That's why it's called a batting AVERAGE.

 

All the hard lineouts get balanced out with the lucky singles and legitimate basehits to create an AVERAGE.

 

And the way it looks, Gonzo's AVERAGE is just north of a pile of corn-filled shiite.

 

And we've been hearing "it's only a matter of time until the balls find the alleys or the seats" for two years now. When can we finally stick a fork in him?

 

He needs to go down to the courthouse and legally change his name to Automatic Out.

The sample size is small enough where the larger than average amount of liners not turning into hits has greatly affected his average. And can you really put too much weight into an AVERAGE when you can only rely on 38 events? Comon now. The AVERAGES will play out eventually and the numbers will rise.

And we've been hearing "it's only a matter of time until the balls find the alleys or the seats" for two years now. When can we finally stick a fork in him?

Hes not a good offensive player and wont magically find plate discipline. Gonzo will not crack the 800 mark in OPS for the rest of his career. We can only hope for average and I think hes capable of providing that.

That's why it's called a batting AVERAGE.

 

All the hard lineouts get balanced out with the lucky singles and legitimate basehits to create an AVERAGE.

 

And the way it looks, Gonzo's AVERAGE is just north of a pile of corn-filled shiite.

 

And we've been hearing "it's only a matter of time until the balls find the alleys or the seats" for two years now. When can we finally stick a fork in him?

 

He needs to go down to the courthouse and legally change his name to Automatic Out.

The sample size is small enough where the larger than average amount of liners not turning into hits has greatly affected his average. And can you really put too much weight into an AVERAGE when you can only rely on 38 events? Comon now. The AVERAGES will play out eventually and the numbers will rise. Not talking about this year specifically, but his whole career and the .255 BA that comes with it. Is that a large enough sampling?

Oh good grief, guys. Don't be jackasses. Just support him. That's what he needs. I know that "Gonzo" is not perfect, but cmon. He's still a Marlin and I am sure he's trying real hard.

 

It's funny how some of you act like you love a player when they're doing great on the field, but once they're having trouble, you start bashing them. Then you wonder why fans of other teams don't like us and call us lousy fans. :thumbdown

That's why it's called a batting AVERAGE.

 

All the hard lineouts get balanced out with the lucky singles and legitimate basehits to create an AVERAGE.

 

And the way it looks, Gonzo's AVERAGE is just north of a pile of corn-filled shiite.

 

And we've been hearing "it's only a matter of time until the balls find the alleys or the seats" for two years now. When can we finally stick a fork in him?

 

He needs to go down to the courthouse and legally change his name to Automatic Out.

The sample size is small enough where the larger than average amount of liners not turning into hits has greatly affected his average. And can you really put too much weight into an AVERAGE when you can only rely on 38 events? Comon now. The AVERAGES will play out eventually and the numbers will rise. Not talking about this year specifically, but his whole career and the .255 BA that comes with it. Is that a large enough sampling? If he can hit .255 for the entire season, I'll be happy

That's why it's called a batting AVERAGE.

 

All the hard lineouts get balanced out with the lucky singles and legitimate basehits to create an AVERAGE.

 

And the way it looks, Gonzo's AVERAGE is just north of a pile of corn-filled shiite.

 

And we've been hearing "it's only a matter of time until the balls find the alleys or the seats" for two years now. When can we finally stick a fork in him?

 

He needs to go down to the courthouse and legally change his name to Automatic Out.

The sample size is small enough where the larger than average amount of liners not turning into hits has greatly affected his average. And can you really put too much weight into an AVERAGE when you can only rely on 38 events? Comon now. The AVERAGES will play out eventually and the numbers will rise. Not talking about this year specifically, but his whole career and the .255 BA that comes with it. Is that a large enough sampling? Since when is a .255 career BA terrible? It sure wouldn't justify his benching, considering the high quality of his D.

 

You discredited your own argument.

Oh good grief, guys. Don't be jackasses. Just support him. That's what he needs. I know that "Gonzo" is not perfect, but cmon. He's still a Marlin and I am sure he's trying real hard.

 

It's funny how some of you act like you love a player when they're doing great on the field, but once they're having trouble, you start bashing them. Then you wonder why fans of other teams don't like us and call us lousy fans. :thumbdown

We support Alex but a .158 batting average is not going to cut it on the World Champs. Our pitching carries us and we can not afford to have an automatic out in the 8 hole when are not very strong offensively. Our pitchers hit better than him. I'm telling you to watch Wilson Valdez and if we do not get a new stadium (which would suck) then I wouldn't be surprised to see Valdez as our starter next year at SS to save money.

Oh no, I understand 100%. I just hate seeing our own fans bashing our players. I've never liked it. Just give him time and hopefully he'll come through.

Oh no, I understand 100%. I just hate seeing our own fans bashing our players. I've never liked it.

Did you support Armando Almanza last season too?

Oh good grief, guys. Don't be jackasses. Just support him. That's what he needs. I know that "Gonzo" is not perfect, but cmon. He's still a Marlin and I am sure he's trying real hard.

 

It's funny how some of you act like you love a player when they're doing great on the field, but once they're having trouble, you start bashing them. Then you wonder why fans of other teams don't like us and call us lousy fans.? :thumbdown

We support Alex but a .158 batting average is not going to cut it on the World Champs. Our pitching carries us and we can not afford to have an automatic out in the 8 hole when are not very strong offensively. Our pitchers hit better than him. I'm telling you to watch Wilson Valdez and if we do not get a new stadium (which would suck) then I wouldn't be surprised to see Valdez as our starter next year at SS to save money. Your probably right, but I anticipate Valdez actually being worse not only defensively but offensively. So the real question is...Who else is going to play SS?

 

Fans should be able to bash players...at least it provides fun debate.

I support every Marlin.

I support every Marlin.

do you still support him?

 

 

:bandit

Meh...

i take that as a no.

 

 

 

if they suck as a marlin we can overlook it just cause they are a marlin....

 

 

never mind the facts.

Whatever man....

 

My point is, I hate seeing people who only support a player when they're doing well and curse at them when they're struggling.

 

For example, I went to a spring training game where this chic was cheering Josh on but when he started to struggle, she started yelling things like, "You suck!" or "Take him out of the game! He sucks!"

 

That's what I don't want to see. That's what pisses me off. We have a right to criticize and that's fine. Just don't act like the girl at the spring training game.

Hey I hate on Darren Oliver all the time.

 

 

Not just when he does bad.

 

 

Same with Fish Fillet and Sea Bass.

 

 

I dont see any 'girlish' actions going on.

Everyone is saying he is hitting the ball pretty hard which is a pretty good sign. He will get those to drop eventually. On a few at bats he has looked terrible. I think he is trying too hard when people are on base along with the rest of the team too. He is an unbelievable shortstop. Put someone else in there that hits 20 points higher in the batting average and maybe gets 20 more RBI, but is not the best at defense, we would be in the same situations here. Agon saves the marlins runs which is something that is unmeasurable until he is actually gone.

Hey I hate on Darren Oliver all the time.

 

 

Not just when he does bad.

 

 

Same with Fish Fillet and Sea Bass.

 

 

I dont see any 'girlish' actions going on.

Just in case. :thumbup

Whatever man....

 

My point is, I hate seeing people who only support a player when they're doing well and curse at them when they're struggling.

 

For example, I went to a spring training game where this chic was cheering Josh on but when he started to struggle, she started yelling things like, "You suck!" or "Take him out of the game! He sucks!"

 

That's what I don't want to see. That's what pisses me off. We have a right to criticize and that's fine. Just don't act like the girl at the spring training game.

I hate to admit it but its rare that Gonzalez does good. When's the last time he put back-to-back good offense games together in a row?

Oh good grief, guys. Don't be jackasses. Just support him. That's what he needs. I know that "Gonzo" is not perfect, but cmon. He's still a Marlin and I am sure he's trying real hard.

 

It's funny how some of you act like you love a player when they're doing great on the field, but once they're having trouble, you start bashing them. Then you wonder why fans of other teams don't like us and call us lousy fans.? :thumbdown

We support Alex but a .158 batting average is not going to cut it on the World Champs. Our pitching carries us and we can not afford to have an automatic out in the 8 hole when are not very strong offensively. Our pitchers hit better than him. I'm telling you to watch Wilson Valdez and if we do not get a new stadium (which would suck) then I wouldn't be surprised to see Valdez as our starter next year at SS to save money. Your probably right, but I anticipate Valdez actually being worse not only defensively but offensively. So the real question is...Who else is going to play SS?

 

Fans should be able to bash players...at least it provides fun debate. I think Valdez can hit .280 in the majors. That would be good because he could steal 40 bases as well. Anyone who saw him at spring training will know that he is pretty good defensively and we won't lose too much there.

"...I anticipate Valdez actually being worse not only defensively but offensively. "

 

Loathe as I am to argue with you my dear friend Mr. Shamster, Valdez has excelled at every level of minor league ball he's played.

 

This spring I saw him (as in with my own two eyes) twice and twice on TV and he turned one MLB quality play after another at SS. Jburque, who lives in Albuquerque and sees him play regularly says his defense is stellar. Ask him about Valdez's play, he might change your mind.

 

No one knows how he'll do facing MLB pitching, but that can be said of any prospect/rookie. But from what I've seen, given a few months to work with Lowell and Luis, he'll be more than an adequate Sea Bass replacement, and may turn out to be just as good as what we have now defensively. (Not that I'd want you to have to eat your words or anything )

Im not sure what you mean by excelled, but Valdez has a 680 career OPS in the minors with 8HR in 1808AB. Can we afford to have 3 hitters in our lineup that will maybe reach 5 homers combined? He was old for every level he played in (breakout? season at age 25 in double A) and his ceiling is basically set at where he is now.

 

As for defensive observations by a casually observing fan what can you honestly gleen from a few observances? You cant measure his range which is most important as most SS make over 90% of the plays they are involved in. Whenever it comes to a Marlins player I always hope to eat my words, but Valdez would be a below average SS at best....he could prove a useful utility man though.

Im not sure what you mean by excelled, but Valdez has a 680 career OPS in the minors with 8HR in 1808AB. Can we afford to have 3 hitters in our lineup that will maybe reach 5 homers combined? He was old for every level he played in (breakout? season at age 25 in double A) and his ceiling is basically set at where he is now.

 

As for defensive observations by a casually observing fan what can you honestly gleen from a few observances? You cant measure his range which is most important as most SS make over 90% of the plays they are involved in. Whenever it comes to a Marlins player I always hope to eat my words, but Valdez would be a below average SS at best....he could prove a useful utility man though.

 

One of the great things about baseball is that there's a stat to fit every scenario. No one suggested he's a slugger, because he isn't, he's a get on, steal a base and cause havoc kinda guy. And I suspect you knew that before you chose what stat to use before you posted your retort.

 

One thing that amazes me (and this isn't directed at you Sham, but generally) is how so many here seem to think a 25 or 28 year old guy coming up is over the hill. When I was a kid (the age of most of the people here) guys played six, eight years in the minors before they made it to the bigs and it wasn't uncommon at all to see guys breaking in at 30, and then playing seven or eight years in MLB.

 

Now it seems if your over 23 you're washed up. I think it's all in the eye of the beholder.

I used OPS which is an overall measure of a players offensive performance and chose HR to show how pathetic our offense would be if we had 3 players who could hit maybe 5HR combined.

 

Players usually set their performance levels by the age of 25 in the minors and you can be relatively safe in saying that a player wont advance much more than his performance at that age. Was his breakout (used sarcastically and loosely) year in Carolina a measure of his ability? Or a measure of his experience at the level?

Unless some catastrophic event takes place that elevates his offense he will remain a nice utility option. I'm not saying that he wont ever start for us...I just am worried if it comes to that.