Drew Sutton for Jeff Keppinger.
I still can't believe we got that much for Keppinger.
A switch-hitter that brings positive at-bats from both sides of the plate and plays 1B/SS/2B/3B, and probably could play any of the outfield spots, too. The ulitmate Utility Infielder.
In 37 games in Louisville so far:
vs. Left-handers: .341/.404/.585/.990 in about 48 PA's.
vs. Righthanders: .212/.380/.459/.838 in about 108 PA's.
Last year at AA Corpus Christi in about 686 PA's he hit .317/.408/.523/.931
Tomorrow, June 30th, is his 26th birthday. He's entering the peak of the 4 or 5 best years of his career. He's maturing very fast right now....like Dickerson did this time last season.
He's never been injured as a pro. He went to College at Baylor, so it's not like he's spent a lot of time in the minors. But, his 3000 career minor league plate appearances plus College experience makes it so that there just isn't a lot left for him to learn in the minors.
He's either ready for the Majors or he'll never be.
He's not tearing it up his last 10 games: .270/.357/.459/.816
But, his June numbers are: .272/.410/.568/.978
Not bad. When EE gets promoted, and I assume it's for Danny Richar, the next infielder I'd like to see promoted would be Sutton. By then, he will have had another 50+ PA's in Louisville, perhaps honing some more skills as he sees pitchers for the second or sometimes third time this season.
Jerry Hairston, Jr. is a career .259/.328/.371/.700 hitter. He's proving last season was a career fluke as this year he's right where he should be at .249/.307/.394/.701, nearly identical to what one could have expected from him at the beginning of the season.
But, Hairston is a veteran and an ex-Cub, two things Dusty continues to burden this team with.
I'd much rather have the younger, more energetic, and probably better defender, switch-hitter in Sutton.
I hope Walt can see this, too, and make the move.
Hairston is a commodity this team doesn't need any more. DFA him.