Three games below .500. Who else is excited?!?
Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Ramon Hernandez. Clutch Man Monie struck in a not-so-clutch situation, hitting a three run HR in the second inning. He added a double and a run scored in the fourth. An honorable mention goes to Chris Heisey, who also had two hits, one of them a HR.
Key Plays
- The Reds struck early, staking out a 5-0 lead with that three-run HR and a two-RBI single by Juan Francisco in the third.
- Johnny Cueto was cruising until he was pulled in the fourth with what we're hearing was a strained lat. I know practically nothing, but I don't like the sound of that. At any rate, Sam LeCure gave up 2 ER in two and a third innings to earn the win.
- After scoring the aforementioned run in the fourth on an Edgar Renteria single, the Reds added another run on a Heisey solo HR in the eighth.
- There was one more highlight left: a very nice play at third by Francisco. Reds win, 7-2.
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Here it is
There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Arredondo. They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Arredondo.
Hot damn!
That really was an incredible play. After the 500’ bomb and that throw, END’s stock may never be higher. Does Longoria need a caddy?
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 14, 2011 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Just catching it was incredible...
Making that throw was insane. That has to be one of the best web gems of the year.
I seriously doubt Rolen has that kind of skill, although he may have positioned himself better. That one play made me perfectly happy with Juan starting at 3rd.
And he wasn’t even HPOTG.
If he can make that play I'm intrigued
Maybe dusty knows!
"the only place they lost was the scoreboard"
Still unless her seriously changes his approach, and can take more walks
he will be nothing more than off the bench pop/AAA All Star.
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 14, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
That's sexist!
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 15, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Bah
Leave the walks to the rest of the lineup. I’m tired of hearing about Francisco and walks.
by Brian B on Sep 15, 2011 9:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Without the walks he has to hit a ton of homeruns to make him valuable.
With his plate discipline, and the inevitable scouting reports telling pitchers how to beat him, I don’t know how well he will do.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Pitchers will just hit outside the outside corners and let him swing away. Frankly, I don’t understand how a player with that much development and experience hasn’t learned how to take a pitch here or there. Is it bad coaching, bad eyesight, or bad gray matter?
From what I've always understood, END has always worked deep counts.
However, he has such a personal drive to hit the ball he refuses to walk.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
he's never needed to learn it
He hits well without it.
FWIW, no one knows precisely how Francisco will perform going forward. The need for more walks is just a theory because we’ve never seen a player like Francisco before. I think it’s a pretty sound theory, but he still could be the exception. Meaning he could still hit .280/.320/.500. It’s doubtful, but it might happen.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
If that is his slash line... I'll have a boner.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
That's kind of weird.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
We've been through this before several times...
As you’ve shown before, no one with Francisco’s walk rate has succeded at the MLB level. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a productive bad ball hitter.
The problem i have with those who demand he walk more is that you can’t just turn strikeouts or other outs into walks. Some of those productive hits will disappear too. We have no idea what a Francisco who walks more would look like.
by Brian B on Sep 15, 2011 10:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Again, the walks are somewhat of a red herring
It’s not the walks, it is the BB/K ratio. Vlad Guerrero almost never walked either, but he also almost never struck out. END strikes out a fair amount, which is fine for a power hitter, and it’s fine for a guy who also walks a fair bit (like Bruce). But a guy who both Ks a lot and almost never walks is basically Wily Mo Pena.
Like Slyde said, it’s possible he’s the century long historical exception to the rule. More likely, I think he can be successful by decreasing the Ks while continuing to never walk.
My best hope for him being successful is keeping that 4-5% walk rate while cutting the Ks down to under 20%. Like Dougdirt said last year, and we’ve seen some of this month, he is willing to take a pitch and work counts, but it seems like he almost refuses to take that 4th ball. If he can foul off those bad pitches instead of missing them, he could probably be reasonably successful, to the tune of Slyde’s .280/.320/500 line. With his raw power, it’s also entirely possible that he could SLG way more than that.
But I still maintain that if his BB rate stays below 5 and the K rate stays above 20, he will not be a productive MLBer long term.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Actually, Vlad is a bad example
He walked a decent amount. But there are lots of other guys who rarely walk or K. But those types of guys are rarely power hitters.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
What about the original Tony Armas?
He walked less than 5% of the time for his career, and struck out around 22%. He was not a great player, but he was a regular for about 7 years and played 14, twice leading the league in HR and finishing with an OPS+ of 103 (peaking around 125).
Molecular gastronomy can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Sep 15, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
He's a decent example, but
his career line of .252/.287/.453 is nothing to write home about. And his BB/K ratio for his career is still better than what END did for his career in the minors.
I know it was a different offensive environment that Armas played in, but I wouldn’t be very happy with that line for END.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
In a platoon scenario Juan's numbers should be closer to acceptable would they not?
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
The comp I came up with last year was Andre Dawson
But I wasn’t trying to find a similar BB:K ratio. Ias trying to find someone who had a terrible BB:K ratio and was able to somewhat improve it in the major leagues to some success. It’s easy to find guys in the 70s who flat out could not walk. But players also did not like to strike out back then.
by Brian B on Sep 15, 2011 11:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think a good way to look at it is the difference between Jeff Francoeur and Adam Dunn
Francoeur, hits for a great deal of power, and had a big swing with a hole, he also has not been a selective hitter.
Adam Dunn also hits for a great deal of power with a big swing with holes, but has plenty of plate discipline.
Pitchers realized Francouer has no plate discipline, so they stopped throwing him strikes, so most of his hitting stats dropped off, after his third year.
Pitchers still have to throw Dunn a strike, or he will take a walk, so until this year, he still got plenty of pitches to hit, and got his home runs and his walks.
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 15, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Pitchers can throw strikes to Dunn all they want now.
He is worthless and about to have the worst season in MLB history.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree Bob is worthless too.
He is no Tim “the toolman” Taylor.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
2011 stats have nothing to do with my argument.
Over their careers Dunn has been more productive than Francouer.
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 15, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh of course.
I just like to hate on Dunn, and the fact that the White Sox gave him that contract makes me giddy.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd say Rolen could have made the grab.
But, there is no way he has the arm strength to make that throw. There aren’t many players in all of baseball with the arm strength to make that throw.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
It looks like Francisco was a little slow on the grab or wasn't positioned right for it
So the grab looks better than what it was. I’m willing to bet Rolen gets to it a half-second earlier and that buys him enough time to make the throw.
He was positioned a LONG way from third base.
I have no idea if that was his idea or the coaching staff. When the ball leaves the bat and you see where he’s positioned, you’d say it’s impossible for him to get to it.
I’d say it was bad positioning, but considering that’s as far over as the ball could get and still be fair, I guess it was really good positioning. :)
The ball was just barely fair
I don’t think it was bad positioning. The odds of a ball getting through that hole were slim, and END made it none.
Best Reds defensive play of the year after BP’s globetrotters assist.
I was going to say the exact same thing but couldn't because of mobile RR failure.
I only saw the highlight, so I don’t know the game situation. But since he got the ball, I’d say the positioning was spectacular. I wonder how that play alone will affect the computer’s calculation of his range.
by Brian B on Sep 15, 2011 11:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
END really does have a fairly impressive arm.
"Luna Lovegood is really freaking awesome in every way." -Me
I've actually been pretty impressed with his fielding in general
SSS, and even smaller for me since I haven’t seen every game he has played in, but whenever I see him out there he looks quite capable.
Molecular gastronomy can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Sep 15, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
The defense is kind of EdEish,
only in the sense that he has the tools to make great plays, but he’s also a bit error prone. Nowhere near on the level of Encarnacion, but errors are his main defensive liability.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Damn, I say, Goddamn
That’s a brilliant play!! Maybe there’s hope at third base yet.
"This is the St. Louis Cardinals we're talking about. They suck. Screw them. With a shovel. The sharp metal end. And then set them on fire." - crolfer
by rorschach1979 on Sep 14, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I love you Monie, Monie, Monie

I know his day is done and Mesoraco’s is here, but dang, I’m gonna miss CMM.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Where did you get the pictures of the cards?
I went to that game, but showed up too late for the giveaway.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 14, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I bought a pack on eBay
Caricatures are a special interest of mine, so I couldn’t resist.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Did you scan the whole deck?
If so we need a link.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 14, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
let us know when you do!
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 14, 2011 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm doing it little by little
Actually, there are two of each card, so I only have to scan half the deck.
They try to match the numbers up with the positions. Renteria and Janish are 6. Hanigan and Ramon are 2. Cordero is an ace.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I love it.
‘Cause there’s no ace in the rotation.
by the finest muffins on Sep 14, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Mike Leake is Greg Maddux2.0
and while he technically isn’t in the rotation, he will be. Go Leake!
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 14, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I <3 Mike Leake. Also Johnny Cueto. Both are fine, fine pitchers.
I’m just trying to stay in crolfer’s good graces (is he still anti-calling someone the ace? I haven’t been around much lately.)
by the finest muffins on Sep 15, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Bronson Arroyo
is the Ace of Spades.
That’s the card of death, isn’t it?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
the queen of hearts is always your best bet
"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville
that would be
Scott Rolen.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table.
"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville
woulda guessed that was Rolen
she’ll beat you if she’s able.
Unfortunately, the DL.
"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville
also Rolen
Each player has two cards, and they went red/black. (That’s racist!) So Hanigan is the two of spades and clubs, Monie is the two of hearts and diamonds. Renteria is the 6 of hearts and diamonds, Janish is the 6 of clubs and spades.
The Queen of Spades/Clubs is Brandon Phillips.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
penis monger
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 14, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Hi-Z
Now in third place in homers on the team, despite being a part-time player
HR PA HR/PA
Bruce 30 608 4.93%
Votto 28 657 4.26%
Heisey 16 265 6.04%
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Also worth mentioning: Clinch Night for the Pirates -
Their 19th consecutive losing season was sealed up tonight.
Congrats!

Trouble in Milwaukee?
Prince comes out today saying “I probably won’t be here next year”.
KRod is bitching about not getting any save chances.
Strange timing if nothing else.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
sounds like a losing team
At least, looks like they’re about to lose tonight.
Can the Cards really catch them?
The Cards still have a series against the Phillies, coming up next. The Brewers will be playing the Reds next.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Go Brewers, i guess, if i have to...
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 14, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
even though they're playing the Reds???
I don’t think I can go that far.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
what if the reds win one game, and teh cardinals take the division by one game?
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 14, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
then so be it
I think I’d almost be rooting for the Cards in that case. It would be a hell of a comeback, and a hell of a collapse by the Brewers.
To think, we were close to catching the Cards not that long ago. Now they’re leaving us in the dust, with the Pirates.
Brewers lost. Cards are 5.5 games back in the division, 4.5 games back in the WC.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
not gonna happen
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 15, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Screw that. We owe the Brewers one for 1999
I don’t actually want them to collapse and blow the division, but I want to see them squirm. I want to see them sweat a little.

Molecular gastronomy can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Sep 15, 2011 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Cool, I was thinking about this movie this morning!
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
Cueto
is hoping he won’t miss his next start. Dusty doesn’t seem to think that’s possible, but Cueto might come back later on.
In most cases, the club would simply shut a pitcher down for the year. But Cueto lowered his ERA to 2.31 in the game — best in the majors. His chance at winning the title hinges on whether he’s able to return and pitch. His inning total stands at 156. He needs to pitch 162 innings to qualify for the title.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Fay's article has more details
“The first time he said he felt a little something but he was OK,” Baker said. “Then I saw him grimace couple times on pitches. He threw one 94 to Soriano. He threw a great slider. I looked at (catcher Ramon Hernandez) and he shook his head. That was a sign.”
Cueto didn’t want to come out.
“No, he didn’t want to,” Baker said. “But we had to take him out. He was throwing the ball great. He was pitching for that ERA title.”
“When I threw that pitch to Soriano, I felt something pop,” Cueto said. “After that, I wanted to stay there. I wanted to keep going, but it was kind of sore.”
Dang. Maybe he’d have been better off if they pulled him as soon as they noticed something was wrong.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I don't give two shits about that ERA title and neither should Dusty and neither should Cueto
We are four years away from any type of contract negotiations, is it really worth risking significant injury for a plaque? Hell, does he even get a plaque if he wins the ERA title? Jesus Christ Montero that’s stupid.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Nuh uh, REALLY??????????
Next thing you know you’re going to tell me all milk’s not chocolate!
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
I'm not going to say anything but that seems a little racist
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
uh, that's your problem
not his.
A Ongreed the Deserving
-coviner's lawful neutral Paladin / Debutante character
The lat problem is just a pain issue and how it affects his performance
But it could lead to him straining something else by favoring it. Dusty doesn’t need another instance of pitcher abuse on his record. I’m all for Cueto sticking it out, but I understand if they shut him down.
by Brian B on Sep 15, 2011 9:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Didn't watch the game last night...
But it sounds like they should have pulled him as soon as he winced… maybe then, he’s fine to pitch a couple more games this year. I’d say see how he’s feeling in a few days and consider letting him pitch. If he’s not ready, basically let him jump in the rotation any day that he’s ready to start. If he so much as twitches, shut him down.
I think Price thought he was ok.
Dusty apparently didn’t think so.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
This is how i feel
if the Reds medical staff feel he is fine to pitch, let him pitch, but if they feel their is a significant chance of re injury, or causing a more serious injury somewhere else, shut him down.
It would be kind of cool to see a Reds pitcher get an ERA title, this is an organization that doesn’t exactly have a pitching-rich history.
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
by Yossarian22 on Sep 15, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep
I understand all of this, but I think we tend to freak out any time a pitcher feels pain and want the guy shutdown immediately. He may come back and pitch again because he may not really be hurt that badly. But I’m sure there will be people who will rail against him pitching through pain just to win an ERA title.
FWIW, unless he really is hurting, I want him to pitch for the ERA title. I think it’s okay to encourage young players to try to achieve such goals. Again, as long as he’s not really hurting.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
agreed
It really meant a lot to Joey (and the Reds) when he won the MVP last year, and I think it would mean as much to Cueto to win an ERA title.
There’s so much luck involved. He might not get another chance.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
But all seriouses ARE injuries
SAT logic’d
"Live every week like it's shark week. And dress everyday like you're gonna get murdered in those clothes." - Tracey Jordan
by RedinWrigleyville on Sep 15, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Clayton Kershaw was just tossed from the game after 5 IP 0 ER.
He hit a batter in the elbow and, although no previous warnings had been issued, he was immediately tossed by home plate umpire Tim Welke.
The curse of the ERA crown strikes twice in one night!
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
The moral of the story is...
Don’t threaten a player. Even if you hit him by accident, you get tossed.
I thought the moral was Gerardo Parra is an asshole
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 15, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the moral of the story is don't give up homeruns.
Then a batter can’t stare at it.
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Sep 15, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Well with Fiasco actually susstaining his play, Hi-Z deciding to show up at the end of the season and Alonso just being Alonso my boy Todd has seen much PT.
So the intrigue for the 2012 roster begins.
Kevin Youkilis: If I were to go anywhere, I would want to go to Cincinnati .
"Oh, nothing..." he says
“just catching up on some work” he says.
![]()
A Ongreed the Deserving
-coviner's lawful neutral Paladin / Debutante character
by supergrover on Sep 15, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know the rules of stats very well
Why doesn’t Cueto get the win? Is it an innings issue?
Of all the bylaws for wins,
I always thought this was the weirdest. If you can lose the game in the second, why can’t you win it?
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Sep 15, 2011 8:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
agreed.
Scenario:
Cueto pitches 8 shutout innings. pulled for PH
Arredondo gives up 2 on 1 out and Chapman gives up 3 on 1 out and Bray gives up 4 on one out in top of 9th.
Reds manage to score 10 in bottom of 9th… and Bray gets the win?
A Ongreed the Deserving
-coviner's lawful neutral Paladin / Debutante character
Yeah, I agree
If no reliever pitches more innings than the starter, the starter should get the win.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Or we could just abolish the whole stupid statistic
by Charlie Scrabbles on Sep 15, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I bet we'll find over time that obc is flawed
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
IMO, I think Drew Stubbs becomes the trade bait this offseason
Hi-Z in center, Alonso in Left. Would Stubbs + be able to get a #2 starter?
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
Light tower power!
That is why I said Stubbs +, it couldn’t be a 1 for 1.
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
I'm thinking Heisey becomes trade bait
Other teams seem to be interested in him.
And with Alonso in left, I think Stubb’s extra range will come in handy.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I agree.
Even with the offensive struggles, if Alonso is going to be in LF (yes please) I want a burner who can cover for him in CF. Heisey is fine if you also have a good LFer, but he’s not good enough to cover for Alonso.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Heisey is probably attrractive
as a power bat off the bench for a lot of teams and maybe even as a starter for some
Speaking of Stubbs, did everyone see that stat two nights ago about his cliff dive since June?
Digging a bit more, he’s had 12 xbh since July 1st. 10 RBI’s total, none, NONE in September while mostly batting behind Votto, Bruce, Alonso, Cairo, etc.
The thing that bugs me about Stubbs is his incessant pitch taking. He quibbles over balls 1-2 inches on the outside of the plate. He basically gets himself out while letting opponents throw hittable pitches.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
I think Stubbs and END need to have a baby
Modern science can do this.
Molecular gastronomy can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Sep 15, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Pitchers would be StuND
Stubbs should be a doubles machine, though dammit.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
Meh.
He’ll learn which umps call which pitch, and then he’ll kick serious butt.
In a year or two, he’s going to be insane. I don’t want him swinging more. I just want him using the ump’s strike zone instead of what he thinks the strike zone is.
Interesting theory. He's been around the league two years now. Umps come and go, they fluctuate their zones a bit too.
I’d rather him recognize a fastball to drive to RF, be it an inch on the plate or an inch off. As it stands he’s 0-1 or 0-2 looking at straight pitches thigh high on the outside corner. They don’t even have to throw a breaking pitch to set it up.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
Yeah, if there's one thing I'd like to see, it's him being more aggressive early in the count
Which is something I almost never say, but I think it would help him. Stubbs is an absolutely terrible 2 strike hitter, to the point where just about the only good thing that happens once he gets 2 strikes on him is that he works a walk.
To wit,
Once the count gets to 0-2, he OPSes .313
If the count gets to 1-2, he OPSes .452
If the count gets to 2-2, he OPSes .480
He’s OPSing 1.333 when he swings at the 1st pitch.
It really seems like he watches a lot of really nice pitches go by for strike one. If he could develop a habit of swinging at a few of those I think it would really help him.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Totally agree. I didn't realize those numbers above. Swinging at the first pitch would also make him
more likely to get a ball on that first pitch after a while, which in a way, I think we’ve seen frustrate him. To me, that says he’s a guesser quite often. Maybe he should do like Phillips, feign a bunt on the first pitch. Mix it up, be less predictable, be more dangerous. Average pitchers are simply capable of dictating an at bat. Drew would rather let a pitcher beat himself, which is kind of his only hope recently.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
Less dramatic
After 1-0 count he OPSes .675
After 0-1 count he OPSes .542
He just really does well when he’s swinging at the first pitch. 7 of his 15 homers and 13 of his 38 overall XBH have come on the 1st pitch.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Correction
He OPSes 1.333 when he puts the first pitch in play. He hits .250/.301/.397 on the first pitch or after a 0-1 count. This season at least.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
There were comments by teh Blue Jays that follow this theory
The attempted to be more aggressive early in the count the past few years and this is what has helped them raise their BA and extra base hits.
(That and stealing signs)
Interesting idea
Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself each year on this day, show his neighbors his scars, and tell embellished stories of all their great feats of battle.
Mainly the stealing signs
the home/road splits were extreme and not within the realm of random variation
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
This has been pretty well debunked by Jonah Keri and Tom Tango
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
From McAllister's Blog today:
Do you realize?
Chris Heisey was 2 for 4 with a HR last night.
He has now passed Drew Stubbs in HR and RBI…in 374 FEWER plate appearances.
Stubbs: 639 PA, 569 AB, 15 HR, 42 RBI, 191 K, .246-.322-.369-.691
Heisey: 265 PA, 240 AB, 16 HR, 44 RBI, 66 K, .254-.315-.467-.782
And this is interesting
2011
Stubbs vs RHP .227-.298-.341-.639 vs LHP .330-.419-.491-.910
Heisey vs RHP .264-.318-.534-.851 vs LHP .213-.260-.340-.600
Even where we though Heisey could be losing ground to the call ups, look how he really should be closer to the CF job than we expect.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
That is pretty interesting
I wouldn’t mind seeing him get some time in CF against righties.
But Lance conveniently ignores the extreme starter/PH splits, and Stubbs still has a better OBP. (and much, much better defense).
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Lance is a buffoon.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
by -ManBearPig on Sep 15, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The hour is getting late on Heisey's starter stats, but I'm still willing to see them normalize.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
a .315 obp doesnt impress me
Bluntly, heisey makes too many outs.
A very useful reserve outfielder, nothing else to see here.
"the only place they lost was the scoreboard"
by Ewok on Sep 15, 2011 1:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe I've just been working too much and am getting bleary-eyed
but when I read “Heisey,” I saw “Hershey.”
by the finest muffins on Sep 15, 2011 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Stubbs'defense is THAT much better than Heisey's
I’d call Stubbs a +8-12 in CF. Heisey’s probably a +0-5.
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
Stubbs is the anti-Alonso
all speed no instinct.
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
Pretty much agreed
Except I don’t really think Alonso shows much instinct either…
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
imagine how bad he would be if he had Stubbs instincts!
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
Stubbs defense is a touch above average
give him average speed and his defense is poor…
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
outside of his blazing speed, stubbs is actually quite slow
by 'tHan on Sep 15, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
All I am saying is he came up billed to be a premium defensive center fielder
i think people over rate his defense because he is really fast.
I break the backs of young children by shattering their dreams.
He is a premium defensive center fielder
It’s the only reason he gets to keep playing everyday.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
and he's got a good arm
Not sure Heisey could gun ‘em down at the plate the way Stubby has. We’ve seen that Sappelt can’t.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Good arm, great speed
Good hands, maybe average instincts, gives up early on plays in front of him.
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
I wish he would let loose the lion!
Him and Juan need to burn some joints and get laid like every day this offseason.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
I wish Stubbs would go off like this guy:
I want to see him at the plate, well, basically, I wish he would turn into Nyger Morgan.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
You're not watching the same Stubbs I watch
Stubbs almost never breaks wrong on a ball off the bat. His first step is pretty much always in the right direction. You can really tell the difference on a nightly basis when there is someone else in center field. Balls that you are used to feeling confident that will be easily caught fall in. I wonder if people don’t appreciate how good Stubbs is in the outfield because he’s not flashy.
As for the Stubbs/Heisey comp. I’m not so sure Heisey performs well in a different role. I think his limited role allows him to steal a few more HR off of pitchers. Otherwise, I think they’re basically the same hitter. I’ve posted this before, but here it is updated to today:
Heisey (career): .254/.315/.467, 18 doubles, 2 triples, 24 HR, 31 BB, 123 K
Stubbs (first 491 PA): .247/.315/.406, 12 doubles, 5 triples, 16 HR, 43 BB, 133 K
Heisey has a power advantage, though I bet if we do this 200 PA from now, that will shrink since Stubbs went on that power surge the 2nd half of last year. My point in posting this is that I wouldn’t expect, just because Heisey has better numbers this year, that he’d outperform Stubbs if their roles were reversed. Perhaps they are both players that are better off when they have a chance to hide their flaws at the plate?
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
by Slyde on Sep 15, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
VS LHP - Stubbs in CF, Heisey/Alonso in LF
VS RHP – Heisey/Stubbs in CF, Alonso in LF – Stubbs, LIDR
That’s what I’m thinking.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
Trade Hi-Z while he's still a tradable commodity.
Dusty uses him well, understands his strengths.
While you are at it Walt you better realize that MLB pitchers are going to figure J. Fiasco out pretty quickly and get something for him while he’s hot.
Stumps is not my fav Red but the kid can play defense and hit an occasional dinger. I wouldn’t be opposed to having a guy like Stumpy as the no. 8 hitter.
BP 2B
Cozart SS
Joey 1B
Bruce RF
Frazier 3B
Yonder LF
Devo Mescaline C
Stumps CF
This is a winning line up.
Kevin Youkilis: If I were to go anywhere, I would want to go to Cincinnati .
I like this better
BP 2B
Cozart SS
Joey 1B
Bruce RF
Devo Mescaline C
Yonder LF
Stumps CF
Frazier 3B
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
ThAT WORKS TOO.
EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT DUSTWADFUCKPANTS’ 2012 VERSION:
BP 2B
EdRent SS (Dusty fights to the death for Edgar)
Joe V. 1B
Rolen 3B (Dusty takes a cut in pay to keep Rolen)
Bruce RF
Fiasco LF (Dusty’s daughter has a word with Walt)
RayMoan – C (Ramoan and Bob have become good drinking Buds)
Stubbs CF
Or something stupid like this…
Kevin Youkilis: If I were to go anywhere, I would want to go to Cincinnati .
He says he's going to go #2 on your A, dog.
by Brian B on Sep 15, 2011 9:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
somebody say something about cheese?
i don’t speak Spanish, but i think someone said something about cheese. if you’re gonig on a cheese run, hook a brother up.
idgi?
"This is the St. Louis Cardinals we're talking about. They suck. Screw them. With a shovel. The sharp metal end. And then set them on fire." - crolfer
by rorschach1979 on Sep 15, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
It's all about what *you* see.
I see two good things… but am filled with some anxiety about the hamburger man. I allow for this by realizing that hamburgers make me happy.
Whew. That can be draining.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
by mdccclxix on Sep 15, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And how do you feel about this?

Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
Breakfast sammiches and boobs? You have to be a non-essentialist not to enjoy this!
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
It's a reply to Heeringa, so I'm pretty sure it has something to do with poop
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Jeezle Wally...its all so simple
Mayor McCheese and a cheese head girl…need I say more?
Kevin Youkilis: If I were to go anywhere, I would want to go to Cincinnati .
I got it Mads, fuck tha naysayers
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
actually, it didn't have to do with poop. this time.
but i’ve now pooped on consecutive days for the first time since my surgery! hooray.

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