Slap Nasty pimps for Walker

[CubinNY]

The guy is growing on me.

 

I don't know who's going to bat second, but Todd [Walker] batted second behind me in Colorado so he knows me.

 

Also Aramis may skip the WBC. Woo whoo!

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060221cubsbits,1,1267322.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

[soapy]

I saw that this morning too. That really would probably be the ideal top of the order. I just hope Walker is still around when the season starts.

[Buford T Justice]

He's becoming one of my favorites. I'm sure Juan will also be a fan favorite as well.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Good job, Pierre. Let Dusty know how you feel while you're at it.

 

Seriously, Having Neifi/Hairston in the 2 hole will really limit Pierre's effectiveness. I'm not big on SB, but a crappy 2 hole hitter basically eliminates the SB contribution to runs scored by Pierre.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

The guy is growing on me.

 

I don't know who's going to bat second, but Todd [Walker] batted second behind me in Colorado so he knows me.

 

Also Aramis may skip the WBC. Woo whoo!

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060221cubsbits,1,1267322.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

Translated: I know what OBP means at the top of the order, and I actually took some time to find out Walker would be the best option in the 2 spot.

[AI]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

[RynoRules]

Nice job by Juan, but my general feeling is:

 

"ABBN"

[MustangMike]

The guy is growing on me.

 

I don't know who's going to bat second, but Todd [Walker] batted second behind me in Colorado so he knows me.

 

Also Aramis may skip the WBC. Woo whoo!

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060221cubsbits,1,1267322.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

I just wish Ram would drop out of the WBC officially, we don't need any more wear and tear on his legs.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

[abuck1220]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

it was. at one point in the season i figured out his OBP w/o the HBP, and it wasn't that impressive. don't remember the specifics of it, however.

[mlarner]

If Hendry lets Dusty get away with this crap again this year than I say don't let the door hit you on the way out to him as well. At some point, you have to take control of your team regardless of what the manager wants to do. I know Dusty is a big name and all, and Hendry hasn't been around all that long to establish himself, but he absolutely cannot let this happen again. If Neifi is in the 2 hole this year, and I were D Lee, I would immediately break off all negotiations with the Cubs and do whatever I could to get off this team. Dusty cost him the MVP last year (questionable, I know, but with the 1-2 punch we had last year I still have absolutely no idea how D Lee put up the numbers he did) and I would never stick around long term with an organization that allowed a manager to continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over again.

Of course, this is assuming that Hendry is not in agreement with Dusty on these issues.

 

The guy is growing on me.

 

I don't know who's going to bat second, but Todd [Walker] batted second behind me in Colorado so he knows me.

 

Also Aramis may skip the WBC. Woo whoo!

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060221cubsbits,1,1267322.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

I just wish Ram would drop out of the WBC officially, we don't need any more wear and tear on his legs.

[KatJ]

"ABBN"

 

What's that?

[Jehrico]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

I wouldn't be disappointed if Hairston wound up starting 150 games at 2b. I think he could have a break out year if that happens. His OBP increased each year from 2001 to 2004 (.305, .329, .353, .378). He regressed when he switched leagues. Walks usually account for about 70 points of his OBP, which is pretty solid, which indicates he should still be capable of putting up a .350+ OBP, especially since he's more familiar with the league now. The main concern is his ability to play 150 games without getting hurt. He's not quite Nomar-fragile, but he's probably about as durable as ARam is right now. I'd rather see Walker, but I still think he gets traded before opening day, and Hairston is a very good 2nd option after TWalk.

 

The only other problem with Hairston at 2nd is we don't have anyone else that can back up CF. That means Neifi gets significant time if either JP or Hairston go down to injury (or even Cedeno, for that matter, knock on wood...), and that is not good.

Edited February 22, 2006 by Jehrico

[UBlink]

"ABBN"

 

What's that?

 

I don't know what he meant but I read it as Any Body But Neifi.

[rawaction]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

I wouldn't be disappointed if Hairston wound up starting 150 games at 2b. I think he could have a break out year if that happens. His OBP increased each year from 2001 to 2004 (.305, .329, .353, .378). He regressed when he switched leagues. Walks usually account for about 70 points of his OBP, which is pretty solid, which indicates he should still be capable of putting up a .350+ OBP, especially since he's more familiar with the league now. The main concern is his ability to play 150 games without getting hurt. He's not quite Nomar-fragile, but he's probably about as durable as ARam is right now. I'd rather see Walker, but I still think he gets traded before opening day, and Hairston is a very good 2nd option after TWalk.

 

The only other problem with Hairston at 2nd is we don't have anyone else that can back up CF. That means Neifi gets significant time if either JP or Hairston go down to injury (or even Cedeno, for that matter, knock on wood...), and that is not good.

 

Fortunately, Pierre doesn't take too many games off or get injured much.

[Jehrico]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

I wouldn't be disappointed if Hairston wound up starting 150 games at 2b. I think he could have a break out year if that happens. His OBP increased each year from 2001 to 2004 (.305, .329, .353, .378). He regressed when he switched leagues. Walks usually account for about 70 points of his OBP, which is pretty solid, which indicates he should still be capable of putting up a .350+ OBP, especially since he's more familiar with the league now. The main concern is his ability to play 150 games without getting hurt. He's not quite Nomar-fragile, but he's probably about as durable as ARam is right now. I'd rather see Walker, but I still think he gets traded before opening day, and Hairston is a very good 2nd option after TWalk.

 

The only other problem with Hairston at 2nd is we don't have anyone else that can back up CF. That means Neifi gets significant time if either JP or Hairston go down to injury (or even Cedeno, for that matter, knock on wood...), and that is not good.

 

Fortunately, Pierre doesn't take too many games off or get injured much.

Yeah, but he wasn't a Cub before...

[goonys evil twin]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

I wouldn't be disappointed if Hairston wound up starting 150 games at 2b. I think he could have a break out year if that happens. His OBP increased each year from 2001 to 2004 (.305, .329, .353, .378). He regressed when he switched leagues. Walks usually account for about 70 points of his OBP, which is pretty solid, which indicates he should still be capable of putting up a .350+ OBP, especially since he's more familiar with the league now. The main concern is his ability to play 150 games without getting hurt. He's not quite Nomar-fragile, but he's probably about as durable as ARam is right now. I'd rather see Walker, but I still think he gets traded before opening day, and Hairston is a very good 2nd option after TWalk.

 

The only other problem with Hairston at 2nd is we don't have anyone else that can back up CF. That means Neifi gets significant time if either JP or Hairston go down to injury (or even Cedeno, for that matter, knock on wood...), and that is not good.

 

Fortunately, Pierre doesn't take too many games off or get injured much.

 

I think Jacque or Grissom will get backup CF duty if Juan takes a breather. But, if Pierre goes down, Pie will get the call, if not Greenberg. I wouldn't mind Hairston as the starting 2B, but that almost guarantees Neifi will get a ton of time over there if Walker is traded, since Jerry won't play a full year and they have no young infielders.

[Fred Hornkohl]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

                   AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Hairston          380   51   98   24    2    4  138   30   31   46  0.258  0.332  0.363  0.695

 

If you subtract out Hairston's 11 HBP's, that OBP drops to .314.

[YearofDaCubs]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

I wouldn't be disappointed if Hairston wound up starting 150 games at 2b. I think he could have a break out year if that happens. His OBP increased each year from 2001 to 2004 (.305, .329, .353, .378). He regressed when he switched leagues. Walks usually account for about 70 points of his OBP, which is pretty solid, which indicates he should still be capable of putting up a .350+ OBP, especially since he's more familiar with the league now. The main concern is his ability to play 150 games without getting hurt. He's not quite Nomar-fragile, but he's probably about as durable as ARam is right now. I'd rather see Walker, but I still think he gets traded before opening day, and Hairston is a very good 2nd option after TWalk.

 

The only other problem with Hairston at 2nd is we don't have anyone else that can back up CF. That means Neifi gets significant time if either JP or Hairston go down to injury (or even Cedeno, for that matter, knock on wood...), and that is not good.

 

Fortunately, Pierre doesn't take too many games off or get injured much.

Yeah, but he wasn't a Cub before...

Touche.

[Shilzzz]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

                   AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Hairston          380   51   98   24    2    4  138   30   31   46  0.258  0.332  0.363  0.695

 

If you subtract out Hairston's 11 HBP's, that OBP drops to .314.

 

what if he's just good at getting hbp? a walk is a walk. should people count that against guys like Bonds or Biggio too?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

                   AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Hairston          380   51   98   24    2    4  138   30   31   46  0.258  0.332  0.363  0.695

 

If you subtract out Hairston's 11 HBP's, that OBP drops to .314.

 

what if he's just good at getting hbp? a walk is a walk. should people count that against guys like Bonds or Biggio too?

 

HBP per 100 PA for Hairston

 

1999: 1.55

2000: 2.83

2001: 2.15

2002: 1.46

2003: 2.31

2004: 2.39

2005: 2.79

 

While it was above norms, Hairston seems to be adept at getting HBP. Even if he drops to around 2 HBP per 100 PA's, that's only a difference of 2 times, negligible really.

 

Also, ESPN says Hairston had 12 HBP last year.

[AlwaysaCub]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

                   AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Hairston          380   51   98   24    2    4  138   30   31   46  0.258  0.332  0.363  0.695

 

If you subtract out Hairston's 11 HBP's, that OBP drops to .314.

 

what if he's just good at getting hbp? a walk is a walk. should people count that against guys like Bonds or Biggio too?

 

I second that. On Base Percentage is not a statistic looking forward, it's a statistic that looks at what you've done. It doesn't matter if getting hit by a pitch is a skill. All that matters is that you were hit by the pitch and that you got on base. Getting rid of HBP from on base percentage would be like taking triples out of batting average because triples are fluky, lucky hits that don't happen often.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

                   AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Hairston          380   51   98   24    2    4  138   30   31   46  0.258  0.332  0.363  0.695

 

If you subtract out Hairston's 11 HBP's, that OBP drops to .314.

 

what if he's just good at getting hbp? a walk is a walk. should people count that against guys like Bonds or Biggio too?

 

I second that. On Base Percentage is not a statistic looking forward, it's a statistic that looks at what you've done. It doesn't matter if getting hit by a pitch is a skill. All that matters is that you were hit by the pitch and that you got on base. Getting rid of HBP from on base percentage would be like taking triples out of batting average because triples are fluky, lucky hits that don't happen often.

 

If Hairston had gotten hit 30 times, then it would be a valid point in projecting what he could do going forward. The hitter has much less control over a HBP than hitting a triple, or even drawing a walk. If a guy has a high number of HBP, then it's a logical and worthwhile point to see if it's flukish.

[biittner77]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

                   AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Hairston          380   51   98   24    2    4  138   30   31   46  0.258  0.332  0.363  0.695

 

If you subtract out Hairston's 11 HBP's, that OBP drops to .314.

 

what if he's just good at getting hbp? a walk is a walk. should people count that against guys like Bonds or Biggio too?

 

I second that. On Base Percentage is not a statistic looking forward, it's a statistic that looks at what you've done. It doesn't matter if getting hit by a pitch is a skill. All that matters is that you were hit by the pitch and that you got on base. Getting rid of HBP from on base percentage would be like taking triples out of batting average because triples are fluky, lucky hits that don't happen often.

 

If Hairston had gotten hit 30 times, then it would be a valid point in projecting what he could do going forward. The hitter has much less control over a HBP than hitting a triple, or even drawing a walk. If a guy has a high number of HBP, then it's a logical and worthwhile point to see if it's flukish.

 

Is it that much more flukish than BABIP? Couldn't that fluctuate just as much if not more than getting HBP? Doesn't it seem like the same guys always seem to be getting HBP? It may not necessarily a skill but it seems like it would be a result of an approach to hitting. If a player is not likely to change his approach to hitting shouldn't his HBP remain relatively constant?

[Jehrico]

I thought Hairston was a decent OBP guy who knew how to take pitches? I, like most, prefer Walker, but I don't think Hairston would be the worst thing to ever happen.

 

I'd be interested to see if Hairston's OBP last season was inflated by his HBPs. He'd definitely be a better option than Neifi.

 

                   AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Hairston          380   51   98   24    2    4  138   30   31   46  0.258  0.332  0.363  0.695

 

If you subtract out Hairston's 11 HBP's, that OBP drops to .314.

 

what if he's just good at getting hbp? a walk is a walk. should people count that against guys like Bonds or Biggio too?

 

I second that. On Base Percentage is not a statistic looking forward, it's a statistic that looks at what you've done. It doesn't matter if getting hit by a pitch is a skill. All that matters is that you were hit by the pitch and that you got on base. Getting rid of HBP from on base percentage would be like taking triples out of batting average because triples are fluky, lucky hits that don't happen often.

 

If Hairston had gotten hit 30 times, then it would be a valid point in projecting what he could do going forward. The hitter has much less control over a HBP than hitting a triple, or even drawing a walk. If a guy has a high number of HBP, then it's a logical and worthwhile point to see if it's flukish.

 

Is it that much more flukish than BABIP? Couldn't that fluctuate just as much if not more than getting HBP? Doesn't it seem like the same guys always seem to be getting HBP? It may not necessarily a skill but it seems like it would be a result of an approach to hitting. If a player is not likely to change his approach to hitting shouldn't his HBP remain relatively constant?

 

I think getting HBP can be directly linked to four things: one, their willingness to "take one for the team," two, their ability to make an ump believe they tried to avoid getting hit (see Biggio), three, how much they crowd the plate (Sammy never got hit much since he stood in another zip code), and four, how much are pitchers willing to pitch to them (i.e. everyone stays away from Bonds, so he gets fewer inside pitches that could end up hitting him. If he stunk and he crowded the plate the way he does, he'd get hit 40 times a year).

 

Given those things, I don't think a guys HBP numbers can be somewhat predictive if the guy has been in the league for awhile. I don't think it's totally flukish.