MLB Thread Number 3, 2007

You realize Burrell isn't filling out the lineup card, right? if he was hitting No. 2, nobody would have a problem with him. Burrell's only faults: He looks like a power hitter and is getting paid like a power hitter.

 

Especially from a guy you want driving in runs.

 

No, it's not. But, at the end of the day, isn't it a hitter's job to not make an out? To get on base? Isn't that what it all boils down to?

All of which ties in to my point that he's hitting in the wrong spot of the order. Move him up and Rollins down. Do that, and he'll score more, though it won't do much for his doubles and slugging, admittedly.

 

Along the lines of what T.O. said, "If he looks like a power hitter and is paid like a power hitter than by golley he should be a power hitter." If he's not, and at his size I just can't see how that's possible, than start batting him leadoff if speed doesn't matter.

 

Sure, and as FH said, he's at the low end of the totem pole on the list of the Phillies' problems right now.

Doesn't take away from the fact that when he doesn't draw a walk, he's not doing shit.

 

Can't disagree with that.

 

It isn't.

But then that walk becomes worthless, which is my point about why base hits are greater than walks in general.

Now if you can walk and steal bases? Then the walk = base hit, because at least you're trying to make something happen with that walk. But since the stolen base isn't as valued as it was in the late 70s, 80s, and early 90s, few teams are built to take advantage of that.

 

Zumaya has been escorted from the Tigers bullpen, holding his hand. Apparently he hurt it while warming up. Don't know exactly what the problem is.


In other news, Curtis Granderson picked up his fifth outfield assist, leading all Major League center fielders.

 

Woohoo! Yankees within 5 1/2 games of first. Baby steps.

 

Astros did that very thing today with Morgan Ensberg, who in 2005 hit 36 HRs and was fourth in the MVP voting.

Ensberg went 2-5 with a walk, scored three times, and the Astros won, 13-0.

It's about taking a player and using what he can do (or is doing in the present) rather than moping about what you wish him to be.

As long as Burrell is drawing walks and not doing much else, hit him at the top of the order. I'd hit him leadoff instead of No. 2, because I think Victorino is less likely to ground into DPs.

 

Jorge Sosa: 6 1/3 IP, 2 runs (scored after he was taken out) 4 hits, 2 walks

Mets 6-2 over D-backs end of 7

 

Or playing video games.