If Bonfacio can get on base at even a moderate rate, his speed will make him an asset because he will score on hits that nobody else will.

 

OBP is important, especially for a lead-off hitter. One related metrics that I'm sure many have noticed and I am really loving is EB's R(uns). He leads the NL with 11. Markakis has the same number for Baltimore (he has 3 more PA).

 

High runs scored is not a traditionally highly-regarded statistic, because it depends on a lot of other factors (good RBI hitting behind you, errors, getting on with no outs, etc.) But speed clearly plays a significant role in a guy's ability to get around the bases, as does his ability to get on base in the first place. In spite of future concerns and considerations, the fact remains that thus far, EB has an OBP of .500. Not too shabby.

 

What is actually concerning at the moment is the fact that he only has one walk (compared to Markakis' 4). One rational conclusion from this fact would be that he has relied too much on his slap-hitting, and gotten lucky with his trajectories. Hopefully, he will continue to prove wrong those who think along these lines.

 

One thing that gets overlooked, IMO, is the effect that a speedy guy on first has on pysches of both the pitcher and hitter. With a guy like EB on first, the pitcher now has another thing to worry about, and the batter knows an extra base hit will definitely drive in a run. It seems reasonable to me that something like this might provide a little extra motivation/inspariation to find the gap. This is one reason (along with his impressing Helms with his work rate) I thought EB had the capability to be a "chemistry guy" with good intangibles. However, it sure is nice to have something tangible to praise Emilio about. So far, his record looks good in the runs department.

 

In other words... "scoreboard!" :high5

If Bonfacio can get on base at even a moderate rate, his speed will make him an asset because he will score on hits that nobody else will.

 

OBP is important, especially for a lead-off hitter. One related metrics that I'm sure many have noticed and I am really loving is EB's R(uns). He leads the NL with 11. Markakis has the same number for Baltimore (he has 3 more PA).

 

High runs scored is not a traditionally highly-regarded statistic, because it depends on a lot of other factors (good RBI hitting behind you, errors, getting on with no outs, etc.) But speed clearly plays a significant role in a guy's ability to get around the bases, as does his ability to get on base in the first place. In spite of future concerns and considerations, the fact remains that thus far, EB has an OBP of .500. Not too shabby.

 

What is actually concerning at the moment is the fact that he only has one walk (compared to Markakis' 4). One rational conclusion from this fact would be that he has relied too much on his slap-hitting, and gotten lucky with his trajectories. Hopefully, he will continue to prove wrong those who think along these lines.

 

One thing that gets overlooked, IMO, is the effect that a speedy guy on first has on pysches of both the pitcher and hitter. With a guy like EB on first, the pitcher now has another thing to worry about, and the batter knows an extra base hit will definitely drive in a run. It seems reasonable to me that something like this might provide a little extra motivation/inspariation to find the gap. This is one reason (along with his impressing Helms with his work rate) I thought EB had the capability to be a "chemistry guy" with good intangibles. However, it sure is nice to have something tangible to praise Emilio about. So far, his record looks good in the runs department.

 

In other words... "scoreboard!" :high5

 

Wow. This may be the best post I've read on EB to date. Very nice :thumbup

One thing that gets overlooked, IMO, is the effect that a speedy guy on first has on pysches of both the pitcher and hitter. With a guy like EB on first, the pitcher now has another thing to worry about, and the batter knows an extra base hit will definitely drive in a run. It seems reasonable to me that something like this might provide a little extra motivation/inspariation to find the gap. This is one reason (along with his impressing Helms with his work rate) I thought EB had the capability to be a "chemistry guy" with good intangibles. However, it sure is nice to have something tangible to praise Emilio about. So far, his record looks good in the runs department.

 

 

 

Once again, this has nothing to do with chemistry, nor does it have anything to do with...extra motivation.

 

If you recall, Baker was doing the same things / having these same type of AB's with Maybin leading off last September.

 

Hanley Ramirez is one of the best hitters in baseball.

 

Jorge Cantu getting clutch 2 out hits was something he did all year last year without EB around.

 

The rest of the post I can agree with, but the chemistry stuff just makes no sense to me.

The rest of the post I can agree with, but the chemistry stuff just makes no sense to me.

 

The consistently strong play of the players that you mentioned is undoubtedly the most direct and important reason why EB is getting home (besides his getting on base in the first place). But that doesn't mean that it is fair to simply write off all the other factors. (This issue was the source of a very long debate a while ago that I genuinely have no interest in rekindling.)

The rest of the post I can agree with, but the chemistry stuff just makes no sense to me.

 

The consistently strong play of the players that you mentioned is undoubtedly the most direct and important reason why EB is getting home (besides his getting on base in the first place). But that doesn't mean that it is fair to simply write off all the other factors. (This issue was the source of a very long debate a while ago that I genuinely have no interest in rekindling.)

Haha, that's honestly the exact reason why I didn't reply to your post. It's a topic with resolution nowhere in sight and I knew that if I replied I wouldn't have been able to write it off without opening a can of worms.

what does he means by overrated? why is the standard? What is he comparing him to? Obviously, no one on his right mind thinks that EB can keep this torrid pace. what sustainable pace remains to be seen

why is the standard?

 

Great question. If the answer is 'his minor league numbers', he still has a long way to go.

what does he means by overrated? why is the standard? What is he comparing him to? Obviously, no one on his right mind thinks that EB can keep this torrid pace. what sustainable pace remains to be seen

When the season started Boni was owned in something like 4% of ESPN fantasy leagues, now he's up to 89.8%. A lot of people have bought into the hype.

When the season started Boni was owned in something like 4% of ESPN fantasy leagues, now he's up to 89.8%. A lot of people have bought into the hype.

 

And by that, you mean they saw that he was simultaneously a free agent in their league AND leading the league in hitting? :lol suckers...

When the season started Boni was owned in something like 4% of ESPN fantasy leagues, now he's up to 89.8%. A lot of people have bought into the hype.

 

And by that, you mean they saw that he was simultaneously a free agent in their league AND leading the league in hitting? :lol suckers...

You trying to say there is no hype? The man has had more segments on ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB.com than any other player on our team.

I hate the comparisons to Castillo.

 

If Eric Reed had been Dominican people would've compared him to Castillo too.

I hate the comparisons to Castillo.

 

If Eric Reed had been Dominican people would've compared him to Castillo too.

 

Love it or hate it, they're similar. Maybe not in numbers, but look at the two. Compare stances, swings, approaches. They're identical. Even down to the number (1) and the batting gloves sticking out of the back pockets all the friggin' time.

When the season started Boni was owned in something like 4% of ESPN fantasy leagues, now he's up to 89.8%. A lot of people have bought into the hype.

 

And by that, you mean they saw that he was simultaneously a free agent in their league AND leading the league in hitting? :lol suckers...

You trying to say there is no hype? The man has had more segments on ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB.com than any other player on our team.

 

Hell yea there's hype, he's tearing it up MVP fo sho!! No.

 

You concluded that many people had bought into that hype as evidenced by the fact that he is owned on a lot of fantasy teams.

 

I contend that the one does not logically follow from the other. There are other reasons someone might pick him up, like having seen his numbers. I am just suggesting that many people may have picked him up for the right reason (free agent league leader, YTF not?) as opposed to the wrong ones (influence of the sensationalist media/articles with audacious tones/claims extending beyond the limits of our sensibilities).

If Eric Reed had been Dominican people would've compared him to Castillo too.

 

Are we talkin' Sun Sports Eric Reed? That guy can baaaaaaall... :whistle

I hate the comparisons to Castillo.

 

If Eric Reed had been Dominican people would've compared him to Castillo too.

 

Love it or hate it, they're similar. Maybe not in numbers, but look at the two. Compare stances, swings, approaches. They're identical. Even down to the number (1) and the batting gloves sticking out of the back pockets all the friggin' time.

 

So because they are both hispanic, wear the same number and are switch hitters they are similar players?

 

Their approaches aren't even close to being similar. Luis walked. A lot. In the minors. And in the majors. Bonifacio has never done that. Ever.

 

Like I said, if Eric Reed had been Dominican, he would've been compared to Castillo. Bonifacio's minor league numbers are far more Eric Reed than Luis Castillo.

When the season started Boni was owned in something like 4% of ESPN fantasy leagues, now he's up to 89.8%. A lot of people have bought into the hype.

 

And by that, you mean they saw that he was simultaneously a free agent in their league AND leading the league in hitting? :lol suckers...

You trying to say there is no hype? The man has had more segments on ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB.com than any other player on our team.

 

Hell yea there's hype, he's tearing it up MVP fo sho!! No.

 

You concluded that many people had bought into that hype as evidenced by the fact that he is owned on a lot of fantasy teams.

 

I contend that the one does not logically follow from the other. There are other reasons someone might pick him up, like having seen his numbers. I am just suggesting that many people may have picked him up for the right reason (free agent league leader, YTF not?) as opposed to the wrong ones (influence of the sensationalist media/articles with audacious tones/claims extending beyond the limits of our sensibilities).

Well, I'd argue that picking him up and starting him, with his unproven play, is a terrible idea based on 6 games. You start him and you fall off the planet if he regresses (which is the likelihood).

I hate the comparisons to Castillo.

 

If Eric Reed had been Dominican people would've compared him to Castillo too.

 

Love it or hate it, they're similar. Maybe not in numbers, but look at the two. Compare stances, swings, approaches. They're identical. Even down to the number (1) and the batting gloves sticking out of the back pockets all the friggin' time.

 

So because they are both hispanic, wear the same number and are switch hitters they are similar players?

 

Their approaches aren't even close to being similar. Luis walked. A lot. In the minors. And in the majors. Bonifacio has never done that. Ever.

 

Like I said, if Eric Reed had been Dominican, he would've been compared to Castillo. Bonifacio's minor league numbers are far more Eric Reed than Luis Castillo.

 

I said the numbers were not similar, but the approaches are in the sense that that are both switch-hitting speedsters at the top of the lineup, who both look to slap the ball around and find holes. Both are very aggressive as well.

 

And yea, they ARE similar because they are both dominican, both play(ed) second base, wear the same number, are switch hitters, nearly identical in stature, and fly around the bases. When two people have a lot of things in common, it means they are similar. Now, because of the difference in offensive production, they are not indentical. There's a difference.

I said the numbers were not similar, but the approaches are in the sense that that are both switch-hitting speedsters at the top of the lineup, who both look to slap the ball around and find holes. Both are very aggressive as well.

 

And yea, they ARE similar because they are both dominican, both play(ed) second base, wear the same number, are switch hitters, nearly identical in stature, and fly around the bases. When two people have a lot of things in common, it means they are similar. Now, because of the difference in offensive production, they are not indentical. There's a difference.

 

I just hate shallow comparisons, and that's what this is. Eric Reed's skin color is the only thing keeping him from being exactly like Boni, but nobody would ever compare him to Luis. We went through the Luis comps with De Aza as well, and it's really unfair to these players to compare them to a legitimately great player like Luis just because of some superficial similarities.

 

Their approaches are not similar at all. It's really not fair to call Luis aggressive as a hitter. He was extremely patient, something Boni isn't.

Its a shallow comparison until he performs, somewhat consistently, at a comparable level in the majors.

Its a shallow comparison until he performs, somewhat consistently, at a comparable level in the majors.

 

It's a shallow comparison until he actually plays like Castillo. He hasn't ever in his life. He's played like Eric Reed. Or Willy Taveras. Or somebody with no plate discipline.

 

Castillo had tons of plate discipline. If Bonifacio was white, nobody mentions Castillo ever.

 

It's just a pet peeve of mine when people make obviously superficial comparisons. ie every tall-ish white basketball player is compared to Admin Bird, every black center fielder with some pop is compared to Willie Mays, every right handed pitcher out of Texas is the next Nolan Ryan. It has nothing to do with skill or talent, or skillset, it has to do with superficial comparisons.

I said the numbers were not similar, but the approaches are in the sense that that are both switch-hitting speedsters at the top of the lineup, who both look to slap the ball around and find holes. Both are very aggressive as well.

 

And yea, they ARE similar because they are both dominican, both play(ed) second base, wear the same number, are switch hitters, nearly identical in stature, and fly around the bases. When two people have a lot of things in common, it means they are similar. Now, because of the difference in offensive production, they are not indentical. There's a difference.

 

I just hate shallow comparisons, and that's what this is. Eric Reed's skin color is the only thing keeping him from being exactly like Boni, but nobody would ever compare him to Luis. We went through the Luis comps with De Aza as well, and it's really unfair to these players to compare them to a legitimately great player like Luis just because of some superficial similarities.

 

Their approaches are not similar at all. It's really not fair to call Luis aggressive as a hitter. He was extremely patient, something Boni isn't.

 

I would never compare Luis to De Aza, I don't really think there's much, if anything, similar between the two. Bonifacio, though, has several things in common with Luis.

 

And there was an article during ST about the two, that Castillo was quoted heavily in praising Bonifacio and saying that comparisons between the two should definitely be warranted in the near future.

In other words, EB needs to take more walks.

Once you get past very base, superficial reasons, they really aren't comparable.

Its a shallow comparison until he performs, somewhat consistently, at a comparable level in the majors.

 

It's a shallow comparison until he actually plays like Castillo. He hasn't ever in his life. He's played like Eric Reed. Or Willy Taveras. Or somebody with no plate discipline.

 

Castillo had tons of plate discipline. If Bonifacio was white, nobody mentions Castillo ever.

 

It's just a pet peeve of mine when people make obviously superficial comparisons. ie every tall-ish white basketball player is compared to Admin Bird, every black center fielder with some pop is compared to Willie Mays, every right handed pitcher out of Texas is the next Nolan Ryan. It has nothing to do with skill or talent, or skillset, it has to do with superficial comparisons.

 

First of all, I've never really heard any of the comparisons you mentioned.

 

Second, Bonifacio to Castillo have MANY more similarities than those you just mentioned.

First of all, I've never really heard any of the comparisons you mentioned.

 

Second, Bonifacio to Castillo have MANY more similarities than those you just mentioned.

 

Who is Emilio Bonifacio more comparable to: Luis Castillo or Eric Reed? Go look at their minor league numbers. And think about it. Look beyond "Dominican and 2B" and actually think about it.