It's worth remembering that Deej only had 120 games under his belt when he hit Jackson last year. Kivlehan had 104 more. But Deej, like Seager, had 3 seasons of NCAA ball, Kivlehan only one.
Basically they are about at the same place in their career arc. as the AFL assignment for both shows.
We're signing a DH bat, likely. And we have LoMo. Peterson just has more in front of him, I think. Ackley and (especially) Saunders are available, in all liklihood. Kivlehan has a clearer path, I think.
Hunter Renfroe, Addison Russell, Corey Seager, Byron Buxton, Rusney Castillo aren't "owning" the AFL like Kivlehan. OK, SSS, I know...but the kid is good. He's short, simple and quick to the ball, plus he's WAY athletic. It's hard not to see him hitting some....more than enough to carry his weight. Unless he can't hit the curve or slider worth a like, he's fast-tracking. But hey, good MLB sliders get everybody out most of the time.
Also, he plays a position that we could use some help at. Bat sees him as a super utility guy, not me. He's going to be an everyday COF, soon.....
Last year guys like CJ Cron and Andrew Susac beat up on AFL pitchers and then got the MLB call after 49 and 63 games, respectively. Khris Bryant, Travis Shaw, Stephen Piscotty all spen the full year in AAA, however.
But this is Kivelhan's 2nd time at the AFL rodeo. He was .164-.215-.213 with 3 BB's and 17 K's in '13. Something has clicked. Romero was .212-.273-.333 last year with 4 BB's and 19 K's, then he ripped in ST and we brought him north.
If Kivlehan hits in ST, and he will get some whacks, it will be hard to keep him on the farm for long, unless we've added a Kemp and kept a Saunders, or something like that.
Deej will be on his heels.
moe
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