Castillo ranked 10th in the NL in OBP (.391)

 

Pierre ranked 9th in the NL in hits (181)

 

Delgado/Cabrera (our 3rd and 4th hitters) ranked among the top ten several categories as well...

 

Encarnacion was top 5 with RISP.

 

6,7,8--yep, there's the problem.

For all those hits, Pierre still had a 'heh' OBP - terrible for a leadoff hitter.

 

Castillo was out part of the year.

 

Encarnacion came to bat with as many opportunities to start an inning off well as he did with runners on base. His failures in the first situation, which is every bit as important as the latter, negate part of his value as a RBI man.

 

Gonzalez hit well, just not for his role. This is the LoDuca we can expect for the next 2 years of his contract. Lowell, well, we've rehashed Lowell to death.

 

The bright side is Hermida and Willingham. Two major league ready hitters ready to control the strike zone and hit very well.

The bright side is Hermida and Willingham. Two major league ready hitters ready to control the strike zone and hit very well.

 

They had a combined 17 k's in 64 ABs. I'd be a little hesitant to say they control the strike zone, at least yet.

The bright side is Hermida and Willingham. Two major league ready hitters ready to control the strike zone and hit very well.

 

They had a combined 17 k's in 64 ABs. I'd be a little hesitant to say they control the strike zone, at least yet.

 

But they also draw a lot of walks. I think that's what rferry was refering to. They work the count. A lot like Louie, except Louie is exceptionally good with two strikes.

JP had a horrid first half of the year and Lowell is....Lowell. But if they had "average" years for both of them, we'd be in a great position

Assuming no massive shakeups, our year will depend greatly on what we get out of Pierre and LoDuca. You pretty much know what you're getting with everyone else, but without a bounce back from those two, we won't be anywhere near the top of the division.

In order to keep Delgado, I want us to trade Lowell AND Pierre.