From MLB.com:

 

 

Notes: Abercrombie off to slow start

Girardi working with young outfielder in the batting cage

 

MIAMI -- In Spring Training, Reggie Abercrombie showcased his vast potential by batting .358 with four home runs and a team-high 17 RBIs.

 

The 25-year-old Columbus, Ga., native is an intriguing player because of his athleticism, speed and power. He combined to belt 25 home runs last year while playing in Class A Jupiter and then Double-A Carolina.

 

But through seven games, Abercrombie has struggled, getting off to a 2-for-17 start (.118 average). His on-base percentage is .211, and in the midst of an 0-for-12 slump, he was out of the starting lineup Thursday.

 

"It's a work in progress," manager Joe Girardi said of getting Abercrombie on track. "It's slow, and we'll continue to try to make him better."

 

After going hitless in three at-bats in Wednesday's loss to the Padres, Abercrombie was pinch-hit for in the ninth inning.

 

Immediately after the game, Girardi was working with Abercrombie in the batting cage. The team is trying to get him to stand back more in his stance.

 

Being a free swinger with high strikeout totals has been his tendency throughout his Minor League career, during which he struck out 793 times in 2,582 at-bats.

and there shouldnt be talk of demoting him yet...

 

let him atleast get a month under his belt

yeah I'd like to give him more than 17 at bats to prove himself

and there shouldnt be talk of demoting him yet...

 

let him atleast get a month under his belt

 

Why?

 

Seriously Ramp, outside of the fact Girardi and Presley are willing to work with him "after school", what makes you think a leopard can change his spots? He is what he is (and tonight, to show how wrong I can be he starts and goes 4-4 with 3hrs). While I coined the phrase "2006 is an audition for the rest of the decade", it's hard for me to believe this special tutoring will make something of the kid he's not.

 

On the otherhand I suppose if the manager sees something there who am I to think I know more than he does? But even you have to admit so far the kid looks so overmatched it's embarrassing.

I dont think he will necessarily get better... but just as cold as he is, there's a chance he could go on a little hot streak(I mean he did in ST)

 

He also has some pop, which if he ever guesses right on a pitch, would come in handy

 

and like you said in the second part of your post, if Girardi is willing to take some time to see if he can help him, maybe there is something there

Demote him for what?!?!? to bring up who???

 

This is almost laughable. If there was someone better than him in the minors they'd have him on the team already.

 

The decision to not trade for a reliable CF during spring, is looking worse in hindsight every day. The 7 & 8 spot in the order is looking worse this year than last and last year we had Juan and Gonzalez possibly the two worst hitters in baseball. :banghead :banghead

 

Worst OF in the majors by far.

so what.

 

 

Abercrombie is a AA player and thats about it.

 

 

maybe AAA.

 

 

He won the spot with a torrid spring. Big deal that really proves little. If he hits one homer and screws up the other 9 times that does us no good.

 

 

Until he actually learns to hit he shouldnt be on this team. A hitter guessing will never do good.

 

 

Send him back down to where he belongs, call up anyone you have in AAA.

Girardi can work with him in the cage all he wants, I don't think it's going to change anything. Like Das said the guy isn't ready for AAA let alone the big leagues.

His athleticism is, I think, too good to pass up. He plays good defense, has incredible speed, and just needs some time to get adjusted to the majors, it makes no sense to send him down after 2 weeks.

and there shouldnt be talk of demoting him yet...

 

let him atleast get a month under his belt

 

 

Exactly

As bad as this sounds, I'd rather have Aguila starting in CF, until someone is ready to take over. This situation sucks.

 

I aslo think they need to find a way to make it work and get Stokes out in the OF and put Willy behind the plate more often.

 

I like Olivio's def. but this team isn't hitting, Stokes needs to up w/ the playing 4-5 days a week.

more time in the cage, should him out and fix the kinks in his swing, i am willing to wait a month on it

Worst OF in the majors by far.

 

 

Based on what?

 

Were 29th in runs scored and 25th in BA. Not saying we're good, but worst in MLB by far? Hardly.

oi

Worst OF in the majors by far.

 

 

Based on what?

 

Were 29th in runs scored and 25th in BA. Not saying we're good, but worst in MLB by far? Hardly.

:lol

 

So you are better then 3 teams?

Worst OF in the majors by far.

 

 

Based on what?

 

Were 29th in runs scored and 25th in BA. Not saying we're good, but worst in MLB by far? Hardly.

 

We've also played one less game.

Out of 42 qualifying OFer in the NL, Hammer ranks 7th and Hermida 26th. Combine Reed and Abercrombie and they definitely rank dead last.

 

This uses OPS, which adjusts for # of ABs.

As bad as this sounds, I'd rather have Aguila starting in CF, until someone is ready to take over. This situation sucks.

 

I aslo think they need to find a way to make it work and get Stokes out in the OF and put Willy behind the plate more often.

 

I like Olivio's def. but this team isn't hitting, Stokes needs to up w/ the playing 4-5 days a week.

 

aguila has shown his true colors, which aren't very pretty. he's had a fair number of at bats and has hit something like .244....i'd rather have someone out there with more potential like abercrombie or reed

As bad as this sounds, I'd rather have Aguila starting in CF, until someone is ready to take over. This situation sucks.

 

I aslo think they need to find a way to make it work and get Stokes out in the OF and put Willy behind the plate more often.

 

I like Olivio's def. but this team isn't hitting, Stokes needs to up w/ the playing 4-5 days a week.

 

aguila has shown his true colors, which aren't very pretty. he's had a fair number of at bats and has hit something like .244....i'd rather have someone out there with more potential like abercrombie or reed

14AB

 

Abercrombie and Reed probably don't have more potential. At least Aguila has produced in the high minors. I'd prefer him at CF once Abercrombie has been given his fair shake. Reed is a lost cause for this season and should be getting regular ABs in AAA.

As bad as this sounds, I'd rather have Aguila starting in CF, until someone is ready to take over. This situation sucks.

 

I aslo think they need to find a way to make it work and get Stokes out in the OF and put Willy behind the plate more often.

 

I like Olivio's def. but this team isn't hitting, Stokes needs to up w/ the playing 4-5 days a week.

 

aguila has shown his true colors, which aren't very pretty. he's had a fair number of at bats and has hit something like .244....i'd rather have someone out there with more potential like abercrombie or reed

when he starts, Aguila has hit .280 since last season

As bad as this sounds, I'd rather have Aguila starting in CF, until someone is ready to take over. This situation sucks.

 

I aslo think they need to find a way to make it work and get Stokes out in the OF and put Willy behind the plate more often.

 

I like Olivio's def. but this team isn't hitting, Stokes needs to up w/ the playing 4-5 days a week.

 

 

Last I checked Stokes was off to a horrendous start in Albuquerque...I think Cepicky might be a more reliable veteran bat of the Marlin bench at this point. I'd rather see Kool Aid playing everyday for the Isotopes as well.

and there shouldnt be talk of demoting him yet...

 

let him atleast get a month under his belt

 

 

Exactly

If the team had any chances of going anywhere this season, I'd say hell no, drop him now. But since this team really doesn't have a chance of making the playoffs in all reality, I'd say give him a few more weeks.

 

I do however think they should bench him for Aguila. Aguila is a good player who has seen limited playing time for the past two seasons. I say his time has come to showcase his abilities and maybe pick up a bigger contract next season.

 

Aguila is definately the obvious start in center.

aguila has shown his true colors, which aren't very pretty. he's had a fair number of at bats and has hit something like .244....i'd rather have someone out there with more potential like abercrombie or reed

 

true colors??? wtf? He hit great in the minors and has done a fair job at the majors when he's not sitting on the bench pinch-hitting.

 

try again.

Demote him for what?!?!? to bring up who???\

 

 

And that is the big problem, because Reed and Abercrombie suck so freaking bad and there is no other option. Until we get another OF, on days we put Willy behind the plate our outfield is going to stink.

 

 

aguila has shown his true colors, which aren't very pretty. he's had a fair number of at bats and has hit something like .244....i'd rather have someone out there with more potential like abercrombie or reed

 

true colors??? wtf? He hit great in the minors and has done a fair job at the majors when he's not sitting on the bench pinch-hitting.

 

try again.

"Great in the Minors?" When? 29 games in Lancaster in A Ball 2 years ago?

 

try again.

Either play AGuila in CF, or stop the Reed/Crombie platoon. I'd rather play Crombie every game for a week or two and give him consistent playing time. Taking him out every other game or so to start Reed (who REALLY shouldn't be starting) is not helping. If the team really wants to give Crombie a chance, play him every day until he plays himself out of he job or proves he startes every day