Iguchi struck out 114 times last season. I hope he doesn't strike out more than that this season. Oftentimes, he was in a hole because he was taking pitches so Podsednik could steal. He won't have to do that this season if he's batting sixth.

Edited March 8, 200620 yr by SSH2005

Iguchi struck out 114 times last season.  I hope he doesn't strike out more than that this season.  Oftentimes, he was in a hole because he was taking pitches so Podsednik could steal.  He won't have to do that this season if he's batting sixth.

 

What happened a lot was that pitchers would throw fastballs early in the count to avoid Pods stealing. Then, Iguchi would get in down in the count, and they'd put him away with a slider. I'd like to see him be aggressive at the plate this season.

What happened a lot was that pitchers would throw fastballs early in the count to avoid Pods stealing.  Then, Iguchi would get in down in the count, and they'd put him away with a slider.  I'd like to see him be aggressive at the plate this season.

 

That's the whole idea behind moving him down in the order. I expect him to have a big year.

I'm not worried about Iguchi at all. He'll put up similar OBP and avg numbers as last year and a bit more power and RBIs.

What happened a lot was that pitchers would throw fastballs early in the count to avoid Pods stealing.  Then, Iguchi would get in down in the count, and they'd put him away with a slider.  I'd like to see him be aggressive at the plate this season.

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Greg Walker needs to give a lesson on laying off the low and away slider. That was our major weakness last season.

Greg Walker needs to give a lesson on laying off the low and away slider.  That was our major weakness last season.

That simple.

That simple.

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It was a joke.

I love Borchard. It's an irrational, undeserved-in-a-lot-of-ways type love, but I love him just the same.

Greg Walker needs to give a lesson on laying off the low and away slider.  That was our major weakness last season.

 

KW fixed that. Pitchers that throw sliders down and away to righties now have to try and get that pitch by Thome.

 

That was the entire purpose behind getting Thome, and is also why he's such a vital part of the White Sox offense.

Iguchi had a world of new experiences to deal with last year. Everything from learning a new league and lifestyle to learning where to get a good Japanese meal. I'm sure it was hard on him and wore him down by year's end. I believe he'll have a solid year this year.

Iguchi struck out 114 times last season.  I hope he doesn't strike out more than that this season.  Oftentimes, he was in a hole because he was taking pitches so Podsednik could steal.  He won't have to do that this season if he's batting sixth.

That was my first thought about Gooch coming into this season. Quite a few times he struck out on the high fastball, and that's something he needs to address down lower in the order.

 

As for how he'll do, I expect an improvement in the power numbers of course, but I wouldn't be suprised if the jump isn't as big as people are expecting.

I felt like the league adjusted to him last season as the year went on, and Iguchi struggled to make his own adjustments.  This is a very big year for Iguchi, and it's important for our lineup that he avoids the Sophomore Slump.

Guys like Matsui and Ichiro both had their worst seasons the first years. With all the differences between MLB and playing in Japan, it's no wonder. Rather than going through a sophomore slump, IMO, Iguchi should improve upon his 2005 year. Rather than pitchers beating him, I saw Iguchi look just plain tired. His bat slowed down, which seemed to suggest fatigue more than pitchers owning him

Guys like Matsui and Ichiro both had their worst seasons the first years. With all the differences between MLB and playing in Japan, it's no wonder. Rather than going through a sophomore slump, IMO, Iguchi should improve upon his 2005 year. Rather than pitchers beating him, I saw Iguchi look just plain tired. His bat slowed down, which seemed to suggest fatigue more than pitchers owning him

 

That's not all together true. Ichiro won the MVP his rookie season. Matsui knocked in over 100 runs his rookie season. I agree with the premise of your post.

Matsui knocked in over 100 runs his rookie season.

And then went on to have a better next 2 years, meaning his first year was, technically, his worst.

 

As for Ichiro, Ichiro's first year was his second best season, with 2004 being his best.

I like the pitching set up for wednesday.

Rather than pitchers beating him, I saw Iguchi look just plain tired. His bat slowed down, which seemed to suggest fatigue more than pitchers owning him

 

The fatigue seemed to be more mental. He just didn't seem to have a lot of focus at the plate, and was chasing pitches above his head and in the dirt. Oh well, at least he waited back on that curve by David Wells!

The fatigue seemed to be more mental.  He just didn't seem to have a lot of focus at the plate, and was chasing pitches above his head and in the dirt.  Oh well, at least he waited back on that curve by David Wells!

 

The day before that game, I was arguing with a friend about who was better between Iguchi and Graffanino. He kept saying they were the same player, but I kept telling him that Graff was a pretty bad defender and that he had a knack for choking when it mattered. As soon as Graffanino let that ball go through his legs, and then Iguchi homered, he had to admit he was wrong. He was pretty pissed that it had to be those two players involved.

And then went on to have a better next 2 years, meaning his first year was, technically, his worst.

 

As for Ichiro, Ichiro's first year was his second best season, with 2004 being his best.

 

I took him saying "worst" seasons as saying they struggled their first year.

The day before that game, I was arguing with a friend about who was better between Iguchi and Graffanino.  He kept saying they were the same player, but I kept telling him that Graff was a pretty bad defender and that he had a knack for choking when it mattered.  As soon as Graffanino let that ball go through his legs, and then Iguchi homered, he had to admit he was wrong.  He was pretty pissed that it had to be those two players involved.

 

LMAO. That's effin' great!