San Diego off to a sub .500 start with a number of factors at play over the first third of the season. This is a team attempting to build up to contention, but has had historical flaws. Who are the players performing, who is mundane, and who is miserable?
Performers:
Mike Johnson, LF-see the previous post for his record, but once again, he is hitting a solid mid- .300, getting extra bases, scoring, and playing solid if not spectacular defense.
Miguel Ortiz, 1b-Not his best start, but still a bona-fide middle of the order hitter, showing why this season with a team leading 10 HR, and second in RBI
Elvis Sharp, SP-5-3 record leads the staff
Kaneko and Higashi, SS/2b-The keystone combo has solved one of the key Hops issues who have tried to nurture a SS and 2b since s1. Both are getting on base in the .350 range while hitting around .270
Charlie Jackson, IF-Team leading RBIs says it all
Mata, Chase and Downing, RP-From key setup men to the closer, this trio of late inning arms has helped secure SD its near .500 pace. All three have sub 2.00 ERA while registering a 7-3 record and 14 saves.
Mario Vasquez, 3b-In part-time and pinch-hitting duties, his .423 BA and ,
Mundane:
Kessler, Knight and Rojas, C-Just enough offense and so-so defense
Bryan Caldwell, RF-.286 hitter with some pop, solid RF
Bill Turner/Ryu Nakamura CF- hitting ok, but OBP a just above .300 disappointment
Miserable:
Starting rotation outside Sharp (Bolyard, Lee, Mills and Kanno) combined 10-17 with a 5 + ERA.
Middle Relief (Duenas, Bernard, Bowers, Knight) ERA in the stratosphere
Where can Hops management make moves to improve?
Continue to look for help from the minors?
Not much there, though names like Pueblo and Barrett will appear in the rotation and bullpen soon
Trade bait?
Dwayne Sparks and Juan Quintana are the two heirs to Ortiz, but only one can play the position at a time. Pitching is a mid-level strength, so folks like Bolyard or Bowers might interest some GMS.
Though management wishes for a .500 season, it might be quite a stretch this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment