Freel's target: 60 steals (2/28)

[TeamBoone]

02-28-2006
Freel's target: 60 steals
Marc Lancaster

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reds utiltyman Ryan Freel has decided he'd like to steal 60 bases this year. He had 36 last season, and he figures if he stays healthy he'll have a shot. Freel missed 39 games on two trips to the disabled list this year.

But the factor that might put him over the top, in his opinion, is Billy Hatcher joining the coaching staff.

"I learned more in 15 minutes of talking to him than I have in 13 years of pro ball," Freel said Monday.

Hatcher, who stole 53 bases in 62 attempts for the Houston Astros in 1987, knows of what he speaks. Freel said the new first base coach already has taught him how to pick up more cues from pitchers rather than rely mostly on instincts - particularly when pitchers go to a slide-step delivery in an effort to thwart the running game.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060228/SPT05/602280330/1027

[BRM]

60 steals is a tall order for a part-time player...

[KronoRed]

He shouldn't be a part time player, he should get every possible start at 2nd.

If he breaks down he breaks down, till then he should be a regular.

[westofyou]

STOLEN BASES YEAR SB CS RB EBH OBA SEC
T1 Bob Bescher 1911 80 0 272 43 .385 .396
T1 Eric Davis 1986 80 11 184 45 .378 .602
3 Dave Collins 1980 79 21 223 27 .366 .307
4 Bob Bescher 1910 70 0 232 34 .344 .345
T5 Joe Morgan 1975 67 10 298 50 .466 .580
T5 Joe Morgan 1973 67 15 282 63 .406 .512
T5 Bob Bescher 1912 67 10 243 44 .381 .389
8 Joe Morgan 1976 60 9 266 62 .444 .625
T9 Joe Morgan 1974 58 12 273 56 .427 .549
T9 Joe Morgan 1972 58 17 282 43 .417 .457

[flyer85]

The value of 60 steals will be determined by the number of times caught.

[M2]

I'd love to see Freel unleashed like that.

[westofyou]

The value of 60 steals will be determined by the number of times caught.
Or the percent of times you got an extra base after just reaching first.

In ED's case it was 57.5% of the time he got an extra base and 8% of the time he got picked off.

[Steve4192]

"I learned more in 15 minutes of talking to him than I have in 13 years of pro ball," Freel said Monday.

I suspect that Ryan meant this only as a compliment to Hatcher, but I'll be darned if, at first glance, it didn't appear to be a major slap in the face to Billy's predecessor.

[RedsManRick]

The way I see it, we know he can steal 5 bags in a game, so he just needs 12 starts and he's golden...

[KearnsyEars]

Ya ya ya. Preseason steal talk. And I think back to Adam Dunn last offseason. Dunn said he was gonna be aggressive and start taking off more. And he went, what? 4 for 6 all year? The stolen base is a lost art and while I admit the threat is there for Freel, I'd say he's going for about 42 SB, not 60.

[KearnsyEars]

60 steals is a tall order for a part-time player...


agreed

[Eric_Davis]

What I hear from Freel is that "a light went on". This team can use as many lights being turned on as possible.

A lot of Freel's success will depend upon whether or not he has someone batting behind him who takes pitches.

[BRM]

A lot of Freel's success will depend upon whether or not he has someone batting behind him who takes pitches.

And how often he plays.

[harangatang]

And how often he plays.
And if he can keep out of trouble with the law.

[TeamBoone]

I suspect that Ryan meant this only as a compliment to Hatcher, but I'll be darned if, at first glance, it didn't appear to be a major slap in the face to Billy's predecessor.

Well, he did say it was more than he learned in 13 years. But then again, maybe the last two felt like thirteen.