In the P-I today, Betancourt is being looked at to hit second. Strange. Let's put a free-swinging, low-OBP, light hitting guy right up at the top of the order. But, it gets better:
Willie Bloomquist, who batted second Wednesday night against Kansas City in Surprise, Ariz., might be the man -- if he winds up as the starting second baseman.
The fact that Bloomquist is even being considered for either of those spots (batting second and playing second) is alarming. I think Willie Ballgame is a good guy to have come off the bench with his defensive versatility and good baserunning skills. But, take a look at his numbers while batting 2nd from last year. (You have to scroll down a bit, but in 118 ABs he hit .264/.280/.364 with 20 strikeouts and 3 walks. By the way, who knew Willie went to ASU?) I had forgotten how often Hargrove had put Bloomquist in the 2 hole. That's where he had the bulk of his ABs last year. Now, take a look at Reed's numbers. Hitting second he was .226/.310/.310 with 23 strikeouts and 19 walks in 155 ABs. Not very good, but that OBP and walk rate is more of what you'd like to see out of your #2 hitter. (Interestingly enough, Reed seemed to have the most success hitting 6th last year.) Plus, Reed is a lefty, is younger, and is basically a better hitter. 2005 was his first full year in the bigs, so I think it's fair to say he should improve.
The Betancourt idea is odd, but the Bloomquist idea makes even less sense. Is Lopez really that lazy? Is Hargrove really that obsessed with Willie? I'm not a Bloomquist hater, but come on.
Ugh.
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here is another confusing story:
ReplyDeletehttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2002880679_marinotes22.html
i guess you want to play the guy you just traded for - but hasn't borchard shown that he isn't really all that good?
Oh wow he was that Stanford QB? I don't really get that quote from the scout about getting left-hander. Thornton was absolutely terrible, so what difference does it make that he was a lefty? Stupid.
ReplyDeleteBut, yeah Borchard who knows what to expect from him. I guess since Lawton is out it makes some sense to at least give him a shot.
Borchard needed a change ,I guess..if he does anything during Lawton's 10 day hiatus,it may pan out.. but a 504' Home Run in New Comiskey ( I hate Cellular Field as a name) is his only claim to fame..what about Grover's musings about hitting Ichiro third ( as he did in WBC )--Hargrove was pretty clear he wouldn't even think any more about it unless he and Ichiro talked//
ReplyDeletehave a great Spring Training trip you MAriner Faithful