8/12 Games

[cws05champ]

Originally Posted by tm1119

I understand not wanting to rush him, but also there is no reason to baby him either. Hes been playing against some pretty tough competition since he was 16 in Cuba, so its not like hes never been tested before. If he stays on this hot streak, then you bring him into Spring Training next year and as long as he shows continued progress then you start him off in AAA. I dont see any reason for him to not be able to get some playing time in the big leagues next season. The fact that he is hitting for average is a big plus, its only a matter of time before his power kicks in.

His power, however, is his ticket to the big leagues. I think the Sox will be really disappointed if he doesn't display 20+ HR power within his 4 yr contract....even if he is hitting over .300.

[jabrch]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

He's swinging the bat well, but his pitch selection seems to still be lacking. He's not walking at all and still K's at a fairly high rate. Maybe like Alexei he can make that work for him, but he's so young there's no reason to rush him.

Assuming you haven't been watching his ABs - correct me if I am wrong.

How do you know anything about his pitch selection?

[Craig Grebeck]

Originally Posted by jabrch

Assuming you haven't been watching his ABs - correct me if I am wrong.

How do you know anything about his pitch selection?

Poor K/BB ratio.

[voodoochile]

Originally Posted by Craig Grebeck

Poor K/BB ratio.

yep

[jabrch]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

yep

K/BB does not define pitch selection. Pitch selection is an input metric. K/BB is a result that isn't directly related to pitch selection. He could be selecting good pitches, and have a hole in his swing. He could be seeing a lot of strikes knowing this. He's a 20 year old. It may be a lot of things causing Ks to be high or causing BB to be low.

[voodoochile]

Originally Posted by jabrch

K/BB does not define pitch selection. Pitch selection is an input metric. K/BB is a result that isn't directly related to pitch selection. He could be selecting good pitches, and have a hole in his swing. He could be seeing a lot of strikes knowing this. He's a 20 year old. It may be a lot of things causing Ks to be high or causing BB to be low.

My apologies for using an inaccurate term. I guess my point was that there is something that clearly needs to be fixed before he starts facing the nastiest breaking **** in the world...

[jabrch]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

My apologies for using an inaccurate term. I guess my point was that there is something that clearly needs to be fixed before he starts facing the nastiest breaking **** in the world...

I completely agree, by the way, that he has lots of room to grow as a hitter. Higher OBP would be lovely. More walks, fewer outs...sure - we all get it. But I don't know if his problem is pitch selection or if his problem is that he doesn't make enough contact. I just haven't seen him enough to say.