2025 Projection: Mauricio Dubon
Jack of all trades, master of none
A lifetime ago when two of my young co-workers applied for an internal promotion the manager hired someone else, telling the young, motivated employees, “I like you right where you are", killing their motivation and hopes of ever getting ahead with the company.
That’s what it feels like the Astros are doing to Mauricio Dubon - he’s too valuable as a versatile backup to “promote” to a second baseman or perhaps left fielder.
That’s not to say Dubon’s bat has necessarily earned a starting position in his 900+ at-bats over the last two seasons, as his .274/.303/.388 slash and 93 wRC+ shows.
He has been good defensively, no matter where he’s played, and he’s played everywhere except pitcher and catcher.
My manager from long ago may have been wrong (and tacky), but the Astros may be correct.
“Great guy” and “great teammate” only get you so far in MLB and while I have grown to admire Dubon for carving out a role and doing whatever is asked for the team's sake, the best fit seems to be the role he’s currently in.
In other words, I like him right where he is.
I’ve got Dubon penciled in for 400+ at-bats, but if that comes to fruition something has gone wrong in Houston.
Maybe it’s Jake, Chas, Ben Gamel, or an injury, but if Mauricio is getting 2.5 at-bats per game, that doesn’t bode well for the Astros.
That said, Dubon did total a 1.2 fWAR last season, good enough for 2.6 Win Shares in a razor-thin AL West and that shouldn’t be overlooked.
In addition, there is a thought in some circles that Dubon could see significant time at second base with Jose Altuve in left field.
Steamer projects less playing time (291 plate appearances) and a corresponding drop in fWAR to 0.6.
As always, thanks for reading!
Projected fWAR: 0.6
Projected Win Shares: 1.3
