April 17, 200917 yr This was just posted on ESPN.com and Buster Olney seems to like what he sees in Bonifacio. Only time will tell if he will make the adjustments, but I would like to see him attempt at least 1 bunt hit per game. http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index...%3dolney_buster Emilio Bonifacio was in Class A and 21 years old, playing for the Lancaster Jethawks, and he earnestly asked his manager a question. "Skip, did you ever play in the big leagues?" Bonifacio inquired. "Yeah, a little bit," said Brett Butler, a veteran of 17 seasons, 2,375 career hits and 558 career steals. "If you listen, I can show you some things that can help you." Bonifacio didn't realize it at the time, but he had more in common with his manager than he realized. He, like Butler, had the ability to set the tone for his lineup with aggressiveness on the bases, and in time, as Butler worked with him when Bonifacio was in the Diamondbacks organization, he became more adept at putting the ball in play and piling pressure on the infielders. But after awhile, Butler came to believe that Bonifacio more closely resembled another speedy young infielder he had once worked with?Jose Reyes. "He has characteristics and a personality that are a lot like Reyes," said Butler, now the manager of the Class AAA Reno Aces. "He transcended all cultures in the clubhouse." "He is teddy-bearish. Everybody loves him. I've never heard a bad word said about Bonifacio." It is evident, as well, that teammates love the energy that Bonifacio generates, with his baserunning arrogance. In 2005, as a 20-year-old, Bonifacio batted .270 in the Midwest League. What Butler wanted Bonifacio to focus on was to put the ball in play, on the ground, rather than looking to drive the ball. He made a rule for Bonifacio: At least once a game, he wanted the middle infielder to attempt a bunt. If Bonifacio didn't drop a bunt on his own in his first three plate appearances, Butler would order him to bunt in his last plate appearance. But little arm-twisting was required, because Bonifacio listened and asked questions and put in the effort to improve, coming out to the ballpark for early work in the middle of the afternoon to bunt from both sides of the plate. If Bonifacio?whose speed is comparable to Reyes's speed, in the eyes of Butler?can get either middle infielder to move, to change position as they try to adapt to how quickly he gets down the line, that can be a great thing for Bonifacio, Butler told him. Some fast runners are afraid of getting thrown out, but Butler found Bonifacio to be overaggressive at times, wanting to run all the time, without enough consideration for the circumstances. But Bonifacio adjusted. Now he has adjusted again, in the aftermath of his trade to the Marlins. Bonifacio was moved to third base at the outset of spring training, as the Marlins tried to find a place for him to hit, and he has thrived early this season, hitting .386, scoring 12 runs in eight games. His speed has been changing games this season, and the Marlins have burst out in front in the NL East, beating the Nationals, Mets and Braves on the way to an 8?1 start. There are talent evaluators who think that eventually, opposing pitchers will stop throwing fastballs over the plate to Bonifacio and will start getting him out by pounding fastballs inside to him, mixing the hard stuff with off-speed stuff away. "When you're in the big leagues, it's the adjustment to the adjustment to the adjustment," said Butler. So the questions linger. When will pitchers adjust, and how long will it take for Bonifacio to adjust to the new way pitchers are working to him. Maybe it started on Thursday, when he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Or maybe not. The Marlins are now 8-1, after thumping the Braves and closing out a sweep, as Joe Capozzi writes.
April 17, 200917 yr Good article... It's going to be interesting. I hope he can start to lay off that high fastball a little more.
April 17, 200917 yr I followed EB almost daily this winter in the DWL and posted here that a couple of times he'd go into these 1-20+ swoons (one started with him going something like 0-9 in a blow-out game that led to like a 2-29 really bad week) but each time he came out of it to hit better than he had before the slump started. I have no idea if he does it this time or not, but there was a pattern of it this past off-season and we'll see how Fredi handles what's going on now.
April 17, 200917 yr I followed EB almost daily this winter in the DWL and posted here that a couple of times he'd go into these 1-20+ swoons (one started with him going something like 0-9 in a blow-out game that led to like a 2-29 really bad week) but each time he came out of it to hit better than he had before the slump started. Great argument to bat him lower in the order. Just like Ross - Feast or Famine.
April 17, 200917 yr I followed EB almost daily this winter in the DWL and posted here that a couple of times he'd go into these 1-20+ swoons (one started with him going something like 0-9 in a blow-out game that led to like a 2-29 really bad week) but each time he came out of it to hit better than he had before the slump started. I have no idea if he does it this time or not, but there was a pattern of it this past off-season and we'll see how Fredi handles what's going on now. Gotta give you props for pointing that out, I do remember you saying that. Hot and cold, which can be frustrating for a lead-off hitter. That fact makes the time-splitting idea even more attractive, whether it's Gaby or Helms vs. LHP, he could use some time off, except when he's on a hot streak. I'm not sure Freddi's willing to be so creative, though, but I hope I'm wrong.
April 17, 200917 yr The only problem with that is he needs to play his way out of it. I can be 100% wrong about this but I wonder if Fredi's pronouncement about 20-30-40 at bats started resonating in his head as he got closer to the end? What I didn't like to see was not being smart about his at bats these past couple of games, swinging really late especially on two strikes and often out of the zone, like "I gotta do something...I better swing..." when the other part of his brain was telling him not to. Indecisive, that's the word I was looking for. edit: I'd also point out that after his last DWL swoon he went on to hit like .350/.400 in his next 70+ at bats. Whether he moves down in the lineup or stays where he is, he needs to play everyday to find out what he's really all about. Look at the swoon Hanley is in, it's just about as bad (and no I am not saying they are equivalent players just a real-time example).
April 17, 200917 yr The man has a hit in all but 2 games. It is time for him to adjust because he was 0fer yesterday? (and was robbed!!!) Pedroia has an out pitch he can't handle also, those types of pitches miss from time to time. Unless everyone thought that he was gonna hit .500 he is doing well. Also, if Butler is a valid comparison, Emilio is at least 3 years ahead of Brett. It is like a bunch of vultures waiting for something to die. Let the guy play and say something when his sample size is relevant. I've watched him extensively and he has a workable approach, lets see if he puts it all together before we pronounce the .386 hitter dead.
April 17, 200917 yr /random but The Cody Ross streak-thing has been thrown out for awhile now since he came here in '06 and I've always wondered if it actually has merit or just stuck on him based off of a one time observation.
April 17, 200917 yr The man has a hit in all but 2 games. It is time for him to adjust because he was 0fer yesterday? (and was robbed!!!) Pedroia has an out pitch he can't handle also, those types of pitches miss from time to time. Unless everyone thought that he was gonna hit .500 he is doing well. Also, if Butler is a valid comparison, Emilio is at least 3 years ahead of Brett. It is like a bunch of vultures waiting for something to die. Let the guy play and say something when his sample size is relevant. I've watched him extensively and he has a workable approach, lets see if he puts it all together before we pronounce the .386 hitter dead. It's one thing when you're slumping, it's another when you whiff in 7 of 10 trips. You're better than this. No one is arguing to bench him completely, just ease him into his role onto the team notwithstanding the torrid start. I don't think Maybin and Bonifacio should be 650 PA players at this point in their careers. More like 450-500 PA and protect them after a rough stretch of games, such as the Marlins giving Maybin a day off before an off day for a nice break, or when Bonifacio can't hit any ball thrown to him at the plate.
April 17, 200917 yr /random but The Cody Ross streak-thing has been thrown out for awhile now since he came here in '06 and I've always wondered if it actually has merit or just stuck on him based off of a one time observation. Looking at his 2008 game logs Mar 31-Apr 10 - 2 hits April 15-April 30 - 2 hits June 9 - June 18 - 4 hits July 21 - Aug 3 - 5 hits May 27-June 1 - 7 hits June 27-July 13 - He had a 17 game hit streak where he had 27 hits, marked by a 4 game stretch with 12 of those July 3-6 Aug 5 - Aug 12 - 9 hits Aug 15-21 - 9 hits Aug 29-Sep 3 - 9 hits Sep 14-18 - 8 hits Everything else was pretty solid day to day baseball. I think the Cody feast/famine thing isn't a myth based off these 10 stretches during the year. It may be slightly over stated, but it's certainly there. Even during the hit streak, he had a feast moment where he just obliterated Colorado and raised his OPS 75 points in 4 games, in the the middle of the season! Those are some pretty long slumps 10+ day slumps as well.
April 17, 200917 yr Brett Butler walked 1129 times in his career and a career .377 OBP. Not having power is not a skill set that you can compare guys with. Just because Castillo and Butler had no power doesn't make them similar to Bonifacio at all.
April 17, 200917 yr The Rise of Emilio Bonifacio and the Fall of Emilio Bonifacio ... all in less than two weeks.
April 17, 200917 yr The Rise of Emilio Bonifacio and the Fall of Emilio Bonifacio ... all in less than two weeks. haha talk about jumping the gun! players get days off, you know, and sometimes it is best for them to come while he is struggling. I only hope you were mostly trying to be funny with that.
April 17, 200917 yr Brett Butler walked 1129 times in his career and a career .377 OBP. Not having power is not a skill set that you can compare guys with. Just because Castillo and Butler had no power doesn't make them similar to Bonifacio at all. Well Bonifacio didn't spend age 23 in A-Ball like Butler either. 7 whiffs when he had been raking his a hangover, nothing else. He'd started to demonstrate an ability to get on base a couple of years ago. .281 / .344 / .393 is completely reasonable for Emilio right now, and that was Butler at 26. Butler was a better contact guy but not as good of a baserunner.
April 17, 200917 yr Brett Butler walked 1129 times in his career and a career .377 OBP. Not having power is not a skill set that you can compare guys with. Just because Castillo and Butler had no power doesn't make them similar to Bonifacio at all. Well Bonifacio didn't spend age 23 in A-Ball like Butler either. 7 whiffs when he had been raking his a hangover, nothing else. He'd started to demonstrate an ability to get on base a couple of years ago. .281 / .344 / .393 is completely reasonable for Emilio right now, and that was Butler at 26. Butler was a better contact guy but not as good of a baserunner. He's demonstrated an ability to get on base as long as he hit over .300. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to hit over .300 though (well, not for more than like a week). Therefor, he has not demonstrated the ability to get on base.
April 17, 200917 yr He's demonstrated an ability to get on base as long as he hit over .300. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to hit over .300 though (well, not for more than like a week). Therefor, he has not demonstrated the ability to get on base. I did indicate a .344 OBP, so that is not like I am talking about OBP greatness.
April 17, 200917 yr He's demonstrated an ability to get on base as long as he hit over .300. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to hit over .300 though (well, not for more than like a week). Therefor, he has not demonstrated the ability to get on base. I did indicate a .344 OBP, so that is not like I am talking about OBP greatness. I was more talking about the first sentence when you said he had demonstrated an ability to get on base before. He hasn't though.
April 17, 200917 yr He's demonstrated an ability to get on base as long as he hit over .300. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to hit over .300 though (well, not for more than like a week). Therefor, he has not demonstrated the ability to get on base. I did indicate a .344 OBP, so that is not like I am talking about OBP greatness. I was more talking about the first sentence when you said he had demonstrated an ability to get on base before. He hasn't though. His OBP the last four seasons in the minors was over .350.
April 17, 200917 yr He's demonstrated an ability to get on base as long as he hit over .300. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to hit over .300 though (well, not for more than like a week). Therefor, he has not demonstrated the ability to get on base. I did indicate a .344 OBP, so that is not like I am talking about OBP greatness. I was more talking about the first sentence when you said he had demonstrated an ability to get on base before. He hasn't though. His OBP the last four seasons in the minors was over .350. No. His OBP was only over .350 once in his minor league career.
April 17, 200917 yr He's demonstrated an ability to get on base as long as he hit over .300. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to hit over .300 though (well, not for more than like a week). Therefor, he has not demonstrated the ability to get on base. I did indicate a .344 OBP, so that is not like I am talking about OBP greatness. I was more talking about the first sentence when you said he had demonstrated an ability to get on base before. He hasn't though. His OBP the last four seasons in the minors was over .350. No. His OBP was only over .350 once in his minor league career. Well Spike if you calculate his OBP from 2005 to 2008 it's over .350. I meant the average for those four seasons.
April 17, 200917 yr No. His OBP was only over .350 once in his minor league career. If by once you mean twice in the last 3 seasons, then yeah.
April 17, 200917 yr 2005 - 341 2006 - 375 2007 - 333 2008 - 361 gee, looks like twice to me and a third is within spitting range
April 17, 200917 yr He's demonstrated an ability to get on base as long as he hit over .300. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to hit over .300 though (well, not for more than like a week). Therefor, he has not demonstrated the ability to get on base. I did indicate a .344 OBP, so that is not like I am talking about OBP greatness. I was more talking about the first sentence when you said he had demonstrated an ability to get on base before. He hasn't though. His OBP the last four seasons in the minors was over .350. Yes, but you're completely missing my point. That's directly connected to his high BA and he hasn't shown the ability to have a high BA in the majors. Therefor, without demonstrating the ability to hit ML pitching, he can't have demonstrated the ability to get on base in the ML.
April 17, 200917 yr He was a stupid waste of a draft pick everyone said. He's going to barely hit .250 they said. Now there offering guys like Magglio and Beckett for him i love it Keep proving everyone wrong bonerface
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.