Struggling Players

[stringer bell]

Bremer did get one thing right tonight. He pointed out a number of players who were struggling. Parmelee has had two miserable offensive games in Fenway, Dozier got the sombrero today and, of course, Hicks is hitting .120 with deteriorating play in the field. Beyond that, Florimon's offensive numbers a drifting towards what was expected and Plouffe's stats are far from stellar. That is only the young guys who aren't established.

 

Who will rebound, and who is headed for either the bench or Rochester?

[PseudoSABR]

You have to keep throwing all those players out there, maybe save Hicks. There simply aren't alternatives. Hicks might have things to work on at AAA, but it's hard to believe anyone else does. Play them and see what we've got and make decisions in the offseason.

[Oxtung]

Agree with PseudoSABR. Keep tossing them out there. I would say Hicks could use some time at AAA but there really isn't anyone to man CF. Clete Thomas is crushing it at AAA but isn't on the 40 man. Of course Wood is looking like he might not be a big loss if we just cut bait and that would open a spot for Thomas.....

[Seth Stohs]

Wood could also be put on the 60 Day DL. There are guys that could be DFAd. Also, Joe Benson has been playing pretty well the last 2 weeks or so.

 

I definitely wouldn't make any big comments on "Parmelee having a couple of bad games in Fenway" or "Dozier striking out a bunch in one game."

[PseudoSABR]

I definitely wouldn't make any big comments on "Parmelee having a couple of bad games in Fenway" or "Dozier striking out a bunch in one game."

Such discrete events are beginning to mount up.

 

As I said, keep throwing them out there, but how many at bats do we need to find the results discouraging? Dozier and Parmelee are on the verge of losing significant playing time to Escobar and Arcia. Let's not cut them too much slack, now.

[Oxtung]

Such discrete events are beginning to mount up.

 

As I said, keep throwing them out there, but how many at bats do we need to find the results discouraging? Dozier and Parmelee are on the verge of losing significant playing time to Escobar and Arcia. Let's not cut them too much slack, now.

 

Why would Dozier losing playing time to Escobar? Since being inserted into the top of the order Dozier has a .740 OPS. In the same time frame Florimon has a .462 OPS.

[stringer bell]

Of the five I mentioned originally, the longest leash probably belongs to Plouffe (mostly because there isn't a replacement for his power at third north of Ft. Myers. Next most secure would be Dozier, who has played very, very well in the field and has been decent in the last 3-4 weeks (.740 OPS as #1 hitter). I would put Parmelee next, again good defense at a new position and hints of power. After that, Florimon whose offense is at expectation right now and who has played better defense since the weather warmed up. I do believe that lack of other options is keeping Hicks in the major leagues right now. I think the lapses pointed out in the last two days are major, and that combined with a continuing drought at the plate makes him a prime candidate to be sent down for more seasoning.

[Badsmerf]

Plouffe and Dozier are fine. Dozier has been much better at leadoff and Plouffe has a .327 OBP and .764 OPS. I expect Dozier's average to keep creeping up and don't think its too unlikely for Plouffe to get north of an .800 OPS pretty soon. Plouffe's advanced metrics are much better than his numbers look. Currently .239 babip, 24% LD rate (that, is impressive), and only 10.5 % HR/FB which was 14% last year. I'm an apologist, can't help it. Plouffe stands for what the Twins have been against for 20 years.