I think Valakai is great - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

JaxRed · 04-20-2007, 10:32 AM

He's hitting over .400

Disclaimer:

a. I realize all Reds prospects are crap
b. I'm sure he's too old for the league
c. His walk/hit ratio probably isn't good enough
d. Most prospects don't make it to the bigs
e. We overrate our prospects

RedLegsToday · 04-20-2007, 10:44 AM

jaxred, this is all true, however, I get to see him for free tonight (a friend is giving me tix), so, I don't care. :-) More importantly, is Sean Watson starting tonight?

JaxRed · 04-20-2007, 10:48 AM

Sean Watson IS pitching tonight. He's been pitching great....

Disclaimer:

a. I realize all Reds prospects are crap
b. I'm sure he's too old for the league
c. His strikeout/walk ratio probably isn't good enough
d. Most prospects don't make it to the bigs
e. We overrate our prospects

M2 · 04-20-2007, 11:02 AM

Valaika's been awesome so far. He's probably not going to be a SS in the majors and maybe he'll hit a ceiling somewhere, but he's been 100% baseball player to date. One of the more astute, IMO, observations Bill James ever made is that guys who can play baseball often get overlooked for guys who cut a nice figure in the uniform. Valaika definitely seems like the former.

lollipopcurve · 04-20-2007, 11:19 AM

Funny disclaimers, Jax.

A couple of notes about Valaika -- he was young for a college draftee -- played most of last year at 20 (21 this year). Factor in that he missed his sophomore year with a knee injury. His polish has been aided by a lot of international play on national teams as a teenager.

Also, his 32-game hitting streak last year at Billings -- a Pioneer League record -- came without the benefit of a day off (or a game off, at least). It can be brutally hot in that league, and it's typical for managers to rotate their guys some to keep them fresh. Valaika just kept playing and hitting -- you have to like that kind of grinding.

dougdirt · 04-20-2007, 11:40 AM

Jaxred!

Lets also note that Valaika is leading the MWL in hitting as he is actually at .410. Must be that overrated part of him that gets those extra 10 points.

Cyclone792 · 04-20-2007, 12:08 PM

I've got to get up to Dayton sometime soon to watch some of these guys, especially Valaika. All he's done since being in the Reds organization is hit, hit, and hit some more.

bucksfan2 · 04-20-2007, 01:57 PM

If he continues to play like he is how long will he be in Dayton? It seems worthless for him to be playing in Dayton when he could be challenging himself at a higher level.

Benihana · 04-20-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

If he continues to play like he is how long will he be in Dayton? It seems worthless for him to be playing in Dayton when he could be challenging himself at a higher level.

yep, I say if he keeps hitting he should be in Sarasota by June. Challenge thy hitters.

Doc. Scott · 04-20-2007, 05:06 PM

Despite all the hitting, though, he's also made four errors in ten games already. Certainly not terribly unusual for A-ball, but just saying.

CTA513 · 04-20-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc. Scott

Despite all the hitting, though, he's also made four errors in ten games already. Certainly not terribly unusual for A-ball, but just saying.

I think he made 3 of those errors in 1 game.

Aronchis · 04-20-2007, 05:25 PM

Please Jax, where did I say Valakai isn't good? The guy was one of the most savvy picks in last years draft. But like all prospects, we need more data. A eventually trip to Sarasota may tell us a little more about him.

OnBaseMachine · 04-20-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aronchis

Please Jax, where did I say Valakai isn't good? The guy was one of the most savvy picks in last years draft. But like all prospects, we need more data. A eventually trip to Sarasota may tell us a little more about him.

From what I can gather of your recent posts, everytime Cameron Maybin draws a walk the chances of a Reds prospect reaching the majors decreases. Hence Jax's disclaimer list.

Aronchis · 04-20-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

From what I can gather of your recent posts, everytime Cameron Maybin draws a walk the chances of a Reds prospect reaching the majors decreases. Hence Jax's disclaimer list.

Not reaching the majors, but full potential in the majors. If Bruce walked 100 times this year, that would be great news for his future.

BuckeyeRedleg · 04-20-2007, 10:18 PM

How about Valaika at 3B?

If he keeps hitting and he can play there, maybe we try EE at 1B and see between he and Votto which one sticks. Trade the other.

04-20-2007, 10:32 AM	#1
JaxRed Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 9,228	I think Valakai is great He's hitting over .400 Disclaimer: a. I realize all Reds prospects are crap b. I'm sure he's too old for the league c. His walk/hit ratio probably isn't good enough d. Most prospects don't make it to the bigs e. We overrate our prospects

04-20-2007, 10:44 AM	#2
RedLegsToday Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fairfield, OH Posts: 519	Re: I think Valakai is great jaxred, this is all true, however, I get to see him for free tonight (a friend is giving me tix), so, I don't care. :-) More importantly, is Sean Watson starting tonight?

04-20-2007, 10:48 AM	#3
JaxRed Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 9,228	Re: I think Valakai is great Sean Watson IS pitching tonight. He's been pitching great.... Disclaimer: a. I realize all Reds prospects are crap b. I'm sure he's too old for the league c. His strikeout/walk ratio probably isn't good enough d. Most prospects don't make it to the bigs e. We overrate our prospects

04-20-2007, 11:02 AM	#4
M2 Posting in Dynarama Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Boston Posts: 26,668	Re: I think Valakai is great Valaika's been awesome so far. He's probably not going to be a SS in the majors and maybe he'll hit a ceiling somewhere, but he's been 100% baseball player to date. One of the more astute, IMO, observations Bill James ever made is that guys who can play baseball often get overlooked for guys who cut a nice figure in the uniform. Valaika definitely seems like the former. __________________ Baseball isn't a magic trick ... it doesn't get spoiled if you figure out how it works. - gonelong I'm witchcrafting everybody.

04-20-2007, 11:19 AM	#5
lollipopcurve Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shelburne Falls, MA Posts: 9,481	Re: I think Valakai is great Funny disclaimers, Jax. A couple of notes about Valaika -- he was young for a college draftee -- played most of last year at 20 (21 this year). Factor in that he missed his sophomore year with a knee injury. His polish has been aided by a lot of international play on national teams as a teenager. Also, his 32-game hitting streak last year at Billings -- a Pioneer League record -- came without the benefit of a day off (or a game off, at least). It can be brutally hot in that league, and it's typical for managers to rotate their guys some to keep them fresh. Valaika just kept playing and hitting -- you have to like that kind of grinding. __________________ "Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

04-20-2007, 11:40 AM	#6
dougdirt The Boss Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 30,713	Re: I think Valakai is great Jaxred! Lets also note that Valaika is leading the MWL in hitting as he is actually at .410. Must be that overrated part of him that gets those extra 10 points. __________________ www.redsminorleagues.com

04-20-2007, 12:08 PM	#7
Cyclone792 Playoffs Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 6,233	Re: I think Valakai is great I've got to get up to Dayton sometime soon to watch some of these guys, especially Valaika. All he's done since being in the Reds organization is hit, hit, and hit some more. __________________ *Barry Larkin - HOF, 2012* *Put an end to the Lost Decade.*

04-20-2007, 01:57 PM	#8
bucksfan2 Waitin til next year Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 9,616	Re: I think Valakai is great If he continues to play like he is how long will he be in Dayton? It seems worthless for him to be playing in Dayton when he could be challenging himself at a higher level.

04-20-2007, 05:06 PM	#10
Doc. Scott Lover of Trivialities Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Portland, OR (West Chester, OH) Posts: 6,066	Re: I think Valakai is great Despite all the hitting, though, he's also made four errors in ten games already. Certainly not terribly unusual for A-ball, but just saying.

04-20-2007, 05:25 PM	#12
Aronchis Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,673	Re: I think Valakai is great Please Jax, where did I say Valakai isn't good? The guy was one of the most savvy picks in last years draft. But like all prospects, we need more data. A eventually trip to Sarasota may tell us a little more about him.

04-20-2007, 10:18 PM	#15
BuckeyeRedleg Will post for food Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 5,090	Re: I think Valakai is great How about Valaika at 3B? If he keeps hitting and he can play there, maybe we try EE at 1B and see between he and Votto which one sticks. Trade the other.

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