What to do with Hopper

by jambolyajones on Jun 5, 2007 3:54 PM EDT

This may not be a pressing issue while Freel is on the DL, but it seems like Norris Hopper is going to get the short end of the stick again when Freel is back.

All Hopper has done since he was called up last season with the Reds is hit for a line of:

AVG .339 OBP .387 OPS .818

Freel's line this year:
AVG .251 OBP .313 OPS .676

Hamilton's line:
AVG .261 OBP .336 OPS .857

I don't think he deserves to be sent down, where I think he has already proven himself.

Should he only be the 4th or 5th outfielder on the Reds roster? Just be a pinch-hitter? He deserves a fair shake, just like the Reds gave Hamilton at the beginning of the season.

The Red's roster is too crowded. I think they keep expecting Griffey to get hurt, but all that waiting will just waste good talent like Hopper from showing us what its like have a .320 hitter leading off every night.

I say, play him or trade him.

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Yeah

But you are talking somewhat of a small sample size. If he made 25 starts a month, do you think his numbers would be that good? I don't.

Why they probably wont be of Juan Castro Suckitude, there is little power there. However, he makes a great 4th outfielder.

The roster isn't crowded because of Hopper and Freel, it is crowded because we have 3 catchers. Id suspect one of the three go when Freel comes back. But with Narron/Krivski, don't be suprised if it is Hopper.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Jun 5, 2007 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Crazy idea

But why not go with 2 catchers and send Moeller back down. That way you got Hopper, Freel and Hamilton available.

Sorry but having three catchers when you have need of defensive replacements and releivers just blows my mind. Oh that's right Moeller was going to make our bullpen wonderful and stop it from imploding.

Please contribute to the Hats for Bats fund.

by Pilsner73 on Jun 5, 2007 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

I approve of this post!

Plus when Freelie is back, he's a much needed IF backup. Right now it's just Castro. If Phillips and A-Gon were hurt in the same game, who plays the infield?

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on Jun 5, 2007 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I say we kill him. With fire.

by Geki on Jun 5, 2007 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Whooaaa

Don't get Krivsky any ideas.

Please contribute to the Hats for Bats fund.

by Pilsner73 on Jun 5, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't mind keeping him around

Because I think he's played well, if a bit above his head.

But if you keep him, who're you gonna move?

Freel will get his ABs all over the place. NoHop could get into a platoon sitch with Hobbs, but I would love to see him dislodge one of the bums at the end of the bench (yes, I'm talking aboot you, TSF and NoMoeller), but with all the love of those peeps in the clubhouse, this seems unlikely.

He seems to be at least as good a pinch hitter as LLM and he plays a more useful position for a pinch hitter. What's not to like?

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball" - Pete Rose

by Officer Dibble on Jun 5, 2007 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

What's not to like?

His defense. The best play he's made is sticking the ball back in Freel's glove, and even that came after he killed him.

I have to admit though that Hopper has seized his opportunity as a leadoff guy. He's gotten on base better than anyone else this year. I'll echo everyone else and say to send Moeller back down and keep Hopper on the club. Then I will go look at Castro's contract again and throw up.

by Brendanukkah on Jun 5, 2007 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

hopper's "play" makes me moist

by boobs on Jun 5, 2007 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

We know, we know.

; )

Today is the first day of the rest of the season.

by satyanaas on Jun 5, 2007 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree, Lose Moeller

Don't see this happening, but I would lose Moeller. He hasn't really contributed anything noteworthy that I recall. Platoon NoHo in CF with Hamilton, especially against Lefties. Return Freel to supersub status at 3B, 2B and in the outfield and off the bench. It's probably in his best interest not to be starting for the next month or so anyway. If push comes to shove, I bet he could catch too.

Today is the first day of the rest of the season.

by satyanaas on Jun 5, 2007 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

Lose Moeller and you lose

Javy as a pinch hitter. Lose Castro and let Freel be the extra infielder and still be in the lineup for 140 games inOF and In. Or bring up Votto lose Moeller and let Votto and Hatteberge share 1st. and LH pinch hitting duties. Just thinking out loud (dangerous I know.) I would rather see Norris Hopper off the bench than either Castro or moeller up to bat in a run producing situation, or especially when we need to move a runner up a base. Or we could have him flooged on Fountain Square by fundamentalist Campfire Girls.

"Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help" Calvin & Hobbs

by Madville on Jun 5, 2007 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I forgot to add - Lose Castro while we're at it.

"Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help" Calvin & Hobbs

by Madville on Jun 5, 2007 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

NO!!!!

:{...it's so right though

Juan Casto is my favorite player...wanna fight about it?

by Zach K on Jun 5, 2007 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't worry

We'll keep Casto.

by Brendanukkah on Jun 5, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Hell Yeah

God Bless Narron and Sweaterpants for not caring about shittyness haha

Juan Casto is my favorite player...wanna fight about it?

by Zach K on Jun 5, 2007 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

votto and hatteberg cant platoon

theyre both lefties. im fine with losing moeller and/or castro, though.

by boobs on Jun 5, 2007 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Votto would play most of the time against

both righties and lefties. Sit Conine down and let him pinch hit and let Hatteberg be your primary LH pinch hitter. He's having a nice year but the Red's gotta think about getting Votto up and into the swing of things, unless there's miracle, this year is toast.Dump Moeller, use Javy as the back up catcher. Dump Castro, Narron and Bucky.

If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball. Phil Jackson

by Madville on Jun 6, 2007 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

i agree

but there's no reason to have two first basemen on the bench. that would be like having two catchres on the bench! silly! anyway, thats why we need to deal hatteberg, since he's more valuable than conine, although the fellas on bbtn last night were spouting off about how mark texeira is going to be the next clipper 1B.

by boobs on Jun 6, 2007 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

sure

why not? An all star gets hurt, just trade for another all star. It's the Yankee way, right? (at least from ESPN's perspective)

2007 Reds Threat Level is Green

by Slyde on Jun 6, 2007 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...

...having two first basemen on the bench is the Yankee way. And lo, two of them are now on the DL.

But they don't seem to be trading for a star. They didn't even call up Andy Phillips, as I was hoping. (If only because Torre might actually use Phillips, being a familiar face.) No, it's Chris Basak. 28-year-old Chris Basak, who's hitting a lot worse than Phillips, and who has never cracked a major league roster before. Which means that utility infielder Miguel Cairo will be the starter, because if they were going to use the callup, it wouldn't be Basak.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on Jun 6, 2007 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Freel

Let's make him super steve and let him play catcher once in awhile haha...then we can get rid of moeller

Juan Casto is my favorite player...wanna fight about it?

by Zach K on Jun 5, 2007 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Hopper sticks as 5th OF

Freel is the 4th OF/super sub, which helps keeps him fresh. 4-5 games a week, and a nice late inning RH PH on his off days.

Hopper would start once a week, late inning replacement on off days. PH, defensive sub, pinch runner.

by obc on Jun 5, 2007 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

I think Hopper's a reserve OFer

As others have pointed out, the sample size so far is very small. He's not going to keep hitting like that. However, I do expect him to hit fairly well off the bench, which many players cannot do.

He's a tweener. Glove not good enough for CF, bat not good enough for corner OFer. That spells reserve OFer to me.

But we may not have to worry about it for awhile. I expect Freel to be out at least a month, possibly a lot longer, if his concussion was as bad as it looked. By then, who knows who else will be on the DL/traded/sent back to Louisville.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on Jun 5, 2007 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

hopper good off the bench

and he is a guy who can handle the bat, drop an occasional bunt (in the right situation)

by Caleb on Jun 5, 2007 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

Freel

is out for the season i bet, if he does come back, no way hits over a buck-an-a-quarter.
Hopper will have to put together a 25 game hit streak to impress some of the nohop-haters

GO REDS!

by ewquinn on Jun 5, 2007 7:51 PM EDT reply actions