Thread: Article: Position Analysis: Left Field

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I assume the lone home run with be of the inside-the-park variety, right?

Not necessarily. Even Nick Punto and Drew Butera managed to go yard back in 2010.

Didn't Bill James, or someone else, also predict Revere would hit one homerun?

In my humble opinion Span's RBI numbers this year will go hand in hand with how effective Ben is at getting on base and stealing 2nd. Not that we are expecting 100 RBIs from our lead-off hitter, but if Span got 70-80 RBIs that would be a huge lift, and that could happen if Revere can find ways of getting on base and then getting over to 2nd with his speed. If we could get .375 OBP from Revere, then I can easily see Ben scoring 90-100 runs with Span getting a nice chunk of RBIs out of it. But who knows, if we get .375 OBP from Revere, he might end up batting 2nd which isn't all bad either.

Also watch Ben's productiveness versus lefties, I won't be surprised if early in the season he struggles against south paws to see a regular platoon form with Plouffe.

Nick, what do you think his OPS would need to be, combined wtih great defense, to make him league average as a LFer? Because I doubt it is as low as .670. And, why can't he learn to take a walk? Is that a hard skill to learn?

"And, why can't he learn to take a walk? Is that a hard skill to learn?"

Mike, maybe it is because he makes too much contact. When he swings at a pitch he doesn't miss and more go into play. I think Puckett had that "problem". When he swung at something he tended to make contact. Every spring, Puckett talked about taking more walks. It never happened. It is hard to change your spots.

Originally Posted by Parker Hageman

I assume the lone home run with be of the inside-the-park variety, right?

Heck yeah. He came close several times last year -- gotta happen.

Originally Posted by mike wants wins

Nick, what do you think his OPS would need to be, combined wtih great defense, to make him league average as a LFer?

Good question, and I don't really have a specific answer in mind. If he could get to .700 (which seems feasible with a .350 OBP and SLG) I think he'd a be a serviceable starter.

Originally Posted by mike wants wins

And, why can't he learn to take a walk? Is that a hard skill to learn?

In order to take a walk, you need pitchers to throw the ball outside of the zone. How many guys are going to be afraid to throw it over the plate with three balls to a guy who can't hit it over the outfielders' heads?

Originally Posted by Nick Nelson

How many guys are going to be afraid to throw it over the plate with three balls to a guy who can't hit it over the outfielders' heads?

Thanks for the chuckle. True as that may be, I've never seen that attribute associated with a ML leftfielder.

There are guys with similar power to Revere who manage higher walk rates. Carroll, Castilla and Punto to name 3. If you are going to walk more when you have little power, you have to take strikes early in the count. I suppose Revere could learn to do that, but he does seem to make a lot of contact when he swings at pitches.

"At 23, I think he still has room to grow."

We can only hope. But hey, anytime you can lock up a .619 OPS and about 30-40 RBI a season at a corner outfield spot with a 1st round draft pick...I think you gotta do it, right?!

I really want Revere to work out (maybe its the smile), but I caught him in a spring training game this year where he was ranging to his left and he called Benson off of a direct to the plate path. Ben made a weak, off-line throw home. Another year of "seasoning" in the minors could really have helped, but I think he will improve.