Line of the day

by Adam J. Morris on May 9, 2008 11:39 AM CDT Comment 18 comments

.321/.370/.404

That's the line Julio Borbon has in 25 games this season at high-A.

There is, from what I understand, no questions about Borbon's defense -- he's a quality defensive centerfielder. The questions are about his bat.

Getting this sort of line from a 22 year old defensive whiz in the Cal League has to, I think, at least for now, alleviate some of the concerns that I (and others) had about Borbon.

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Progression

Given the fact that he is a college player and is hitting very well, what is the timetable for a player like this? Could he end up in AAA by the end of the year, or is that where Boggs will go (assuming he gets demoted)?

by Excel Hearts Choi on May 9, 2008 11:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Boggs

The quotes lately make me think he’s not going anywhere, so long as he keeps it up.

Even when Byrd’s back, I think they keep feeding Boggs ABs. In fact, I think they play Byrd mostly just to boost his value and deal him.

Boggs is making just a nice impression.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on May 9, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whittleman

Whittleman’s been great lately, too, and coming up on a full year in the Cal League. I know his D is more suspect, but I don’t think there’s a better batter’s eye in the org.

Vallejo’s still scuffling, but it’s too early to call it much of a slump.

It’d be cool to see Davis get a promo (mayhaps JD was suggesting that with recent “ominous” commentary), followed shortly by Whittleman, Vallejo, and Gac (humor those of us who see Kinsleresqueness in the player). That’s almost a whole infield.

Then Coolio to AA later this year.

That’s my best case.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on May 9, 2008 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

and add

11 of 12 in stolen base attempts.

Oddly enough, given that (IIRC) Bakersfield is a hitter’s park, several players on the roster are hitting much better on the road.

...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on May 9, 2008 11:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bakersfield

Granted their not perfect but by my algorithm and a couple of others I’ve seen Bakersfield is pretty close to neutral(against the league) in a league full of hitters parks

by bushe on May 9, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably just coincidence

but I thought it was interesting anyway to see such a huge split for guys like Borbon and Pina.

...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on May 9, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Borbon

I think that many people’s perception of him is biased by the projections that JD would take him at #17 as opposed to #35. The thought of drafting Borbon activitated the post-traumatic stress of drafting Drew Meyer.

But the situations were completely different. He was a supplemental first rounder and the consensus best of an admittedly weak crop of college outfielders last year. He was the 3rd of 5 first round/supp picks the Rangers had. He’s exactly the player who a team whose organization is very weak in the outfield needs to be taking a risk on given the circumstances.

by JBImaknee on May 9, 2008 12:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

anyway

I forgot to add my point.

I’m glad to see him doing well, and expect that he is going to continue to surprise people since his expectations are so abyssmally low

by JBImaknee on May 9, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the big knock on him

was his low (for College) OBP. The worry was that all the speed in the universe does you no good if you can’t get on base.

"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck

by DJCahill on May 9, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ozzie Guillen

Recently, Ozzie Guillen had a quote similar to this explaining why he has Swisher batting first. He said that you can’t steal first.

by Excel Hearts Choi on May 9, 2008 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw Julio play when he was with the Vols

He’s a heady baserunner with blazing speed, so if he can maintain a decent on base percentage, he’ll be an offensive force.

There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.

by SarasotaRanger on May 9, 2008 12:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Having speed like that

at the top of our line up would be a welcome change. Living in Houston, I have had a chance to see some Astros games this year, and while I believe they are the mostly poorly run team in baseball on the whole, I do enjoy watching Bourn and Kaz on the basepaths because they both have the speed to run almost at will. It puts a lot of pressure on the opposing pitchers and leads to a lot more fastballs for Tejada and Berkman, who have both started off hot this year.

by clark on May 9, 2008 12:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs