JUPITER, Fla. -- A little bit of patience could bump up Alex Gonzalez's batting average about 40 percentage points, Marlins manager Jack McKeon says.

In order to elevate the average, Gonzalez first must gain a better command of the strike zone. The 28-year-old tends to chase bad pitches, and tends to fall behind in counts.

 

For all his shortcomings offensively, the slick-fielding shortstop is an intriguing hitting talent.

 

At times he can look lost at the plate, and he ended up with a .232 average last year. But he also has the penchant for delivering crucial hits when you least expect it. Many Marlins fans feel the turning point of the 2003 World Series was Gonzalez's walk-off homer in extra innings off Jeff Weaver in Game 4.

 

Gonzalez's liner that just sailed over the left-field wall evened the World Series at 2, setting the stage for the Marlins to close out the Yankees in six games.

 

"I want him to do exactly what he did last year, when he had more home runs and RBIs than any shortstop in the National League," Marlins hitting coach Bill Robinson said. "That's not bad. Probably the only thing I'd like for him to do [is improve his average], and that figure can go up if he learns command of the strike zone. If he takes more walks, then his average will go up. To a certain extent, he is what he is, and what he is is fantastic, as far as I'm concerned."

In the final year of his contract, and possibly becoming a free agent in 2006, Gonzalez is in line to enjoy a breakout season. At the plate, that is. Defensively, he is among the best fielding shortstops in the league.

 

"I'm better than that," Gonzalez said of his 2004 average. "Last year, I started really, really slow. With the talent I have, maybe I can hit 25 homers and drive in 90. To have that happen, I have to be consistent the whole year. This year, I want more focus on home plate."

 

In 2004, Gonzalez led all National League shortstops with his 23 homers and 79 RBIs. His home run total was tied with Derek Jeter for third-highest among shortstops. Only Miguel Tejada (34) and Jose Valentin (30) went deep more.

 

And Gonzalez was fourth among MLB shortstops in RBIs, behind Tejada's 150, Carlos Guillen's 97 and Michael Young's 95.

 

Gonzalez's power numbers come despite the fact his .270 on-base percentage was the lowest among regulars in the National League.

 

Still, for an eighth hitter, Gonzalez has come through on numerous occasions. And in the Marlins' improved lineup that now includes cleanup hitter Carlos Delgado, it is likely the bottom of the Marlins order will have more RBI chances.

 

"He's just got to focus a little better," McKeon said. "He's got the potential to be a good .275 hitter, with 80 to 100 runs batted in.

 

"Here's a guy who everybody thinks is a lousy hitter and he knocks in [79] runs last year and hits 23 home runs. Sure, he hits .240, .250, whatever he hits, but half the time he seems to come up with some key hits. You take the World Series, he hits the home run. You take some other games, we had a stretch [in 2004] where in five of maybe nine games, he had the key hit. Then other times you want to shoot him."

 

Part of Gonzalez's struggles may be related to an elbow problem that has plagued him since Game 7 of the 2003 National League Championship Series with the Cubs.

 

Gonzalez aggravated the elbow on his throwing arm, and felt discomfort all of last year. A few days after the 2004 season ended, the Venezuelan native had surgery to remove bone chips.

 

"Last year, I felt it the whole year," Gonzalez said. "It hurt on my throws. I'm fine right now. I'm ready to go."

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla

I have liked Gonzalez since he first came up. When you look at it, he isnt that bad of a hitter. He may have a low average but gets key hits and its true.

 

Hope to see that average go up and he will be among the top shortstops in the MLB with those power numbers.

I have always been an AGon supporter. (Hell I predicted a 280 average for him last year.) But if he can get to .270, I think we automatically become the most dangerous lineup in the National League. If he can get to his All Star Year first half, look out. That will make Lo Duca hit better with better pitches, as well as Conine/Enc, IMHO. I will always believe in him as he is one of my favorite players and probably maybe the most underrated shortstop as his position.

Whatever he did in the first half of 2003 he needs to find out how to do again.

Brings up an interesting question as to whether we should resign him after this year or not. If he has another mediocre to belowe average season, he should be cheap and we should easily bring him back. But lets say he improves and bats .270, OBP of .330, and hits 25 homers and 90RBIs. All of a sudden his price goes up and its possible some team will pay a lot for him. Do we also?

I love Gonzalez....I always brag about him to my friends and people...but its dissappointing because so few people even know who he is. If I say hes the one who hit the game winning homer in the 12th inning of game 4 of the world series...then they can vaguely remember him...but he's seriously one of the top defensive shortstops in the game right now..and he can come up with some pretty big hits too...especially for hitting in the 8 spot. I would love for him to just have at least one reallly really good offensive season just so he can capture some attention for once...i really want to see him get a gold glove!

I love Gonzalez....I always brag about him to my friends and people...but its dissappointing because so few people even know who he is. If I say hes the one who hit the game winning homer in the 12th inning of game 4 of the world series...then they can vaguely remember him...but he's seriously one of the top defensive shortstops in the game right now..and he can come up with some pretty big hits too...especially for hitting in the 8 spot. I would love for him to just have at least one reallly really good offensive season just so he can capture some attention for once...i really want to see him get a gold glove!

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i definitly dont like the lack of respect agon ussually gets.....but it's allright, thats how he hurts people, by people underestimating him.

I love Gonzalez....I always brag about him to my friends and people...but its dissappointing because so few people even know who he is.? If I say hes the one who hit the game winning homer in the 12th inning of game 4 of the world series...then they can vaguely remember him...but he's seriously one of the top defensive shortstops in the game right now..and he can come up with some pretty big hits too...especially for hitting in the 8 spot.? I would love for him to just have at least one reallly really good offensive season just so he can capture some attention for once...i really want to see him get a gold glove!

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i definitly dont like the lack of respect agon ussually gets.....but it's allright, thats how he hurts people, by people underestimating him.

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I know what you mean...he suprises people because they dont expect him to perform that way...but I just really really really really want him to get the gold glove that he so deserves...but i just dont think he will get one until he gets some more credibility as an offensive threat

Here's hoping that A-Gon can have a great season and finally pick up his first Gold Glove :thumbup

I really think he can make the next jump.

 

No reason to suggest he will though.

 

:/

Another aspect of Gonzo being a FA next year, and if he is offered too much money by other teams, is that it creates a domino effect in the outfield. Gonzo can be replaced by Cabrera leaving LF/RF open positions. That leaves options such as Conine, Enc(if he or Conine is brought back), Willingham, Hermida, and free agent signings.

I don't think Cabrera can play SS any more. Look at those legs. They're huge. Hinders lateral movement.

get the thought of cabrera playing SS out of your mind because its not happening

Have to remember, he's the 8th place hitter and not the 4th place hitter. I'll take 23 jacks from #8 any year. It'd be nice if he could mix in a higher average though, I think he can.

Brings up an interesting question as to whether we should resign him after this year or not. If he has another mediocre to belowe average season, he should be cheap and we should easily bring him back. But lets say he improves and bats .270, OBP of .330, and hits 25 homers and 90RBIs. All of a sudden his price goes up and its possible some team will pay a lot for him. Do we also?

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No question I'd let him walk if he gets too expensive. We've got more pressing concerns.

If he had any plate discipline at all he could be one of the elite shortstops in the league. Too bad you can't teach plate discipline.

I don't think Cabrera can play SS any more. Look at those legs. They're huge. Hinders lateral movement.

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Agreed. Cabrera has outgrown the position.

One of these years Gonzo is going to "get it" and take off at the plate. Let's hope it is this year.

 

Alex has streaks where he can hit well over .300 for 5 or 6 games, and then boom, he's back to hitting .100 again for 2 weeks.

 

He just needs to develop greater patience, and make the pitcher work for it.

It is about time A-Gon goes back to the All-Star game. Break out time for A-Gon. I always root for him because he is a very good player who people always want to be benched. He is the underdog and I am rooting for him all the way.

I believe in Gonzo. If the man can hit .260+ with 20HR+ and 80+RBI I'll be extremely happy.

I'll take a 2004 type season any day of the week

Wouldn't mind him reverting back to 2003 form.

 

Year Avg OBP SLG

2003 .256 .313 .443

2004 .232 .270 .419

Brings up an interesting question as to whether we should resign him after this year or not. If he has another mediocre to belowe average season, he should be cheap and we should easily bring him back. But lets say he improves and bats .270, OBP of .330, and hits 25 homers and 90RBIs. All of a sudden his price goes up and its possible some team will pay a lot for him. Do we also?

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If he does good halfway we resign him easy as that

I'm amazed everyone ignored/missed his comment about his throwing arm elbow problem and being disappointed in his throws !!!!!

 

Wow !!!!

Gonzalez is solid for a #8 but if he plays too well this year, we shouldnt re-sign him if the price goes up too far. Not really worth more than 4 million a year i would say