S-Rod's Potential

by vlad IS my man on Jun 18, 2009 6:30 PM PDT

Whether his nickname is S-Rod or Sean the Baptist, I can't realistically believe that Sean will ever be a "good" Major league ballplayer. Why? Well, his stats ( except HRs) are not off the charts in a poor man's Coors down in SLC, and he Ks WAY too much. While some optimists may say that he needs to adjust to major league pitching, I beg to differ. He's had +150 ABs up here and, like what he's done in the minors, he has 58 strikeouts. If you were to pace him with 550 at-bats, which is what a usual hitter gets, Sean will get 183 strikeouts in a season, which is a bad number to have.

It may seem I'm so impatient with Brandon's sidekick, but in reality, players don't gain as much tremendous skill as they do when they're younger. Sean is 24 and usually players don't explode with talent after that. There ARE a big chunk of stars today that have done that, but sorry, he doesn't fit that mold to me. All in all, this part of my arguement can either make me seem like a genius or a doofus to you, as a player's prime depends totally on work ethic over the offseason.

So, as I wrap this up, I'll make a prediction for Sean. He averages around .255 a year if Soth plays him as a regular. He hits 18 out per year with 65 RBI and 46 BBs. The worst part would be his team high 168 Ks. The guy will have average defense and his baserunning stats will be nothing to write home about. He is put in the 6th or 7th hole, with a substantial abount of at bats. I am ready for S-Rod lovers to pelt me rocks........

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Comments

i agree

but its still to early to tell

by dmoney2741 on Jun 18, 2009 6:38 PM PDT reply actions

Dude you got a major thing WORNG:

“usually players don’t explode with talent after that”

Dude this is so wrong, it is like saying that it takes 5 swinging strikes for player to strike out – it is FUNDAMENTALLY wrong.

But you are making the claim, so YOU please can go do the following fucking research: CITE a study that sows players peak at age 24. There is not ONE because it doesn’t does not exist because THEY DON’T.

Sean Rodriguez is the 4th youngest player to ever put on an Angels uniform – he is a month younger than Brandon Wood.

The only thing your post tells me is that you get bored easily when a player doesn’t get slotted in a spot and bat .300 within 150 ABs.

In other words, this post tells me a LOT about you and almost NOTHING about Sean Rodriguez.

by Rev Halofan on Jun 18, 2009 6:42 PM PDT reply actions

My bad. I used the wrong word

The correct words may be tremendously improve. He’s not going to become a great player. I’m not being impatient, as I’d easily take a .270 average from a hitter if they don’t round out their talent like a GMJ-type. Of course, I really like Sean, and this post can really bite me in the butt someday ( in fact, it probably will). But, the problem is that the swing has some holes. For a power hitter, he generates a lot of ground ball outs. I’m not saying he’s going to be the NEXT Ryne Sandberg, I’m just saying he’s one of those guys that will be a solid contributor for seasons to come, but not a great one

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by vlad IS my man on Jun 18, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Jeez don't pound on the guy...

His wording might have been dodgy, but the overall reasoning is sound… Sean Rod ain’t gonna be no .300 ML hitter.

We’ve all heard the theory that athletes peak in their late 20s, when experience and physical ability intersect as line-variables. That doesn’t mean soft-serve junk ballers suddenly pick up 10 mph on their fastballs, or mediocre contact hitters suddenly bat .350… unless they’re Darin Erstad.

I’d much rather put my faith in a guy who hits well over .300 at all minor league levels, had immediate success in the majors, but is grinding through an uncharacteristic slump (like HK) than a proven and prolific whiffer who can’t even touch the Mendoza Line after a quarter season of at-bats. Especially when he’s a stocky, slow-twitch guy like Sean Rod.

I don’t need specific empirical evidence to back this up. The anecdotal evidence will serve.

by GrichManPoorMan on Jun 19, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

How do you know he wont hit .300?

Mark Teixeira only hit .259 his rookie year. He also had 120 K and 44 BB, now he is one of the highest paid players. So it can happen, however he did hit a lot of HR for a rookie at 26. Also he peaked at 27. Just one player people know now, and he was a highly touted first baseman. In my opinion a 2B needs to be able to turn a double play and get to balls up the middle. I do not like to say certain positions need to do certain things at the plate. It is all about defense when on the field. So if S Rod can hit .270 this year with 10 HR I will be happy. Just as long as he can get the sac bunt or fly late in the game I am good with him. I would prefer HK coming back on fire but I would love to see this kid catch some fire.

"F@&* it, lets pitch"
-Ervin Santana

by pendletonmike on Jun 19, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions

i hate it when you get thing "WORNG"

hehehe….

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Jun 20, 2009 1:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Like Rev said

Players don’t peak at 24. Infact I know I’ve read a lot of offensive players take a jump forward in their age 27 year season.

Look at this guy: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/ugglada01.shtml

Didn’t even reach the majors until he was 26 and the dude struck out over 167 times in consecutive seasons. Yet he was an All-Star because of the position he plays. Now I’m not saying Sean is going to be an All-Star. But leading the minors in homers as a guy that can play 2B, that’s doing something positive. And even if he only put up an OPS of .800 eventually, which I think he can do, that is a very valuable player from a guy that can play at minimum an adequate 2B.

by MH252525 on Jun 18, 2009 6:51 PM PDT reply actions

"And even if he only put up an OPS of .800 eventually, which I think he can do, that is a very valuable player from a guy that can play at minimum an adequate 2B."

I was TRYING to say that S-Rod will be a very solid major leaguer. Maybe I should start kindergarden again….

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by vlad IS my man on Jun 18, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions

well then we agree

S-Rod probably not an All-Star but probably a Major League regular. I just tend to think of deserving Major League regulars as “good” and not the opposite.

by MH252525 on Jun 18, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions

If that was what you were trying to say, then maybe...

you should of edited this sentence:

I can’t realistically believe that Sean will ever be a “good” Major league ballplayer.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Jun 19, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Haha

Zing.

by Brody on Jun 19, 2009 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

DUDE........you are like that guy that said Napoli will never bat higher than .250

Can you explain this to me then???

Napoli .273 BA in 2008
and now he is batting .284 in 2009

How in the world is that possible……that guy assured us that he would NEVER bat over .250. Oh ya he jumped to that conclusion after batting .228 in 2006 I guess he, like you with S-Rod, wanted Napoli to hit .310 with 44HRs or he would be a bust the rest of his career!!!!!

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Jun 18, 2009 6:53 PM PDT reply actions

never hitting over .250.....

I would never EVER think that Naps had the same contact skills as Mathis…. BTW, minor league stats are full of BS. There have been busts who led their respective league in HRs, RBI, and batting average.

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by vlad IS my man on Jun 18, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Mathis? I never mentioned Mathis........What you talkin bout vladman?

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Jun 18, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions

under .250 contact

that IS Mathis in 5 words or less….

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by vlad IS my man on Jun 18, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions

One I can think of off the top of my head is.

George Brett, I was watching a special on him a few years back. He had his best year when he was 27. I think most players get better with age and peak at around 25, or with roids 32…… not going to mention names. Oh and I do not think there is much to Potential, its a stupid word we should all get out of our head. As one of my heroes once said “90 percent of the game is half mental, the other 50 percent is physical.” Anybody can play baseball, but it takes a mentally tough person to get good at this game. Who is to say that Brandon and Sean play (after this season), 10 years of middle infield for this team.

You never know what is going to happen in this crazy game. I think we should all be happy to watch such a young player start his big league career with our Angels.

"F@&* it, lets pitch"
-Ervin Santana

by pendletonmike on Jun 18, 2009 7:02 PM PDT reply actions

Here is something to consider. The top 20 HR hitters of all time, HR's per year by age:

Twenty-Eight is the magic age…

We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.

by Stirrups on Jun 18, 2009 8:57 PM PDT reply actions

Not a very good FanPost.

Sorry I had to write it – there is no negative equivalent to “recommend”.

Do me a favor – show me all the 2nd basemen that have ever hit 30 HR’s in a season.

I created the list at BB-REF but have to buy into the PI feature to be able to see the whole thing. I’ll spend the $30 tonight. It is that important to me.

BTW, Davey Johnson hit 43 as a 2nd baseman in 1973, FYI. But, there aren’t many of them…

RIP Nick...

Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home

by jimmuscomp on Jun 18, 2009 8:59 PM PDT reply actions

My bad guys

This was an irrational post. While I can’t take it back, but here’s the people who’ve done that on the top of my head : Uggla, Utley, Sandberg, Soriano, Phillips, Hanley, Ron Gant played a little there…………..

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by vlad IS my man on Jun 18, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

If you'd said the same thing about Brandon Wood

It wouldn’t be as unrealistic, but then you’d have your head served on a platter already.

Or is Kendry perhaps the one who needs to sit?

by BBFan1 on Jun 18, 2009 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I can't show all..

…but there’s a guy that just retired last year that was a really good power hitting 2Bman.
His name? Jeff Kent. He had 37 HR’s in 2002, 377 lifetime.

by sothball on Jun 18, 2009 9:07 PM PDT reply actions

Looks like people here prefer your rough photoshops a whole lot more than your fanpost.

I am the Iron Man

by 44FAN on Jun 18, 2009 10:15 PM PDT reply actions

Sean Rodriguez

I’m not quite impressed with him either, but probably because he wasn’t as hyped up and just quietly kept plugging along. I still see him as a 10-15 home run hitter who played in hitter’s ballparks in the minors as opposed to a player with legitimate power.

Maybe a good comparison is Arizona Diamondbacks’ third baseman Mark Reynolds, who kind of snuck up on people and has hit for some good power, despite being the king of Ks.

Or is Kendry perhaps the one who needs to sit?

by BBFan1 on Jun 18, 2009 11:41 PM PDT reply actions

Who knows

Who knows how good Wood, Rodriguez, could be until they have a meaningful chance at the major league level.

by mustard_man on Jun 19, 2009 5:23 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

only way to find out...

PLAY THEM.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Jun 19, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

What I disagree with in this post

is your assumption that strikeouts are such a bad thing. Instead of 160 k’s, would it be better if he had 80 k’s and 80 ground outs? Maybe a handful of those ground outs would score a runner from 3B or move a runner over, but also a handful of those ground outs would be double plays.

I do agree with you about Rodriquez will probably not be a “star” player, but an Uggla-type wouldn’t be too far off…and that’s not a bad thing.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us."

by WiHaloFan on Jun 19, 2009 6:19 AM PDT reply actions

Exactly.

K’s are not worse than other outs. They just look worse.

If the power and walks are there – who cares how he makes his outs.

Shoot Erstad grounded out to 2nd base over 700 times in his career (I looked it up once because it happened so damn often). They are still outs – and in this case – equally annoying.

RIP Nick...

Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home

by jimmuscomp on Jun 19, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

One hardly ever executes a successful sacrifice while striking out.

We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.

by Stirrups on Jun 19, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I once sacrificed myself for my wingman

and struck out with his date’s roommate.

This season just seems jinxed. If it can go wrong, it does

by Moondoggy on Jun 19, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Then, by definition, you were HIS wingman.

That would be a double fail!

Are you sure that you are not on the Halo’s active roster?

We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.

by Stirrups on Jun 19, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

a loooong time ago

and far away

This season just seems jinxed. If it can go wrong, it does

by Moondoggy on Jun 20, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah - how many of those do we actually do per year?

50 or 60?

I went and checked BB-Ref…

32 Sacrifice Bunts in 2007 and 2008. 50-65 Sacrifice Flies in the same years….

I don’t think this really makes a big difference. The difference between K’ing 20% and 22%, or 25% or even 28% doesn’t make that big a difference.

RIP Nick...

Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home

by jimmuscomp on Jun 21, 2009 1:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Bottom line: a K is a worse out than a sacrifice.

By definition, a sacrifice is a productive out, whereas a K is an unproductive out. Period. Any stat that demonstrates how feeble the Halos are at manufacturing productive outs does nothing to alter the underlying reality that there are some outs more productive than others.

We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.

by Stirrups on Jun 21, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Some of those groundballs also will be errors

Which means that the hitter will reach base. Much less likely on a strikeout.

by Brody on Jun 19, 2009 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think it's necessary to have pop up the middle

It’s nice and I wouldn’t give it back, but the mantra of gloves in the center holds true. I always thought at their peak guys like AK and BK (Knoop) were ideal. 8-15 hr, 50 rbi’s, an occasional spectacular play and don’t screw up the routine plays.

Knoop’s avg. seems a little light, but in that era, was acceptable.

All in all, if Howie can get his stroke back, he’s the ideal guy. That’s what I’m hoping for anyway.

This season just seems jinxed. If it can go wrong, it does

by Moondoggy on Jun 19, 2009 7:18 AM PDT reply actions

That was an awesome plan....

in 1965. Today, offense is important all over the diamond. This is a different run scoring environment than the 60’s through 80’s and requires a different player.

RIP Nick...

Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home

by jimmuscomp on Jun 19, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

The Steroid Era was so five years ago

I think the MLB game is reverting back so middle infielders with appropriate, but not earth-shattering offense can be valuable players on a team.

Or is Kendry perhaps the one who needs to sit?

by BBFan1 on Jun 19, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions

My son and I met Sean

at Spring Training. He was the last player in from workouts and took time with EVERYONE that was waiting for an autograph. He had smiles and nice things to say to all. Joked around. Quite pleasant to experience a player without the attitude that often comes with big leaguers. Didn’t look like he HAD to spend the time with the fans, seemed as if he actually enjoyed it.

For the class he showed, he is one of my favorite young players.

by rmhalofan on Jun 19, 2009 7:38 AM PDT reply actions

This crackdown by elder members of HH will continue as the site grows

and the backlash will grow harsher. This happens with every site whose boost in popularity threatens the integrity, and usually the initial allure, of the site itself.

Be forewarned posters, if you are less than intelligent, blurt out cliche’s like they are your own thoughts, troll, or otherwise piss off anyone that has been here longer than last month you will probably get a reply full of cheese and whine.

Think out your shit before you post it. Make sure its interesting.

I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....

by PhiSlamma on Jun 19, 2009 1:31 PM PDT reply actions