SPECULATOR: Skills searching for roles, 2019
Apr 24 2019
One year ago today, this was Jesús Aguilar's season-to-date stat line:
AB AVG R RBI HR SB == ==== = === == == 38 .421 8 7 1 0
Aguilar made the Opening Day roster, but was mostly a platoon bat off the bench at this point. Then Eric Thames tore a ligament in his thumb, and as detailed in an April 26, 2018 PT Today column, Aguilar was given the everyday role. He took the job and ran with a .274-35-108 breakout performance that didn't really get started until May. The skills were there—we tagged Aguilar with an "UP: 30 HR" in the 2018 Baseball Forecaster—he just needed a chance.
Moral of the story? It's still really early. While we're all itching to dissect the April returns—we've been guilty of making snap judgments...
Almost!
You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!
Already a subscriber? Sign in here
More From Speculator
CJ Abrams has always had the speed, and now both his frequency and quality of contact have taken steps forward.
Aug 5 2026 3:07am
Aug 5 2026 3:07am
We continue the rookie class check-in outside the Top 25 in this year's HQ100.
Jul 29 2026 3:09am
Jul 29 2026 3:09am
We check in on the Top 25 preseason prospects who have made their MLB debut so far, and speculate on their outlooks moving forward.
Jul 22 2026 3:06am
Jul 22 2026 3:06am
How much can we trust certain pitchers entering uncharted workload territory in the second half?
Jul 15 2026 3:07am
Jul 15 2026 3:07am
Aroldis Chapman is likely on the move, but instead of speculating on where he might go, we'll dive into potential fill-ins.
Jul 8 2026 3:07am
Jul 8 2026 3:07am
