For those of you who have seen Sappelt play, why is he #10? Didn't he climb 3 levels this year----(ahead of Mesoraco's climb)? I'm thinking maybe Sappelt could be the LF answer, and fill that oh so needed lead-off. I've never seen him play, just reading stats and observing his ascent. I crave some input from those that may have seen him in action significantly.
I'm curious as well. From the purely statistical perspective, his production was largely driven by his batting average and his batting average was significantly buoyed by a high BABIP, especially in AA. As a speedster, we can expect a higher than normal BABIP, but not to the degree he had in 2010.Originally Posted by gedred69
Combine that the lack of a strong pedigree -- 9th Rd pick in 2008 from Coastal Carolina -- and you've got a guy who is likely to be a productive player before anybody gets too worked up over his chances to do so.
Also, given the composition of his skills, primarily contact and speed, I'm guessing there's not a ton of upside projection in him.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
50+ EBH, 25 steals and plus defense. I wouldn't cast Sappelt as a guy whose only skills are hitting singles and running the bases.given the composition of his skills, primarily contact and speed, I'm guessing there's not a ton of upside projection in him.
Juan Pierre has cleared 40 XBH a few times in his career and nobody would confuse him for anything other than a pure speed guy.
I never said Sappelt was a powerless slap hitter. He's clearly got more pop than a Pierre. But those extra base hits are more a function of his speed than they would be for the average player. Somebody who's seen him more can correct me if I'm wrong, but while he's got surprising power for a guy his size it's hardly an asset -- merely not a negative.
He actually seems to profile very similar to Shane Victorino. Similar skill set, similar size, similar production. Don't get me wrong lollipop, I think Sappelt could be a very useful player, a starting OF on a WS winning team -- I just don't think his skill set is the kind that makes people ooh and ahh and add him to top prospect lists. They tend to favor those guys who have the potential to be cornerstone/franchise types -- high ceilings over high floors.
Last edited by RedsManRick; 11-23-2010 at 04:42 PM.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
Pierre, eh? In about the same # of minor league ABs, Sappelt has 24 homers to Pierre's 1. Pretty weak comparison, if you ask me.Juan Pierre has cleared 40 XBH a few times in his career and nobody would confuse him for anything other than a pure speed guy.
I never said he couldn't hit doubles and triples. He's clearly got more pop than a Pierre. But those extra base hits are more a function of his speed than they would be for the average player. My point stands -- most of his production comes from his ability to put the ball in play and use his legs. He might not have "minus" power, like a Pierre, but I would hardly call it an asset.
Ummm... yeah.... try reading the rest of my post next time. You are beating a strawman. You brought up XBH and I merely referenced Pierre to point out that accumulating 50 XBH doesn't mean the guy is a power hitter. If the guy with the least power in the sport can hit 40, what's 50? Sappelt has some power, certainly more than Pierre, and I've never suggested otherwise. But 50 XBH doesn't get anybody worked up when they're ranking prospects.
The opening question in this thread was about why he wasn't more highly regarded. My answer included the observation that his primary assets are his ability to make a lot of contact and use his legs. He profiles as a leadoff or #2 type hitter and that is not considered as valuable as somebody who would hit 3-4-5. That's not my assessment of his value; that's my assessment of why he's not more highly ranked.
That doesn't mean he has no power, just that it's not considered an asset. He's probably what, a 40 on the 20-80 scale? For a guy who plays great D, makes good contact and runs very well, that's solid. But he's not a threat to hit 25 HR in the majors. I like the guy. Look at the comp I actually made -- Victorino. Victorino has averaged 51 XBH per 162 games in the majors (29/9/13). But nobody is going to confuse Victorino with a power hitter.
Why make this an argument?
Last edited by RedsManRick; 11-23-2010 at 05:31 PM.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
Because it's the off-season!
Dave Sappelt can be more than a 4th outfielder. He doesn't have the power to be a true corner guy, but if he turned into a Carl Crawford type of guy, I wouldn't be shocked. I really liked what I saw from Sappelt this year. He has a few things to work on still, but he can go get the ball in center. He makes plenty of contact. He hits the ball hard. He seems to think he is a power hitter and he swings like it. But its a controlled swing too, I like it.
I don't think his approach will allow for continued positive production. Guys who hack don't tend to get on base well enough unless they hit for a high avg. and those who don't use the whole field don't tend to hit for a high enough avg. unless they have alot of power and he doesn't. Yes he is fast but he isn't Drew Stubbs fast and he is RH so he doesn't get to take advantage of a LH batters box head start.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
--Woody Hayes
He isn't a 'hacker'. He just makes a lot of contact. There is a difference between the two types of guys. As for using the whole field, Sappelt went 15%, 21% and 18% to the outfield this season. That is using the whole field.
Perhaps we have 2 different definitions of what a hacker is. A guy who swings at most everything thrown in the zone (including pitchers pitches) is the true definition of a hacker to me. And when I saw him last in Dayton he was a dead pull hitter. Perhaps he has learned to go with the pitch, if so maybe he will figure it out.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
--Woody Hayes
I think with hackers it's less about using the field as it is squaring the ball up. If he can maintain a LD rate around 20%, he'll be just fine. Not sure what he's done this far in that regard.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
Well if your trying to pull the outside pitch I don't know that it matters how well you square it, though not sure if the 2 are possible to do at the same time or not.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
--Woody Hayes
Sooooo, could he play LF, and be a Lead-off hitter? Some have offered views that say a bit to those questions, and others have offered opinions about the guy in generalities. I'm just of the opinion the Reds desperately need a Lead-off hitter, and by the time they are done paying Votto and Bruce, there isn't going to be any money to land any significant Free Agent to fill the bill. Could Sappelt be the guy?
There is a chance of it yes. He wouldn't be your typical left fielder, but I think he could be a Carl Crawford type with a little less HR power and far fewer steals (though 20-30 is possible, he has above average speed but isn't the best base stealer).
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