February 25, 200521 yr Alex hit 23 HR's last season. Was that a fluke? My feeling is he wont hit as many this year.
February 25, 200521 yr He hit 19 the year before... what makes you think 23 is such a fluke? I think he'll hit 20-25.
February 25, 200521 yr I think he will hit between 20-25 homers this year.. He has the power so I dont think it was a fluke
February 25, 200521 yr If he learns to wait for his pitch rather than swing at every piece of garbage thrown to him, he could easily hit 30-35, at least.
February 25, 200521 yr If he learns to wait for his pitch rather than swing at every piece of garbage thrown to him, he could easily hit 30-35, at least. 695336[/snapback] A agree... Once he shows more patience at the plate his average/homers will go up alot
February 25, 200521 yr Like Accord said, if he is more patient at the plate, he could easily hit 30+. With that being said, I think he will hit between 23-27 homers.
February 25, 200521 yr The number 27 came to me in a vision. 695356[/snapback] A vision that said "3.14 is not Pie, it is Pi"... wow ... whered that come from? Anyways I think he'll hit 55 because of that great protection from the pitchers..
February 25, 200521 yr He's always had power. They estimated that he would have hit something like 25 HR in his rookie season had he not slumped in the second half. The guy has some serious pop, and he loves those granny's and three-runners. Also, you have to remember that he's just entering his prime--He's only 27 and I think he'll definitely benefit from the presence of our big boppers. At the bottom of the lineup, and probably the 'easiest' outs, they'll get some pitches to hit, because you don't want to let Pierre get to the plate.. Then the merry goes round and round and round.
February 26, 200521 yr Less homeruns and strikeouts, more singles and doubles and walks! 695416[/snapback] I agree, I'd rather more consistent base hits and walks than another 20+ HR season out of A-Gon.
February 26, 200521 yr 18...but more walks. I know it's kind of a low guess, but I really think he'll have an all-around better year at the plate. Just STOP swinging at so many garbage pitches with 2-strike counts!! :banghead
February 26, 200521 yr This is an interesting question. For a couple of weeks I've been contemplating a radical change in the bottom of the lineup, more fantasy than anything else, because I believe the team could be getting alot more production than they are from the 6-7-8 guys. Anyone can disagree, and I might change my mind tomorrow, but if LoDuca was moved all the way down to eighth, batting behind what I assume will be Encarnacion and Gonzalez, he might improve the pitches both hitters see significantly. I wouldn't mind seeing Castillo moved way down in the lineup either (ala late last season) although I know he hates it, for the same reason. Jack made an interesting comment a few days ago, being concerned about Pierre getting on and stealing second, potentially creating a scenario where one of the new Bash Bros. (Cabrera and Delgado) get intentionally walked because of a void at first base. I suspect, whether it's my scenario or another conjured up by Jack, that the lineup we envision right now may get a drastic alteration at some point this season. As for Gonzalez and his home runs, if he gets some protection in the lineup I think he will equal or exceed last's year's total. And I'll go one step further, saying he hits closer to .280 than .230 this season as well.
February 26, 200521 yr i think sea bass can hit from 20-26 homers this upcoming season. i doubt it was a fluke because he hit 19 last year. it seems hes just improving. if he just holds his temper and keeps himself focused when hes at the plate, he can easily beat his old record.
February 26, 200521 yr I wouldn't mind seeing Castillo moved way down in the lineup either? (ala late last season) although I know he hates it, for the same reason. Jack made an interesting comment a few days ago, being concerned about Pierre getting on and stealing second, potentially creating a scenario where one of the new Bash Bros. (Cabrera and Delgado) get intentionally walked because of a void at first base. 695645[/snapback] I see where you're heading. Indeed a speedy player who can draw walks (Castillo) is more valuable at the top of the order, when there are few men on base, than a player whose ability to reach base is the result of hitting for a very high average (Pierre 2003, 2004). The question is where would you bat Pierre? 9th is not something McKeon would try although some suggest a team's worst hitter (the pitcher in the NL) should hit 8th to avoid effecting the production of the top of the order. 8th gives him the lowest amount of chances at the plate and encourages McKeon to bunt him over rather than steal bases. 7th gives him few chances to run with the impatient Gonzalez. 6th might work, giving the opposition fits with the lefty-righty-lefty mix and deciding whether to intentionally walk Lowell or not in a tight situation, but JP lacks the traditional power that's accustomed for the spot.
February 26, 200521 yr Who knows, maybe he'll suddenly learn to be patient at the plate and hit 30+ homers... I don't understand how a major leaguer can swing at so many pitches in the dirt.
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