Uggla is struggling a little bit as those K's indicate, but I think we are making too much out of this. Last April he had the same numbers before he picked it up. WE just have to wait and see him do so this year; if he doesnt, THEN you move him down in the lineup, but not now. Despite his "offensive struggles" we are still in the top 3 offensive teams in the league, and he is contributing to it.

 

We've almost been no-hit twice, we're not a good offense. We just run it up big-time on bad pitching.

 

I disagree with that assessment. Way to early to tell. But I believe we have an above average offense.

Uggla's problems:

 

1. Trying to pull everything

2. Swinging for the homer

3. Getting fooled with the "low and away stuff" with 2 strikes (reminds me of Alex Gonzalez's strike outs)

4. Maybe the sophomore thing

 

I think he knows all this, and the coaches know all this.

He'll figure it out.

Few less you mean? Of NL 2B he is at the bottom for BA and OBP. Even for the power hitter he tries to be, his SLG this year is below average.

3rd in MLB in rbis

2nd in MLB HRs

2nd in MLB in R

5th in the MLB in hits

4th in Slugging

Ill take a .282 average

... as a rookie

 

I know we are talking about it this year, but You cant convince anyone hes not one of the better 2b in the league because of his OBP. If you think hell never have a season like his rookie year again thats the only argument you have.

As a rookie. And what were his numbers in the latter stages of his rookie year. This sophomore slump was predicted by many it comes as no surprise. He just isn't good enough of a hitter to counteract the adjustments the pitcher's made against him.

 

This season he is far below average offensively for NL 2B. Why is his first half of 2006 a better representation of his true ability? It's not uncommon for players to wash out after strong starts.

 

A slump at the end can just as easily be caused by fatigue from his longest year of his life. Its April, guys are working things out, hes been hard to watch at times this year, but hes still up there in some power catigories... If he continues in this form obviously you have a point. I know there are Angel Barroas out there, But ifs based on what we saw 162 games last year i cant agree.

 

Wow, you are really going to make every excuse in the book for this guy, aren't you?

 

His stats for the entire second half of 2006 are very representative of what we have seen so far in April: below average BA, below average OBP, decent home run total. The drop in all of his categories (including SLG was astonishing). There is no way you can make the case that a 115 point drop in OPS immediately following the all star break is due to fatigue.

 

This is entirely an issue of him being unable to make the proper adjustments.

Well we'll let this argument speak for its self, no matter how much we can argue, no one knows if its sure if hes in some type of slump, or if Uggla isnt real. But either side of the arugment is based on such a small period of time, lets sit back and watch and make an assesment at the end of the year.

Uggla was doing about this badly to start the season last year. If I am not mistaken, he was hitting around .250 up until like the middle part of May.

 

I am not worried yet. Too small of a sample size. If he's hitting this poorly by the middle of June then I worry.

Uggla is struggling a little bit as those K's indicate, but I think we are making too much out of this. Last April he had the same numbers before he picked it up. WE just have to wait and see him do so this year; if he doesnt, THEN you move him down in the lineup, but not now. Despite his "offensive struggles" we are still in the top 3 offensive teams in the league, and he is contributing to it.

 

We've almost been no-hit twice, we're not a good offense. We just run it up big-time on bad pitching.

 

I disagree with that assessment. Way to early to tell. But I believe we have an above average offense.

Our offense is at least average with top tier hitters at SS and 3B and middle of the pack or better guys at LF, RF, and 1B (Jake is #3 in OPS, Borchard is ahead of JJones, Victorino, Hawpe, Winn..Hammer is heating up at a very deep NL positition)...and believe it or not the CF platoon works out to be about the league average.

 

As for Uggla it's hard to be sure. I think he'll continue to hit for good power, play average defense, put up a poor OBP. He'll be fine for now, but once Hermida returns and shows anything in OBP and speed he needs be to hit #2. Other things to consider is Uggla started off even slower last March/April, blew up in the middle, and then went ice cold at the end. We have no other options so we have to see how he responds. One last thing...he's hitting righties ok, but getting owned by lefties, while last season I remember him hitting lefties pretty hard.

Very possible this is just a slow start.

 

 

Those who have argued that this is Dan Uggla have an argument as well. Both are possible. If he's still whiffing at a record pace in June then I'll start getting worried.

 

Slumps happen in baseball. Ask Mike Lowell.

Uggla is struggling a little bit as those K's indicate, but I think we are making too much out of this. Last April he had the same numbers before he picked it up. WE just have to wait and see him do so this year; if he doesnt, THEN you move him down in the lineup, but not now. Despite his "offensive struggles" we are still in the top 3 offensive teams in the league, and he is contributing to it.

 

We've almost been no-hit twice, we're not a good offense. We just run it up big-time on bad pitching.

 

I disagree with that assessment. Way to early to tell. But I believe we have an above average offense.

Our offense is at least average with top tier hitters at SS and 3B and middle of the pack or better guys at LF, RF, and 1B (Jake is #3 in OPS, Borchard is ahead of JJones, Victorino, Hawpe, Winn..Hammer is heating up at a very deep NL positition)...and believe it or not the CF platoon works out to be about the league average.

 

As for Uggla it's hard to be sure. I think he'll continue to hit for good power, play average defense, put up a poor OBP. He'll be fine for now, but once Hermida returns and shows anything in OBP and speed he needs be to hit #2. Other things to consider is Uggla started off even slower last March/April, blew up in the middle, and then went ice cold at the end. We have no other options so we have to see how he responds. One last thing...he's hitting righties ok, but getting owned by lefties, while last season I remember him hitting lefties pretty hard.

 

Good analysis. I agree.

First all, Uggla's problem is more mechanical than anything, he has to break that bad habit of waggling the bat horizontally now that he's better known throughout the league. With 4/10ths of a second to make contact as the ball leaves a pitcher's hand he just doesn't have the luxury to get away with that anymore. Presley has been working with him to hold his bat more upright and still but he keeps falling back to his old habit when he's behind in the count. Anyone with MLB.tv can see there's a difference, it's the root of his problem but old habits die hard. Look at his at bats (including his recent homers and you'll see when he relaxes with the bat held almost upright good things happen). Someone above said "he knows it, his coaches know", he has to reprogram himself to add the extra split second he's losing now that makes him so vunerable with two strikes to pitches down and away.

 

Most people forget at this level the swing begins before the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. The more time wasted getting into the zone, the less chance you have to lay off a pitch.

 

As for Hermida and Amezaga, I'm not sure how anyone can call Amezaga "garbage", especially when he's again being called on to play out of position and is hitting .250, or for that matter is that all Hermida needs is to be "healthy" to rebuild the lineup around him.

 

What Hermida needs to be is "productive", just being healthy isn't enough. I would guess he'll hit sixth or seventh if and when he returns and not until he shows he belongs higher will that happen. Maybe a year ago Hermida was a linchpin in the lineup, but no longer, his replacements are playing adequately if not up to his potential, well enough. Borchard has showed defensively he can play the position every day. He and Ross have been reasonably productve for fourth and fifth outfielders. Hermida needs to wow people to earn a spot in the lineup ahead of Cabrera.

First all, Uggla's problem is more mechanical than anything, he has to break that bad habit of waggling the bat horizontally now that he's better known throughout the league. With 4/10ths of a second to make contact as the ball leaves a pitcher's hand he just doesn't have the luxury to get away with that anymore. Presley has been working with him to hold his bat more upright and still but he keeps falling back to his old habit when he's behind in the count. Anyone with MLB.tv can see there's a difference, it's the root of his problem but old habits die hard. Look at his at bats (including his recent homers and you'll see when he relaxes with the bat held almost upright good things happen). Someone above said "he knows it, his coaches know", he has to reprogram himself to add the extra split second he's losing now that makes him so vunerable with two strikes to pitches down and away.

 

Most people forget at this level the swing begins before the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. The more time wasted getting into the zone, the less chance you have to lay off a pitch.

 

As for Hermida and Amezaga, I'm not sure how anyone can call Amezaga "garbage", especially when he's again being called on to play out of position and is hitting .250, or for that matter is that all Hermida needs is to be "healthy" to rebuild the lineup around him.

 

What Hermida needs to be is "productive", just being healthy isn't enough. I would guess he'll hit sixth or seventh if and when he returns and not until he shows he belongs higher will that happen. Maybe a year ago Hermida was a linchpin in the lineup, but no longer, his replacements are playing adequately if not up to his potential, well enough. Borchard has showed defensively he can play the position every day. He and Ross have been reasonably productve for fourth and fifth outfielders. Hermida needs to wow people to earn a spot in the lineup ahead of Cabrera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good post in reference to Hermida. Its earn it time for Jeremy. I wouldnt have a problem with him entering the lineup as the #7 guy until he shows some production.

Uggla is struggling a little bit as those K's indicate, but I think we are making too much out of this. Last April he had the same numbers before he picked it up. WE just have to wait and see him do so this year; if he doesnt, THEN you move him down in the lineup, but not now. Despite his "offensive struggles" we are still in the top 3 offensive teams in the league, and he is contributing to it.

 

We've almost been no-hit twice, we're not a good offense. We just run it up big-time on bad pitching.

 

I disagree with that assessment. Way to early to tell. But I believe we have an above average offense.

 

Like you said, it's too early to tell, but I do believe this team has the chance to have the best offense this franchise has ever had.

Uggla is struggling a little bit as those K's indicate, but I think we are making too much out of this. Last April he had the same numbers before he picked it up. WE just have to wait and see him do so this year; if he doesnt, THEN you move him down in the lineup, but not now. Despite his "offensive struggles" we are still in the top 3 offensive teams in the league, and he is contributing to it.

 

We've almost been no-hit twice, we're not a good offense. We just run it up big-time on bad pitching.

 

I disagree with that assessment. Way to early to tell. But I believe we have an above average offense.

 

Like you said, it's too early to tell, but I do believe this team has the chance to have the best offense this franchise has ever had.

This offense is night and day from day to day.

I miss Castillo.

 

Agreed...i miss a lotta ex-marlins. How many people here miss Todd Jones?

 

If after one month of baseball we shunned everybody who had a sophmore slump or slide...we wouldn't have much of a team left.

Hows that team E.R.A. lookin?

Uggla will wake up tonight. I am going to predict a three hit game with possibly a homer.

Uggla will wake up tonight. I am going to predict a three hit game with possibly a homer.

 

0/4

4 lob

1 gidp

 

0.219 avg

0.091 risp/2 outs

 

 

another nice game...............

he'll still get a few more weeks to figure it out

Amezaga's garbage this season.

 

3-4, homerun, great defensive play, Tommy Hutton's player of the game.

 

You were saying? :brigginbounce

I think we give Uggla a night or two off and start Wood at 2B. He would be a decent 2 hole hitter as well.

Amezaga's garbage this season.

 

3-4, homerun, great defensive play, Tommy Hutton's player of the game.

 

You were saying? :brigginbounce

 

Was he not garbage up until to tonight?

 

Do I give a damn what Tommy Hutton thinks? Is that award recognized by MLB? Does one game make a season?

 

Glad you're still obsessed with me, though, kinda creepy but flattering at the same time.

Why not bat Willingham second (at least for now)?

Because he's the best hitter on the team with RISP.

 

Could hit Ross second. He'd be killer getting pumped fastballs in front of Miguelito.

When everyone is healthy this is the line up I want to see

 

Hanley Ramirez SS - Mucho speed, power, and hits for high average

Alejandro De Aza CF - seemed to hit the ball well. Has power, can move runners over, and is fast.

Miguel Cabrera 3B - Stays where he is

Mike Jacobs 1B - Doing a fine job where he is

Josh Willingham LF - also doing good where he is

Dan Uggla 2B- moves him down in the line up to take some pressure off

Jeremy Hermida RF - assuming he starts hitting the ball, having a left handed bat here is ideal. I don't see him as a number two hitter.

Miguel Olivo C - Olivo is struggling but still has a good amount of RBI. He'll still see many RBI opportunity here

Pitcher spot

 

If Uggla struggles I would suggest trying to convert Boone to a 2B since his bat has been hot this year. Alfredo, Ross, Borchard are all good bench players who can easily fill in if Hermida or someone else struggles. I think that line up would really excel and has only a few holes if any. Now our main concern should be finding ways to win games where we don't have to score 8 or more runs.......

Amezaga's garbage this season.

 

3-4, homerun, great defensive play, Tommy Hutton's player of the game.

 

You were saying? :brigginbounce

 

Was he not garbage up until to tonight?

 

Do I give a damn what Tommy Hutton thinks? Is that award recognized by MLB? Does one game make a season?

 

Glad you're still obsessed with me, though, kinda creepy but flattering at the same time.

 

The name-calling and put downs of everyone still goes on. All I did repost your own words roughly 24 hours ago.

 

It's funny how you've picked up on this obsession thing after being accused of it yourself. You're right though, when I think of "creepy" you're the first person that comes to mind.

 

Problem is simple Swift. You just can't ever admit you're wrong. Ever. A real man would have wished Amezaga well after a great night but not you, I knew you'd respond exactly the way you did.

 

You're nothing if not predictable.

When Hermida's healthy, I bat him leadoff.

 

In 348 AB so far in his career, he's put up an OBP 82 ticks higher than his average. He's been touted for having a high contact potential so I don't foresee the average staying as low as .256, but his patience is even more renowned. He's got solid speed (6/7 career SBs) and it allows Hanley to put his bat to good use with a runner on.

I wouldnt bat De Aza 2nd. Leave him in the bottom 2 spots in the lineup, until he can show for sure that his hot start is really indicative of how he truly will perform at the highest level.

I don't think that AB number will last, and I prefer having Willingham there to clean up what Miguel and Jake leave behind rather than Uggla or whoever else we'd put.

 

Once Hermida comes back it'll be alright anyways regardless of whether he or Hanley hits second.

When Hermida's healthy, I bat him leadoff.

 

In 348 AB so far in his career, he's put up an OBP 82 ticks higher than his average. He's been touted for having a high contact potential so I don't foresee the average staying as low as .256, but his patience is even more renowned. He's got solid speed (6/7 career SBs) and it allows Hanley to put his bat to good use with a runner on.

 

Leadoff carries expectations too.

 

I think we have to be careful we don't throw him directly into the fire.