Fangraphs uses wRC+ as a composite offensive stat. Paul is now third on the Reds behind Votto and Choo, and well above average. It's league and ballpark adjusted.
He isn't a graceful outfielder, people criticize his routes etc., I think he's probably below average but he generally gets the job done. And I wonder if he'd hit lefties better with more opportunity.
This is not some fifth outfielder or "extra bat." This guy is a solid platoon left fielder. If he's on the bench, he's a Michael Tucker type, a guy who starts for many teams. Reds are fortunate to have him.
Last edited by Kc61; 06-12-2013 at 11:42 AM.
By the way... Chris Heisey had .823 career minor league OPS and folks aren't satisfied with his .732 Major League career. Like I said, I'm hopeful Paul keeps this up, but considering his minor league numbers were .817 and his career Major League numbers are .708, it's likely he's basically still going to be Heisey only left-handed.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
RedEye (06-12-2013)
The biggest difference between Heisey and Paul is that the league hasn't figured out Paul yet.
I could care less what Heisey's numbers were, unless he adjusts his approach, he's an easy Jaun Castroesque out from now on. The same might be said for Paul eventually, but right now, the league hasn't figured out how to get him out consistently.
Hoping to change my username to 75769024
Trajinous (06-12-2013)
Chris Heisey's lifetime OPS = .732
Juan Castro's lifetime OPS = .595
Unless you consider 75 AB's in 2013 a sample size worth of hanging your hat on, Chris Heisey is most definitely not a "Castro-esque out." Did I mention that Heisey also fields well in the OF?
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
Hoping to change my username to 75769024
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
And I repeat -- Heisey could well become an "easy out" and STILL not qualify as "Castro-esque" (lifetime .595 OPS in over 2800 scintillating PA over 17 years).
I'm not sure why some are convinced Heisey has no chance to come back from his (slightly) subpar 2012 and one bad month in 2013. He has two years of plate appearances prior to this data that indicate he can. Is he a lock to recover? No. But he's at least as likely to recover, I would say, as Xavier Paul is to sustain his recent success.
Last edited by RedEye; 06-12-2013 at 03:44 PM.
Heisey is a hacker. He has terrible pitch recognition skills. Pitchers are realizing that they can keep throwing him junk and he will continue to swing at it, and continue to get himself out.
His previous numbers came when the league didn't know him, and he was being matched up against guys he does well against. They don't tell us who he is as a hitter.
I can list hundreds of hitters who started out like Heisey and then dropped,off a cliff for the same reason why I think Heisey will. They were one dimensional hitters who never were able to adjust their approach. If you want a good recent example, look at Drew Stubbs.
Hoping to change my username to 75769024
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