Hes not going to be a 40 hr guy, especially at C. There are very few 40 hr guys these days.

Mark Reynolds is actually a stellar example here. In 2008, Reynolds hit 28 home runs, but because he struck out 203 times, he only hit .239 and put up a .779 OPS.

 

In 2009, he hit 44 home runs, and although his strikeouts actually went up, he hit .260 with an .892 OPS.

 

This year, he's getting a few less hits and a few less HR and that's dropped his OPS down to .799, which is still ok, but not nearly .900.

 

When you're striking out 200 times, there is a huge difference in OPS between 30 and 40 home runs, because your HR are also carrying your batting average.

Mark Reynolds is actually a stellar example here. In 2008, Reynolds hit 28 home runs, but because he struck out 203 times, he only hit .239 and put up a .779 OPS.

 

In 2009, he hit 44 home runs, and although his strikeouts actually went up, he hit .260 with an .892 OPS.

 

This year, he's getting a few less hits and a few less HR and that's dropped his OPS down to .799, which is still ok, but not nearly .900.

 

When you're striking out 200 times, there is a huge difference in OPS between 30 and 40 home runs, because your HR are also carrying your batting average.

Oh I agree with what you are saying about the huge difference. I just mean that Flowers is not going to hit 40 Hrs. I would be suprised if he hit 30.

Oh I agree with what you are saying about the huge difference. I just mean that Flowers is not going to hit 40 Hrs. I would be suprised if he hit 30.

And if he can't hit close to 40, he's going to be a fringey/platoonish catcher unless he's really good on defense.

And if he can't hit close to 40, he's going to be a fringey/platoonish catcher unless he's really good on defense.

 

0 players hit 40 home runs in the AL last year, 5 hit 35 or more, and 15 hit 30 or more home runs. I think if you are expecting Flowers to either boom or bust based off of his ability to hit close to 40 homers, you need to temper your expectations of what makes a successful catcher.

0 players hit 40 home runs in the AL last year, 5 hit 35 or more, and 15 hit 30 or more home runs. I think if you are expecting Flowers to either boom or bust based off of his ability to hit close to 40 homers, you need to temper your expectations of what makes a successful catcher.

Last season 9 teams got 20+ HR out of the catching position (that's total, not just primary), only 2 teams got 25+ (ATL, KCR) and only 1 team got 30+ HR (Royals).

 

In 2008 only 6 teams got 20+ HR, 2 got 25+ (Cubs and Angels) and no one got 30+.

 

In 2007 only 8 teams got 20+ HR, 1 got 25+ (Indians) and no one got 30+.

 

In 2006 only 10 teams got 20+ HR, 6 got 25+ and 2 got 30+ (Padres and Reds).

0 players hit 40 home runs in the AL last year, 5 hit 35 or more, and 15 hit 30 or more home runs. I think if you are expecting Flowers to either boom or bust based off of his ability to hit close to 40 homers, you need to temper your expectations of what makes a successful catcher.

1 more: In the history of the game only 7 times has a catcher hit 40+ HR (5 catchers did it).

 

1953: Campanella - 41

1970: Bench - 45

1972: Bench - 40

1996: Hundley - 41

1997: Piazza - 40

1999: Piazza - 40

2003: Lopez - 43

 

Only 18 times has a catcher hit 35+ HR, 7 of those took place between '93 and '99 and since the turn of the century Piazza and Javy Lopez did it a combined 3 times so take those 10 for what they're worth.

Johnny Bench is a baseball GOD and he only did it twice in his career.

 

So definitely not a standard that should be applied to mere mortals.

 

 

I'll be very happy if Flowers can match the numbers of Mike Napoli.

I'll be very happy if Flowers can match the numbers of Mike Napoli.

 

That was his comparison comming in. I'd be trilled with that.

 

Also wite has been on the money in this thread.

http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/yB88b

 

So it's safe to say he is having the best worst season of any reliever in history? Look at that ERA compared to the other LOL (I know there is much more to that ERA though.)

So it's safe to say he is having the best worst season of any reliever in history? Look at that ERA compared to the other LOL (I know there is much more to that ERA though.)

Stranding only 8 out of 21 total inherited baserunners is pretty damn bad. It's easy to keep your ERA down when half of the 26 runs you allow to score count against someone else.

To get the subject back on Sale, I think that there's so man different things happening with a pitcher's motion that it's almost impossible to predict injury.

There will always be exceptions to the rule , Mark Prior is the prime example of "perfect" mechanics going wrong, and on the other side of the coin, Randy Johnson was a skinny, lanky hard throwing lefty with funky mechanics (like Sale)who went on to have one of the best careers of all time so it's honestly just a crap shoot I think.

What we do know about Sale is that he's been injury free in college and has been a rock for his team's rotation, these things both bode well for him. Aside from that we'll just wait and see.

To get the subject back on Sale, I think that there's so man different things happening with a pitcher's motion that it's almost impossible to predict injury.

There will always be exceptions to the rule , Mark Prior is the prime example of "perfect" mechanics going wrong, and on the other side of the coin, Randy Johnson was a skinny, lanky hard throwing lefty with funky mechanics (like Sale)who went on to have one of the best careers of all time so it's honestly just a crap shoot I think.

What we do know about Sale is that he's been injury free in college and has been a rock for his team's rotation, these things both bode well for him. Aside from that we'll just wait and see.

 

I agree BH4L, as a similar analogy but strictly opinion JFP has similar mechanics from the right side and he was injury free pretty much his first 5-6 years. Obviously every human body is different but if we can compare a similar pitcher with mechanics (Inverted W) then JFP is similar but right handed.

A prime photo showing the stain he puts on his arm.

 

Yuck.

 

I hope he stays healthy.

A prime photo showing the stain he puts on his arm.

 

Yuck.

 

I hope he stays healthy.

 

It just looks weird because of how skinny he is

His elbow is way out in front of his hips though, so it seems like all the force generated by rotating his body is getting lost and his elbow is doing most of the work

His elbow is way out in front of his hips though, so it seems like all the force generated by rotating his body is getting lost and his elbow is doing most of the work

 

Well to be fair, he isn't really throwing like he would be on a mound in that picture..

Well to be fair, he isn't really throwing like he would be on a mound in that picture..

I know, I know.

A prime photo showing the stain he puts on his arm.

 

Yuck.

 

I hope he stays healthy.

 

Looks like he is on the Alex Ernst plan of dieting.

Looks like he is on the Alex Ernst plan of dieting.

He lost something like 10+ pounds in April/May on a stomach illness regimen.

He lost something like 10+ pounds in April/May on a stomach illness regimen.

 

Now THATS the kinda diet a guy can go for.

It just looks weird because of how skinny he is

 

Seriously...who is that a picture of? Looks like short bus material.