Micah Hoffpauir

[mdwilla]

Micah has flat out raked since spring training in 2007 at every stop , including the majors and spring training this year. Maybe he's one of those guys that just figured it out a little later than most.

[Boozer1011]

Hoffpauir has been playing ball in Iowa since 2005. Of course he's going to put up great numbers after spending 3 years down there. Players like him are all over the minor leagues.

 

Like Nelson Cruz for Texas, led the PCL in OPS this year with 37 homers. Also been in the PCL since 2005 like Hoff.

Or like Dallas McPherson. 28 years old. AAA since '04. Although injuries took their toll on him.

Terry Tiffee: AAA since '04, 29 years old.

 

These are just guys that are in the PCL league leaders. There are probably a bunch more there and more in the IL as well. Point is, guys like Hoff are all over the place.

 

 

That being said, I think there is a spot for Hoffpauir on the post season roster. But I wouldn't expect anything more out of Hoff than him being a Daryle Ward replacement next year.

[Derwood]

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy". I don't really like Daryle Ward that much, so if Hoffpauir replaced him as a late inning PH guy, great. But let's not start pretending like Hoffpauir should start every game. I know his numbers have been great in AAA, but so were Pie's, Dubois', etc., etc.

 

 

prove me wrong, Micah, prove me wrong

[twothousandfive]

So, since both are likely to see playing time vs RHP, what is the difference between 57 AB to 83?

There is a small distinction between starting, playing the field, and PH. I don't exactly know how to judge Hoffpauir's .517 OPS as a PH. Small sample size makes it impossible to use stats to analyze a PH, but it is possible the Hoffpauir isn't a fit for that spot. Ward as PH, Hoffpauir as potential replacement in RF, maybe for Lee at 1B, and as DH against righties in the WS.

 

That assumes their is room for both on the roster.

[BigbadB]

Hoffpauir does play the field better than Ward, so he's got that going for him as well. If Fukudome were to continue to struggle, I like the idea of Hoffpauir getting a start in his place over someone like Ward.

[El Rojito]

Hoffpauir has been playing ball in Iowa since 2005. Of course he's going to put up great numbers after spending 3 years down there. Players like him are all over the minor leagues.

 

Like Nelson Cruz for Texas, led the PCL in OPS this year with 37 homers. Also been in the PCL since 2005 like Hoff.

 

Since his callup, Nelson Cruz is hitting .320/.417/.583 for an OPS of .999 in 103 ABs, with 6 HR and 23 RBI.

 

Late bloomers can have success in the majors: see Ryan Ludwick. I'm not sure if Hoffpauir fits into that category, but it's possible.

[The Other 15]

So, since both are likely to see playing time vs RHP, what is the difference between 57 AB to 83?

There is a small distinction between starting, playing the field, and PH. I don't exactly know how to judge Hoffpauir's .517 OPS as a PH. Small sample size makes it impossible to use stats to analyze a PH, but it is possible the Hoffpauir isn't a fit for that spot. Ward as PH, Hoffpauir as potential replacement in RF, maybe for Lee at 1B, and as DH against righties in the WS.

 

That assumes their is room for both on the roster.

 

This is also legit.

 

But I have a hard time believing that there is room for both. It seems like there will have to be a decision. Pie has too much speed and defense to be left off. it'll be interesting which way they go.

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy"

 

I certainly never implied as much and I'm not certain that anyone else did.

 

Late bloomers can have success in the majors: see Ryan Ludwick. I'm not sure if Hoffpauir fits into that category, but it's possible.

 

Very good point. We too often are focused on a guys age and assume that a 28 yr old can't "get it" just like we expect 23 yr olds to do.

[sneakypower]

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy". I don't really like Daryle Ward that much, so if Hoffpauir replaced him as a late inning PH guy, great. But let's not start pretending like Hoffpauir should start every game. I know his numbers have been great in AAA, but so were Pie's, Dubois', etc., etc.

 

 

prove me wrong, Micah, prove me wrong

and Dubois also struck out twice as often

 

not a very good example

[mcgoobs]

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy". I don't really like Daryle Ward that much, so if Hoffpauir replaced him as a late inning PH guy, great. But let's not start pretending like Hoffpauir should start every game. I know his numbers have been great in AAA, but so were Pie's, Dubois', etc., etc.

 

 

prove me wrong, Micah, prove me wrong

 

I think the point of the thread was regarding whether he should make the playoff roster over Ward, not replace Lee as the everyday starter at first.

[Derwood]

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy". I don't really like Daryle Ward that much, so if Hoffpauir replaced him as a late inning PH guy, great. But let's not start pretending like Hoffpauir should start every game. I know his numbers have been great in AAA, but so were Pie's, Dubois', etc., etc.

 

 

prove me wrong, Micah, prove me wrong

 

I think the point of the thread was regarding whether he should make the playoff roster over Ward, not replace Lee as the everyday starter at first.

 

i think people are suggesting he start in RF if DeRosa isn't healthy

[Transmogrified Tiger]

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy". I don't really like Daryle Ward that much, so if Hoffpauir replaced him as a late inning PH guy, great. But let's not start pretending like Hoffpauir should start every game. I know his numbers have been great in AAA, but so were Pie's, Dubois', etc., etc.

 

 

prove me wrong, Micah, prove me wrong

 

I think the point of the thread was regarding whether he should make the playoff roster over Ward, not replace Lee as the everyday starter at first.

 

i think people are suggesting he start in RF if DeRosa isn't healthy

 

There aren't exactly an abundance of great options for that spot if DeRosa doesn't play.

[Derwood]

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy". I don't really like Daryle Ward that much, so if Hoffpauir replaced him as a late inning PH guy, great. But let's not start pretending like Hoffpauir should start every game. I know his numbers have been great in AAA, but so were Pie's, Dubois', etc., etc.

 

 

prove me wrong, Micah, prove me wrong

 

I think the point of the thread was regarding whether he should make the playoff roster over Ward, not replace Lee as the everyday starter at first.

 

i think people are suggesting he start in RF if DeRosa isn't healthy

 

There aren't exactly an abundance of great options for that spot if DeRosa doesn't play.

 

so we're completely writing off Kosuke now?

[Brett]

my sample size argument was just to point out that one 5-5 game does not make him "the guy". I don't really like Daryle Ward that much, so if Hoffpauir replaced him as a late inning PH guy, great. But let's not start pretending like Hoffpauir should start every game. I know his numbers have been great in AAA, but so were Pie's, Dubois', etc., etc.

 

 

prove me wrong, Micah, prove me wrong

 

I think the point of the thread was regarding whether he should make the playoff roster over Ward, not replace Lee as the everyday starter at first.

 

i think people are suggesting he start in RF if DeRosa isn't healthy

 

There aren't exactly an abundance of great options for that spot if DeRosa doesn't play.

 

so we're completely writing off Kosuke now?

 

Exactly. Of course I'd much rather we start DeRosa, but if he's not available, it's not like the move to Fukudome is a HUGE net loss considering defense.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

i think people are suggesting he start in RF if DeRosa isn't healthy

 

There aren't exactly an abundance of great options for that spot if DeRosa doesn't play.

 

so we're completely writing off Kosuke now?

 

Kosuke has a .621 OPS in the second half and .475 in September. I'm saying he's not such a slam dunk that advocating the red hot Hoffpauir is worthy of derision.

[rynefan]

Don't hassle the Hoff! 8-)

[Abe Frohman]

I'll just say this: there are a few things that come immediately to mind when I think of Darryl Ward's 2008 season. First of all, Lou making fun of him for being out of shape in Spring Training - congratulating him for finishing a workout. He has been largely unproductive, and dead-weight defensively for this team. I know he is a vet and gets additional respect from Piniella - but when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of what is going to help this team in the post-season, Hoffpauir just offers more than Ward.

 

Ward has had all season to at least get in shape (something Eyre did last year during the season), and he seems to have not taken the initiative to even do that. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but it is symptomatic of dedication and I think it plays a factor in his performance this season.

 

But what do I know.

[killthegoat06]

This was in yesterday's paper:

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1189384,CST-SPT-cubnt28.article

 

Piniella said he plans to discuss the final playoff roster decision with general manager Jim Hendry this morning, but it appears Micah Hoffpauir has won that spot over Felix Pie.

Edited September 29, 2008 by killthegoat06

[Mephistopheles]

Man I sure wish the Cardinals thought that Ryan Ludwick was a PCL hitter too. damn him.

[Huoliuhi]

I'm going to bump the tread up.

[CubinNY]

Man I sure wish the Cardinals thought that Ryan Ludwick was a PCL hitter too. damn him.

They are practically the same player. I mean Ludwick was a high school kid drafted in the 2nd round and made it to the majors by age 23. Huffpauir was a college guy drafted in the 13th round and made his major league debut at age 28.

 

Even so, Ludwick isn't going to repeat these flukish numbers ever again. But, then again neither will Huffpauir. So, maybe they are alike.

[Keener98]

Man I sure wish the Cardinals thought that Ryan Ludwick was a PCL hitter too. damn him.

They are practically the same player. I mean Ludwick was a high school kid drafted in the 2nd round and made it to the majors by age 23. Huffpauir was a college guy drafted in the 13th round and made his major league debut at age 28.

 

Even so, Ludwick isn't going to repeat these flukish numbers ever again. But, then again neither will Huffpauir. So, maybe they are alike.

 

Wasnt Ludwick once considered a top prospect though? I dont think the same can be said for Hoff.

[Boozer1011]

Man I sure wish the Cardinals thought that Ryan Ludwick was a PCL hitter too. damn him.

They are practically the same player. I mean Ludwick was a high school kid drafted in the 2nd round and made it to the majors by age 23. Huffpauir was a college guy drafted in the 13th round and made his major league debut at age 28.

 

Even so, Ludwick isn't going to repeat these flukish numbers ever again. But, then again neither will Huffpauir. So, maybe they are alike.

 

Wasnt Ludwick once considered a top prospect though? I dont think the same can be said for Hoff.

 

 

I think that was his point, he was being sarcastic.

 

You guys keep believing that guys like Ludwick and Carlos Pena are the norm for 28 year old career minor leaguers.

Cub fans are the single most over-reactive fan base in America. Matt Murton had 7 homers in 140 at bats his first cup of coffee, so of course, Cub fans had him pegged to be a 30 homer a year player.

Hoff does great in a VERY small sample size and fans are already handing over an everyday job to him for next year.

 

He's probably good enough to be the #1 pinch hitter on a NL team or a DH on a bad AL team, but that's about it. To expect anything more would be....well, that'd be typical of most Cub fans I guess...

[treebird]

Man I sure wish the Cardinals thought that Ryan Ludwick was a PCL hitter too. damn him.

They are practically the same player. I mean Ludwick was a high school kid drafted in the 2nd round and made it to the majors by age 23. Huffpauir was a college guy drafted in the 13th round and made his major league debut at age 28.

 

Even so, Ludwick isn't going to repeat these flukish numbers ever again. But, then again neither will Huffpauir. So, maybe they are alike.

 

Wasnt Ludwick once considered a top prospect though? I dont think the same can be said for Hoff.

 

 

I think that was his point, he was being sarcastic.

 

You guys keep believing that guys like Ludwick and Carlos Pena are the norm for 28 year old career minor leaguers.

Cub fans are the single most over-reactive fan base in America. Matt Murton had 7 homers in 140 at bats his first cup of coffee, so of course, Cub fans had him pegged to be a 30 homer a year player.

Hoff does great in a VERY small sample size and fans are already handing over an everyday job to him for next year.

 

He's probably good enough to be the #1 pinch hitter on a NL team or a DH on a bad AL team, but that's about it. To expect anything more would be....well, that'd be typical of most Cub fans I guess...

 

the "cubs fans are too optimistic and expect amazing things from all their players" angle is not one that will likely ring true here.

[Peoriaman]

Man I sure wish the Cardinals thought that Ryan Ludwick was a PCL hitter too. damn him.

They are practically the same player. I mean Ludwick was a high school kid drafted in the 2nd round and made it to the majors by age 23. Huffpauir was a college guy drafted in the 13th round and made his major league debut at age 28.

 

Even so, Ludwick isn't going to repeat these flukish numbers ever again. But, then again neither will Huffpauir. So, maybe they are alike.

 

Wasnt Ludwick once considered a top prospect though? I dont think the same can be said for Hoff.

 

 

I think that was his point, he was being sarcastic.

 

You guys keep believing that guys like Ludwick and Carlos Pena are the norm for 28 year old career minor leaguers.

Cub fans are the single most over-reactive fan base in America. Matt Murton had 7 homers in 140 at bats his first cup of coffee, so of course, Cub fans had him pegged to be a 30 homer a year player.

Hoff does great in a VERY small sample size and fans are already handing over an everyday job to him for next year.

 

He's probably good enough to be the #1 pinch hitter on a NL team or a DH on a bad AL team, but that's about it. To expect anything more would be....well, that'd be typical of most Cub fans I guess...

 

the "cubs fans are too optimistic and expect amazing things from all their players" angle is not one that will likely ring true here.

 

Yup, I see the opposite here most of the time.

[bukie]

There is both no reason to discount Hoffpaiur simply because of his age, and no reason to depend on him as a starter next year. He could be good, he could be the next Roosevelt Brown/Jason Dubois.