1. As to the impact of his hamstring injury, was there a difference in his steal attempts before vs. after?
2. Perez was unable to play for several weeks due to his thumb injury and so was not hitting after Witt in the line up. Did this have an effect on Witt’s hitting numbers?
1. He was 20 for 23 before in 91 games before it and 10 for 14 in 59 games after. Not that different. But being able to run and having a strong base to drive the ball are different. Plus, I worry about him compensating early on after returning.
2. Salvy came back to the lineup right when Witt came back from the hamstring injury. Witt actually hit quite well with Salvy out.
3. I have no idea. I haven’t heard anything that would make me worry long-term.
I think Witt is a 3rd baseman. He erratic at short at best. His arm is more suited at third and I think it's actually too strong for a shortstop. He looks like he'll be a good rbi guy but I don't think he'll ever have a good obp. He just swings at too many bad pitches. I know he'll improve but I don't think he'll improve that much. He came to the majors with top credentials. I still think Lopez is a good shortstop if they'll leave him alone. Last year they sent him down for mondesi. He get hurt. They bring him back and he hits 300 and plays a gold glove caliber shortstop. This year, after being one of the best shortstops in the game they move him to second and bat him ninth. The guy take walks and doesn't strike out that much and they move him down for guys that can't hit and strike out all the time. No wonder he had an off year. That has to mess with his head. Put him at short, bat him first and leave him alone. This kind of stuff has happened all thru out baseball history. Teams will pass over a guys for someone they think is better and eventually he'll get moved to a team who believes in him and he'll have a great career. Look at Freddie Patek and hal McCrea. He's too good a hitter to be a bench player. A guy who walks and doesn't strikeout does not belong on the bench. This team is full of guys who can't get on base. Tell Lopez that you're my guy and let him play
As usual, excellent insight! One thing I notice watching games, was the number of hits that seemed to be coming later in games. What were his stats by plate appearances? I remember hitting streaks being extended in late innings.
I agree that 3rd is probably the way to go, but it sure is nice, having a player with his ability and versatility. Even the best go from highlight reel to oops now and then.
That's a good observation. His first time against a starter, he hit .196/.243/.341. After that, it was .271/.300/.471. He also hit .275/.323/.441 against relievers, which is obviously later in games generally. I'm not really sure if there's any one particular reason for that, but it's interesting.
I have a crazy idea since I’ve seen some arb numbers flying around. I’ve seen people going back and forth on some players and arb numbers. For example, Keller $7m, Lopez $3m, Garrett $3m, Mondesi $3m….why don’t we just not tender these guys and spend that 16-20 million next year on an actual good starting pitcher?? Seems like one mid tier starter at $16m a year would be just as valuable as all these guys next year. Why don’t they just do that? Lol
Totally agree. Instead of bringing back average to below average players…just spend that money on locking up a potential all-star for longer or spend it getting a better player than any of those guys. I’m a little baffled by it….like we think these arb players are better than they are a little bit?
I mean there's quite a bit more to it than that. You still need a utility infielder. Lopez can be that (or Mondesi, I suppose). It's nice to have a lefty in the bullpen who holds lefties to a .106 average. For $3 million, that's very reasonable. Doing spreadsheet math, it's easy. There are still roster spots and needs to fill as well. It's a much bigger conversation than this.
There is. I totally understand what you are saying. They probably CANT, just not bring everyone back. But bring up Garcia to be the utility infielder, if Spier, Misiewicz, or Lovelady can’t be what Garrett is then why do we have them (5+ career era). By to Keller and replace him with buying a better pitcher. I’m not actually sure its that much spreadsheet math. They have plenty of money and I don’t think that is that big of a stretch to actually improve the team. I know what you are saying and it takes away depth. But I kinda think it is if you are that high on Garcia. Keep one of Mondesi or Lopez…sure. Cut Weaver and O’Hearn instead to make up for it. How would the young guys they bring up to replace them be that much worse? I think there is legitimately a shot at not bringing these most of these guys back and bringing in a pretty good arm OR….Signing Witt/Vinny instead. I know what you are saying….But I think the roster spots can be filled. Anyway, thanks for the convo and letting me get that out there! Lol
I think this is a larger discussion and there's probably a better place for it than on a long article about Bobby Witt Jr., but there's also the idea with someone like Garcia, for example, that his development is more important than saving $3 million on a utility infielder and having him sit on the bench for 70% of the team's games. I'm not saying just keep everyone and call it a day. It's just not as simple as it probably seems on paper.
Three questions:
1. As to the impact of his hamstring injury, was there a difference in his steal attempts before vs. after?
2. Perez was unable to play for several weeks due to his thumb injury and so was not hitting after Witt in the line up. Did this have an effect on Witt’s hitting numbers?
3. Does Witt have any obvious holes in his swing?
1. He was 20 for 23 before in 91 games before it and 10 for 14 in 59 games after. Not that different. But being able to run and having a strong base to drive the ball are different. Plus, I worry about him compensating early on after returning.
2. Salvy came back to the lineup right when Witt came back from the hamstring injury. Witt actually hit quite well with Salvy out.
3. I have no idea. I haven’t heard anything that would make me worry long-term.
I think Witt is a 3rd baseman. He erratic at short at best. His arm is more suited at third and I think it's actually too strong for a shortstop. He looks like he'll be a good rbi guy but I don't think he'll ever have a good obp. He just swings at too many bad pitches. I know he'll improve but I don't think he'll improve that much. He came to the majors with top credentials. I still think Lopez is a good shortstop if they'll leave him alone. Last year they sent him down for mondesi. He get hurt. They bring him back and he hits 300 and plays a gold glove caliber shortstop. This year, after being one of the best shortstops in the game they move him to second and bat him ninth. The guy take walks and doesn't strike out that much and they move him down for guys that can't hit and strike out all the time. No wonder he had an off year. That has to mess with his head. Put him at short, bat him first and leave him alone. This kind of stuff has happened all thru out baseball history. Teams will pass over a guys for someone they think is better and eventually he'll get moved to a team who believes in him and he'll have a great career. Look at Freddie Patek and hal McCrea. He's too good a hitter to be a bench player. A guy who walks and doesn't strikeout does not belong on the bench. This team is full of guys who can't get on base. Tell Lopez that you're my guy and let him play
As usual, excellent insight! One thing I notice watching games, was the number of hits that seemed to be coming later in games. What were his stats by plate appearances? I remember hitting streaks being extended in late innings.
I agree that 3rd is probably the way to go, but it sure is nice, having a player with his ability and versatility. Even the best go from highlight reel to oops now and then.
That's a good observation. His first time against a starter, he hit .196/.243/.341. After that, it was .271/.300/.471. He also hit .275/.323/.441 against relievers, which is obviously later in games generally. I'm not really sure if there's any one particular reason for that, but it's interesting.
I have a crazy idea since I’ve seen some arb numbers flying around. I’ve seen people going back and forth on some players and arb numbers. For example, Keller $7m, Lopez $3m, Garrett $3m, Mondesi $3m….why don’t we just not tender these guys and spend that 16-20 million next year on an actual good starting pitcher?? Seems like one mid tier starter at $16m a year would be just as valuable as all these guys next year. Why don’t they just do that? Lol
Or they could spend it on getting guys like Witt locked up long-term so they don't have to try to win a tight window before losing guys.
Totally agree. Instead of bringing back average to below average players…just spend that money on locking up a potential all-star for longer or spend it getting a better player than any of those guys. I’m a little baffled by it….like we think these arb players are better than they are a little bit?
I mean there's quite a bit more to it than that. You still need a utility infielder. Lopez can be that (or Mondesi, I suppose). It's nice to have a lefty in the bullpen who holds lefties to a .106 average. For $3 million, that's very reasonable. Doing spreadsheet math, it's easy. There are still roster spots and needs to fill as well. It's a much bigger conversation than this.
There is. I totally understand what you are saying. They probably CANT, just not bring everyone back. But bring up Garcia to be the utility infielder, if Spier, Misiewicz, or Lovelady can’t be what Garrett is then why do we have them (5+ career era). By to Keller and replace him with buying a better pitcher. I’m not actually sure its that much spreadsheet math. They have plenty of money and I don’t think that is that big of a stretch to actually improve the team. I know what you are saying and it takes away depth. But I kinda think it is if you are that high on Garcia. Keep one of Mondesi or Lopez…sure. Cut Weaver and O’Hearn instead to make up for it. How would the young guys they bring up to replace them be that much worse? I think there is legitimately a shot at not bringing these most of these guys back and bringing in a pretty good arm OR….Signing Witt/Vinny instead. I know what you are saying….But I think the roster spots can be filled. Anyway, thanks for the convo and letting me get that out there! Lol
I think this is a larger discussion and there's probably a better place for it than on a long article about Bobby Witt Jr., but there's also the idea with someone like Garcia, for example, that his development is more important than saving $3 million on a utility infielder and having him sit on the bench for 70% of the team's games. I'm not saying just keep everyone and call it a day. It's just not as simple as it probably seems on paper.
A rookie season. George Brett's first full season:
1974 21 Royals 133 457 49 129 21 5 2 0 47 21 3 38 6 2