James 2008 Gold Mine

[flyer85]

Got a copy last night. Incredible book ... it's just fun. He provides interesting stuff on each team that has you wanting more.

Did you know: Harang was the winningest starter in the majors last year ... the Reds won 24 of the 34 games he started.

Did you know: Norris Hopper did not hit a line drive to LF the entire season.

Did you know: The Reds have the 2006 and 2007 winners of the Kingman Award(guy who hits HRs and provides almost nothing else offensively). I let you guys wonder who the two might be.

BTW, in the Baltimore section it had a little analysis on Patterson, who has drastically reduced his swinging misses the last two seasons. That should make some around here very happy.

[dougdirt]

David Ross and Adam Dunn?

[flyer85]

David Ross and Adam Dunn?

you got the 2007 winner in there. James has been giving the award 30 years and Kingman won it numerous times.

BTW, Dunn has never won the award.

[BRM]

Junior in 2006?

[TOBTTReds]

Arroyo in 06? Only if he qualified. McCracken too.

[flyer85]

Junior in 2006?

ding ding ding

[Johnny Footstool]

Junior in 2006?

That seems right. Junior's OPB was UGLY in 2006.

[RedsManRick]

BTW, in the Baltimore section it had a little analysis on Patterson, who has drastically reduced his swinging misses the last two seasons. That should make some around here very happy.

Interesting note on Patterson. However, his LD% also dropped substantially last year. Usually that's a "random" fluctuation, but you have to wonder if perhaps it's not partially due to putting more balls in play weakly rather than missing altogether. Not saying that's a bad thing per se', but another data point suggesting that cutting down on strikeouts doesn't necessarily lead to greater production.

Patterson's rate stats were down across the board in 2007, with the most notable decrease in slugging. If fewer strikeouts doesn't lead to more times on base and more bases per at bat, what's the point?

[reds44]

Did you know: Harang was the winningest starter in the majors last year ... the Reds won 24 of the 34 games he started.

Meaning the Reds were 48-80 in game he did not start.

Good to hear about CPatt.

[flyer85]

If fewer strikeouts doesn't lead to more times on base and more bases per at bat, what's the point?

Heretic

[PuffyPig]

Did you know: Harang was the winningest starter in the majors last year ... the Reds won 24 of the 34 games he started.

I think he's more underrated in Cincy (and especially on this board) that elsewhere.

He's a true #1.

[princeton]

He's a true #1.

Beckett's a true #1

Aaron's a #2, but really gets the most out of everything that he has. He's a true pitcher.

[PuffyPig]

Beckett's a true #1

Aaron's a #2, but really gets the most out of everything that he has. He's a true pitcher.

Beckett?

Has trouble staying healthy.Two years with (barely) 200 innings.

He's had one dominate season, last year.

It's his playoff performances that has gotten him notice.

If Harang is not a #1, there aren't many around. He's accomplished more than most pitchers in the majors, pitching in a bandbox of a ballpark.

[RedsManRick]

Beckett's a true #1

Aaron's a #2, but really gets the most out of everything that he has. He's a true pitcher.

Not to rehash the conversation which we've had numerous times, but I find any definition of starter slots which somehow only accounts for about 50-60% of major league starters somewhat specious at best.

Not to mention that Beckett has had an ERA over 5.00 as recently as 2006. All Harang does is throw more innings, strike out more guys, and walk fewer guys. But Beckett, he wins.

Harang might not be an "ace", but he's certainly a #1. If the Reds made the playoffs and Harang pitched Game 1, would Harang then get to count as a true #1? Or maybe he just needs the offense to give him a few more runs so he can win 20 games.

[princeton]

Not to rehash the conversation...

sure about that?