Middle Infielder's 2008 Isolated Power Rankings
- Aviles .155
- The Kaiser .093
- Callaspo .066
- Pena .040
- Bloomquist .006
9 months ago
James Quinn
38 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
At the risk of being banned from the site:
Jason Smith’s Isolated Power percentage from 257 career MLB games:
.156
Of all the middle infielders in the organization, Smith is the poppyist.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget
Teahen at .147
Don't Stop Believing!
by KC Chris on Feb 13, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Teahen starting at second base
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I’d love it to happen, but if just seems much too radical for the Royals’ brain trust. Even if Teahen fields the position sorta well, in my heart I still know that when it comes down to filling out the lineup card Hillman will still find some reason to write “Bloomquist” or “Pena” before “Teahen.”
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well, he won't write TPJ in at second.
In reality, 2-3 of these guys could be gone before the end of ST. Especially if Teahen can play a passable 2B. All the quotes from Hillman seem to indicate that he’d love to have Teahen at 2B. I imagine Teahen’s the kind of guy the Hillman likes.
Don't Stop Believing!
by KC Chris on Feb 13, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know I am too cynical.
Truth is, I would rather see Butler or Guillen playing short instead of Bloomquist or Pena. No joke.
In truth, I am fine with Aviles at SS and Callaspo at 2B to start the season. And German is a fine back up. I just do not want to see a single at bat going to Pena or Bloomquist ever. And I am afraid that somehow Hillman will find a way to send those two to the dish around 300 times between them next year.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I understand
Fortunately for me, I see TPJ as one of the roster crunch casualties. And I’m going to keep telling myself that until OD!
Don't Stop Believing!
by KC Chris on Feb 13, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he's still around after Opening Day,
I might have a big bonfire and burn all of my Royals gear.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
by Warden11 on Feb 13, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
but overall, this slightly upsets me
considering how hard it is to be under .100 for anyone.
but no, we have 4
by ZeppelinDZ on Feb 13, 2009 11:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I object to your use of the word "slightly"
This is straight-up damn upsetting.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
SPORK!
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Feb 13, 2009 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hit a freaking double once in a while!
I mean, Gator at least had .018. It’s hard to fathom anyone being worse than that.
Greinke – .143! Backup SS on his off days?
Don't Stop Believing!
by KC Chris on Feb 13, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A perfect nick name
Does many jobs badly. The first thing a person says when they find a spork in their box lunch: “Crap, what the hell am I supposed to do with this worthless thing. I’ll look like a jackass if I even try to make use of it.” That should also be the first thing Hillman says when he looks to the far end of the bench late in the game and sees Willie.
Ah, I gotta learn to love Willie still. He seems like a perfectly nice guy. It isn’t his fault he is in way over his head. When he comes to bat I’ll just think about the Special Olympics and find that charity cheer voice.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I've said it a bunch
They need to do with Callaspo this season what they should have done with German at least 2 years ago — stick him at second base for half the season, minimum, and unless he totally bombs offensively and/or defensively, leave him there for the whole year.
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 13, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
I completely agree
I think the main reason Callaspo and Shealy are not already established as at least average MLB calaber players has been opportunity. I hate that they have been held back by the Royals, especially given the players Bell, Hillman and Moore favored over them.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
shealy has been given multiple opportunities and he's sucked every time....
im not against giving him another shot, but to put him and callaspo together isnt fair
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Feb 13, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
2007 was a nightmare
But I think you might want to take another look at Shealy’s overall career. Cube him here. Even with those 2007 numbers factored in his career line in the majors is .271/.335/.429.
Saying Shealy has sucked every time he’s been given playing time is way harsh. He had a great year at Omaha last season and absolutely dominated in the bigs after his call-up.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
A thousand times yes.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Feb 13, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
381 MLB players had 150 or more plate appearences in 2008
Sorted by ISO
The Average
170 – Mike Aviles .155
The Bad
317 – Esteban German – .093
349 – Ross Gload – .075
357 – Alberto Callaspo – .066
The Absolute Worst
379 – Tony Pena Jr. – .040
380 – Joey Gathright – .018
381 – Willie Bloomquist – .006
Dayton Moore sought out those last three players. He traded valuable prospects to obtain the first two, and courted the last by burying him in money.
Moore did a great job cornering the feeble bat market. Even if a manager tried, the chances of getting the three absolute worst baseball players in any single category would seem to be an almost impossible undertaking. Yet somehow Dayton Moore achieved the perfecto here.
Just FYI, It looks like average ISO among second basemen was about .125, shortstops about .110.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 1:24 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
More fun with numbers
Over the last three years only seven players have accumulated over 150 plate appearences in a season and had an ISO of .040 or less. Four of the seven happened right here in Kansas City.
2006 – Paul Bako (.020) last in MLB baseball.
2007 – Joey Gathright (.037) last in MLB baseball.
2007 – Eric Bruntlett (.036)
2007 – Alexi Casilla (.037)
2008 – Willie Bloomquist (.006) This might be the lowest figure in the history of baseball. Seriously.
2008 – Joey Gathright (.018)
2008 – Tony Pena (.040)
Will someone please forward this list to Dayton Moore. I think he needs to see this. It’s a problem.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
why do you think he traded for mike jacobs the guy hit over 30 homers last year omg!!!!111
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 13, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mike's a nice guy.
After Sweeney left the Royals needed to fill the “nice guy” hole in the roster. I know we all hoped Guillen would step into the role, but that didn’t work out so well.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But Willie can play lots of positionS!
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Feb 13, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
german has to be approaching 100 Greatest Royals Status
by royalsreview on Feb 13, 2009 2:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Given his unwillingness to swing at pitches outside the zone
I wouldn’t be surprised if Dayton had fined him tens of thousands of dollars of the last couple years
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 13, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've been the biggest optimist on RR, thus far, this offseason
But I have to say the accumulation of players who swing at pitches outside the strike zone and the accumulation of low ISO players – as well as basing major business decisions (i.e. throwing millions of dollars at…) based on intangibles is substantial evidence against Dayton Moore’s ability as G.M.
Rather than relay an entire fanpost, I’ll just limit my sentiments to these paragraphs buried in the ISO rankings. Can it work? It’s possible. I think those business decisions, based on the evidence/statistics I have encountered in my several years as an ultra-devoted baseball fan, are…less than stellar, shall we say.
The Nation at large. I'll be playing the role of RR Resident Optimist this offseason. What role will you assume?
by Royals Nation on Feb 13, 2009 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And to expand
I hope the prospects within our own system can save Dayton Moore from certain transactions, such as Bloomquist, Gload, Farnsworth, et al – that, in my opinion, were below average at best. Ka’aihue. Rosa. Aviles’ continuation. Callaspo. I’m hoping for the best, in this regard. This is where Moore’s raw scouting ability might come in handy. The farm.
The Nation at large. I'll be playing the role of RR Resident Optimist this offseason. What role will you assume?
by Royals Nation on Feb 13, 2009 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, Callaspo was a trade acquisition
….but he’s a $400K guy for 3 years. You catch my drift.
The Nation at large. I'll be playing the role of RR Resident Optimist this offseason. What role will you assume?
by Royals Nation on Feb 13, 2009 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like
a great conversation you are having here.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
by Warden11 on Feb 13, 2009 10:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Royals gave up a pretty good pitching prospect for Callaspo
I still like the trade, but Buckner was a solid prospect who already was performing respectably in the majors. Both Callaspo and Buckner were set for minimum salary for the same number of years when the trade went through so the money side of it was a wash.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Royals gave up a low ceiling pitching prospect for Callaspo
At the time, Buckner projected to be a back-end starter or a middle reliever because he’s basically a two-pitch pitcher (a roughly average fastball and a very good curveball). So, I guess Buckner was a “solid” prospect but no big deal. The Royals had (and still have) a glut of pitchers of that quality. It was very wise to move him and his low ceiling for a player who could fill an area of need. Basically it was trading a strength where the Royals had depth, for a weakness where the Royals were shallow.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 13, 2009 11:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It was a fair trade for both sides
Callaspo’s got a great eye for the strike zone with issues regarding his (lack of) power and defensive range, while Bucker seems like another Bannister/Davies level pitcher (not as much as their “style” but their value).
Having said that, just to repeat my point (and i don’t think you necessarily would disagree with this, NYRoyal), the trade was stupid for the Royals if they aren’t actually going to give Callaspo a decent chance to be a starter. You don’t trade cost-controlled young talent, even if it’s just a .430 starter like Buckner, for a guy you’re going to treat like a utility option. Hopefully they won’t. If they think that’s what Callaspo is, then they didn’t do their due diligence on scouting before the trade.
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 13, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Having said that, just to repeat my point (and i don’t think you necessarily would disagree with this, NYRoyal), the trade was stupid for the Royals if they aren’t actually going to give Callaspo a decent chance to be a starter.
It all depends on the Royals options. If they bench him and let a replacement level player start instead, then his talent (and Buckner’s, by extension) has been wasted. If Teahen is the starter instead of Callaspo because he can handle the position defensively and his bat is a plus there, then it’s right to have Callaspo as a utility guy. You trade for a young player to get potential, and you make the best possible use of it. Sometimes, in context, the best possible use is as a utility player. While Buckner’s upside potential was that of a #4 SP, he’s more likely an easily replaceable #5 SP/middle reliever. Even if that kind of player can get you 1 WAR because of the sub-mediocre innings he can eat, that’s 1 WAR you can easily get from any of a half dozen pitchers who would replace him.
And, for the record, so far Buckner is still a fringe-major leaguer who is having difficulty cracking a major league roster or handling PCL hitters well. Callaspo could easily out-WAR Buckner even in a utility role.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 14, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You can't blame GMDM
for Callaspo’s struggles thus far. If Callaspo gets beat out in ST that is his problem not the coaches or GM’s. Alberto is a good contact guy and could hit around .300 but he shouldn’t just be given anything. Even in the month when he had a 18 game hitting streak he only had an OPS of .730, that is hard to do. If Teahen beats him out that doesn’t make the trade a failure. Buckner has struggled at the ML level and trading him for a potential starting middle infielder was the smart move.
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Feb 14, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Competition is good.
However
If Callaspo gets beat out in ST that is his problem not the coaches or GM’s.
I agree with the statement except it appears that he may lose out for illegitimate reasons. If Willie wins the starting job out of ST (assuming there’s no rash of horrifying injuries to Callaspo, German, Teahen), I really would reconsider DM’s ability to be GM. There is no reason that Willie should be our starter.
by BrRoyal on Feb 14, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that
Callaspo deserves a fair shot and if The Spork beats him out then something is fishy.
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Feb 14, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
As you know I’m no great Teahen fan but if he legitimately outperforms Callaspo at 2B then I’m fine. I don’t think Callaspo should be just given the job but he should be given a FAIR chance to get it. I absolutely DO NOT think he is going to receive a fair chance.
Check out this article by Kaegel. It seems rather odd that The Mouth of Sauron Dayton has already installed Bloomy in the lineup. This is an indication of what I have feared, that inside the organization, they’ve virtually already installed Bloomy as the starter.
Feb 13!!
by kabrink on Feb 14, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Except
That if you thought he was a potential starting middle infielder, you should probably try starting him in the middle infield. Similar to German, if Callaspo is made the odd guy out of a Teahen/Aviles/Bloomquist combo then we will never really know what we had. No great loss, because we can be fairly sure neither is all that great, but it is still not the best way of going about things- especially if you are resigning these guys just to cast them off (German, Bloomquist in our dreams).
The Allard Baird of incisive internet discourse.
by kcbottom9th on Feb 14, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
