August 14, 201015 yr Interesting read about journeyman and current Charlotte Knight Luis Rodriguez, having a breakout year at age 30: Fangraphs In 354 plate appearances, Rodriguez is hitting .296/.360/.502. That is not a typo – the diminutive middle infielder is outslugging Jesus Montero. A guy who has slapped the ball on the ground for most of his career, he’s already launched 15 home runs in the International League, and 31 of his 90 hits have gone for extra bases. He’s done this while maintaining his excellent bat control, as he again has more walks (34) than strikeouts (30).
August 14, 201015 yr That's funny because a couple weeks ago I was looking at the Knights stats to see him basically on top for BA and OPS and even among the league leaders, yet you don't hear much about him at all.
August 14, 201015 yr Unless he can play 3B, he's blocked by Lillibridge, Beckham, Ramirez, Teahen, Vizquel and Viciedo. I guess it depends if Vizquel returns in 2011 and if Lillibridge can sustain his hitting, because he brings a lot to the team as a pinch-runner. It's still a big question who plays 3B next year.
August 14, 201015 yr QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 14, 2010 -> 09:07 AM) Unless he can play 3B, he's blocked by Lillibridge, Beckham, Ramirez, Teahen, Vizquel and Viciedo. I guess it depends if Vizquel returns in 2011 and if Lillibridge can sustain his hitting, because he brings a lot to the team as a pinch-runner. It's still a big question who plays 3B next year. He can play third. Too bad he got plunked the other day and has missed the past 3 games for Charlotte.
August 14, 201015 yr I was guessing that it was a product of hitting at Charlotte (e.g., Chris Getz' 11 homeruns in 2008). Actually, Rodriguez has done just as well on the road.
August 14, 201015 yr QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Aug 14, 2010 -> 02:14 PM) Is this our Jason Werth? Werth wasn't 30 when he broke out in 07.
August 14, 201015 yr QUOTE (chw42 @ Aug 14, 2010 -> 03:23 PM) Werth wasn't 30 when he broke out in 07. He was 28 and his breakout power year was 08 and he was 29. Not much difference.
August 14, 201015 yr QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 14, 2010 -> 03:26 PM) He was 28 and his breakout power year was 08 and he was 29. Not much difference. Yet somehow....................its a huge difference.
August 14, 201015 yr QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 14, 2010 -> 03:26 PM) He was 28 and his breakout power year was 08 and he was 29. Not much difference. He still had a great season in 07. That was the year I started to notice him after he disappeared following a good 04 season.
August 14, 201015 yr Werth was always an incredible talent (22nd overall pick in '97), he broke his wrist in Spring Training of '05 which accounted for his down year in his second full season and forced him out for all of 2006. That's what f***ed up his career trajectory, I mean he was in the majors and playing well at age 25, the wrist injury robbed him of his age 26 and 27 seasons, not an all-out lack of production or development. He's produced in the majors whenever his wrist wasn't killing him.
August 14, 201015 yr QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 14, 2010 -> 03:49 PM) Werth was also a former 1st rounder, IIRC. He showed up on BA's top 100 prospects list 4 times ('99, '00, '02, '03).
August 14, 201015 yr QUOTE (Kalapse @ Aug 14, 2010 -> 01:53 PM) He showed up on BA's top 100 prospects list 4 times ('99, '00, '02, '03). Exactly. Rodriguez doesn't exactly have that pedigree. Werth had a lot of talent and put it together late. Torres/Rodriguez don't have that sort of talent (albeit Torres is a pretty solid athlete). Heck, the Sox best guy to be a potential breakout candidate would be someone like Threets who has a dynamite arm but never been able to put it all together.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.