MLB Thread Number 3, 2007

I'll agree about Burrell on two things:
1. He's not doing what the team is asking him to do (hit for power)
2. He's not doing what a No. 5 hitter should be doing (driving guys in)

The question is this: Who is at fault? Burrell or the coaches and management? Are they asking him to be something he isn't? And, if so, I can't blame him.

Look, he's been a huge disappointment. I never said he wasn't. I've never even said he's doing his job. I've simply pointed out that he's being shit all over by "phans" and folks here, all while amassing the 7th best OBP in the National League.

Seems to me they could move him UP in the order, let him see some pitches, work some counts, draw some walks and then come home when the bigger bats hit.

At the end of the day, though, it's all irrelevant. Because the Phils are not only not "the team to beat" in the NL East, they're a team going nowhere ... and getting there in a hurry.

 

Yes Burrell's OBP is .441, second on the Phils behind Rowand's .468, but the fact is you don't want him getting on base. You want him driving in runs. He has 11 RBIs in 84 ABs and has struck out 22 times. He's hitting .274 and that's after he was hitting about .350 three weeks ago. And of the Phillie regular he has the second worst average with Howard being the only one worse. So he is making outs and isn't extending innings.

 

He did? How many outs? If there was one I stand corrected, but if there were two every runner should score on a single from second.

 

You're absolutely right about him not driving in runs. So, there's two things Cholly can do:

1. Keep sitting there with his thumb up his ass waiting for Burrell to come around.
2. Move Burrell up in the order and move Rollins back. Rollins' speed can be replaced at the top of the order by Victorino and Rollins has, arguably, been the team's best (and most consistent) power source.

But, here's the thing: Rollins "looks" like a leadoff guy and Burrell "looks" like a power guy. There's plenty of power in the Phils' lineup that they don't need to try and force it out of Burrell.

 

Two. But it was a grounder smoked up the middle. He got the same jump he'd have gotten if there was 1 out.

 

He also scored from 2nd on a Nunez single with 1 out Thursday.

 

The fact is the guy just frustrates the hell out of me. When he was a freshman at the U he led the nation in hitting. He's 6-4, 230 at least and hits more weak ground balls and pop ups than anyone his size. What happened the guy that hit everything hard when he first came up? And do you know anyone who takes more pitches right down the middle than Burrell?

 

You're on the money with everything you said. And you can add that the Phils fucked up by giving him a huge contract to try and make everyone forget about that guy they drafted and didn't sign.

At the same time, there IS some talent there. At least right now, it's not the talent folks want or expect.

 

Bingo, Heatbutt.

 

Bravo, Headbutt! May I suggest that when the MVP's at .225, it doesn't take Connie Mack to see the problem.

 

I guess you didn't see that he has the second lowest batting average of the regulars so he is clearly making outs. And the Phillies aren't built like the A's were. They were built to play small ball and manufacture runs. The Phillies are built for power and Burrell is supposed to a part of that. Would you rather have your five-hole hitter have a .441 OBP and one HR and 11 RBIs or a .390 OPB, 10 HRs and 25 RBIs?

And the only guy not getting on base in front of him is Howard. That leaves three guys that Burrell isn't driving in. The simple fact is he'd rather walk and leave it up to someone else to do the job he's getting paid $27 million over the next two years to do.