Kroeger

[USSoccer]

There were many who thought Padilla was a better option than Marquis.

 

including Marquis himself

 

I was in agreement with Goony, and considering we're 1/6 of the way through that 3/$21m contract, I'd say the jury is still out.

[rawaction]

I think you're having trouble with the meaning of the words "fact" and "opinion".

 

I think the problem he has is his comparisons were called pointless, which was completely unnecessary. I think Goony could have made his point without the condescending remark.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think you're having trouble with the meaning of the words "fact" and "opinion".

 

I think the problem he has is his comparisons were called pointless, which was completely unnecessary. I think Goony could have made his point without the condescending remark.

 

I don't see how that is condescending. There was no point to comparing Kroeger to Hunter and Howard.

[Outshined_One]

Overall numbers: .366/.444/.610

Overall BABIP: .394

 

Numbers vs. LHP: 55 AB, 3 2B, 2 HR, 15/10 K/BB, 236/.354/.400

BABIP vs. LHP: .289

 

Numbers vs. RHP: 117 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 11/12 K/BB, .427/.489/.709

BABIP vs. RHP: .434

 

See, here's my problem. He has an absolutely unsustainable BABIP overall and against RHPs. When he has a BABIP that's actually close to normal (as seen against LHPs), his numbers are not the kind that inspire fear in opposing pitchers.

 

Now, he seems to have a clue at the plate and he clearly is much better against RHPs, which suggests he could turn into an effective platoon mate with an OF who can actually hit LHPs. This assumes that he'll finally be able to break through AAA and become a decent player in the majors, though.

 

Look, I'm happy for the guy as much as anyone, but I'm incredibly skeptical of him. I don't think he'll be an effective answer at one of the corners, much less to the point where he'd be able to replace the production of someone like Jacque Jones.

 

We'll see what happens to him as the season goes on. But for now, I'm going to temper my excitement.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So basically, it's likely that sometime in the next few weeks we'll see no less than three players in Iowa that can mash but are playing out of position because of suspect defense at their original spots: E-Patt, Kroeger and Jake Fox. Plus, Buck Coats was originally a SS, and McGahee has been all over the diamond.

 

I like that the Cubs are willing to try new things to find a home for a kid with a bat, but I think these "square peg/round hole" problems suggest the Cubs should start moving some of these guys to AL organizations, where there are more options thanks to the DH and deeper benches than in the NL.

 

How exactly is Kroeger playing out of position because of suspect defense?