This Cuban dynamo was awesome last year - .317, 36, 107, .964. Can he do better? He certainly seemed to learn as the season went on in terms of batting average, while he lost a bit of power down the stretch. So... what's he going to do this year?

 

My guess is

 

.305/42/118/1.002

.315/39/121/.995

I think he's gonna hit fewer homers. His sophomore campaign will be a challenge as pitcher's have a year of data on him, but I think he'll adjust and have a very good season. It just won't be quite as good as last year. I say 27 homers, 140 wRC+ or so if he stays healthy.

Anything fewer than 73 homers is a massive disappointment.

Anything fewer than 73 74 homers is a massive disappointment.

Fixed.

652 PA, .315 AVG, .390 OBP, .570 SLG, 35 HR

I think the combination of never getting any rest and pitchers doing different things with him in the 2nd half really wore down his power numbers. If Robin doesn't try to kill him again this year (and conveniently we have a DH who also plays 1b!) I think there's a good chance he snaps out something like a mix of the two halves - higher average than the first half but maybe similar power levels. I think he hits 40 this year, barring injury.

I think the combination of never getting any rest and pitchers doing different things with him in the 2nd half really wore down his power numbers. If Robin doesn't try to kill him again this year (and conveniently we have a DH who also plays 1b!) I think there's a good chance he snaps out something like a mix of the two halves - higher average than the first half but maybe similar power levels. I think he hits 40 this year, barring injury.

He played 145 games. Started 144. 35 as a DH. 109 as a 1B. If that is a manager trying to kill a player, the White Sox are going to need at least 50 or 60 players to play your style of ball.

I think Jose proved just how good of a hitter he is in the 2nd half last year.

 

Before the all-star break:

 

.292/.342/.972 with 72 RBI and 29 HR in 322 AB

 

After the all-star break:

 

.350/.435/.948 with 34 RBI and 7 HR in 234 AB

 

Sure, his power numbers took a hit as the league adjusted to him, and the 162 game season caught up to him. But he absolutely wore out RF in the 2nd half. He looked like one of the best pure hitters in the game (power numbers aside).

 

My fearless 2015 projection:

 

.328/.390/.995 with 40 HR and 120 RBI

He played 145 games. Started 144. 35 as a DH. 109 as a 1B. If that is a manager trying to kill a player, the White Sox are going to need at least 50 or 60 players to play your style of ball.

 

145 games having played 90 game seasons in Cuba. It isn't about the race, it is about the conditioning for the race.

 

I get that the team wants to condition him to play 162, which is why I was OK with that in a throw away year.

I'll go something like Frank's 93 season...

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thomafr04.shtml

Unlike younger "rookies" he is more seasoned and I do not see a sophomore slump setting in.

 

.321/33/129/.995

 

I'm guessing power down a bit, average up.

I'd say .332/31/128. I expect many more RBI chances with this new lineup.

Compare the predictions so far to last year's:

http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=90943

M.V.P.

.294/.350/.550 - .900 OPS - 30 HR

It almost feels like something will go wrong now.

40 homers is incredibly rare these days.

 

.310/.390/.510/.900 32 homers 110 RBI

.332/.408/.568, 26 HR

.303 40 HR 120 RBI

.353 57 148

I think the combination of never getting any rest and pitchers doing different things with him in the 2nd half really wore down his power numbers. If Robin doesn't try to kill him again this year (and conveniently we have a DH who also plays 1b!) I think there's a good chance he snaps out something like a mix of the two halves - higher average than the first half but maybe similar power levels. I think he hits 40 this year, barring injury.

 

How many games should he have played?

.353 57 148

.354 58 149...lol old Price is Right watcher...lol

Honestly he should do real well with R.B.I's this year and I think his #'s will be better than last yrs.

.335 32 160

I think the combination of never getting any rest and pitchers doing different things with him in the 2nd half really wore down his power numbers. If Robin doesn't try to kill him again this year (and conveniently we have a DH who also plays 1b!) I think there's a good chance he snaps out something like a mix of the two halves - higher average than the first half but maybe similar power levels. I think he hits 40 this year, barring injury.

You're just never going to get over this are you?