Kikuchi to Astros

[L54]

Will Wagner is Billy’s son

[metafour]

I have no idea who Will Wagner is. 5 minutes of stat scouting tells me that Ross likes Spencer Horwitz so much that he decided to acquire another one.

 

Its Billy Wagner's kid.

[BTS]

Astros fans on Reddit are melting down. I hope Atkins buys himself a nice new sweater vest tonight.

[Pendleton]

Astros fans on Reddit are melting down. I hope Atkins buys himself a nice new sweater vest tonight.

 

They didn't like it when they thought it was 1 for 1, no doubt they are pissed now

[BaseballIsLife]

Nice to see some positivity on the board again. Never give up. Great deal.

[Spanky99]

Ranked Houston Astros #5 prospect in 2024

BA Grade: 50/High

 

Track Record: After going unselected in the five-round 2020 draft, Loperfido went back to Duke for his senior year and has since developed into a legitimate position prospect after the Astros drafted him in the seventh round in 2021. After hitting .286/.387/.458 in 2022 across both levels of Class A, Loperfido spent a majority of 2023 with Double-A Corpus Christi. He hit .296/.392/.548 with 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 84 games. He was promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Aug. 15 but struggled with strikeouts in 32 games.

 

Scouting Report: Loperfido is a well-rounded player with no standout tool. At the plate, he sets up with his hands high, equal with the crown of his helmet. A moderate leg lift gives way to an explosive lefthanded swing. Loperfido has shown average bat-to-ball skills and a good balance of aggression and patience as he has climbed the ladder. During his month at Triple-A, he struggled to make contact and expanded at a much higher rate than at any of his previous stops. He shows above-average game power with the ability to get to it by slugging 25 home runs in 2023. Loperfido’s groundball rate is on the higher side, capping some of his raw power until an adjustment is made. An above-average runner underway, he is a baserunning threat. He stole 27 bases in 31 attempts in 2023. Loperfido’s speed translates to the outfield, where he shows the ability to handle center field. His arm is below-average but has been enough to make him playable at a variety of positions. Loperfido saw playing time at five positions in 2023: first base, second base and all three outfield spots.

 

The Future: Loperfido fits the super-utility profile with average or better hitting ability and a nice power and speed combination.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45

 

...

[The Cats Ass]

"A big part of why we’re this high on him despite his hit tool issues is Loperfido’s very versatile defensive profile. He has the ability to play all three outfield positions at an average level, while also showing he can handle first and second-base at a passable level. The way Loperfido can move the ball around the infield at first base is actually quite special. While he does many things at an average to solid level, there’s no single aspect of his bat or defensive ability that grades out as plus; this is a profile where the sum is greater than the raw parts. Loperfido projects as a high-end bench utility player for a World Series contender and could sneak into the lineup every day for lesser clubs."

 

The above makes Loperfido much more interesting and potentially valuable than your average plus power fringe contact type guy.

 

BA had him as a 50fv as well.

[Spanky99]

Ranked Houston Astros #19 prospect in 2024

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: The son of seven-time all-star Billy Wagner, Will has gone from an unheralded 18th-round pick to one of the better performers over the last two seasons in the Astros organization. After Wagner hit .261/.374/.394 at two levels in 2022, he returned to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin 2023. After beginning the season on the injured list and struggling over the first month, Wagner was shut down with right wrist discomfort. The injury required surgery to remove the hook of his hamate bone. Wagner returned to Corpus Christi on Aug. 7, hitting .331/.396/.562 over the final 30 games.

 

Scouting Report: Wagner is a bat-first infielder whose advanced hit tool drives his profile. He has quick hands, is rarely fooled in the strike zone and hardly ever expands the zone. His strong contact and plate discipline allow him to get the most out of below-average impact. Wagner has shown the ability to make his hardest contact at good launch angles but rarely drives the ball in the air to his pull side. Wagner’s advanced barrel control allows him to hit for more power than his raw exit velocity numbers would suggest. He is a below-average runner and lacks range in the field. Wagner has split time between second base and third base but is below-average at each spot.

 

The Future: Wagner is a hit-first infielder with an above-average hit tool but no real position in the field, and looks like a bat-first, second-division regular.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40

 

...

[Ray]

They gotta sell Chris Bassitt at this rate. Can legitimately get a couple Top 100 prospects for a solid starter with control like him. Take the $22M saved and backfill in the offseason.

[BTS]

They gotta sell Chris Bassitt at this rate. Can legitimately get a couple Top 100 prospects for a solid starter with control like him. Take the $22M saved and backfill in the offseason.

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Shouldn't be any reason why they can't get a couple top-100 guys for him.

[Barrelsandbombs]

[jaysthebest]

This is how you feel about selling pitchers in the seller's market...

 

I would like to see Bassitt getting traded too.

[RobinThicc]

Loperfido essentially takes the IKF role next year.

 

Hopefully Jays are selling high on IKF this deadline.

[HomeRunHomer]

I wonder if they would ever have a handshake deal to not trade Bassitt given that return.

[hanton]

It's a sellers market

[max silver]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Shouldn't be any reason why they can't get a couple top-100 guys for him.

 

I was initially thinking the team should keep Bassitt but with the crazy prices being paid it makes sense to at least listen to offers.

[Abomination]

Loperfido essentially takes the IKF role next year.

 

Hopefully Jays are selling high on IKF this deadline.

 

Not really since he doesn't play SS or 3rd. Clement should basically be taking IKF's role. I agree that selling high on him would be wise.

[The_DH]

Love to hear what the plans are but it sounds like Bloss and Loperfido could be on the 26 this season. Loperfido would be a good replacement for KK.

[Brownie19]

Fangraphs had him at 92 on their updated list.

 

I thought he'd bring back a Top 100 prospect. This is a really good haul by the Jays. Definitely should be listening to trades for Bassitt given that return.

[Laika]

 

Read replies

[Pendleton]

Love to hear what the plans are but it sounds like Bloss and Loperfido could be on the 26 this season. Loperfido would be a good replacement for KK.

 

Bloss has so little experience above A ball, 44 innings at AA and just four innings in AAA. We'll see what the plan is but doesn't seem like the worst idea to give him a bit more seasoning in Buffalo

[RobinThicc]

Not really since he doesn't play SS or 3rd. Clement should basically be taking IKF's role. I agree that selling high on him would be wise.

Just saw that. Saw on twitter he could play all over the diamond, but it’s just first and second.

[Governator]

I don't understand what the Astros were thinking here except a quick overreaction to Seattle. It's 10 starts...

 

Bravo Atkins

[Dr. Dinger]

Loprerfido alone would have been a defensible return for 1/3 of a season of Kikuchi.

[BTS]

No word yet on where these guys are reporting?

[BatFlip]

I was worried that the last few starts by Kikuchi would have torpedoed his value, but... goddamn that's a good result. At these prices, they have to move Bassitt next and try to figure out the rotation in the offseason.

[hanton]

I don't understand what the Astros were thinking here except a quick overreaction to Seattle. It's 10 starts...

 

Bravo Atkins

 

It's a sellers market, simple.

[MikeM3]

Colossal trape. Extremely unexpected

[Laika]

Franchise altering trade!!!!!!

[Carlos Danger]

Franchise altering trade!!!!!!

 

Hahahaha… Yea, reminds me of the day we traded for Alomar and Carter. I drank OJ on both days.