Kubel's Increasing K-Rate

[TheDean]

Hmmm, it's an interesting thought, but how could the plan have not been for this much time in the field? Or, at least a good amount? They started the season with the following players on the 25 day roster between corner OF and DH: Willingham, Arcia, Kubel, and Colabello. Even if you put CC on the bench, you still have Hammer Arcia and Kubel, all better suited to DH than play OF. Not sure I see a scenario where Kubel doesn't see a lot of time in the OF, even if Hammer had been healthy.

 

I think a "good amount" and "this much" are two very different things. Arcia would have likely played nearly every day in the OF. He's got young legs and needs the experience. That leaves Willy and Kubel splitting LF in some kind of platoon, possibly switching DH with CC (where he belongs). In my highly unscientific opinion, that setup gives Kubel maybe 50% of the games in the OF or less.

 

In summary, sure Kubel likely was expected to play some OF, but I don't think anyone would have expected 28 games started in the OF through game 36. In fact, I think he was expected to DH quite a bit. Starts at DH to-date: 0.

 

Extra research from Bbref:

Kubel has started >100 G in the OF once in his career: 124 GS in 2012 with Arizona. He's on pace for 126 currently, but I don't think anyone expects that pace to hold after the DL activations.

[Alex]

I think a "good amount" and "this much" are two very different things. Arcia would have likely played nearly every day in the OF. He's got young legs and needs the experience. That leaves Willy and Kubel splitting LF in some kind of platoon, possibly switching DH with CC (where he belongs). In my highly unscientific opinion, that setup gives Kubel maybe 50% of the games in the OF or less.

 

In summary, sure Kubel likely was expected to play some OF, but I don't think anyone would have expected 28 games started in the OF through game 36. In fact, I think he was expected to DH quite a bit. Starts at DH to-date: 0.

 

Extra research from Bbref:

Kubel has started >100 G in the OF once in his career: 124 GS in 2012 with Arizona. He's on pace for 126 currently, but I don't think anyone expects that pace to hold after the DL activations.

 

That's fair, and we can certainly split hairs about what that means. I guess I'd argue that if he's already flagging after playing 28 games in the OF of 36 at this point in the season, that's an issue. He's the best of those three OF, so I'd be surprised if the expectation was for him to DH more than 25% of the time as he's the best fielding corner OF on the roster (and who has the potential bat for it).

[JB_Iowa]

• Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 14m
  Five easiest to strike out: Kubel (one every 2.93 plate appearances), Jason Castro, Chris Carter, Rasmus, JUpton (with B.J. right behind).
   
   
   
   
  
  • Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 14m
    Five players most difficult to strike out: Victor Martinez (one every 20.29 plate appearances), Kurt Suzuki, Kinsler, Altuve, Simmons.
     
     
    Does this mean Kubel and Suzuki cancel each other out?
     
     
    

   

   

[Otto von Ballpark]

Hmmm, it's an interesting thought, but how could the plan have not been for this much time in the field? Or, at least a good amount? They started the season with the following players on the 25 day roster between corner OF and DH: Willingham, Arcia, Kubel, and Colabello. Even if you put CC on the bench, you still have Hammer Arcia and Kubel, all better suited to DH than play OF. Not sure I see a scenario where Kubel doesn't see a lot of time in the OF, even if Hammer had been healthy.

 

Also, I remember during the offseason and spring training, both Kubel and Gardy were saying they expected him to play a lot of outfield. Maybe not exactly 28 of 36, but also not significantly less than that.