I vote for Ricky Nolasco....We needed a good outing from him

Hopefully the beginning of a nice run. If Coghlan can bat like that in the leadoff or second spot, then sweet.

Uggla's has gotten a lot of hard hits this year, they just have seemed to go into the wrong spot. One bad month and he's now trade bait? Jesus. Just wait until we see Coughlan on a slump, and trust me he will get on one. Let's not jump on our players immediately, Uggla won't be traded unless we are fighting with the Nats for the cellar of the NL East, if we are still in contention, Coughlan most likely takes the OF for the season until Maybin may be ready to return. Uggla won't be traded if we are in 1st or 2nd, period.

Uggla's has gotten a lot of hard hits this year, they just have seemed to go into the wrong spot. One bad month and he's now trade bait? Jesus. Just wait until we see Coughlan on a slump, and trust me he will get on one. Let's not jump on our players immediately, Uggla won't be traded unless we are fighting with the Nats for the cellar of the NL East, if we are still in contention, Coughlan most likely takes the OF for the season until Maybin may be ready to return. Uggla won't be traded if we are in 1st or 2nd, period.

Exactly, Uggla will get it going soon, he is hitting much better than his average shows

does anyone think that if coghlan as a couple more good games that uggla move over to 3rd and boni gets benched?

Coghlan would be the one to move to 3B, since that's his natural position.

 

If that were to happen, it's a ways down the road. Last couple weeks Boni has cut way down on the Ks and has looked more comfortable at the plate. Stellar defense. I would like to see him work on his bunting alot more tho. Use that speed to "steal" 1B. Speed, defense, pitching, and cut down on the Ks. He's fitting 3 of those off season requirements. People may want him to fail because he beat out a board fav this ST, but the team will be very patient in his learning curve. He's making contact and is saving runs with that glove.

 

Chris is being groomed as our 2B. He may see some time relieving in the OF tho. He came up and had a good game and now alot of folks have him as the answer. He's not. Let's see what he does once teams know how to handle him. Has no one learned anything this season? And if anyone spells Boni at 3B it will be Helms. Gotta get him some starts in. In any case, it wouldn't be a bad idea for Boni to sit a day and get some extended one on one time with Presley to work on a couple things. Bunting, for one.

 

Just an opinion. We shall see.

He's "stolen first" a few times this year, so yeah, he's fast. His defense hasn't been that "stellar" as much as a bit above average while looking really pretty with much help off picks from Cantu at 1st. But that's ok, nothing wrong with average to a bit above average defense.

 

And how you can consider the man with the second most Ks on the team as fitting "cutting down on Ks" I will never know.

 

Now to the "he's been looking more comfortable" that so many have been saying:

 

Last 7 games: .218/.228/.218 with 6 K and 1 BB.

Previous 7 games: .200/.314/.233 with 10 K and 5 BB.

 

He's actually done worse at the only thing a leadoff hitter needs to do, get on base. His BB/K has gone from 1/2 to 1/6. As you noted, he's struck out less, and that's been done with somehow making contact with almost everything near the zone. And while that doesn't come anywhere close to making it impossible to get out, it makes it almost impossible to draw a walk.

 

So yes, he's looked more comfortable while failing, as someone else put it. I guess that's better than looking tense while failing.

 

So, he fits 2 of those 4 off season requirements, he's fast and he's not a bad fielder. And he can't use his speed because he's never on-base to steal anything, shown by him only having 1 SB and 2 CS in the last 14 games.

 

Oh, and Fredi mentioned that Coghlan will indeed get some starts at 3rd, in addition to LF and 2B. So expect to see someone at 3rd besides Boni and Helms.

 

You're looking at overall stats and not at what he has been doing as of late. He's shown improvement. And that is what the team looks for in a rookie, even a rookie that dosen't legally fit the definition. And yes, looking comfortable at the plate is important.

 

But let's look at it. Last 10 games by Boni..9 Ks in 45 ABs, Jeremy is 11 in 32, Cody is 12 in 39, and Baker is 9 in 37. Let's spread the bashing around. Because it does belong just about every where. And CS twice? Actually only once, the ump totally blew that call.

 

Guys like Uggla can hit the ball hard and right at players and everyone says that's okay. He's just been unlucky for a month and a half. Guys, especially rookies, that beat out board favs for a job do it, and he's crap. Funny how that works.

 

Patience my friend. You ask for that for one (or more) of your fav players. Fair is fair.

does anyone think that if coghlan as a couple more good games that uggla move over to 3rd and boni gets benched?

Coghlan would be the one to move to 3B, since that's his natural position.

 

If that were to happen, it's a ways down the road. Last couple weeks Boni has cut way down on the Ks and has looked more comfortable at the plate. Stellar defense. I would like to see him work on his bunting alot more tho. Use that speed to "steal" 1B. Speed, defense, pitching, and cut down on the Ks. He's fitting 3 of those off season requirements. People may want him to fail because he beat out a board fav this ST, but the team will be very patient in his learning curve. He's making contact and is saving runs with that glove.

 

Chris is being groomed as our 2B. He may see some time relieving in the OF tho. He came up and had a good game and now alot of folks have him as the answer. He's not. Let's see what he does once teams know how to handle him. Has no one learned anything this season? And if anyone spells Boni at 3B it will be Helms. Gotta get him some starts in. In any case, it wouldn't be a bad idea for Boni to sit a day and get some extended one on one time with Presley to work on a couple things. Bunting, for one.

 

Just an opinion. We shall see.

He's "stolen first" a few times this year, so yeah, he's fast. His defense hasn't been that "stellar" as much as a bit above average while looking really pretty with much help off picks from Cantu at 1st. But that's ok, nothing wrong with average to a bit above average defense.

 

And how you can consider the man with the second most Ks on the team as fitting "cutting down on Ks" I will never know.

 

Now to the "he's been looking more comfortable" that so many have been saying:

 

Last 7 games: .218/.228/.218 with 6 K and 1 BB.

Previous 7 games: .200/.314/.233 with 10 K and 5 BB.

 

He's actually done worse at the only thing a leadoff hitter needs to do, get on base. His BB/K has gone from 1/2 to 1/6. As you noted, he's struck out less, and that's been done with somehow making contact with almost everything near the zone. And while that doesn't come anywhere close to making it impossible to get out, it makes it almost impossible to draw a walk.

 

So yes, he's looked more comfortable while failing, as someone else put it. I guess that's better than looking tense while failing.

 

So, he fits 2 of those 4 off season requirements, he's fast and he's not a bad fielder. And he can't use his speed because he's never on-base to steal anything, shown by him only having 1 SB and 2 CS in the last 14 games.

 

Oh, and Fredi mentioned that Coghlan will indeed get some starts at 3rd, in addition to LF and 2B. So expect to see someone at 3rd besides Boni and Helms.

 

You're looking at overall stats and not at what he has been doing as of late. He's shown improvement. And that is what the team looks for in a rookie, even a rookie that dosen't legally fit the definition. And yes, looking comfortable at the plate is important.

 

But let's look at it. Last 10 games by Boni..9 Ks in 45 ABs, Jeremy is 11 in 32, Cody is 12 in 39, and Baker is 9 in 37. Let's spread the bashing around. Because it does belong just about every where. And CS twice? Actually only once, the ump totally blew that call.

 

Guys like Uggla can hit the ball hard and right at players and everyone says that's okay. He's just been unlucky for a month and a half. Guys, especially rookies, that beat out board favs for a job do it, and he's crap. Funny how that works.

 

Patience my friend. You ask for that for one (or more) of your fav players. Fair is fair.

How is looking at the last 7 and last 14 games not looking at what he's been doing as of late. He hasn't actually shown improvement, only improvement at swinging at everything and making some contact. At least before he would take a pitch, walk slighty higher and get on base more. Now he's just managed to hit that horrific ball that he would either miss or take before.

 

You think it's an improvement when you get on-base over 30% less than the previous week? Bob, there is no way you think that, because you've seen a game of baseball before.

 

You say he has beat a board favorite, and yes he has. Barely, and only because that board favorite is playing really really really bad. That doesn't make him good.

does anyone think that if coghlan as a couple more good games that uggla move over to 3rd and boni gets benched?

Coghlan would be the one to move to 3B, since that's his natural position.

 

If that were to happen, it's a ways down the road. Last couple weeks Boni has cut way down on the Ks and has looked more comfortable at the plate. Stellar defense. I would like to see him work on his bunting alot more tho. Use that speed to "steal" 1B. Speed, defense, pitching, and cut down on the Ks. He's fitting 3 of those off season requirements. People may want him to fail because he beat out a board fav this ST, but the team will be very patient in his learning curve. He's making contact and is saving runs with that glove.

 

Chris is being groomed as our 2B. He may see some time relieving in the OF tho. He came up and had a good game and now alot of folks have him as the answer. He's not. Let's see what he does once teams know how to handle him. Has no one learned anything this season? And if anyone spells Boni at 3B it will be Helms. Gotta get him some starts in. In any case, it wouldn't be a bad idea for Boni to sit a day and get some extended one on one time with Presley to work on a couple things. Bunting, for one.

 

Just an opinion. We shall see.

He's "stolen first" a few times this year, so yeah, he's fast. His defense hasn't been that "stellar" as much as a bit above average while looking really pretty with much help off picks from Cantu at 1st. But that's ok, nothing wrong with average to a bit above average defense.

 

And how you can consider the man with the second most Ks on the team as fitting "cutting down on Ks" I will never know.

 

Now to the "he's been looking more comfortable" that so many have been saying:

 

Last 7 games: .218/.228/.218 with 6 K and 1 BB.

Previous 7 games: .200/.314/.233 with 10 K and 5 BB.

 

He's actually done worse at the only thing a leadoff hitter needs to do, get on base. His BB/K has gone from 1/2 to 1/6. As you noted, he's struck out less, and that's been done with somehow making contact with almost everything near the zone. And while that doesn't come anywhere close to making it impossible to get out, it makes it almost impossible to draw a walk.

 

So yes, he's looked more comfortable while failing, as someone else put it. I guess that's better than looking tense while failing.

 

So, he fits 2 of those 4 off season requirements, he's fast and he's not a bad fielder. And he can't use his speed because he's never on-base to steal anything, shown by him only having 1 SB and 2 CS in the last 14 games.

 

Oh, and Fredi mentioned that Coghlan will indeed get some starts at 3rd, in addition to LF and 2B. So expect to see someone at 3rd besides Boni and Helms.

 

You're looking at overall stats and not at what he has been doing as of late. He's shown improvement. And that is what the team looks for in a rookie, even a rookie that dosen't legally fit the definition. And yes, looking comfortable at the plate is important.

 

But let's look at it. Last 10 games by Boni..9 Ks in 45 ABs, Jeremy is 11 in 32, Cody is 12 in 39, and Baker is 9 in 37. Let's spread the bashing around. Because it does belong just about every where. And CS twice? Actually only once, the ump totally blew that call.

 

Guys like Uggla can hit the ball hard and right at players and everyone says that's okay. He's just been unlucky for a month and a half. Guys, especially rookies, that beat out board favs for a job do it, and he's crap. Funny how that works.

 

Patience my friend. You ask for that for one (or more) of your fav players. Fair is fair.

 

I must be blind b/c in all fairness, I don't see Bonifacio(ut) hit the ball hard too often, as some are saying.

Uggla has flat out been robbed several times, on the other hand. As a matter of fact, even umpires are taking clear base hits away from him (such as the ball trapped by Cincinnati's LF'er).

How is looking at the last 7 and last 14 games not looking at what he's been doing as of late. He hasn't actually shown improvement, only improvement at swinging at everything and making some contact. At least before he would take a pitch, walk slighty higher and get on base more. Now he's just managed to hit that horrific ball that he would either miss or take before.

 

You think it's an improvement when you get on-base over 30% less than the previous week? Bob, there is no way you think that, because you've seen a game of baseball before.

 

You say he has beat a board favorite, and yes he has. Barely, and only because that board favorite is playing really really really bad. That doesn't make him good.

 

Ya listen to Rich and Tommy and they say the same things I am. Watch how pitchers are adjusting to that swing, and see a difference. The scouts are. He has pretty much stopped swinging at that high fastball out of the zone. They have started to pick up on that and finding a different weakness. He is going to need to keep adjusting to the adjustments. Willingness to learn, hard work, and dedication are 3 things he has on his side. Along with a coaching staff that sees what he is capable of and keeps plugging away teaching.

 

And yes, making contact is far better than K'ing. Regardless what anyone around here says, it is not just another out. K'ing is a wasted AB. And called 3rd strikes are the very worst. Those balls he hits will start finding holes. Just like the ones Uggla is hitting. More so because of the speed he brings. You can't change the thinking just because you have never liked him. And where are we as a team in Ks? Second. He's cut down on his. Unfortunetly others have picked up the "slack." That has to change. Or it will be another reason we will once again be known as the team that kept another team from making the playoffs.

 

But to your credit, I agree with the thought I would like my lead off hitter take more walks. A speedster on base tremendously helps the guys hitting behind him. But he's not that kind of hitter. Plain and simple. We've had this kind of lead off hitter plenty of times in our past. And with this kind of speed, I don't really mind it so much. A little bobble, a double clutch, or whatever and he is on base. Remember when we had guys leading off that led MLB in IF hits?

 

I'm not saying beating out the board fav makes him good. I'm saying beating out the board fav has made him a despised Marlin. Folks are far more willing to ignore the good and concentrate on the bad just to show themselves they were right and everyone else in baseball was wrong. You saying show patience to those guys that are K'ing at a higher rate and yet degrading him at every opportunity shows that. That's not a knock on you, it's human nature. We all do it from time to time.

 

Patience my friend. I can see this discussion bleeding over to the next home stand. LOL Oh well, you know where to find me. :thumbup

And where are we as a team in Ks? Second. He's cut down on his. Unfortunetly others have picked up the "slack."

 

 

I was wrong. We are in first place. This entire offense has got to do alot better. I would be satisfied with middle of the pack.

As a matter of fact, even umpires are taking clear base hits away from him (such as the ball trapped by Cincinnati's LF'er).

 

Off topic, but that call was really PITIFUL. Since MLB has the cameras running and wired to their offices anyway, trap/caught plays (really close calls being fairly rare) might be a good addition to reviewable plays.

How is looking at the last 7 and last 14 games not looking at what he's been doing as of late. He hasn't actually shown improvement, only improvement at swinging at everything and making some contact. At least before he would take a pitch, walk slighty higher and get on base more. Now he's just managed to hit that horrific ball that he would either miss or take before.

 

You think it's an improvement when you get on-base over 30% less than the previous week? Bob, there is no way you think that, because you've seen a game of baseball before.

 

You say he has beat a board favorite, and yes he has. Barely, and only because that board favorite is playing really really really bad. That doesn't make him good.

 

Ya listen to Rich and Tommy and they say the same things I am. Watch how pitchers are adjusting to that swing, and see a difference. The scouts are. He has pretty much stopped swinging at that high fastball out of the zone. They have started to pick up on that and finding a different weakness. He is going to need to keep adjusting to the adjustments. Willingness to learn, hard work, and dedication are 3 things he has on his side. Along with a coaching staff that sees what he is capable of and keeps plugging away teaching.

 

And yes, making contact is far better than K'ing. Regardless what anyone around here says, it is not just another out. K'ing is a wasted AB. And called 3rd strikes are the very worst. Those balls he hits will start finding holes. Just like the ones Uggla is hitting. More so because of the speed he brings. You can't change the thinking just because you have never liked him. And where are we as a team in Ks? Second. He's cut down on his. Unfortunetly others have picked up the "slack." That has to change. Or it will be another reason we will once again be known as the team that kept another team from making the playoffs.

 

But to your credit, I agree with the thought I would like my lead off hitter take more walks. A speedster on base tremendously helps the guys hitting behind him. But he's not that kind of hitter. Plain and simple. We've had this kind of lead off hitter plenty of times in our past. And with this kind of speed, I don't really mind it so much. A little bobble, a double clutch, or whatever and he is on base. Remember when we had guys leading off that led MLB in IF hits?

 

I'm not saying beating out the board fav makes him good. I'm saying beating out the board fav has made him a despised Marlin. Folks are far more willing to ignore the good and concentrate on the bad just to show themselves they were right and everyone else in baseball was wrong. You saying show patience to those guys that are K'ing at a higher rate and yet degrading him at every opportunity shows that. That's not a knock on you, it's human nature. We all do it from time to time.

 

Patience my friend. I can see this discussion bleeding over to the next home stand. LOL Oh well, you know where to find me. :thumbup

Yes, making contact is better than striking out. Not many will deny this. We've gotten a few runs on just that concept, where a SS throws the ball away or a couple LFers just let it drop.

 

But, making contact is not better than striking if you're mostly making bad contact at bad pitches to hit, which leaves you with not only a lower batting average but a lower on-base percentage, and that's what Boni is doing. He's sacrificing the little progress he seemed to be making in patience by just hacking away and hoping to foul off any pitch that is probably just going to roll for a ground out or turn into a pop-up. Juan Pierre was the same way, except that JP, while he was here, was actually good at not hitting bad balls into play for outs. It's the way Boni is going about K'ing less, by making bad contact, that makes me say that he has not improved over the last week or last couple weeks.