Nyjer Morgan article

[nate]

A pretty interesting article about how the Nats have really turned their run production around. Teaser:

But I think it all began June 30, when the Nats acquired Morgan and reliever Sean Burnett from the Pirates. Or rather, on July 3, when Morgan made his first start for the Nats. Pre-Morgan, the Nats were 21st in the majors in runs scored. Since Morgan's arrival, they're third. Their on-base percentage has increased 18 points. They were 23-54 when he arrived. They are 17-18 since.

[nate]

I can't believe I didn't post this quote:

"The leadoff position is a real challenge," interim manager Jim Riggleman said recently. "It takes a special guy to handle that role and get on base and make the other pitcher work and give information to the other players about what the guy is throwing, and at the same time, cause havoc to the other team.

[Homer Bailey]

All speedy leadoff centerfielders are the same right? At least we have Taveras.

[nate]

Originally Posted by Homer Bailey

All speedy leadoff centerfielders are the same right?

No.

At least we have Taveras.

And he has us!

[Bumstead]

Taveras...Dusty is just relieved that he isn't 'clogging the bases'...how is that 'times in scoring position' stat working out Dusty??? :

[flyer85]

Morgan has been hot (.360BA and 410OBP) since coming over. Will that continue?

[nate]

Originally Posted by flyer85

Morgan has been hot (.360BA and 410OBP) since coming over. Will that continue?

Even if he regresses, he's probably average to above average at the plate and good to really good in the field.

Year                      Age            Tm            Lg   G  PA  AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB  SO   BA  OBP  SLG  OPS OPS+  TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB  Pos Awards
2007                       26           PIT            NL  28 118 107  15  32  3  4  1   7  7  3  9  19 .299 .359 .430 .789  105  46   0   1  1  0   0    8       
2008                       27           PIT            NL  58 175 160  26  47 13  0  0   7  9  5 10  32 .294 .345 .375 .720   94  60   0   3  1  1   0 78/9       
2009                       28           TOT            NL 106 473 416  66 127 13  6  3  36 36 15 37  69 .305 .369 .387 .756  103 161   9   8  7  5   2  *78       
2009                       28           PIT            NL  71 321 278  39  77  6  5  2  27 18 10 29  49 .277 .351 .356 .707   92  99   6   5  5  4   2 *7/8       
2009                       28           WSN            NL  35 152 138  27  50  7  1  1   9 18  5  8  20 .362 .407 .449 .856  125  62   3   3  2  1   0    8       
3 Seasons           3 Seasons     3 Seasons     3 Seasons 192 766 683 107 206 29 10  4  50 52 23 56 120 .302 .362 .391 .753  101 267   9  12  9  6   2            
162 Game Avg.   162 Game Avg. 162 Game Avg. 162 Game Avg. 162 646 576  90 174 24  8  3  42 44 19 47 101 .302 .362 .391 .753  101 225   8  10  8  5   2            
                                                                                                                                                                  
PIT (3 yrs)       PIT (3 yrs)   PIT (3 yrs)   PIT (3 yrs) 157 614 545  80 156 22  9  3  41 34 18 48 100 .286 .351 .376 .727   95 205   6   9  7  5   2            
WSN (1 yr)         WSN (1 yr)    WSN (1 yr)    WSN (1 yr)  35 152 138  27  50  7  1  1   9 18  5  8  20 .362 .407 .449 .856  125  62   3   3  2  1   0

[flyer85]

i would say average at best as far as offense. Seems to me that 720-750 OPS is likely who he is.

[RedsManRick]

It's amazing the impact a .400 OBP at the of a lineup can have. Morgan is basically a better defending version of Juan Pierre. When the singles are falling in, he can be a very dangerous player. When he they aren't, he's pretty useless. I imagine his career will follow a similar trajectory unless he continues to improve his plate discipline.

[RichRed]

It also helps that he's been a 78% base stealer since joining the Nats, as opposed to the 65% success rate he had in his time with the Pirates. He needs to keep that up to maximize his value.

[flyer85]

Morgan has been hot along with Willingham, Dunn and Zimmerman.

[TheNext44]

Morgan is the son Dusty never had.

[cumberlandreds]

Originally Posted by flyer85

Morgan has been hot along with Willingham, Dunn and Zimmerman.

You are exactly correct. Morgan has made a 100% difference in the Nats. He's been great,offensively and defensively. He's been able to get on base consistently for the middle of order guys and they have produced big time. How did the Reds let Morgan slip by? Put him at the top of the Reds order and they would look so much different. I don't know if Morgan can keep this up but if he does the Nats have a steal.

[nate]

Originally Posted by flyer85

i would say average at best as far as offense. Seems to me that 720-750 OPS is likely who he is.

720-750 OPS for this Reds fan would feel like something that feels really good after having something that didn't feel really good for a long time.

I think.

Check my work.

[nate]

I guess another way to look at it is, if the Reds had a Morgan as opposed to a Patteras, they could focus their limited resources elsewhere.

And I agree with TN44 that Morgan is what Dusty wants Willy T to be.