Whats the deal with Jurickson Profar

[jta4437]

That's a good point. Maybe it is his still unfamiliarity playing 2b but thought there were one or two hits through the 1b-2b gap today that we see Kinsler (or Garcia) getting to.

I'm betting its unfamiliarity at this point, going left as opposed to going right which he's more accustomed to

 

[Windingmywatch]

Since Profar has about two more weeks before Kinsler returns ... why not have him bat second behind Elvis until then?

Profar: .370/.379/.519/.898 instead of ...
Murphy: .224/.269/.400/.669 (.212/ .250/.424/.674 batting second)

Kinsler's return will bump Murphy back down to #6 or #7 and he hasn't performed any more effectively in the #2 spot anyway. I believe TEX would benefit in a higher future value by employing Profar for the next two weeks in spot when he is in the lineup. (Fact is when Garcia starts over Profar I'd prefer him batting second over Murphy too.)

 

[Windingmywatch]

I'm betting its unfamiliarity at this point, going left as opposed to going right which he's more accustomed to

Thinking about it now believe you are correct it is unfamiliarity still playing 2b rather than a range limit at this stage of his career.

But I do think young SS are more adept and have more success going to their left behind 2b than going to their right where they share coverage with the 3bman.

I think the reason more SS populate 2b roster spots than 2bmen populate SS roster spots is because a SS innate natural ability when playing 2b to go to their left and get to balls beyond the range of the 1bman. (remember both Pedroia and Kinsler began as SS, probably are bunch of others too)

I do think you are right too about when Profar fills out. He may be better suited for 3b when he is fully mature.

 

[jta4437]

Since Profar has about two more weeks before Kinsler returns ... why not have him bat second behind Elvis until then?

Profar: .370/.379/.519/.898 instead of ...
Murphy: .224/.269/.400/.669 (.212/ .250/.424/.674 batting second)

Kinsler's return will bump Murphy back down to #6 or #7 and he hasn't performed any more effectively in the #2 spot anyway. I believe TEX would benefit in a higher future value by employing Profar for the next two weeks in spot when he is in the lineup. (Fact is when Garcia starts over Profar I'd prefer him batting second over Murphy too.)

I agree wholeheartedly, I mentioned this very thing somewhere else

If he starts taking walks like he's capable of then it could be interesting come time for Kinsler to come off the DL and Murphy still isn't hitting all that well

 

[Windingmywatch]

I agree wholeheartedly, I mentioned this very thing somewhere else

If he starts taking walks like he's capable of then it could be interesting come time for Kinsler to come off the DL and Murphy still isn't hitting all that well

And then there is the thing that after Colby's delays, Harrison's delays, Soria's delay and Kinsler's own delay ... TEX really doesn't know when Kinsler will be back.

So ... TEX needs to get in the mindset that the 25 guys we have right now today are the ones who are going to be the guys on the roster at the end of September. The guys on the DL get back when they get back. Until then ... you play the ones who win games and are best options at the spots you bat them.

 

[romeo212000]

I agree wholeheartedly, I mentioned this very thing somewhere else

If he starts taking walks like he's capable of then it could be interesting come time for Kinsler to come off the DL and Murphy still isn't hitting all that well

Why? It's not like Ian would move to LF mid season. He's never played there before. Didn't even take reps there during ST.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Why? It's not like Ian would move to LF mid season. He's never played there before. Didn't even take reps there during ST.

Kinsler still has to get off the DL.

 

[romeo212000]

Kinsler still has to get off the DL.

I agree with you there. Frankly, as much as our offense misses Kinsler, with a young player of the quality of Profar Texas will need to avoid the temptation to push Ian to come back too quickly. Stay in the swing of things till reinforcements arrive.

 

[Al Falfa]

Since Profar has about two more weeks before Kinsler returns ... why not have him bat second behind Elvis until then?

Profar: .370/.379/.519/.898 instead of ...
Murphy: .224/.269/.400/.669 (.212/ .250/.424/.674 batting second)

Kinsler's return will bump Murphy back down to #6 or #7 and he hasn't performed any more effectively in the #2 spot anyway. I believe TEX would benefit in a higher future value by employing Profar for the next two weeks in spot when he is in the lineup. (Fact is when Garcia starts over Profar I'd prefer him batting second over Murphy too.)

Not sure it would make much difference if the lead off guy doesn't hit better.

 

[jta4437]

Not sure it would make much difference if the lead off guy doesn't hit better.

Kinsler is batting .302 with a .369 OBP and Andrus is batting .280 with a .339 OBP in the leadoff spot

So who is this comment directed towards?

 

[romeo212000]

Not sure it would make much difference if the lead off guy doesn't hit better.

Or at least get on base at a better clip than .322.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Not sure it would make much difference if the lead off guy doesn't hit better.

He's not doing that poorly ... .280 .339 .340 .679 ... and who else is there? Martin? Murphy?

 

[Al Falfa]

Kinsler is batting .302 with a .369 OBP and Andrus is batting .280 with a .339 OBP in the leadoff spot

So who is this comment directed towards?

Since going 5-5 in his first game filling in for Kinsler, Elvis is hitting .236 over the last 10 games.

 

[jta4437]

Since going 5-5 in his first game filling in for Kinsler, Elvis is hitting .236 over the last 10 games.

Question answered, though I'm sure it will continue to balance out over the long run

Would like to see Andrus walking more, whether he's hitting 1 or 2

 

[Al Falfa]

He's not doing that poorly ... .280 .339 .340 .679 ... and who else is there? Martin? Murphy?

If Profar is all that we think he is then let him hit lead off and move Elvis back to the 2 hole. Elvis is a light weight hitter and with his arms only swing he's better suited at moving runners because he generally makes contact. He just doesn't have any pop in his bat.

 

[Al Falfa]

Question answered, though I'm sure it will continue to balance out over the long run

Would like to see Andrus walking more, whether he's hitting 1 or 2

Agreed. He's not a .236 hitter for sure, but I don't think he's a lead off hitter either. JMO.

 

[romeo212000]

If Profar is all that we think he is then let him hit lead off and move Elvis back to the 2 hole. Elvis is a light weight hitter and with his arms only swing he's better suited at moving runners because he generally makes contact. He just doesn't have any pop in his bat.

Exactly.

 

[Windingmywatch]

If Profar is all that we think he is then let him hit lead off and move Elvis back to the 2 hole. Elvis is a light weight hitter and with his arms only swing he's better suited at moving runners because he generally makes contact. He just doesn't have any pop in his bat.

After failed experiments with Borbon and Andrus in the leadoff spot at the beginning of both their sophmore seasons ... I don't see Wash making the same mistake with Profar.

After all ... Wash still plans on splitting up Profar and Garcia PT. At least that is what he says. Maybe his only audience for that speech is Garcia.

 

[jta4437]

After failed experiments with Borbon and Andrus in the leadoff spot at the beginning of both their sophmore seasons ... I don't see Wash making the same mistake with Profar.

After all ... Wash still plans on splitting up Profar and Garcia PT. At least that is what he says. Maybe his only audience for that speech is Garcia.

Don't see the Andrus experiment in his 2nd season as a failure, he boosted his walk total quite a bit and his average remained essentially the same, his only real problem (offensively) that year was he hit for absolutely ZERO power, which isn't necessary for a lead-off hitter anyway

 

[jta4437]

If Profar is all that we think he is then let him hit lead off and move Elvis back to the 2 hole. Elvis is a light weight hitter and with his arms only swing he's better suited at moving runners because he generally makes contact. He just doesn't have any pop in his bat.

I really think Profar would be miscast as a leadoff hitter

I prefer Andrus leading off (to Profar) when he's taking walks and shooting line drives into the gaps like he was last year (albeit in the 2 hole)