May 11, 20169 yr http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/05/r...avisail-garcia/ Really good piece by a new writer at SoxNet, Bill Cowhey
May 11, 20169 yr That is really good stuff. Glad to know the numbers back up what I have felt like I was seeing from Avi. Hopefully this the emergence of Garcia for good, because this team looks a whole lot better with a bat like that in the middle of the line up.
May 11, 20169 yr It would be nice if he could be a force. I don't think anyone can be sold yet, but hopeful. He seems like a good kid who really works hard and wants to be good. Hopefully this works.
May 11, 20169 yr Author QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 11, 2016 -> 07:40 AM) It would be nice if he could be a force. I don't think anyone can be sold yet, but hopeful. He seems like a good kid who really works hard and wants to be good. Hopefully this works. His work ethic (to go along with his tools) is one of the big reasons I never could 100% write him off. If he had a lazier work ethic, I'd put the odds far less of him turning things around. Still, very small sample size but clearly reasons to be potentially optimistic.
May 11, 20169 yr QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 11, 2016 -> 10:06 AM) His work ethic (to go along with his tools) is one of the big reasons I never could 100% write him off. If he had a lazier work ethic, I'd put the odds far less of him turning things around. Still, very small sample size but clearly reasons to be potentially optimistic. His coming back from shoulder surgery so quickly because he busted his ass made me a fan for life. Even if he is a flop, I have a ton of respect for the kid. He is a hard worker, and very open to suggestion.
May 11, 20169 yr Yeah, that is a nice analysis. I have no idea what Avi will be like for the rest of the year, but the past two weeks have shown me why the Sox have been so patient with him.
May 12, 20169 yr Really good stuff citing real, tangible things without leaving us buried in numbers. Helps me justify my confidence for sure.
May 12, 20169 yr I wonder if Garcia's surge at the plate in the past two weeks has raised his trade value. Unfortunately he still profiles as a Right Handed DH and a substandard corner outfielder. In that sense, he is somewhat similar to the guy the Cubs have - Jorge Soler. That kind of player has to hit a ton against LH and RH pitching to stay on a roster or to have much trade value as a DH.
May 12, 20169 yr QUOTE (miracleon35th @ May 12, 2016 -> 03:22 PM) I wonder if Garcia's surge at the plate in the past two weeks has raised his trade value. Unfortunately he still profiles as a Right Handed DH and a substandard corner outfielder. In that sense, he is somewhat similar to the guy the Cubs have - Jorge Soler. That kind of player has to hit a ton against LH and RH pitching to stay on a roster or to have much trade value as a DH. Except Soler isn't hitting, right?
May 12, 20169 yr QUOTE (Deadpool @ May 12, 2016 -> 03:24 PM) Except Soler isn't hitting, right? Yes, I hear Soler has been struggling a bit but I don't watch any cub games. As far as Avi, perhaps his trade value would be greater if he could play first base reasonably well. As a DH, his trade value is limited unless he rakes against both LH and RH pitching and can hit somewhere around 25 home runs.
May 13, 20169 yr Avi is hitting right handers very well so far with an .837 OPS He has far less AB's against lefties but (SSS) terrible stats. I would imagine most of those AB 's against lefties came while he was struggling. If he ends up hitting well against LH and RH it would be great.
May 13, 20169 yr QUOTE (miracleon35th @ May 12, 2016 -> 03:03 PM) Yes, I hear Soler has been struggling a bit but I don't watch any cub games. As far as Avi, perhaps his trade value would be greater if he could play first base reasonably well. As a DH, his trade value is limited unless he rakes against both LH and RH pitching and can hit somewhere around 25 home runs. Given that RF requires way more athleticism than 1B, I'm sure that Avi could learn to play 1B reasonably well. Even Frank was semi-decent at 1B.
May 15, 20169 yr In the last few games it looks like Avi is once again very susceptible to off-speed pitches, especially when they are low and outside.
May 15, 20169 yr Of course, that's also true of about 85% of Latin American hitters (swinging at sliders off the outside of the plate with 2 strikes/down in the count)...and a large majority of US born players as well. Guys like Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez or Abreu when he's going well will foul all those off until they get a pitch they can square up and drive. Edited May 15, 20169 yr by caulfield12
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.