9/19/12 - Reds at Cubs

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Stubbs is so much more productive against lefties. If the Reds would simply come up with a lefty hitting platoon partner for him, they can turn Drew into a productive platoon player.

They don't need a lefty. Heisey actually hits RHP better in his career than LHP.

In fact, his career OPS:

vs. L (.653)
vs. R (.812)

Put Heisey's .812 OPS vs. RHP and Stubbs' .816 OPS vs. LHP and you have an .800 OPS centerfielder which is top-10 in the Majors in production

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by Brutus

They don't need a lefty. Heisey actually hits RHP better in his career than LHP.

In fact, his career OPS:

vs. L (.653)
vs. R (.812)

Put Heisey's .812 OPS vs. RHP and Stubbs' .816 OPS vs. LHP and you have an .800 OPS centerfielder which is top-10 in the Majors in production

Brutus, I know you like Heisey. My preference is a different kind of hitter. Heisey has value, I'm not suggesting your view is unreasonable. I just would want a different player.

[Tadasimha]

Originally Posted by Tom Servo

Rolen in the deep.

I see what you did there - very clever!

[Tom Servo]

Nice, inning ending DP!

[Tom Servo]

Gameday says Ludwick left with a leg injury?

[Kc61]

Ludwick out with a groin injury. Reds say precautionary. He was stretching it out on second base.

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Brutus, I know you like Heisey. My preference is a different kind of hitter. Heisey has value, I'm not suggesting your view is unreasonable. I just would want a different player.

I honestly don't know why you care about style more than bottom-line results. My preference is for the Reds to obtain an everyday, quality centerfielder. But the Reds could do a lot worse than Heisey (and they already are doing worse).

Why do you care what pitch Heisey swings at if he continues to hit .812 against right-handed pitching? Honestly, I don't see why it matters too much. Results are results and after nearly 900 plate appearances, one has to think it's not a fluke.

Heisey can swing at whatever pitch he likes. If he, as a CF, puts up an .812 OPS against RHP, he fits that role you describe perfectly.

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by Brutus

I honestly don't know why you care about style more than bottom-line results. My preference is for the Reds to obtain an everyday, quality centerfielder. But the Reds could do a lot worse than Heisey (and they already are doing worse).

Why do you care what pitch Heisey swings at if he continues to hit .812 against right-handed pitching? Honestly, I don't see why it matters too much. Results are results and after nearly 900 plate appearances, one has to think it's not a fluke.

Not going to debate Heisey in depth now. But he has a 3.8% walk rate and a high strikeout rate. He swings at everything. He has this habit of striking out on half swings. He just has very poor plate discipline. Really poor.

I haven't reviewed his lifetime numbers, but this year Heisey has a very high BABIP which is helping his overall numbers. Not all luck, for sure, but maybe partially luck.

The Reds have enough power. I'd like to see them use CF to get a player who gets on base at a high clip, can bat leadoff. Can set the table for Votto, et al.

That's my basic point. Heisey has good power and plays very hard. But I think there are probably better fits for this team.

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Not going to debate Heisey in depth now. But he has a 3.8% walk rate and a high strikeout rate. He swings at everything. He has this habit of striking out on half swings. He just has very poor plate discipline.

I haven't reviewed his lifetime numbers, but this year Heisey has a very high BABIP which is helping his overall numbers. Not all luck, for sure, but maybe partially luck.

The Reds have enough power. I'd like to see them use CF to get a player who gets on base at a high clip, can bat leadoff. Can set the table for Votto, et al.

That's my basic point. Heisey has good power and plays very hard. But I think there are probably better fits for this team.

All of that is taken into account by his wOBA and OPS. So again, big picture, Heisey is getting it done. His walk rate and such is already being accounted for in his production. So why does it matter? Whether he swings on the first pitch or the 10th pitch, the OPS accounts for the results.

[WVRedsFan]

Just like that, we've got a ball game.

[Tom Servo]

There go the wheels.

[Tony Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Not going to debate Heisey in depth now. But he has a 3.8% walk rate and a high strikeout rate. He swings at everything. He has this habit of striking out on half swings. He just has very poor plate discipline. Really poor.

I haven't reviewed his lifetime numbers, but this year Heisey has a very high BABIP which is helping his overall numbers. Not all luck, for sure, but maybe partially luck.

The Reds have enough power. I'd like to see them use CF to get a player who gets on base at a high clip, can bat leadoff. Can set the table for Votto, et al.

That's my basic point. Heisey has good power and plays very hard. But I think there are probably better fits for this team.

Clemente, Berra, Ken Griffey Sr, Dave Concepcion and Vlad Guerrero would never be able to play for you. You really are taking the ..... a hitter has to always take pitches...to the extreme.

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by Brutus

All of that is taken into account by his wOBA and OPS. So again, big picture, Heisey is getting it done. His walk rate and such is already being accounted for in his production. So why does it matter? Whether he swings on the first pitch or the 10th pitch, the OPS accounts for the results.

wOBA and OPS are composite stats. IMO they do not tell the whole story without further analysis. Heisey's lifetime OPS, including his homer barrage last year, is .766. It's fine, but the OBP part is .316.

I think the Reds' centerfielder should have a .350 OBP, not .316. I think Joey Votto becomes a 125 RBI man with better tablesetters. I see CF on this team as a tablesetting position given the mix of players on this team.

On a power starved team, Heisey probably is a good pickup, he has good power and other skills. For the Reds, I'd prefer a CFer who hits at the top of the order and gets on base more.

[Tadasimha]

uh oh

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by Tadasimha

uh oh

Speaking of Heisey . . . .