Too much rhetoric has been devoted recently to the Indians' offensive woes. This will attempt not to add to that pile. Instead, it may dull with numbers.
What is about to be displayed is a list of the club's primary batsmen, with their relative "production" through the first 30 games of this 2008 MLB season, with figures for home runs, runs scored and rbi deliberately omitted in order not to obscure what is being presented.
Ten more games must yet be played before the so-called quartermark is attained, which would make the projected math easier and, according to those who subscribe to the quartermark theory, more relevant, as well.
Still, a portrait can be painted if the anticipated figure of 600 at bats is employed. Most of the Tribesmen is at or near 100 at-bats.
List arranged according to the number of ABs:
Sizemore 112 AB BA .277 OBP .393 23 K 18 BB
Hafner 110 .209 .305 30 14
Peralta 102 .216 .279 25 9
Garko 99 .242 .361 15 15
Gutierrez 99 .253 .295 21 5
Martinez 95 .347 .380 8 4
Blake 94 .202 .286 25 9
Cabrera 89 .191 .284 20 11
Dellucci 72 .264 .349 12 8
Michaels 58 .207 .258 13 4
Carroll 37 .216 .396 3 7
So, what can be determined from these numbers? There is a lot of striking-out. Six guys project to K figures in excess of 120, with Travis headed for 180 and both Peralta and Blake for 150. What is more, the disparity between walks and strikeouts is horrid, which is reflected in the next stat examined.
That would be the atrocious lot of low OBPs. For comparison's sake, a reasonable OBP is .330, with .370 considered elite. Only Carroll, Grady and Victor merit the latter designation, which is no particular surprise. What is telling, however, is that only Garko and Dellucci join them among the reasonable. And it is not even close for the rest of the lineup. Five can't even crack .300!
When it is further considered that a batting average in the .240 range is grounds for benching, this is a club that could not field a starting nine. Only five would make that arbitrary cut, and Garko only because his OBP mitigates his .242.
It is a terrible offensive team, at least thusfar. But you knew that before these numbers confirmed it.
Before the season began, I'd described the team's chances as overly-reliant upon "too many marginals," players who scarsely distinguish themselves among the MLB masses. What has tranpired is even worse than anticipated.
Naturally, the sentiment remains that this outfit will right itself. That the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That it won 96 ballgames last year. That it came within a single victory of getting to and probably winning a World Series. That too many of these guys have established track records they will eventually replicate.
Maybe. Maybe not. What is surely apparent is whatever it is they have been doing when stepping into the batter's box has not been working for far too many of them.
But, again, you probably deduced that for yourselves by now.
As a post-script to this entry, the data argues for Wedge to dispense with his attempts to place a hot bat in each third of the order and do as had been earlier suggested: bunch his better bats so as to optimize what strength the club has at its disposal.
Since one would not want to platoon his 3-hole hitter, Dellucci shares leadoff, presumably with Francisco, who was recalled since the earlier paragraphs. Following DD's .349 OBP would come Carroll's .396 ahead of Sizemore's .393 batting third. Victor's .380 would be backed by Garko's .361, setting the table for Hafner's uncharacteristic .305. Then it gets quite dicey, as Blake (.286), Gutierrez (.295) and Peralta's incredibly bad .279 would be left to close things out.
Given his lack of speed and range, together with his much-too-rare stroke which takes him to his natural right-center power, Peralta should be shopped, if there is in fact a market for him. He simply provides too little as an all-around player if he is not going to out-hit his conspicuous shortcomings.
Michaels was designated for assignment by the Tribe, meaning within ten days he'll be released, dealt or outrighted. What this development creates, aside from a cleared roster slot for Ben, is open 40-man spot, as well. It could soon be that Buffalo closer Rick Bauer will be recalled to fill it. He's done very well in the backend of the top farm club's pen and was identified in spring training as one who might be summoned fairly early.
In the meantime, exchanging Cabrera with Josh Barfield, currently with the Bison, could be the organization's next adjustment. Asdrubel needs to regain his stroke and his confidence, but is not showing signs of coming out of his early-season struggles. Before his self-esteem is seriously damaged and because Barfield is an excellent defender, baserunner and potential weapon for a floundering team, this may a move that occurs sooner than later.
Performing at AAA would not only allow AC to play his natural SS position, but ready him to inherit JP's job once the disappointing middle-infielder is liquidated.
Talk about ironic! No sooner does the ballpark assume the name Progressive than the team regresses.
Read the complete post at http://www.xanga.com/MALeonard/655578413/stats-may-be-dull-but-often-revealing.html