent hitter has made it clear he doesn’t want the job. The youngster who seems most capable has struggled mightily.
“Right now, we’re just going to have to mix and match the best that we can,” manager Dusty Baker said. “If a guy needs a day off or it depends if it’s right-left. Not much different than what we’ve been doing, just trying to come up with the best lineup daily.”
Alvarez’s departure leaves Baker in a familiar position. Alvarez was away from the team for the first 18 games of the season while recovering from a bout with COVID-19.
Baker planned to disperse the designated hitter duties around his lineup, acting as something of a “half day” for his established hitters. Utilityman Aledmys Diaz started on opening day after impressing in summer camp, but a strained hamstring removed him from everyday contention.
Michael Brantley’s run-in with Joe Kelly on July 28 altered Baker’s plans entirely. Brantley stepped on Kelly’s foot while legging out an infield single against the Dodgers, leading to a quad pain that persisted throughout the next three weeks.
Baker started Brantley at designated hitter during nine of the next 12 games to protect his ailing leg. It proved futile. Brantley’s now on the injured list. He could be activated as early as Saturday. If he is — and if his quad is at 100 percent health — Brantley will be in left field.
Brantley does not like being a designated hitter. In 46 plate appearances this season as a DH, he has a .754 OPS and .385 slugging percentage. Earlier this month, Brantley said the everyday DH role was “an adjustment period for me.” Brantley said twice how much delight he takes in playing defense. Brantley is an impending free agent, too.
“When Michael’s leg gets better, back to 100 percent, he’ll probably go back to the outfield because he’d rather play both sides of the ball, even though he’s done pretty well DHing, he’s not crazy about it,” Baker said.
Assuming Baker honors Brantley’s wishes, the designated hitter at-bats may fall to three players: Kyle Tucker, Abraham Toro and Taylor Jones. Because Tucker is lefthanded, Jones is righthanded and Toro switch hits, Baker can tailor matchups pretty easily depending on that day’s starting pitcher.
Ideally, one of the trio would get hot and assume the everyday duties. Tucker has a .577 OPS and 25 strikeouts in 88 plate appearances. Toro has 10 strikeouts in his first 34 at-bats, too.
Jones was called up on Wednesday after Alvarez went on the injured list. He started Wednesday’s game against the Rockies at designated hitter.
His power potential is apparent — Jones had 50 extra-base hits in the minor leagues last year — but has received just two big league plate appearances. Jones was sent back to the alternate training site in Cprpus Christi on July 27, where he worked on leveling his swing plane.
“I always talk about getting my swing dialed in,” Jones said. “Sometimes I have issues with my swing plane and being in and out of the zone. I’m trying to stay through the zone and let the ball get deep. Being able to hit that fastball and I’m typically usually pretty good to adjusting to offspeed, so hopefully I can maintain that and go do my thing.”
The opportunity is here for him, Tucker or Toro to take.
“This ain’t no tryout camp,” Baker said. “You know what I mean? Taylor Jones is in there today because I like the matchup. Toro’s been struggling. We’ll see. Come on Taylor Jones for today and then we’ll worry about tomorrow tomorrow.”
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No easy answers as Astros try to fill Yordan Alvarez-sized hole - Houston Chronicle
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