Reposting: Courtney Hawkins, pitcher

[NorthSideSox72]

Last fall, multiple posters suggested that maybe Courtney Hawkins should make the switch to pitching. I did some digging on that idea, and made a case for why it's a good one. With Hawkins not striking out in more than half his plate appearances in opening his third year in AA, it seems like a good time to discuss again.

 

Where do people stand on this?

 

[Dick Allen]

It said on the board Sunday he lead the league in HR.

 

I would give him this season to hit. If it doesn't get better, and probably won't, then maybe have him become a pitcher if he's up for it. I don't think there is any rush.

[NorthSideSox72]

It said on the board Sunday he lead the league in HR.

 

I would give him this season to hit. If it doesn't get better, and probably won't, then maybe have him become a pitcher if he's up for it. I don't think there is any rush.

That's the counter argument, that it requires more time. I was on board with that idea in 2016 and years before. For me personally, I think we've passed the point where there is any notable possibility in his recovery as a hitter. I of course could be wrong, but to me right now, the chances are virtually zero. As a pitcher they aren't exactly high either, but even if that's 10%, that's certainly 10x as likely as him hitting his way to Chicago.

 

And of course he may have no desire for it - who knows.

 

I hate seeing this. He's a good guy. He interacts with the fans prolifically at every stop. I want him to succeed, but he's now in his 3rd try at AA (after staying at A+ for more than 2 seasons) and is striking out in more than half his plate appearances. That's insane. Even with those four home runs, his SLG is only .333 because he just isn't hitting the ball. He isn't walking either.

[thxfrthmmrs]

It said on the board Sunday he lead the league in HR.

 

I would give him this season to hit. If it doesn't get better, and probably won't, then maybe have him become a pitcher if he's up for it. I don't think there is any rush.

 

He could hit 30 HR's (highly unlikely) and still would not survive in AAA let alone the major leagues with his current BA and K%. I don't think there is any hope of him making improving his hit tool at this point.

 

I am not a pro ball player, but I think it would be easier to make the transition now (at a younger age) rather than later.

[Dick Allen]

He could hit 30 HR's (highly unlikely) and still would not survive in AAA let alone the major leagues with his current BA and K%. I don't think there is any hope of him making improving his hit tool at this point.

 

I am not a pro ball player, but I think it would be easier to make the transition now (at a younger age) rather than later.

Matt Davidson strikes out half the time, had 2 years in Charlotte he hit about .200, and we have people now complaining he isn't getting enough playing time at the big league level, and have 1 poster actually believe he isn't playing against top of the rotation right handers to keep the win total down.

 

Yeah, Hawkins sucks and is 99.9% a bust, but maybe he finds something somehow. Starting to pitch now vs. maybe having spend a winter preparing for the transition is negligible IMO. You might as well be really sure. Plus, you have to know how he feels about it.

[thxfrthmmrs]

Matt Davidson strikes out half the time, had 2 years in Charlotte he hit about .200, and we have people now complaining he isn't getting enough playing time at the big league level, and have 1 poster actually believe he isn't playing against top of the rotation right handers to keep the win total down.

 

Yeah, Hawkins sucks and is 99.9% a bust, but maybe he finds something somehow. Starting to pitch now vs. maybe having spend a winter preparing for the transition is negligible IMO. You might as well be really sure. Plus, you have to know how he feels about it.

 

Davidson had 3 quality years in the minors as was a top prospect at the Triple A level before slipping for 2 years. Even with the struggles he had, I think Davidson had far better hit tools than Hawkins ever developed, and that's saying something. Hawkins somehow managed to get worse and worse every year, and you have to factor in how much that affects him mentally as a young professional athlete.

Edited April 24, 2017 by 2005thxfrthmmrs

[thxfrthmmrs]

Comparing Hawkins to Lewis Brinson, who was drafted 29th overall by Rangers in the same draft as Hawkins, you just have to wonder if this organization is really that bad in teaching prospects how to hit.

 

Hawkins and Brinson are both toolsy outfielders drafted out of high school. You can argue that Brinson had the same or rougher start to his career as Hawkins, but eventually developed into very good hitter and on the verge of making his big league debut.

 

Brinson:

2012 (Rookie) 27.9% K/.283 BA

2013 (A) 37.9% K/.237 BA

2014 (A-A+) 24.9% K/.288

2015 (A+-AAA) 21.5%K/.332 BA

2016 (AA-AAA) 20%K/.268 BA

2017 (AAA) 20%K/.370 BA

 

Hawkins

2012 (Rookie-A+) 22.5% K/.284 BA

2013 (A+) 37.6% K/.178 BA

2014 (A+) 27.8% K/.249 BA

2015 (AA) 30.3% K/.243 BA

2016 (AA) 30.1% K/.203 BA

2017 (AA) 53%% K/.143 BA

[SoxAce]

I would give him this season to hit. If it doesn't get better, and probably won't, then maybe have him become a pitcher if he's up for it. I don't think there is any rush.

 

He's 23 . If they're gonna do it, the time is now. Might as well let him try it to see if he develop into something and have a decent career.

[ptatc]

He's 23 . If they're gonna do it, the time is now. Might as well let him try it to see if he develop into something and have a decent career.

You really can't do it mid-season though when he hasn't had any arm conditioning. At best they should keep him as a position player while start conditioning his arm for winter ball. This way he could pitch this winter.

[Jake]

^ I was wondering about the practical aspect of switching him once the season has started. You'd have to pull him back to extended spring and shoot for maybe being physically prepared to pitch competitively at the very end of the season. And you won't be able to use any of your best coaching talent for this because they are all engaged with their minor/major league coaching assignments.

[NorthSideSox72]

You really can't do it mid-season though when he hasn't had any arm conditioning. At best they should keep him as a position player while start conditioning his arm for winter ball. This way he could pitch this winter.

But this is precisely what they did last year with Louie Lechich, who was an outfielder through May and was pitching in the AZL by June. And he did quite well.

 

In has case, he had pitched some in early college, but that was 4 or 5 years ago for him. Hawkins pitching in high school, about 5 years prior. It's pretty much the exact same case, and they did it.