Fukudome Signs with Cubs for 4 years (MLB.com: $48 M)

[UK1679666180]

 

Watch at about 0:53 seconds in, he stays back and drives it down the line.

 

Also, look at 1:18 and pause it at contact.

 

Head down*

Arms near full extention*

Back leg is L shaped*

Rear foot pivoted*

Hip rotation*

Top hald palm is up and btm hand palm is down*

 

I'd go to war with that swing.

[PrimeTime]

Around the horn is on ESPN, Fukudome is coming up

[Tyrant]

 

Watch at about 0:53 seconds in, he stays back and drives it down the line.

 

Also, look at 1:18 and pause it at contact.

 

Head down*

Arms near full extention*

Back leg is L shaped*

Rear foot pivoted*

Hip rotation*

Top hald palm is up and btm hand palm is down*

 

I'd go to war with that swing.

 

Good analysis. Like I said when I brought this up, I don't know a lot about hitting mechanics. I feel better hearing this.

[Brian]

Around the horn is on ESPN, Fukudome is coming up

 

Mariotti was the least supportive of the move... big surprise.

[CuseCubFan69]

 

Watch at about 0:53 seconds in, he stays back and drives it down the line.

 

Also, look at 1:18 and pause it at contact.

 

Head down*

Arms near full extention*

Back leg is L shaped*

Rear foot pivoted*

Hip rotation*

Top hald palm is up and btm hand palm is down*

 

I'd go to war with that swing.

 

That extension is what bothers me as a possible weakness though. I think that extension could come too early to lose some of the power and bat speed. He gets away with it in a highlight film but I'd like to see some of his lowlights as well.

[UK1679666180]

That extension is what bothers me as a possible weakness though. I think that extension could come too early to lose some of the power and bat speed. He gets away with it in a highlight film but I'd like to see some of his lowlights as well.

 

I'd agree,if he didnt stay back so well.

[CuseCubFan69]

That extension is what bothers me as a possible weakness though. I think that extension could come too early to lose some of the power and bat speed. He gets away with it in a highlight film but I'd like to see some of his lowlights as well.

 

I'd agree,if he didnt stay back so well.

 

Yeah, that funky Sierra high kick while staying back worked for him. He does have nice body work pivot wise and leg wise, nice lock on the front leg without opening.

[Post Count Padder]

According to the PTI rundown, Fukudome will be part of the Role Play portion coming up later in the show.

[cubbyvirus00]

I hate those "Around the Horn" "PTI" shows.

 

On the other hand Fukudome looks promising. Has that classic Japanese swing, seems to make good contact.

 

Is he a typical #2 hitter?

[UMFan83]

Here is a good projection list compiled for Fuk which includes ZiPS, CHONE, and PECOTA rankings. The general consensus that I'm reading all over the web is that he is basically a JD Drew/Bobby Abreu type player. I can definitely live with that, mostly because both Abreu and Drew made more last year than Fukudome will make this year.

 

http://www.rotoauthority.com/2007/12/kosuke-fukudome.html

[Andy]

I hate those "Around the Horn" "PTI" shows.

I like PTI, mainly because Kornheiser and Wilbon aren't prone to sweeping generalizations, stupid statements and general d-baggery like the ATH guys.

[Post Count Padder]

I hate those "Around the Horn" "PTI" shows.

I like PTI, mainly because Kornheiser and Wilbon aren't prone to sweeping generalizations, stupid statements and general d-baggery like the ATH guys.

[Outshined_One]

I hate those "Around the Horn" "PTI" shows.

 

On the other hand Fukudome looks promising. Has that classic Japanese swing, seems to make good contact.

 

Is he a typical #2 hitter?

 

It seems like it. He might be leadoff material, but, with his OBP and modest power, the #2 spot would work nicely.

[rawaction]

FWIW, if the Cubs get Roberts. I would go:

 

Roberts

Lee

Fukudome

Ramirez

Soriano.

 

I think Lee will probably get on base slightly more than KFuk, and KFuk will hit for a little more power. Plus, it breaks up the RHs, which every manager seems to care about way too much.

[jersey cubs fan]

I hate those "Around the Horn" "PTI" shows.

I like PTI, mainly because Kornheiser and Wilbon aren't prone to sweeping generalizations, stupid statements and general d-baggery like the ATH guys.

 

They may not be the lowest common denominator types like those on ATH, but they are only the next level up.

[rawaction]

I like PTI. Around the Horn, though, is the worst show on TV.

[mdwilla]

FWIW, if the Cubs get Roberts. I would go:

 

Roberts

Lee

Fukudome

Ramirez

Soriano.

 

I think Lee will probably get on base slightly more than KFuk, and KFuk will hit for a little more power. Plus, it breaks up the RHs, which every manager seems to care about way too much.

I pray your wrong. Most projections I have seen for KFuk have him hitting 20 homers with 25 being the high end. DLee's power seemed to come back the second half of last year so hopefully he return to being a 30-35 homer threat. Also Dlee looks like he'll have a better lineup around than he's ever had in a cubs uniform.

Edited December 12, 2007 by mdwilla

[Outshined_One]

I think Lee will probably get on base slightly more than KFuk, and KFuk will hit for a little more power.

 

You think so? Lee's second half suggests to me that he should be fine in the power category. Fukudome seems more likely to be a 10-15 HR type of guy.

[KingCubsFan]

FWIW, if the Cubs get Roberts. I would go:

 

Roberts

Lee

Fukudome

Ramirez

Soriano.

 

I think Lee will probably get on base slightly more than KFuk, and KFuk will hit for a little more power. Plus, it breaks up the RHs, which every manager seems to care about way too much.

I pray your wrong. Most projections I have seen for KFuk have him hitting 20 homers with 25 being the high end. DLee's power seemed to come back the second half of last year so hopefully he return to being a 30-35 homer threat. Also Dlee looks like he'll have a better lineup around than he's ever had in a cubs uniform.

What about 2004?

[Exile on Waveland]

FWIW, if the Cubs get Roberts. I would go:

 

Roberts

Lee

Fukudome

Ramirez

Soriano.

 

I think Lee will probably get on base slightly more than KFuk, and KFuk will hit for a little more power. Plus, it breaks up the RHs, which every manager seems to care about way too much.

I pray your wrong. Most projections I have seen for KFuk have him hitting 20 homers with 25 being the high end. DLee's power seemed to come back the second half of last year so hopefully he return to being a 30-35 homer threat. Also Dlee looks like he'll have a better lineup around than he's ever had in a cubs uniform.

What about 2004?

 

2004 didn't happen. Never speak of such a thing again.

[SABR Gamer]

However, Cubs fans booed Jones for his first season hitting:

 

However, you have to admit the booing during Jones' first season was a little bit unwarrented.

 

The fans did not boo him for his season stats. They booed him because he was exactly the opposite of what this team needed, he had a horrible start, he got picked off repeatedly, he threw the ball directly into the ground or 100 feet over the cutoff man, AND HE WHINED ABOUT THE FANS IN HIS FIRST WEEK IN UNIFORM.

 

I'm not going to say I approve of the booing, but this is a completely different situation.

 

i agree. i think that his reaction to the early season boo-birds is what got him booed for the rest of his cubs tenure.

 

 

Nothing to do with your post but I can't help but chuckle/laugh out loud nearly every time I see your signature.

[PrimeTime]

Oh yea..Everyone needs one of these...

 

http://images.cafepress.com/product/200061992v6_240x240_Front_Color-Black.jpg

Edited December 13, 2007 by PrimeTime

[ottawacubbie]

I know this isn't the place to do this, but I figure I'd get the best response.

 

I am in a fantasy keeper league. I have the Cubs and my current line-up (you only re-draft your bench) is below. I got offered Fukudome for Bay. My question is who is more valuble, do you think Bay is moving to San Diego and should I be worried about having an all Cubs OF and CIF?

 

 

 

[tr] [td]Catcher[/td] [td] Joe MAUER [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]First Basema[/td] [td] Derrek LEE [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Second Baseman[/td] [/td] [td] Luis Castillo [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Third Baseman[/td] [td] Aramis RAMERIZ [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Shortstop[/td] [/td] [td] Yunel ESCOBAR [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Outfielder[/td] [td] Alfonso SORIANO [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Outfielder 2[/td] [td] Jason BAY [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Outfielder 3[/td] [td] Felix PIE [/td] [/tr]

 

 

[tr] [td]

Starting Rotation

[/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Staff Ace[/td] [td] Carlos ZAMBRANO [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]#2 Starter[/td] [td] Tim HUDSON [/td] [/tr]

 

 

[tr] [td]#3 Starter[/td] [td] Dontrelle WILLIS [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]#3 Starter[/td] [td] Barry ZITO [/td] [/tr]

 

 

[tr] [td]#5 Pitcher[/td] [td] John Maine [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]

Bullpen

[/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]Staff Closer[/td] [td] Chad CORDERO [/td] [/tr]

 

[tr] [td]#2 Reliever[/td] [td] Jose Valverde [/td] [/tr]

Bench

 

[/table]

[cubweiser03]

Mechanics Schmanics.

The bat flip people the bat flip is awesome!

[rawaction]

FWIW, if the Cubs get Roberts. I would go:

 

Roberts

Lee

Fukudome

Ramirez

Soriano.

 

I think Lee will probably get on base slightly more than KFuk, and KFuk will hit for a little more power. Plus, it breaks up the RHs, which every manager seems to care about way too much.

I pray your wrong. Most projections I have seen for KFuk have him hitting 20 homers with 25 being the high end. DLee's power seemed to come back the second half of last year so hopefully he return to being a 30-35 homer threat. Also Dlee looks like he'll have a better lineup around than he's ever had in a cubs uniform.

 

Power is more than HRs. If you look at Fukudome's PECOTA projections (.289/.401/.504 ), probably a little high across the board. But that's an ISOP of .215. Even with Derrek's power surge in the 2nd half, he finished at .195, thanks to a big September with the power.

 

FWIW, I think Fukudome will hit much more than 10-15 HRs. I could see him easily hitting 20-25 pretty consistently. I believe LH power hitters can thrive in Wrigley in the HR department, because the wind typically blows to aid balls down the RF corner. Corey Patterson, Mark Bellhorn, Henry Rodriguez, and Rick Wilkins all hit for more power in Chicago than they did in the rest of the world. Jacque Jones and Fred McGriff posted power numbers they hadn't touched in about 6-8 years.