April 23, 20196 yr Engel wasn't ready for the majors when he was brought to the majors. Maybe he never would have been, but an OBP of c .306 in hitters paradise Charlotte does not signal "major league ready."
April 23, 20196 yr Author I would love to see him use a big barrel Nellie Fox type bat and choke-up. A little more bat control and a lot more contact. Can't hurt to try.
April 23, 20196 yr 1 hour ago, poppysox said: The average golfer goes to the pro...moves his grip a little...changes his stance...he hits the ball a little better. With a very coordinated athlete and full time coaching you would think anyone would improve a little bit. He can leg out 50 hits a year the average guy can't. At the end of the day...what are the coaches trying to do? If as some suggest they've given up he doesn't belong on the team. I guess that means management hasn't given up. We both know he spent all offseason working on this. The majors there are those who can and those who cannot, and those who cannot are quickly moved out. He has benefited from his good defense and the rebuild situation that has given everyone time to show if they are ready. This is his third year in the majors, 832 at bats. I don't know what to tell you if you honestly believe a change in grip or batting stance is going to offer him 50ish more hits because he is fast. You still have to hit the ball to race to first, he strikes out a lot too. he is what he is, it's been this way since college
April 23, 20196 yr I wonder what sport he should have taken up. If he's that fast and athletic ... soccer? At 6-foot-2 a speedy wide receiver? Maybe a John Stockton clone? Seems a waste if he can't hit a baseball. Edited April 23, 20196 yr by greg775
April 23, 20196 yr 2 minutes ago, greg775 said: I wonder what sport he should have taken up. If he's that fast and athletic ... soccer? At 6-foot-2 a speedy wide receiver? Maybe a John Stockton clone? Seems a waste if he can't hit a baseball. Probably baseball given that he's already got his pension locked up and has made about a 1 million before taxes. Really he should thank his lucky stars the White Sox org exists. He'll be in Japan in a few years probably if he wants to continue in pro ball.
April 23, 20196 yr 2 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said: Probably baseball given that he's already got his pension locked up and has made about a 1 million before taxes. Really he should thank his lucky stars the White Sox org exists. He'll be in Japan in a few years probably if he wants to continue in pro ball. Or the independent league. Those rosters need to be stocked too.
April 23, 20196 yr 21 minutes ago, greg775 said: I wonder what sport he should have taken up. If he's that fast and athletic ... soccer? At 6-foot-2 a speedy wide receiver? Maybe a John Stockton clone? Seems a waste if he can't hit a baseball. He probably would've played football had everything worked out that way. He had an offer to play at Wisconsin Link.
April 24, 20196 yr Don’t get me wrong... I’m not in the “Why don’t the Sox just decide they want him to be Juan Pierre?” camp... But one thing I’ve always thought about... If you have 500 ABs in a season, the difference in batting .200 and .250 is just an extra single a week. You’d think more guys with elite speed like Hamilton or Engel would be able to muster enough infield hits and bunt hits to be serviceable. Obviously, it’s harder than it looks. Edit: I suppose I just described Billy Hamilton’s offensive profile... I guess I’m just surprised more guys like Engel can’t become that.... Edited April 24, 20196 yr by Nardiwashere
April 24, 20196 yr 17 hours ago, southsideirish71 said: And he had an aluminum bat. He could have had a bat made from Valyrian steel. Doesn't matter if he can't make contact.
April 26, 20196 yr On 4/24/2019 at 4:53 AM, hogan873 said: He could have had a bat made from Valyrian steel. Doesn't matter if he can't make contact. Adamantium ???
April 26, 20196 yr I have little doubt that Engel's time with the Sox will come to an end soon enough. He is a fine defensive OF that could probably latch on elsewhere as a 4th OF. We fatigued Sox fans have just seen too much of him.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.