Bobby Hill signs minor league deal with Cubs

[NoDak]

I personallylike players like Bobby. I want a guy who will go out there and, hopefully, take 7-8 pitches on a regular basis. I look at it as a colossal waste of an AB for a player to go up there and get out on 1 pitch. If a pinch hitter takes 5-7 pitches I look at it as a relatively successful AB. Besides, I would definitely want at least one guy who had a solid OBP coming off the bench. I agree that what I would want on my bench would be 1 back-up catcher, 2 sluggers (back-up corner infield/outfield), an OBP guy (to pinch hit for the pitcher when leading off inning late in game), and super-sub utility guy who specializes in defense.

 

I agree with most of that except going up there and taking 7-8 pitches late in the game. I think it's more valuable when your wearing out the starting pitcher then a reliever. Mainly because there's 5-6 left in the bullpen.

 

I think it depends on the situation too. If Hill is up and a man is on second and two outs plus the pitchers spot is up next, I want him to drive the ball no matter what the amount of pitches are.

 

Exactly.

 

A walk doesn't do you much good in that situation.

 

Neither does swinging at a pitch out of the strikezone when the pitcher won't give you anything to hit with the ninth spot in the order due up behind you.

 

No one is saying to go up and look for a walk. But if you're not given a good pitch to hit, take your walk and let your teammate do his job.

 

Let's make sure we are comparing apples to apples here.

Get a hit: I would rather have it be on pitch #7 than pitch #1 (but pitch 1 would work too).

Get a walk: I would rather have it happen than not

Get an out: I would rather have it happen after 6-8 pitches than 1-3

 

Summary, I would rather have a guy who takes a lot of pitches. Being patient does not, to me, mean not considering swinging at a fastball down the middle unless it comes on pitch 4-7 but, instead, not swinging at a knee buckling curve on pitch #1 simply because you are afraid to hit when behind in the count. As a ballplayer once said, "It is better to be 0-1 than 0-for-1." If it is something you can't do anything with you are better off letting it go and seeing if the pitcher can repeat it. Most relievers can't.