Open Thread: Norris Hopper

by JD Arney on Dec 12, 2006 5:21 PM EST in News

Kind of a different open thread this go round, as Norris Hopper is a player who probably wasn't on anyone's radar before this season. But I actually think he's a really interesting case, because he's a one dimensional player who's completely batting average driven. I've seen very little support for keeping Hopper around from "stats" guys on various blogs and message boards, and I kind of have a hard time understanding why.

Hopper is an older player, not likely to have much long term value, but it really wouldn't surprise me all that much if he had a season in the neighborhood of the season Hal Morris had at the age of 28, when he put up a line of .317/.371/.420. I don't expect Hopper to be quite that good (knock 20-30 points off each stats), but I think a line of .290/.340/.390 really isn't all that bad from your fifth outfielder / spot starter.

I'm probably overrating Hopper a little because I'm taking the contrary view with him, but if he hits as well as he did at the AAA level last year again this season, then I think he'll be useful.

So here are my questions for Hopper:

Do you think Hopper should make the roster?
Do you think he'd be a useful player if he did make the roster?

For reference, here are Hopper's minor league stats minor league stats, and major league stats.

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Comments

Um...

NO!

by DisplacedFan on Dec 12, 2006 5:23 PM EST reply actions

I think you mean "NoHo"

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2006 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

But then again

NO! on Bubba Crosby even more. Oh well.

by DisplacedFan on Dec 12, 2006 5:24 PM EST reply actions

I like Norris

If Josh Hamilton can't be on the roster, there better be room for Hopper. RIP Hollandsworthless.

(Outfielders with surnames that start with H for one hundred Alex.)

Courtney for President, 2008

by ohiobobcat on Dec 12, 2006 5:42 PM EST reply actions

is it just me

or are there others who snicker every time they see "hollandsworthless?" hee hee. what can we call hamilton if he gets hurt again? josh "i pulled a hammy" ton?

winter is boooooooring

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2006 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

If you're going to get anything out him...

...it's most likely going to come during his age-prime seasons (i.e. right now). That being said, Hopper's career minor league OBP is .347. No too bad for a bench guy. His IsoD is .056, of course, which isn't good.

But the real stinker is the .342 SLG (with a BA of .291); resulting in an IsoP of .051. There's almost no chance Hopper would post a near-.400 SLG unless he posts a Batting Average in the .350 neighborhood.

Note: I don't like either IsoD or IsoP hovering around .050 for a player. But both?

I guess if you need a single (and pretty much only a single) from time to time or a little functional speed, Hopper may not be a bad guy to try out as a short term bench option. Just need to make sure to throw him out when he hits his expiration date.

by Reds123 on Dec 12, 2006 5:50 PM EST reply actions

I agree with Reds123

Hopper would not be too bad to try on a short-term basis. I like to pull for guys such as Hopper who never really get any credit and kind of "fly under the radar" but I don't think he will be able to duplicate what he did in AAA as a member of the big league club next season.

However, Josh Hamilton will make this team and be on the opening day roster. Kriv just has too much faith in him, he will like the change of scenery, and he will bust his ass in spring training to make the Rule 5 gamble pay big dividends for the Reds.

Barring any other significant "OF" moves made by the Reds between now and spring training, Hamilton's your 4th outfielder.

by Simpson on Dec 12, 2006 7:02 PM EST reply actions

Hamilton on roster

Hamilton on the 25 man roster? I doubt that. Now, obviously, he has to be on the 40 man roster due to Rule 5 Draft rules. As for Hopper... I think he might be good to have on the 40 man roster... wouldn't put him onto the opening day 25 man roster though... yet... look forward to see how Hamilton and Hopper perform in spring training.

by crolfer on Dec 19, 2006 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

Useless

I could live with .290/.340/.390.

But there's no way in hell Norris Hopper does that at the major league level. Why do I think this? Because his CAREER HIGH SLG, before last year, was .368, as a 26-year-old in his third go-round at AA. I see no reason to believe that a guy can jump two levels and add 30 points. The only reason he slugged .392 at L'Ville last year was because his AVG was .347. In other words, the increased SLG was all in the form of additional singles. Drop his AVG back to his minor league norm, and his SLG comes down to the .330s.

I think you're looking at a guy who had a career year last year, and is going to give you something like .260/.285/.300 line. The sad thing is it's better than Bubba Crosby is going to provide, but with speed.

by cggarb on Dec 12, 2006 7:24 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

If he were a middle infielder, I could deal with the 100 foot line drives and speed. But he's about as useless as Javon Moran right now. Sorry, Norris. Go stakeout your Louisville locker, and we'll call you when someone gets hurt in Cincinnati.

by Brian B on Dec 12, 2006 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

Hopper

I think Hopper makes a good fifth outfielder.

Rootin' the Reds home.

by sweaver on Dec 12, 2006 9:32 PM EST reply actions

Spring Training

It's all going to depend on if he has a good spring training. As far as I'm concerned it's between Hamilton and Hopper for the fifth outfield spot. If Hopper doesn't make it, he'll be a good option when someone gets hurt.

by KAredsfan on Dec 12, 2006 10:44 PM EST reply actions

Brian Buchanan

Just ask him what having a "Good Spring Training" will do for you. The guy nearly hit .500, and lead the Grapefruit League in RBI's and got cut for the likes of Andy Abad.

by indy on Dec 13, 2006 8:40 AM EST up reply actions

Hamilton on 25 man roster?

no way in the world that can happen. He's been away from real baseball for a long time... Didn't he only play A ball last year? If he gets on the 25 man... I will personally ditch any good faith i have left in Narron.

by crolfer on Dec 19, 2006 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

I think he will make the team

and earn at least a platoon in RF before the break. I think he will surprise all of you and hit for .299 this year with 125 singles. We will all love him and Wayne will sign him to a 3 year deal and then he might suck, but I see a big 07 for him.

GO REDS!

by ewquinn on Dec 13, 2006 9:49 AM EST reply actions

The guy has never had a major league at bat!!

No way is he going to play at the major league level this year... maybe next year... but i doubt it.

by crolfer on Dec 19, 2006 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

Still

No... I guess as Slyde put it NoHo. But really just No. I usually don't post much here anymore but I think its because thinking about the Reds in general is depressing. When the question "Should Norris Hopper be on the 25 man roster?" even comes up you know your team sucks. This is indisputable. It should be in the Bible. Thank God for OSU.

by DisplacedFan on Dec 14, 2006 12:52 PM EST reply actions

Nice pic

The Crap-o-tron at Cooper Stadium! I'd just as soon they ripped that eyesore down and had some old guy flip numbers out there. It's all a moot point now...