Manny Robbed

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Crown@club

Oh for pitchers to blow it by him with that long swing.

"The Giants have searched far and wide for offense at second base and it won't likely stop at Velez. After all, Velez has a meager .255/.296/.372 career batting line. Look for the Giants to try to upgrade the position before Friday's deadline."

2 career jacks in 326 AB's? Utility players who have done worse?

Before the 2006 season, Victorino had 2 MAJOR LEAGUE doubles, 2 MAJOR LEAGUE home runs, and 12 MAJOR LEAGUE RBI. So, it's not always about digesting what they've done already. People can take a while to adjust to the better pitchers. Guys can improve after getting a full 3 or 4 hundred at bats/yr. for a couple seasons. Your limited ability to predict future ability is about as good as the Dodgers was when they let Victorino/Werth get away. If this guy had been given that(300-400 at bats/yr. for a couple years,) then I am sure you would see a nice player. This is a player that does well when getting at least 3 at bats/day. As you say, his swing is one that is not appropriate to bring out for spot hitting. It is a hard swing(a lash,) and that will only be kept in rhythm with constant at bats. I do not believe you can look at a guy's age and say they should of done this or that by now. I only think you can do that if they've had what I said(300-400 major league at bats/yr. for at least a season and a half.) Then, if they are not improving, you can make these big conclusions about a person.

All I know is when given at least 3 at bats/game in September (last year) he hit .341 in 85 at bats. When he has had at least 3 at bats/game this year, he has hit .363 (8 for 22 with 2 walks, and 2 strike outs.) When he has had 2 or less at bats/game this year, he is hitting .100 (2 for 20 with 6 strike outs n' no walks.) So, maybe they should stop acting like the Giants do(stupid,) and give the guy the starts he needs to show what he can do. He looks a hell of a lot stronger than he did in the spring. He looks 15 pounds stronger(I say that, because his legs look much stronger now.) Just about anybody that goes to Fresno gains weight. There is not all that much to do there (besides eat.)