How good is Ryan Theriot, really?

[rynesrevenge0206]

The question about Bonds got me thinking about Theriot. I really like watching this kid play! I haven't been this excited about a Cub since Sandberg. It's weird.

 

I people keep reading everywhere that he doesn't project to be any more than a utility player and that Ronny fits more into our long term plans, but I don't want to believe it!

 

How good will he be???

[Geech]

Not very.

[Sammy Sofa]

Probably a very good utiltiy player.

 

Look at his career minor league career numbers. He's playing WAAAAAAY above his head right now, even more so than Cedeno did at the end of last season and the beginning of this one. The Riot's performance right now is the epitome of "sample size." He's a guy I'd like to have off the bench but not who I want starting on a regular basis if I expect this team to get significantly better any time soon.

[Sammy Sofa]

I people keep reading everywhere that he doesn't project to be any more than a utility player and that Ronny fits more into our long term plans, but I don't want to believe it!

 

I don't want to believe it myself, because if that's true this organization is getting dumber by the minute.

[WrigleyField 22]

It is posible that we wont see a very drastic change from his BA and OBP numbers. He may very well be able to be a .290 .360 guy. The main statistic thats inflated right now is the SLG. His SLG right now is .526. He has never had a SLG above .400 in his minor league career although he was close in 2005 and wasn't too far off this year in Iowa. So I would say he could have .400 SLG if everything went right. He'll probably end up with a OPS of around .700 Nice bench player or #8 hitter in a very good lineup.

[rynefan]

I think it's too early to say. Could be a Bump Wills. Could be a Sandberg. Either way, he's been fun to watch when not much fun is happenin'.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Slightly better than Bobby Hill, but not as liked as Augie Ojeda.

[Abe Frohman]

I have a feeling that a lot of you could be wrong. Ryan Theriot is a player who has always had a good knack of taking a walk and finding whatever way to get on base. He scores runs. Always has.

 

At LSU, I honestly didn't think he would ever be anything more than a AA player because of his lack of power. I figured that the wood bat would humble him - but it really hasn't. When I look at Theriot's minor league numbers - though they aren't incredibly impressive, I do see him improving at every stop.

 

One thing hasn't changed and probably never will: Theriot works the count, takes a walk, and understands the importance of getting on base. He is a leader, plays pretty good D, and has wheels.

 

If you can handle about 5-10 HR a year, I think Ryan Theriot will be a great player for the Cubs. Either off the bench or as a starting infielder. I like him at the top of the order.

 

Just look at how many runs he has scored already. At least let him play himself into a bench role.

[Stu]

It would be nice to have a PH off the bench that can get on base. When was the last time the Cubs had a high OBP PH?

[Abe Frohman]

I am not sure about high OB%, but I think Randall Simon was the ultimate pinch-hitter back in 2003. You knew he was going to make contact.

[goonys evil twin]

I am not sure about high OB%, but I think Randall Simon was the ultimate pinch-hitter back in 2003. You knew he was going to make contact.

 

Making contact isn't an accomplishment. The 2006 Chicago Cubs are some of the best contact makers in the league, if not the best. And they still suck. That's not ultimate.

[Abe Frohman]

I am not sure about high OB%, but I think Randall Simon was the ultimate pinch-hitter back in 2003. You knew he was going to make contact.

 

Making contact isn't an accomplishment. The 2006 Chicago Cubs are some of the best contact makers in the league, if not the best. And they still suck. That's not ultimate.

 

I'll agree with you there, the 2006 Cubs ultimately suck. Randall Simon was a pretty good guy off the bench, though. A lot better than Neifi Perez.

[davearm]

Does Theriot remind anybody else of David Eckstein?

[biittner77]

Wasn't Theriot a switch hitter when he was drafted by the Cubs? If so I'd like to see his numbers since he started hitting RH full time.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Wasn't Theriot a switch hitter when he was drafted by the Cubs? If so I'd like to see his numbers since he started hitting RH full time.

 

Yes, he stopped after '04.

[cubweiser03]

Does Theriot remind anybody else of David Eckstein?

 

Totally, and Im not just saying size wise. Eck was 26 when he was a rookie. Eck had a better BA in the minors and better BB/K ratio but The Riot is pretty close to him in those departments. Im looking at the last 2 years of The Riots minors mostly.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

I am not sure about high OB%, but I think Randall Simon was the ultimate pinch-hitter back in 2003. You knew he was going to make contact.

 

Making contact isn't an accomplishment. The 2006 Chicago Cubs are some of the best contact makers in the league, if not the best. And they still suck. That's not ultimate.

 

The Cubs are now 3rd in the NL in batting average, last in the NL in OBP (by a lot), and consequently last in the NL in runs scored. They have walked 200 fewer times than the Reds and Phillies.

 

One thing Ryan Theriot does do is walk. He walks at nearly double the rate of his Cub teammates. The simple fact that he will draw walks and can run the bases correctly puts him above a lot of players battling for spots next season.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Wasn't Theriot a switch hitter when he was drafted by the Cubs? If so I'd like to see his numbers since he started hitting RH full time.

 

Yes, he stopped after '04.

 

Si.

 

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/T/Ryan-Theriot.shtml

[Derwood]

Not nearly as good as Alfonso Soriano

[Yestheydo]

Not nearly as good as Alfonso Soriano

 

Or as expensive. What I like about Theriot is that he appears to be an overachiever, like Eckstein or Freel. With all the underachieving we've seen around here, it's great to see. And hey, calling Rich Hill a worthless AAAA LOOGY worked wonders, right?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Theriot reminds me of Mark McLemore without the ability to switch hit. He's versatile and might could be a starter on a team that doesn't need much offense from the position.

 

McLemore was a great fit for the Ranger teams that already had Clark, Pudge, and Gonzalez with some power from Palmer and others. He wouldn't have been a good fit on other teams.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Not nearly as good as Alfonso Soriano

 

Or as expensive. What I like about Theriot is that he appears to be an overachiever, like Eckstein or Freel. With all the underachieving we've seen around here, it's great to see. And hey, calling Rich Hill a worthless AAAA LOOGY worked wonders, right?

 

How can you compare Hill to Theriot? Oh, that's right, they both played in the minors. Good enough for me.

 

Theriot has never posted a .400+ SLG in his entire minor league career.

[CubColtPacer]

I am not sure about high OB%, but I think Randall Simon was the ultimate pinch-hitter back in 2003. You knew he was going to make contact.

 

Making contact isn't an accomplishment. The 2006 Chicago Cubs are some of the best contact makers in the league, if not the best. And they still suck. That's not ultimate.

 

The Cubs are now 3rd in the NL in batting average, last in the NL in OBP (by a lot), and consequently last in the NL in runs scored. They have walked 200 fewer times than the Reds and Phillies.

 

Actually, that's not true anymore. With the game last night, the Cubs officially moved ahead of the Pirates in Run per game by a small percentage (the Pirates are averaging between 4 and 5 runs a game, and the Cubs have played one more game than them and are 5 runs ahead). The interesting thing is that the next 2 teams up are Milwaukee and Houston-we almost assuredly won't catch Houston unless we're much better than them the next 10 days, but we have a small chance of catching Milwaukee (they've played 1 less game and have 3 more runs). The difference between the best offense in the Central to the top 5 offenses in the major leagues (I'm comparing them to #5 in runs) is greater than the difference between the best offense in the Central and the Cubs. That's an interesting statistic-it might not take a huge overhaul, but one or two bats to make us the best offense in the division.

[Yestheydo]

Not nearly as good as Alfonso Soriano

 

Or as expensive. What I like about Theriot is that he appears to be an overachiever, like Eckstein or Freel. With all the underachieving we've seen around here, it's great to see. And hey, calling Rich Hill a worthless AAAA LOOGY worked wonders, right?

 

How can you compare Hill to Theriot? Oh, that's right, they both played in the minors. Good enough for me.

 

Theriot has never posted a .400+ SLG in his entire minor league career.

But...but...he has such a cool nickname. And he physically resembles Ryne Sandberg. WHAT MORE DO YOU PEOPLE NEED?????

[Derwood]

Not nearly as good as Alfonso Soriano

 

Or as expensive. What I like about Theriot is that he appears to be an overachiever, like Eckstein or Freel. With all the underachieving we've seen around here, it's great to see. And hey, calling Rich Hill a worthless AAAA LOOGY worked wonders, right?

 

If Theriot can overachieve his way to a 40/40 season next year, I'll eat my words