SB Nation User Blog: tallyray

Carlos Pena since the injury..

tallyray — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:49:37 -0000

Carlos Pena since the injury..

Someone in the GDT was talking about how his numbers compared to other MVP candidates since he came back from injury. Above is the link to the stats since. I'd say Pena is top-5 in the AL behind:

1. Carlos Quentin
2. Kevin Youkilis
3. Dustin Pedroia
4. Grady Sizemore

Aubrey and Mora are just rotting in Baltimore. Dye is crushing the ball but is lost behind Quentin.

I don't think Pena finishes top-10, but he's been pretty great since coming back.

Stark: Blake to Dodgers very close

tallyray — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:04:17 -0000

Jason Stark on ESPN is reporting that Blake to the Dodgers for Carlos Santana and Jon Meloan is almost a done deal.

If it happens, which seems like it will, it makes a Rays trade less likely. The highly rumored names are now gone and it seems that any trade that does happen will come from no where. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but does eliminate a lot of the past rumors.

FWIW, Sickles ranked Meloan as the Dodgers #5 and a B prospect, Santana wasn't ranked but looks to be having a good year.

Link

Does Upton think he's Wade Boggs?

tallyray — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:14:02 -0000

A couple years ago I read an article by Bill Simmons talking about Wade Boggs' and Jim Rice's candidacy for the Hall of Fame. Sports Guy basically said that Jim Rice was always remembered for getting the big hit and Wade was disliked for having no problem walking in the same situation.

This came to mind when thinking about B.J. this season. A day doesn't go by when I read something about how Upton isn't having a good (or great year). How he isn't playing up to last year and really needs to improve. Everytime I try to understand it and I just never can.

BJ is hitting .284/.397/.424 and .308/.467/.415 with RISP. Sure he isn't hitting for the power he did last year but he sure isn't playing poorly.

What does stick out, and what always seems to stick out in the minds of fans, is that BJ really doesn't have the game changing at bats. He isn't one to get the big hit. I immediately thought of the Wade Boggs commentary. Is B.J. our Wade Boggs? At least in those terms.

The numbers say so. Upton has 21 non-intentional walks in 90 plate appearances with RISP. That's a BB in every 4 PAs or a walk 23% of the time. That's the best in baseball with players having 75 PA with RISP. Removing HBP, the top five are:

1. B.J. Upton - 24.14%

2. Brian Giles - 23.38%

3. Lyle Overbay - 23.29%

4. Chipper Jones -22.86%

5. Milton Bradley - 22.39%

What does this all mean? Probably nothing. But it could also mean a few things:

- Upton tightens up with RISP. His walk rate goes from about 16% to 24%. He makes the pitcher come to him or he doesn't swing.

- His RBI totals will be down. If he doesn't swing with RISP than he won't drive in the runs.

- The hitters behind him will have more opportunities with RISP. As the batters behind him start to hit better the teams runs scored should continue to rise.

- He will always be a tough person to judge. Is he selfish or is he a team player? Does he not want the glory of the RBI or is he trying to keep his stats up by not offering at anything he doesn't like?

I guess this is one of many things that makes him unique and one of many things that will alter the judgment of him.

One last thing, Wade Boggs walked in about 15% of these situations, so he has nothing on BJ.