Simple yes or no.
Yes
No
Simple yes or no.
He won't get above .320
If he does, we go to the playoffs, because everything will be going right.
He has only beat .350 once in his career. I think .340 may be a more reasonable target.
His OBP is high this spring training, but his slugging is horrible, .303. While you might argue that SLG is not that important for a leadoff hitter, it is important for every hitter.
First, if all you are getting is singles, even if you are getting to second with steals, you are not advancing runners, which is essential for a potent offense.
Second, if all you are doing as a hitter is getting slap and bunt hits, pitchers will not be afraid of you and go right after you. The worst that can happen is you get a single, a soft single at that. That would dry up walks, and lower your OBP.
So while it is nice that Taveras has improved his OBP this spring, until his improves his SLG, his 09 season will be closer than his 08 than his 07.
I think .330-.340 is the best case scenario for him and that's probably still a little optimistic.
Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.
Last edited by redsfandan; 03-29-2009 at 05:46 PM. Reason: spacing
I'll take .325-.330 and hope that's good enough to make a meaningful impact.
no
2009 Attendance Record: 3-5 2010 Attendance Record: 2-9 2015 Attendance Record: 2-0
2011 Attendance Record: 3-4 2012 Attendance Record: 3-4
2013 Attendance Record: 5-2 2014 Attendance Record: 3-1
The only players that would be on base would be the players at the bottom of the batting order. How likely is it that they will be? And if you are getting to 2nd or even 3rd base on steals, yes you are advancing runners. You're advancing YOU. Which would you rather have? Hernandez on 2nd with Taveras at the plate or Taveras on 2nd and Votto at the plate?
No. I'll guess he'll be right around .315 for the season.
I'm setting the bar at .315.
As long as he's over .300 I won't have an aneurysm.
Anything approaching .320 is Gravy.
If he approaches .350, I'll be ecstatic, and prepared to eat some crow.
Unfortunately we're still going to have a suck-hole batting 2nd - because it will inevitably be the SS, when it probably SHOULD be Dickerson. Votto will get a ton or RBI's if Tavares' "in scoring position percentage" is .300+ - until they decide to start pitching around him to get to BP, who is REALLY going to have to step it up offensively if we are going to do anything seriously approaching .500.
No RH Starting Pitcher in their right mind is going to pitch to Votto with 1st base open and BP in the on-deck circle. They'll take their chances that BP will get that slow roller for the DP and face Bruce with the bags empty.
PEACE
-BLEEDS
I think that in a year or two, one of these guys - Frazier, Dorn, Valaika, Cumberland, Stubbs - will be ready to replace Dunn. They won't hit as many home runs as Dunn, but they should have similar OPS. - 757690, July 22, 2008
Alonso will be playing 1B for the REDS and batting 4th one year from today. - Kingspoint, July 9, 2009
I think a .350 obp is actually well within reach for Taveras this season. I would not be shocked in the least if he hit that figure. I think the minimum I would expect would be in the .330 range.
No, because of reasons previously stated. Taveras is not a lead-off hitter and should be in the eighth slot in front of the pitcher so that when he does get on he takes some of the pressure off the pitcher by being a nuisance on the basepaths. I believe Hannigan is a muh better choice as a lead-off hitter because although he doesn't have speed he finds a way to get on. I know, he isn't even the starting catcher, but he should be. Dickerson is a one or two hitter and shouldn't be anywhere else in the line-up.
YES! Gotta think optimistic the week before the season fellas...
Ask me again in three weeks ha.
Yes, in fact his OBP will be higher than his slugging, is that going out on a limb?
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