David DeJesus & Gil Meche Push the Royals Ever Closer to Fourth Place
by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 12:02 AM EDT
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49 comments
Live from Danbury CT...
The Royals have caught the Tigers at 71 wins, thanks in part to strong efforts from David DeJesus (is it just me or has he been invisible for three months? honestly, it may just be me) and The Epic.
DeJesus banged out four hits, including a double and a triple (in other words, a season of Joey Gathright) and scored two glorious runs. As for Meche, his stat line doesn't leap off the page -- 6 IP, 4 Hs, 2 BBS, 4 Ks -- but he kept runs off the board with typical Mechean inefficiency (95 pitches through six). Meche grabbed his 13th win, which would have impressed Cy Young voters two months ago. So hurray for that.
Hurray!
Finally, honorable mentions of praise must be handed to Jose Guillen -- my favorite Royal -- whose WPA on the night was second behind DeJesus in the lineup, as well as Ram-Ram.
ps- Are the Tigers set to play 162? How are they two games behind the Royals in games played with less than a week to go?
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The Tigers probably have a rainout that won't get made up
Which could help the Royals take 4th place by a 1/2 game.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 12:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's exactly it
The Tigers and White Sox lost a game because of all the rain in Chicago two weekends ago. (Even an attempt at a doubleheader got rained out.)
Neither team shared an off-day for the rest of the schedule, so that lost game only gets made up after the season if it’s needed to help determine the AL Central race.
by Ian Casselberry on Sep 23, 2008 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
was that meche's final start?
anyone seen anything?
i guess at this pt 1 more start doesnt mean anything, but still…
mileage is mileage, and i would have shut him down a week ago
by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I saw something
Robinson Tejeda was in the dugout for this game, not the bullpen. So if he’s off the table for bullpen duty, that must mean he’s in the rotation. My guess is he starts the final game of the season in Meche’s place.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tejeda is hurt
He wasn’t available to pitch. In fact he might be done for the season.
Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.
by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoops
There goes that theory.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that it would be an awful idea if Tejeda was available
Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.
by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope they end up going with the committee of relievers pitching two innings a piece
Unfortunately it will have something to do with whether the Twins are still in contention. Because “doing things the right way” supposedly requires playing all of your regulars when you are playing teams in a playoff hunt. Another piece of baseball tradition bullshit.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if he's going to pitch
I’d rather he do it on Saturday…national TV. It’d be kind of embarrassing sending out Ducky (sorry Ducky fans) out there for national audience…
I don’t think it’s a huge deal anyways, he’s going to end up with less innings than last year. If we were gonna shut anyone down, it should have been Zack.
Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.
by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Zack should have already gone on the special “Gathright-Callaspo DL.” The DL for sucking, drinking and driving, and getting re-signed.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ducky fans are mostly sarcastic about it, so we will live.
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DeJesus Splits:
March/April: .333/.404/.467
May: .272/.317/.377
June: .361/.431/.608
July: .260/.321/.400
August: .247/.301/.299
September: 364/.407/.519
by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
3 excellent months
2 very bad months
1 below average month
Those good months were so good that he’s having another one of his very good seasons (for a CFer).
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was all ready to do a "Is DeJesus the New Paul LoDuca?" post
but his Sept #s belie that theory
by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or do they not belie it
I can’t remember how belie works
by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
David got lucky
Looks like his September streak has saved him from being the subject of one of your patented “this player/team/manager/GM may look good, but he/it/they really aren’t so good” posts.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
David ruuuuuuules.
Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.
by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DDJ is the Ramon Ramirez of Royals position players
I mean, it’s only his third season in the last four he’s hit like this… it can’t possibly be sustainable.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And, no that subject line and the content are not connected
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade DJ now!!!!
Gathright is ready to play everyday!
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Sep 23, 2008 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade DJ
when he gives quotes like this?
"Somehow, he’s shoved it up our butts all year long," DeJesus said. "So it was good to get on him early. I think we needed to get on him early."
Don't Stop Believing!
by KC Chris on Sep 23, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty much positive this needs to be the blog header for the rest of the season
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SPRING BREAK WOOOOOO
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Sep 23, 2008 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Official Spring Break Wooooo Picture of Royals Review™
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
callaspo
just wanted to throw out some props to this dude, he’s been AWESOME ever since returning to the team.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?share=1&n1=callaal01&year=2008&t=b#122:149:sum
.337/.383/.439 good enough for ya? With a measly FOUR strikeouts in that span?
And before someone points out is .335 BABIP, his LD% is pushing 26%. The guy has sick strike zone judgment and sprays line drives everywhere. I really hope he is our 2B next year.
Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.
by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 1:54 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Yes
I am firmly in the anti-furcal camp. Lets some Guillen salary and go after Pat the bat.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
by wildthang on Sep 23, 2008 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have my vote
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Sep 23, 2008 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't get your hopes up
we all know how much Dayton can’t stand bad defense in the outfield
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or
Base clogging walks and rally killing home runs.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Sep 23, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope everyone recognized the sarcasm
Sometimes Moore’s reputation does not square with his record.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
.822?
That’s just sick.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
by jonfmorse on Sep 23, 2008 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no kidding
Don’t want to get ahead of myself here, but if he can keep up his LD% at this ridiculous rate, i really so no reason why he can’t compete for the batting title. Can’t believe I might be saying this, but offensively — Callaspo > Aviles. Truth.
Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.
by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't go that far
Callaspo has better plate discipline and draws walks. And they both do a very good job of making contact. But Aviles has a lot more power. Callaspo has quite a way to go before I’ll say that he’s a better hitter than Aviles.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 4:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw that LD%. I wonder if it’s sustainable? If it is, I’d bet (a small amount of) money he’ll OPS higher than Aviles next year. I’m not sure it is. But this has been a nice harbinger, though. Not counting September callups, Alberto’s second-half OPS is second on the team to Alex’s.
Nice to see Alex have some hard hits against lefties the last few days.
Some oh-so-scientific OPS projections for next year:
Aviles: .720-.780 (downside .700, upside a bit over .800)
Callaspo: .700-.760 (downside .670, upside .780)
Gordon: .815-875 (downside .800, upside .900)
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
LD%
While possible, Callaspo’s 25% LD% is probably not sustainable at quite that rate. The majority of hitters top off around 23-24% over time. Most years, a few players finish around 27% , and a handful of hitters (including Todd Helton, Freddie Sanchez, Mike Young, Mark Loretta) have maintained an average around 25-26% over the last seven years (which is as far back as the readily available BIS batted ball data goes).
Even if Callaspo’s LD% slides back to the 23% range, and considering his solid walk rate and his extremely low strike out rate, he would still be expected to hit 300 BA/350 OBP on a consistent basis. The lack of power and speed limits his ceiling, but if he can nudge his ISOP up to .100 — given his minor league numbers and the fact that hitters tend to add power as they age, that is not an unreasonable expectation — he could be an above average 2B with the bat.
PS Why does this site hate the percent symbol?
by Gopherballs on Sep 23, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two comments
I know batting order is relatively unimportant, but I still would like to see Trey acknowledge Callaspo’s skill set by putting him at leadoff instead of 8th or 9th.
On Gil Meche – yes, he has “only” 13 wins, but I’ll bet you all don’t know this: he has had 6 different times where he left the game in position to win, only to have the bullpen blow a save. (Twice by Soria, twice by Tomko, and once each by Nunez & Yabuta). I know wins aren’t an important measurement of a pitcher, and I know you can’t expect the bullpen to be perfect, but still want to point out he could have been close to a 20 game winner this season with just a bit more luck. I would have to say he is DEFINITELY two-fifths of the way towards earning every single dollar (and then some) of that contract.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 23, 2008 10:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Although,
it isn’t really a discussion that matters too much, I’d argue that he has already lived up to the contract. In today’s market, he seems like a steal to me, and the help it has hopefully given to our reputation as a FA player is something that needs to be taken into account too.
I’d say the only way that it won’t be lived up to, is if Meche comes out and has a +5 ERA over the entire season next year. It’s hard to see that happening, but one never knows in this crazy game.
by I need more Esteban on Sep 23, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It'd be nice...
…to overtake the high-priced, over-rated, jerk Tigers. Then again, someone might use that logic to keep our spending low.
DDJ for Royals offensive MVP? Will he be our player of the year? Or Aviles? – TL
by timlacy on Sep 23, 2008 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
AVILANCHE
I was thinking DDJ because he had a slight edge in VORP. But Aviles is back on top as of the moment’s rankings, and he also came up later in the year. He was a real “boost,” even if that is subjective. At the risk of starting another shouting match, I’d also guess, without having access to the better defensive stats, that his defense reads as better than DDJ’s.
DDJ is a fav, but so is Aviles. Yeah, Aviles numbers have a good percentage of luck in them, but given that he’ll probably never be this good again, and was a real bright spot in an tough season, I say give it to him. I’m sure he’ll be honored to know I think that.
AVILANCHE
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you, but...
…maybe the real question is who will win these awards:
1. Example Extraordinaire of Grit?
2. Trey’s Pet?
3. Longest Stay In Trey’s Doghouse?
4. Most Insulting to the Fans?
5. The New Sweeney?
6. Biggest Bust?
7. Most Underutilized Position Player?
8. Most Underutilized Pitcher?
9. Most Overused Position Player?
10. Most Oversued Pitcher?
I’m sure that others will think of more. – TL
by timlacy on Sep 23, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1. Example Extraordinaire of Grit? Grudzielanek
2. Trey’s Pet? Gload
3. Longest Stay In Trey’s Doghouse? Gobble
4. Most Insulting to the Fans? Guillen
5. The New Sweeney? Teahen
6. Biggest Bust? Bannister/Tomko
7. Most Underutilized Position Player? Aviles
8. Most Underutilized Pitcher? Soria
9. Most Overused Position Player? TPJ
10. Most Oversued Pitcher? Yabuta?
It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.
by kcscoliny on Sep 23, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd give it to DDJ
DeJesus has done this over the course of a full year. When the season ends, Aviles will have played for 4 months. And Aviles’s numbers have dropped every month (which is more than a little troubling to me).
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 23, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was my thought
I was going strictly by VORP, though, which is pretty impressive, if you think about it. I know it’s over a shorter stretch, but it’s sort of like the A-Rod (or any other “unclutch” player) thing. “Sure, he got good number, but they were all in April and May!” (I’m not pointing to a specific, season, just coming up with a hypothetical example0. Well, statistically, it all counts the same — I’m sure he didn’t plan it that way.
Teahen, on the other hand, deliberately plans to only be good in September in order to kill the Royals’ season while padding his stats. He should be fined and/or cut.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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