Dodger Pinch Hitters Struggling
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 8:33 AM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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PrintLenny Harris, who had a heart attack during spring training at Camelback Ranch, is close to rejoining the Dodgers as minor league hitting instructor, reports Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times. Harris still has his sense of humor:
"Now I’m real cautious,’’ he said. "I’m really afraid of food. I drink so much juice and stuff. The doctor told me he wasn’t putting me on any kind of diet, 'I just cleaned your arteries. You’re good.’ And I was like, 'Are you sure?’ He made it sound like an oil change.’’
Harris had 212 pinch hits in his career, more than anyone in baseball history. This season, Dodger pinch hitters have struggled. Dodger pinch hitters have 14 hits in 82 at-bats, and are hitting just .171/.216/.293, a worse OPS than all National League teams but San Diego (.446) and Philadelphia (.433). Since Garret Anderson hit a pinch-hit home run in Cincinnati on April 22 -- yes, I said Garret Anderson -- Dodger pinch hitters have five hits in 51 at-bats, and are hitting .098/.130/.118.
Anderson leads the team with 33 pinch hit appearances, and is hitting .156/.182/.281 in that role, joining a group of struggling primary pinch hitters in the Dodgers' recent past:
| Recent Dodger Primary Pinch Hitters | ||||||
| Pinch Hitter | Year | PA | AB | H | BA/OBP/SLG | OPS |
| Garret Anderson |
2010 | 33 | 32 | 5 | .156/.182/.281 | .463 |
| Mark Loretta | 2009 | 66 | 60 | 14 | .233/.303/.267 | .570 |
| Mark Sweeney | 2008 | 92 | 78 | 12 | .154/.272/.192 | .464 |
| Olmedo Saenz | 2007 | 75 | 63 | 14 | .222/.320/.349 | .669 |
Saenz did hit .263/.333/.491 as a pinch hitter in 2006.
Other Notes
- Lost in last night's loss was that Chad Billingsley hit a double, the first extra-base hit by a Dodger pitcher since Randy Wolf doubled last August 21. The Giants are now the only National League team this season without an extra-base hit by their pitchers
- A.J. Ellis was seen warming up to pitch in the bullpen in the ninth inning last night, according to Dodger Talk with Ken Levine and Josh Suchon.
- Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts compares the relationship between Los Angeles and John Ely to When Harry Met Sally. I'll have what he's having
Get your guess in for Xeifrank's simulation game here.
Game Time: 1:10 p.m
TV: Prime Ticket
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Continued from last thread
Dodger starters this week: 3.03 ERA, 6.44 innings per start, 0-2 record
Xeifrank asked about opposing starting pitchers: 2.21 ERA, 7.44 innings per start, 2-1 record
Speaking of pinch hitting...
Any beer leaguers(AL DH guys) that could be a good option if the trend of poor pinch hitting continues? I see the Jermaine Dye’s contract is up this year. Just a thought.
I think a gut the Dodgers
should target if we get to the deadline with the current lineup would be Jim Edmonds. He is a bat with pop, hitting from the left side and can play a solid outfield.
Better than targeting Tommy Lasorda's gut!
(just teasing ya)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Kinda interesting that you don't have Dewlyn Young's numbers up there.
since that would be his role if he stayed with the Dodgers
I put the person with the most PH plate appearances each season.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
First time since opening day that Kemp & Ethier aren’t connected in the batting order when both started
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Anderson not batting 5th
a wiff of sanity
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
How do you think Braves fans felt last year? He hit 5th EVERY night.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."
by Scott Coleman on Jun 6, 2010 11:16 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Pitching matchups w/StL
Mon: Monasterios vs. P.J. Walters
Tue: Kuroda vs. Carpenter
Wed: Kershaw vs. Wainwright
Reed Johnson
Does anyone have an explanation as to why Torre insists on using Anderson? I get the left/righty matchup but Anderson has been struggling the whole year, while Johnson is better defensively and offensively.
You pretty much answered your own question. Torre is going with handedness.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
No
I’ve been wondering exactly the same thing. It has to be the lefty/righty don’t-think-just-do-it formula.
Garrett Anderson was a starter as soon as last year. Johnson is a reserve outfielder.
Besides, I think its safe to say that GA is the 4th outfielder on this team currently constructed.
I disagree with the last sentence
I think its safe to say that GA is the 4th outfielder on this team currently constructed.
There have been 25 games in which only one “backup” outfielder started. Torre has started an outfielder with the opposite hand of the pitcher in 24 of those 25 games (Reed Johnson against Chris Volstad April 9 was the lone exception).
If Anderson was the fourth outfielder, he would be the one subbing for Manny late in games, and the team wouldn’t feel compelled to recall Xavier Paul and start him more than Anderson in both instances when a starting outfielder went on the DL.
Outfield starts
Johnson 31
Paul 18
Anderson 13
Outfield innings
Johnson 192.0
Paul 129.0
Anderson 121.1
Just by virtue of there being more RHP than LHP, Anderson might get more starts, but I would hesitate to call him the 4th outfielder.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions
I should add
that using just the times when no Dodger OF was on the DL, there are only five games when just one backup was used.
Anderson has three starts, all against RHP.
Johnson has two starts, one against RHP, one against LHP
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
He only started 36 games for the Cubs last year
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
My only additional thought is
he feels GA will fare better when getting several at bats in a game, rather than as a spot PHer. He probably will be more likely to get a hit in 4 at bats rather than just one a game, regardless. But that doesn’t change that he basically isn’t all that useful in field or at plate.
Today, I especially miss X Man.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
PH expectations
I have noticed that, whereas a .300 BA is considered pretty good for starters, there seems to be a general expectation that pinch-hitters will get a hit almost any time they’re called upon, late in games, generally for just 1 PA. Or at least every second time up. That would be a batting average of .500 minimum. Jeez, if they could do that, they should be a regular starter unless they’re absolutely abominable in the field. They should certainly be a DH in the AL. Good pinch hitters, like other hitters, are going to disappoint about three quarters of the time.
Thought this was surprising
Anderson has the worst line-drive rate on the team, at 16.2% (that part isn’t the surprise).
DeWitt is second-worst at 16.4% (also not a surprise), but what was surprising to me was that Manny is third worst at 18.2%.
I used 40 PA as the minimum.
I really like how this was constructed :)
by Julio Nievas on Jun 6, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
From the Dodger game notes
Ely’s run of 46.1 innings without allowing a homer to begin his Dodger career is the longest by a Dodger pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela went 82.2 frames without allowing a big fly from Sept. 15, 1980 to the third inning of a game vs. Montreal on May 14, 1981. (Chris Speier)
2007 Draft
39) James Adkins, Dodgers. Bonus: $787,500
76) Mike Stanton, Marlins. Bonus: $475,000
We’re not the only team that missed, but this still hurts. Stanton is an L.A. boy who would have easily signed with us.
I guess we'll know Ramon Ortiz's decision today
or tomorrow at the latest…it has been 10 days since he was DFA
Braves lineup
Prado 2B
Infante 3B
Heyward RF
McCann C
Glaus 1B
Hinske LF
Escobar SS
Cabrera CF
Hudson P
whoever pitched on friday
I think Kuroda
by SeanMillerSavior on Jun 6, 2010 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Kershaw pitched Friday...
But Dodgers.com still lists it as TBA. Are they switching the rotation around?
Apparently Strasburg, VA wants to be re-named “Stephen Strasburg” for one week next year.
They know what’s up!
Ur sick with it, dude!
I am going to Disney this week. Leaving Monday afternoon. What time is the game with Strasburg?
I thought so
just making sure. I saw that BB2N is going to broadcast live from Nationals Park. This is a big deal. I can’t remember the last time a prospect was so anticipated. If he even comes close to expectations, he will be a special player.
BTW, what were the bets concerning him hitting 100 mph? I remember the discussion in a thread a while back, but forgot.
I think it was over/under 2.5 Silverwidow boners
for every 100 mph fastball
by SeanMillerSavior on Jun 6, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
You need to do a Stephen Strasburg 1st MLB game prediction post.
That would be cool and the winner could receive a prize.
Maybe the winner gets to learn the secret TBLA handshake.
5-3 Phillies in the 2nd inning
Phillies have woken up.
because they're beating up on a team that had a lucky 2 months?
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."
by Scott Coleman on Jun 6, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Joe Torre and Bobby Cox are presenting the lineup cards to home plate today (departure from norm), in Cox’s final regular season game at Dodger Stadium.
I made the mistake of not including that caveat on Twitter :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Javier Vasquez has walked 3 Blue Jays
through 5 IP. The Blue Jays are struggling to get hits so far.
:)
its on TBS
The Ump is giving a rediculously large zone
by SeanMillerSavior on Jun 6, 2010 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
I forgot that TBS televises Sunday games. Time to eschew Chopped!
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Thaaaaaaaaa Blue Jays lead.
Toronto is a homer-hitting machine this season.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Is anyone else barely hearing the announcers on TBS? For me, the crowd noise is ridiculously loud, and the announcers can barely be heard.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
If Blake is on the DL
What next? Talk about ill timing, but do they just activate Sherrill? or do we go with another bench player? I suppose Caroll or Belliard could handle 3rd, but we are gonna have a short bench. Any suggestions on 3rd base alternatives on the farm?
Green is in today’s starting lineup at 3B again, so a move probably won’t be made until tomorrow.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
They will probably call up Nick Green again
Because, you know, he has shown the ability to contribute with the big club! :)
It’s not like Green is going to start. He will resume is role of benchwarmer, while Carroll and Belliard start more games.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
If Blake goes on the DL, I expect them to call up Nick Green again, and play Carroll and Belliard at 3B.
Sherrill will be activated Tuesday, in a separate move.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s pretty much got to be one of those two, unless someone (Troncoso or a blistery Monasterios or Weaver) goes on the DL
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
when will the 5th starter pitch again after tomorrow?
And I know you have posted it like 25 times, but I am way too inefficient to keep up with those things! :)
With off days, it doesn’t have to be June 18, which is when Padilla is set to comeback.
But that’s if people get skipped.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
They might be able to DL Monk
in that situation then and let the blister heal. Call him back when he is healthy to be the long man.
and speaking of Haeger
I was one of his supporters but wow we can ill afford anymore crappy performances. Handy as a mop up guy tho.
as Jon Weisman pointed out on Dodger Thoughts, if Kemp or Ethier had caught the ball that fell in between them, Haeger would have pitched two shutout innings last night.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Was it catchable or would it have taken super human effort?
I was out and keeping track on my phone. and speaking of that, was the strike zone crazy huge last night or was mlb at bat just broken?
It was an easy catch for Ethier, and maybe for Kemp, but both thought the other would catch it
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Well I he does well if they indeed do give him another start
but they would seem dead set on getting behind early if they do, IMO
Justin Miller’s average FB on Thursday: 87.63 mph
Per Brooksbaseball.net
For a reliever, this is awful and DFA worthy.
I agree with that in theory, and do realize that his performance thus far is an extremely small
sample size, but I would like to roll with a guy who gets guys out before we use guys that throw 92-95 and continue to give up runs and especially inherited runs with every other outing.
He is starting today in ABQ and pitching an inning, then heading back to LA. Barring something unforeseen, he will be activated Tuesday.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
No DL yet for Casey Blake
per David Ely, filling in today on MLB.com:
Torre said that today was a step forward for Casey Blake. No DL yet.
I got excited when I saw the Phillies with a lead against Padres
Then saw Joe Blanton is pitching and have to frown. : (
5-4 Phillies
Wouldn't be suprised if the Dodgers decide to option DeWitt instead if they don't DL Casey Blake.
Torre likes having more relievers than bench players.
I don’t see them going to 13 pitchers anytime soon, especially not with the upcoming off days.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Ely Mania
I finally get to see Ely pitch, though it’s on Fox Sports South. Chip Caray is a terrible announcer.
Bryce Harper got ran from a game for arguing balls and strikes
he drew a line in the batters box apparently to let the ump know that a pitch was outside. It is his second ejection this year, so he is suspended for 2 games. Looks like his team will probably get knocked out of the tournament and he is done with amatuer baseball. There is an article on yahoo by David Brown on it.
He does
a good job in the article trying to defend Harper. I mean he is only 17, Seventeen! (Winger reference). But he says he will surely mature in the future. In the picture with the article, he doing the crazy eye black thing. I am getting old! I don’t like it.
Get off my lawn!
Exactly
I’m sure if I was that good at 17, I would have been a dick too.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I was good enough to walk on at a couple of schools
and I was a dick! Couldn’t imagine being good enough to warrant the #1 pick in the draft at 17.
From David O’Brien of the AJC:
Temp’s headed to 80, sunny w/ breeze blowing out. Balls flying in BP
Might Ely give up home run number one?
Lincecum struggling in the 6th
2nd and 3rd, 1out. He must be thinking “what the hell is going on?!?! I dont suck….do i?”
I have no idea why teams would
intentionally walk Teixiera to load them up for Arod. Teix is battting .212 this year.
by SeanMillerSavior on Jun 6, 2010 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree about not walking Tex to get to A-Rod, but I would also point out I don’t expect him to hit .212 going forward.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Still my favorite stat of the season
It is June 6, and reliever Tyler Clippard still leads the Nationals in strikeouts, with 43. He has an 11-strikeout lead over Scott Olsen for the team lead! Amazing.
Oh yeah, he also has eight wins.
Too bad he isn't starting today
Otherwise we could see a Furcal HR and a Manny bunt in the first inning! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Hasn't faced him since 2005
but 72 PA, .294/.333/.471
http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=hudsoti01&n2=anderga01
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
This is a lot like Bochy batting Winn against Wolf last season despite doing horrible against lefties all year because Winn had success against Wolf from years past.
It’s too bad Julio Franco retired, or we might have decisions based on matchups from the late 1980s! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
and of course I meant to include Jamie Moyer in that note.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Nope
Alternating.
K’d the LHB
K’d the RHB
2B by LHB
GO by RHB
by Eric Stephen on Jun 6, 2010 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
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