If at First You Don't Succeed
Today’s LA Times suggests that statistics devotees and other rotisserie players are disappointed that Hee Seop Choi hasn’t been in the lineup much of late.
If you’ve been reading this page at all, you’ll know I’m far from upset. I’m all the way with Jim Tracy, who was said to be unhappy with the Seoul Man’s mediocre defense, ugly swing, and inability to drive in runners.
Yes, Choi had two hits yesterday in four trips, bringing his season total above his season strikeout total. But the guy just doesn’t produce when it counts. In fact, he hardly produces at all. His .331 OBP and .470 slugging percentage are nice, but if they don’t add up to more than 36 RBIs and 33 runs scored, then those are meaningless stats. Choi has 14 homers, third on this light-hitting team. But that also means that he has only driven in 22 runners other than himself, and has been driven in just 19 times.
Compare him with Jason Phillips, who has five fewer walks, 14 more hits, 12 more RBIs, and 24 fewer strikeouts. Phillips has hit in the 7 or 8 hole all year; Choi has hit second, where a hitter is expected to be in the middle of rallies. But mostly, Choi has killed rallies, striking out as often as rookie Jason Repko. Phillips has scored 4 fewer runs than Choi, but since he’s got the pitcher hitting behind him, that’s not unexpected.
What I’d like to see is Jeff Kent moving to first, Antonio Perez or Oscar Robles taking his place at second, and both Choi and Phillips on the bench. Neither Perez nor Robles has Choi’s power, but they both get on base a lot and score runs. Perez has one fewer double than Choi in 64 fewer at bats. Both guys have higher averages and higher on-base percentages.
Neither player is a deep threat, but the Dodgers’ futility this year has not been scoring enough runs. It has been putting together hits at the right time. A lineup full of guys who get on, get over, and get home is going to be a lot more productive than waiting around to see if Choi hits it out or strikes out yet again.
If you’ve been reading this page at all, you’ll know I’m far from upset. I’m all the way with Jim Tracy, who was said to be unhappy with the Seoul Man’s mediocre defense, ugly swing, and inability to drive in runners.
Yes, Choi had two hits yesterday in four trips, bringing his season total above his season strikeout total. But the guy just doesn’t produce when it counts. In fact, he hardly produces at all. His .331 OBP and .470 slugging percentage are nice, but if they don’t add up to more than 36 RBIs and 33 runs scored, then those are meaningless stats. Choi has 14 homers, third on this light-hitting team. But that also means that he has only driven in 22 runners other than himself, and has been driven in just 19 times.
Compare him with Jason Phillips, who has five fewer walks, 14 more hits, 12 more RBIs, and 24 fewer strikeouts. Phillips has hit in the 7 or 8 hole all year; Choi has hit second, where a hitter is expected to be in the middle of rallies. But mostly, Choi has killed rallies, striking out as often as rookie Jason Repko. Phillips has scored 4 fewer runs than Choi, but since he’s got the pitcher hitting behind him, that’s not unexpected.
What I’d like to see is Jeff Kent moving to first, Antonio Perez or Oscar Robles taking his place at second, and both Choi and Phillips on the bench. Neither Perez nor Robles has Choi’s power, but they both get on base a lot and score runs. Perez has one fewer double than Choi in 64 fewer at bats. Both guys have higher averages and higher on-base percentages.
Neither player is a deep threat, but the Dodgers’ futility this year has not been scoring enough runs. It has been putting together hits at the right time. A lineup full of guys who get on, get over, and get home is going to be a lot more productive than waiting around to see if Choi hits it out or strikes out yet again.
posted by John Rosenthal @ 11:36 AM
0 comments
