Is Betemit Beginning To Matter?
by philofthenorth on May 4, 2011 6:25 PM EDT
Email
PrintWilson Betemit seems to be getting more playing time at the 1B/DH position, which is squeezing Kila out of that mix. Betemit’s career–long problem has been his bat vs the positions he can play at the MLB level. He’s been a tweener, good enough at the plate to be an asset at MIF, but mediocre at best on the corners. His MIF defense quickly put an end to that plan. Since KC started giving him fairly regular playing time , mostly at 3B, he has hit well enough to justify a starting spot on the corners, but his fielding at 3B is hard to watch. Thusly, with Kila’s time seemingly rapidly running out, Yost seems to be easing him into the least demanding defensive role. What, if anything does this mean for 2012 forward?
Betemit’s offensive performance since his 2010 callup is far better than his history would lead one to expect. He’s always been better as a LHB. His career splits are:
|
.273 |
.345 |
.465 |
.809 in 1,284 PA’s as a LHB |
|
.258 |
.316 |
.406 |
.721 in 397 PA’s as a RHB |
His splits in 2010:
|
.291 |
.370 |
.503 |
.873 in 227 PA’a as a LHB |
||
|
.312 |
.398 |
.532 |
.930 in 88 PA’s as a RHB |
||
SSS, but certainly an unprecedented spike in his performance, particularly as a RHB. This season:
|
.311 |
.357 |
.508 |
.865 in 70 PA’s as a LHB |
|
|
.444 |
.524 |
.500 |
1.024 in 21 PA’s as a RHB |
In a larger SS, his LHB performance has improved some, but not enough to make me think he’s really gotten better. It’s only 109 PA’s, but his performance as a RHB has improved significantly. Is this sustainable? That may be the question Moore and Yost are trying to answer. This line will play at 1B/DH, and is particularly valuable since he’s immune to platoon splits. So what, if anything, does this mean for the Royals’ future plans?
First, Kila will never get the chance he earned. Even if he stays in the bigs, he won’t play regularly or will be traded. Butler will probably play 1B more of the time, since Betemit would be happy just to be batting regularly at this point. Hosmer? He will either be moved to COF or Butler will be traded.
So my question; is a 30 year old Wilson Betemit worth changing any of the plans for this team in 2012 and beyond?
37 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Yes, he is improved
Dude worked really hard this offseason. Both he and Melky lost 20 pounds and both are no doubt quicker. Plus the extra time in the tunnel can’t hurt either. His bat looks a lot quicker.
I think that’s pretty normal for these kinds of guys. Maturation thing.
Long-term wise I don’t think that equates to much of anything though, Moose, Hos and Butler are the future at 3B/1B/DH. The exception now though is we do not need to rush and we have legitimate trade options for additional pitching prospects.
And in the subject of karma, I hope he does do well, even if we trade him. It’s good to see a guy that worked his tail off do well.
this ^^^
well said … I like the guy
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
this too^^^
I’d like to see us keep him around, but the infield is only going to get more and more crowded. I like Aviles too, but I see both of those guys as trade bait (not necessarily this year, and gotta see if Moose works out in the majors). Maybe if they were better teammates and bunted more and had a winning smile, or if they played the game right, or were grittier we’d keep them around like we might be doing with Frenchy.
by AlexGordonHRmagnet on May 6, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
The only time in his career he wasn't blocked or expendable was with the Dodgers
A chance that he blew himself by starting out of the gate very poorly. Other than that, his only real opportunities to play were with the Braves (but only when Chipper, Furcal, or Marcus Giles were hurt or given the day off) and the Royals in 2010.
He’s shown enough to believe his LHB splits, easily, which means he should at least play against RHP…but like you point out, his splits as a RHB were very good last year in limited duty, and again are very good this year in limited duty.
They’ve got to play him on that basis…but as far as the future, his value is as a trade chip. It’s a very odd situation, though…if you really have a switch-hitting, .900+ OPS player on your team for cheap, you want to keep him. The only issue is, if he does continue to hit like this up to June/July, is that enough plate appearances since 2010 to assume this is the real Betemit (hint: it’d be about a full year of pa’s including 2010 by that time, so yeah, it should be).
It’s too bad he doesn’t retain any of those middle-infielder skills he used to have…he used to play all over the infield for the Braves, and came up as a SS. If there was any chance at him playing even just a not-horrible 2B, I’d say stick him there and just close your eyes on defense. =)
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
The Teahen Gambit+
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on May 4, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
If the Twins can do it with Cuddyer
And they do things THE RIGHT WAY, we should at least try.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Did he drop some weight last year? Thought I heard that somewhere...
But meh, the team can’t make any plans to try and squeeze Betemit in the lineup long-term, because they shouldn’t fully trust he’s really this good of a hitter yet…if he was a couple of years younger, perhaps, but at 30, he’s only got a couple more years of his prime left (although what he does is hardly based on athleticism, so I tend to think he’ll retain his offensive skills into his mid 30’s).
I would just wish he could play a Jeff Kent-ish 2B — then I’d want him there in a heartbeat, and I sign him to a 2-year contract. But that seems to be doubtful.
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
Haha, I guess I read about him losing weight...in this thread.
Egg on my face.
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
GMDM juicing betemit's trade value
Can see a trade like you can get WB but you have to take getz…
.......Just a beer drinking KC Chiefs & KC Royals fan.......
POWDER BLUE BOMBERS!!!!!
by Mas Cervezas on May 4, 2011 7:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
That Would Be
Smart, therefore highly unlikely
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on May 4, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Dammit... TrumPed
.......Just a beer drinking KC Chiefs & KC Royals fan.......
POWDER BLUE BOMBERS!!!!!
by Mas Cervezas on May 4, 2011 7:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
it worked with
Grienke + Yuni, so I don’t think its impossible
stats
His entire career, he has stats the project to 20 homers if he played the entire season. Just depends if 20 home runs is enough for you. It is for me.
Betemit vs. Kila
I actually starting to get tired of the Kila fascination. Everyone wants Kila to get all these chances when it is obvious at this point that he will never be as valuable of a player as Betemit. Betemit needs to be in the lineup 5 days a week until Moose is ready and we can trade him.
Interesting comparison
Since Betimet was essentially Kila for several years – a guy with great minor league numbers with a big swing that couldn’t hit consistently and was blocked/given up on for several years. Not saying Kila will turn it on like Betimet is, but its just an interesting contrast.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Even if Kila turns into the next Betimet
It will be to late to matter for the Royals. Better to cut bait and run, then waist playing time and a roster spot on a reclamation project we don’t even need. We are stocked at 1B/DH.
by Pointed Stick on May 5, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
betemit was kila with scouting reports to back it up....
and the ability to play like 5 positions
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on May 5, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Poorly
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on May 5, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Betamit
“So my question; is a 30 year old Wilson Betemit worth changing any of the plans for this team in 2012 and beyond?”
No. Like Aviles and Butler, his offense is offset by lack of defense. That group looks to expand when Moooose comes up to also make 3B defense a high wire act. Betamit needs to be traded at ASB, along with Aviles and a few others, to make room on the field for the future; Mooooose and Gio, maybe Cain and Lough. No Kaufman for Old Men.
It really depends on where your team is at
His offense is not all offset by his defense…if, indeed, he is a legit .900 OPS guy. You find a way to let a guy like that play just to get his bat in the lineup. However, we can’t be certain that’s what he is, although it seems like it. .900 OPS guys just aren’t lying around, readily available.
The caveat is — when you’re contending and don’t have players coming up behind him that play the same position(s), neither of which apply to the Royals. But it’s still a gamble — things can look as good as possible for Hosmer and Moustakas, but nothing is ever a sure thing as far as prospects’ performance in the majors. If/When Betemit is traded, if he goes somewhere and rakes for 3-4 more years, and in that time we’re comparing Moustakas/Hosmer to Gordon’s first few years, we’re going to feel stupid.
Still…I’d trade him in a heartbeat if I could get a B+ or better prospect in return, and the Royals should trust that their system is producing an imminent replacement.
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
However, we can’t be certain that’s what he is, although it seems like it. .900 OPS guys just aren’t lying around, readily available.
I think we can be pretty certain that this isn’t what he is. If Betemit is a legit .900 OPS guy (regardless of defensive skill), then we find a spot for him and trade anyone else that might take his spot. This would include trading Butler or Hosmer to make room for Betemit at 1B. However, Betemit is NOT a .900 OPS guy. In 2010, only 8 regulars in the AL had an .900 OPS. That said, he might be a realistic .825 – .850 guy, which is still pretty darn good.
.900 OPS guys just aren’t lying around, readily available.
Not only are they not lying around, they are pretty darn rare. We don’t have any .900 OPS guys on our team at this point.
"I DARE you to make less sense."
Obviously...
I am talking about not having any regular .900 OPS hitters. Frenchy and Gordon are only doing it in a small sample.
"I DARE you to make less sense."
Yes, I know...had the qualifier in there
But the tantalizing thought that he might be is what makes the timing suck — the Royals won’t have enough data to make that assertation by the time they’ll need to make a decision on moving him — and that decision needs to be to move him, and hope he doesn’t continue to hit this way, validating the decision.
But lest you think I’m trying to say I think he is really this good of a hitter, never fear, otherwise I wouldn’t condone trading him. I was just rebutting Jim’s statement of his offense being offset by his defense, which isn’t at all the case while he’s hitting this well.
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
I
But the tantalizing thought that he might be is what makes the timing suck — the Royals won’t have enough data to make that assertation by the time they’ll need to make a decision on moving him —
There is nothing that even tantalizes that he is a regular .900 OPS hitter and the Royals have plenty of data to show that he isn’t. There shouldn’t be an decisions made on the off chance that he might become one, either. He has only approached that number once (last year) in a small sample and the rest of his career statistics (as well as scouting reports) suggest that was a bit fluky. He isn’t young, either, so there shouldn’t be any thoughts of a improvement that big.
He may, however, be an .825 hitter, which is still pretty darn good. The decisions on his future should be made with that in mind.
"I DARE you to make less sense."
Sigh.
We’ll have a good discussion as soon as you stop splitting hairs and arguing semantics. I think I’ve said enough times that I doubt it, so affirming your arguments against something I’ve agreed with you upon (and stated before you commented at me) is just a tad annoying.
It’s a “what if” discussion, so I bring up “what if” points for discussion’s sake. And now, the discussion is over…thanks for participating, and talk to you later.
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
Semantics...
“I don’t think that word means what you think it means.”
"I DARE you to make less sense."
Haha, yeah, I think I do
se·man·tics/səˈmantiks/Noun
1. The branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning.
2. The meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text:
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
Also (and truly no disrespect meant here), but you brought up a point for discussion. I then discussed it, and then you got upset that your point was discussed. That’s
just a tad annoying.
When you are attempting to “discuss” whether " a 30 year old Wilson Betemit worth changing any of the plans for this team in 2012 and beyond?" and we are basing it entirely on his offense, then how good that offense is…well, that’s pretty much the entire argument. Regardless of whether you believed he is a .900 OPS hitter or not, you brought up a “what if he is point” and thus, I posited that he isn’t.
"I DARE you to make less sense."
I guess what I felt was that
Your tone was saying that you believed I felt otherwise, even with my qualifiers and conjecture. It’s fine, we’re good, now.
You want optimism? My glass is half full of emptiness.
1. Betemit can flat out hit, and at one point was a major prospect. I think he may be coming around and could have a couple great seasons at age 30-32 in him.
2. Moose does not impress me at 3B more than Betemit. Just not impressed with Moose’s defense at all.
3. Betemit is batting .350…you just can’t take him out of the lineup now.
4. I think the smart play is to let Betemit (hopefully) continue this tear until June/July, then package him with Getz to some team who needs infielders, and get low A / AA prospects in return. Then, bring up Moose in June/July and play Aviles at 2B full time. If Aviles struggles at 2B defensively, we can bring up Giovatella for late inning defense.
The problem with this is that you are very young at the corners (Hosmer/Moose), and potentially weak defensively at two positions (Aviles/Moose).
But, if we are going to commit to Moose long term at 3B, I guess he’s going to have to play everyday, make his errors, and hopefully improve….if that’s possible.
Thoughts?
ha ha...giavotella as a defensive replacement?
thats like using dyson as a pinch hitter
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on May 6, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Let's keep Mr. President as long as we can
He does seem to have improved during the past two seasons, and that’s not unheard of. He’s cheap and he beats the crap out of the ball. He can’t play third very well, but he can probably play first acceptably, and he can certainly DH. He becomes expendable when Moose comes up, unless we want to keep him as a bat on the bench and play him three games a week, once at third, once at first, and once as DH. Or we could put Hosmer in right, Billy at first, and Wilson DH.
On the other hand, I’d certainly be willing to trade him if a good offer comes along, which I would not do with Billy or Alex.
"¿Por qué no te calles?" --King Juan Carlos
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Royals Review
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
