Regarding Bonifacio, a leadoff and supposedly contact hitter striking out 7 of 10 at bats. Isn't this some kind of record, even for HR hitters like Uggla. That's just wrong.

 

Otherwise, I agree, play Gload more often.

Unless the OBP drops below, strikeouts for leadoff batters don't matter. It's not like they're failing to push base runners across the bases. Much of theime, it doesn't matter if they get out by a fly out, strike out or ground out.

 

They do matter for Bonifacio, because more than anyone in the game, routine ground balls and just putting the ball in play at all for him could turn into infield singles and nothing but good things. You can't put pressure on the defense by walking back to the bench.

 

That said, I think looking at two games and going into a panic is stupid. Same for Maybin, who hasn't put up great numbers, but has been being very patient and taking a lot of pitches (he got screwed Tuesday on a ton of low strikes that he looked at, that should not have been).

No one's saying Bonifacio is perfect. There's things he could work on. However, as a leadoff hitter, the ultimate goal should be a good OBP. If changes in his approach/swing/etc. result in fewer strikeouts and a bad OBP, then that would be terrible. The last thing you want to do with a unique talent is push them through some rigid mold.

No one's saying Bonifacio is perfect. There's things he could work on. However, as a leadoff hitter, the ultimate goal should be a good OBP. If changes in his approach/swing/etc. result in fewer strikeouts and a bad OBP, then that would be terrible. The last thing you want to do with a unique talent is push them through some rigid mold.

 

Except that if he keeps striking out, he has no OBP skills to speak of that he's shown (in the majors or minors). He's going to need to hit .340 at this pace to put up a good OBP.

Guys, 99% of MLB players will have a stretch this year where they go 1-10 with 5+ K's, it happens. Most every hitter will have a 3-20 also. It's life. Give him another week to snap out of it and if he doesn;t then we can start talking about Bonifacio maybe not being MLB-ready.

Except that if he keeps striking out, he has no OBP skills to speak of that he's shown (in the majors or minors). He's going to need to hit .340 at this pace to put up a good OBP.

 

there is no pace when it is this early. his first few at bats were amazing. his last few have been failures of epic proportion (no meme intended). presumably any "trend" or "pace" that exists MUST fall somewhere in the middle.

 

Accordingly, his propensity to strike out in the minors, while considerable, was not represented by anything close to 7/10 PA. Nor did he ever OBP .500

Checked the minors for hot bats in the outfield, saw none except a Lorenzo Scott in Jacksonville, and I don't know a thing about him.

He's not really a prospect. And I'm guessing you missed Gaby hitting .382/.400/.500. A rather disgusting 1/8 BB/K though in 34 AB though, but it's early.

 

But, I do agree completely about getting the bench a little more involved. I would like to see Bonifacio and Maybin 'demoted' to 4 day a week players, try not to have them play the same day, let whoever is playing lead off, and let Helms get 3B vs LHP, Amezaga CF vs some RHP, Gload against whoever at 1B and get Cantu at 3B one day a week, and get Carroll a game in RF one day a week. It'll help everybody.

 

Lou I been staying on Sanchez like I always do ,remember all games have been away and their still allot of home cooking umpires and he is very good at selecting pitches most have been call .Marlins have had a great start but they missed the boat by not making the right call ,Sanchez at 1B and Cantu at 3B and Bonifacio in the Bench utility.Sanchez is doing what he has always done put up great #

Bonifacio won the job fair and square, even you can't argue that.

 

Gaby will be up eventually. Hopefully mid-June to delay his arbitration a year.

 

No Lou ,Sanchez was not going to start ,when you play 1 day on 1 day off and they say is your job to lose is not the right way to go about it. Not even Maybin was given that treatment he played 2 days on 1 day off more suited to getting on track and Fredi said he wouldn't judge by spring training but they did. 33 at bats to Bonifacio playing everyday.My opinion FO wanted Bonifacio to win and Cantu wanted to play 1B.and Sanchez had options and your right delay arbitration ,but they didn't do Sanchez any favors $$$.

Look. I wanted Gaby, I still want Gaby, but he played like absolute sh*t for after Fredi Gonzalez himself said that it was most likely Gaby's job.

No one's saying Bonifacio is perfect. There's things he could work on. However, as a leadoff hitter, the ultimate goal should be a good OBP. If changes in his approach/swing/etc. result in fewer strikeouts and a bad OBP, then that would be terrible. The last thing you want to do with a unique talent is push them through some rigid mold.

 

Except that if he keeps striking out, he has no OBP skills to speak of that he's shown (in the majors or minors). He's going to need to hit .340 at this pace to put up a good OBP.

 

He's put together .360-.370 OBP seasons as his recent minor league career. He draws walks about 7.5% of the time which is worth 50ish walks over a full season leading off and .075 more OBP than BA (math!) So .275 BA is .350 OBP (give or take)