[Ryan Langerhans is] 29, has about 1200 PA (two full seasons), his career wOBA is .314 (-7 per 150...

[Ryan Langerhans is] 29, has about 1200 PA (two full seasons), his career wOBA is .314 (-7 per 150 G), and his UZR at a "neutral" position is +7 per 150 G. That’s a league average performance. MLB average. It’s sad for him that he’s been given a short shrift for so long. Willie Bloomquist, your typical white guy who scratches and claws his way into a lineup, is a barely above replacement level player, who has over 1600 PA in MLB, and has been around since 2002. The difference? He throws with his right hand, which means he gets to play the infield. Mom & Dad, whatever you do, make your son throw with his right hand (and bat with his left). If he insists on throwing with his left hand, make sure he practices his hitting alot or works on his control as a pitcher.

Tom Tango

over 2 years ago Matt Klaassen 6 comments 0 recs |

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Ryan Langerhans is white too

I always thought left handed hitters got viewed more favorably than right handed hitters.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 7, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think race was a point of contrast between Bloomy and Langerhans

but you’d have to ask Tango what he meant.

As for LHH, I think Tango is agreeing when he write:

Mom & Dad, whatever you do, make your son throw with his right hand (and bat with his left).

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by Matt Klaassen on Jul 7, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

i.e., so that he will be allowed to play infield

but still have the advantage of batting lefty

of course, if I have to teach them, my children will have terrible swings/throw no matter which side it is from

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by Matt Klaassen on Jul 7, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

That is what Tom Emanski is for

Happy Birthday, Little One!

by Gopherballs on Jul 7, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Guy from Boston whose father had made him throw LH since he was about 3 with the idea he was going to pitch for the Sox. He was a big guy, about 6’6" 250, and he could still bring it. Oddly, that was the only thing he did LH except for throwing a Frisbee. Throwing LH is definitely an advantage if you want to be a MLB pitcher. There are LHP’s in MLB that wouldn’t have made it past AA otherwise.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 7, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

That's pretty neat

And you certainly can learn another hand. I am naturally left handed, but was forced at school to write right handed, which I still do. Slightly different, but the concept is the same.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 7, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions