On Nelson Cruz

by Lucas on Jul 26, 2008 4:35 PM CDT Comment 27 comments

I compared Cruz's 2008 to other great AAA seasons by guys aged 26-28 to test the likelihood of him having a decent MLB career:

http://www.rangers.scottlucas.com/archives/2008/07/can_nelson_cruz.html

Farewell, farewell! but this I tell
To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!
He prayeth well, who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.

He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all."

The Mariner, whose eye is bright,
Whose beard with age is hoar,
Is gone; and now the Wedding-Guest
Turned from the bridegroom's door.

He went like one that hath been stunned,
And is of sense forlorn:
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn.

11 recs | Comment 27 comments

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Texas Rangers Analyst

by Andy Seiler on Jul 26, 2008 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

excellent

Excellent job Scott. I would be interested in knowing who the Rangers have to protect from the rule 5 draft this winter. Is their anyone on that list that is not worth protecting in favor of Nelson Cruz?

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 26, 2008 5:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll have that list...

...shortly

There seems to me no question that the Batman film "The Dark Knight"... is at some level a paean of praise to the fortitude and moral courage that has been shown by George W. Bush in this time of terror and war. -- Andrew Klavan

by Lucas on Jul 26, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Schlact, Ben Harrison, KC Herren

off the top of my head

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn, Goyo

Did Schlact kick sand in your face at the beach or something? You really don’t like him.

by Lucas on Jul 26, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is hard for many of us to understand the fascination...

...with Schlact…

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 26, 2008 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like him a lot in the bullpen!

Interesting stuff on Cruz Scott, balanced pessimism, just the way I like it. Just for kicks, Cruz’s per140game ave 07 and 08 are basically identical:

07 /age 26.8/ .352/.428/.698/1.126/48hr/143rbi
08 /age 27.8/.343/.440/.722/1.162/53hr/132rbi

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

here is 07

07/26.8/.352/.428/.698/1.126/48hr/143rbi

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is there to like?

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jul 27, 2008 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kometani

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 26, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

after 09

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

drafted same year as Teagarden and is older. He has to be added this winter or subject to rule 5

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 26, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

man

my list is off by a year…

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was just listing the eligible guys I could think of

not listing who they should or should not protect

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eligible guys who would be protected

For a while, it was Teagarden, Hurley, Mayberry, Vallejo.

Now it is just Mayberry and Vallejo.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 26, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding.

It almost looks like this off-season’s 40-man issues have resolved themselves in season. Of course, any number of trades could turn that back around.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 27, 2008 3:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duran also

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 27, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coleridge

Nice.

"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner

by trza on Jul 26, 2008 5:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

interesting analysis as well

Good work!

"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner

by trza on Jul 26, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

very well done.

the preceding post is not nearly as negative or insulting as you think it is

by DSheppard on Jul 26, 2008 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice work Scott...

A couple guys on that list are interesting but overall not a very encouraging list.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jul 26, 2008 7:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Top notch writeup

by SteveP on Jul 27, 2008 2:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

isn't this a bit misleading since

most players would have been brought up to the ML at some point during the season if they were on pace for those #’s?

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Jul 27, 2008 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't find a source, but...

Didn’t Nelson pick up baseball at a fairly old age? If true, maybe that’s another item that can set him apart?

by rcreative on Jul 27, 2008 10:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

His primary sport was basketball until age 18. His ten years of baseball are probably less than someone age 25 who made baseball teams and played a lot from age 12.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Jul 27, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Ed!

I hope we keep him and give him another shot with the big club.

by rcreative on Jul 27, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

From the Star-Telegram

Cruz control
Oklahoma outfielder Nelson Cruz made quite an impression last week on Gerald Laird.

Cruz has victimized Pacific Coast League pitching for 36 homers and 91 RBI, and is batting .347.

“He’s the best hitter I’ve ever seen in Triple A,” Laird said. “He’s the Babe Ruth of the PCL.”

Ron Washington, though, said there is no spot on the Rangers’ roster for Cruz, who has had previous success at Triple A. But the Rangers — and other teams around baseball — have taken notice.

“I know there’s a lot of teams interested in him,” Washington said.

Sad.

by rcreative on Jul 27, 2008 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs