Final Bench Job Hoffpauir's to Lose

[Soul]

i've come around on hoffpauir. he's not the second coming of lou gehrig but his numbers last year were overwhelmingly-good at iowa, and he also raked at tennessee the previous year. more importantly, he doesn't strike out all that much - jason dubois (AAAA slugger) has struck out around once a game in his minor league career, or in almost 27% of his minor league at bats. hoffpauir struck out 0.63 times per game or about 17% of his ABs. his last two years at iowa the k-rate is only 13.3%. it seems like something has clicked, at least the past three years he seems to be a lot better at driving the ball than he was early in his cub career.

 

Hes a starting 1b on a non-playoff team and a very good #1 PH off the bench/back up 1b on a playoff team

 

agreed, that's how i view him. actually he probably doesn't project to be much worse than lee over the next three years so if we could find someone dumb enough to take lee off our hands at full price, i'd be all for it.

That's exactly it. And I hate thinking it, because I've been duped by the Dave Keltons of the Cubs past, but I really can't see Hoffpauir being THAT much worse than Lee over the next few years.

 

 

Agreed, and Hoff is a fantastic defender as well.

I know it's only ST but I'm starting to get my hopes up for Hoff too. Just remove his age from the equation -- is it really that difficult to imagine a guy who destroyed the ball consistently at AAA last year being decently productive at the MLB level?

[hardcorecubfan]

i've come around on hoffpauir. he's not the second coming of lou gehrig but his numbers last year were overwhelmingly-good at iowa, and he also raked at tennessee the previous year. more importantly, he doesn't strike out all that much - jason dubois (AAAA slugger) has struck out around once a game in his minor league career, or in almost 27% of his minor league at bats. hoffpauir struck out 0.63 times per game or about 17% of his ABs. his last two years at iowa the k-rate is only 13.3%. it seems like something has clicked, at least the past three years he seems to be a lot better at driving the ball than he was early in his cub career.

 

Hes a starting 1b on a non-playoff team and a very good #1 PH off the bench/back up 1b on a playoff team

 

agreed, that's how i view him. actually he probably doesn't project to be much worse than lee over the next three years so if we could find someone dumb enough to take lee off our hands at full price, i'd be all for it.

That's exactly it. And I hate thinking it, because I've been duped by the Dave Keltons of the Cubs past, but I really can't see Hoffpauir being THAT much worse than Lee over the next few years.

 

 

Agreed, and Hoff is a fantastic defender as well.

I know it's only ST but I'm starting to get my hopes up for Hoff too. Just remove his age from the equation -- is it really that difficult to imagine a guy who destroyed the ball consistently at AAA last year being decently productive at the MLB level?

 

One of many names to drop....Rosy Brown. Boy that sounds depressing, I hope for the best for Hoff.

[mdwilla]

I don't know if Rosy ever had the run Hoff has been the last couple spring trainings not even including the hot start he is off to now. He's mashed at triple AAA too, I thought most of Roosvelt Brown prospect status came from his tools and one good showing in the AFL.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't know if Rosy ever had the run Hoff has been the last couple spring trainings not even including the hot start he is off to now. He's mashed at triple AAA too, I thought most of Roosvelt Brown prospect status came from his tools and one good showing in the AFL.

 

The spring numbers are meaningless. But Rosy did OPS over 1000 at Iowa at age 25. He was also over 1100 in his first real time at AAA at 23.

[cubsfan26]

From Rotoworld

 

Manager Lou Piniella indicated Sunday that Micah Hoffpauier is a lock to make the Cubs as a bench player.

 

Hoffpauir leads the team with 13 RBI this spring. ''We're going to use him to rest Derrek [Lee] at first base and also use him some in the corner [outfield]," Piniella said.

[cubbinalltheway]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

[Sammy Sofa]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

 

In 2007? He most certainly did offer power.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardda01.shtml

 

If you're talking specifically about home runs, that's different.

[cubbinalltheway]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

 

In 2007? He most certainly did offer power.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardda01.shtml

 

If you're talking specifically about home runs, that's different.

not as a pinch hitter he didn't. unless you consider a .341 SLG to be good power.

[Sammy Sofa]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

 

In 2007? He most certainly did offer power.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardda01.shtml

 

If you're talking specifically about home runs, that's different.

not as a pinch hitter he didn't. unless you consider a .341 SLG to be good power.

 

That's not his only role as a bench player. What, are you going to evaluate Hoff's numbers last year and then this year based only his PH appearances?

[TruffleShuffle]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

 

In 2007? He most certainly did offer power.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardda01.shtml

 

If you're talking specifically about home runs, that's different.

not as a pinch hitter he didn't. unless you consider a .341 SLG to be good power.

 

That's not his only role as a bench player. What, are you going to evaluate Hoff's numbers last year and then this year based only his PH appearances?

 

he probably will actually

[MADD_DOG_31]

I'm under the impression that Hill v. Bako is still up for grabs and I don't see where it says Hoff is the last roster spot...sounds like hes the primary guy off the bench....I think Fox v. Gathright is still ongoing for the last spot on the 25 man....And if Gathright is the guy, I don't think it'll be long before Fox is called up if he keeps playing 3B well and keeps hitting at AAA

[Soul]

From Rotoworld

 

Manager Lou Piniella indicated Sunday that Micah Hoffpauier is a lock to make the Cubs as a bench player.

 

Hoffpauir leads the team with 13 RBI this spring. ''We're going to use him to rest Derrek [Lee] at first base and also use him some in the corner [outfield]," Piniella said.

 

Here it is Hoffy. The big opportunity.

[cubbinalltheway]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

 

In 2007? He most certainly did offer power.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardda01.shtml

 

If you're talking specifically about home runs, that's different.

not as a pinch hitter he didn't. unless you consider a .341 SLG to be good power.

 

That's not his only role as a bench player. What, are you going to evaluate Hoff's numbers last year and then this year based only his PH appearances?

what are you talking about?

 

i merely stated that it will be nice, hopefully, to have a LH power threat that can come off the bench late in the game in pinch hit situations. do you disagree with that statement?

[Sammy Sofa]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

 

In 2007? He most certainly did offer power.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardda01.shtml

 

If you're talking specifically about home runs, that's different.

not as a pinch hitter he didn't. unless you consider a .341 SLG to be good power.

 

That's not his only role as a bench player. What, are you going to evaluate Hoff's numbers last year and then this year based only his PH appearances?

what are you talking about?

 

i merely stated that it will be nice, hopefully, to have a LH power threat that can come off the bench late in the game in pinch hit situations. do you disagree with that statement?

 

No. What I'm saying is that Hoff's value won't hinge on PH performance as you're seemingly trying to do with Ward in 2007.

[cubbinalltheway]

good. hopefully we'll finally have some LH pop off the bench in the late innings. i'm sure i'm forgetting someone, but i feel like it's been awhile. and don't say ward, he got on base very well as PH in '07 but didn't offer any power at all in that role.

 

In 2007? He most certainly did offer power.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardda01.shtml

 

If you're talking specifically about home runs, that's different.

not as a pinch hitter he didn't. unless you consider a .341 SLG to be good power.

 

That's not his only role as a bench player. What, are you going to evaluate Hoff's numbers last year and then this year based only his PH appearances?

what are you talking about?

 

i merely stated that it will be nice, hopefully, to have a LH power threat that can come off the bench late in the game in pinch hit situations. do you disagree with that statement?

 

No. What I'm saying is that Hoff's value won't hinge on PH performance as you're seemingly trying to do with Ward in 2007.

of course it wont. and nowhere did i say anything remotely similar to that.

 

i was talking about his PH contributions to the team, not his overall contributions. seemed pretty straight-forward to me but i guess it was harder to read that than i thought.

[Sammy Sofa]

Guess so. You should work on that.

[JeffH]

I'm under the impression that Hill v. Bako is still up for grabs and I don't see where it says Hoff is the last roster spot...sounds like hes the primary guy off the bench....I think Fox v. Gathright is still ongoing for the last spot on the 25 man....And if Gathright is the guy, I don't think it'll be long before Fox is called up if he keeps playing 3B well and keeps hitting at AAA

 

Jake Fox's chances of breaking camp with the major league team are only slightly greater than mine are.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Does Brad Snyder get any consideration? Hes putting up some very nice numbers in a smaller sampe size than Hoff and Fox. Hes also a lefty, and they must have picked him up for some reason. Also, like Hoff and Fox, hes not getting younger and would be considered elderly in terms of "prospects".

 

I believe the other question is will David Patton give Guzman, Vizcaino, and Samardjzia a run for their money for one of those last 2 pen spots.

[Bull]

Does Brad Snyder get any consideration? Hes putting up some very nice numbers in a smaller sampe size than Hoff and Fox. Hes also a lefty, and they must have picked him up for some reason. Also, like Hoff and Fox, hes not getting younger and would be considered elderly in terms of "prospects".

 

I believe the other question is will David Patton give Guzman, Vizcaino, and Samardjzia a run for their money for one of those last 2 pen spots.

 

Is this the place to discuss 25 man roster projections or is there another thread. If the former, how do guys think it will shape up heading towards opening day. I'm in a new job with new responsibilities to learn, and have not followed as closely as I should this year. If this is being discussed elsewhere I can't find it...directions please.

[biittner77]

Is this the place to discuss 25 man roster projections or is there another thread. If the former, how do guys think it will shape up heading towards opening day. I'm in a new job with new responsibilities to learn, and have not followed as closely as I should this year. If this is being discussed elsewhere I can't find it...directions please.

 

Since we're here:

Miles, Hoffpauir and Johnson are in

 

Bako is probably the backup based on his MLB experience and his contract.

 

The other spot either goes to another inf or Gathright. It makes more sense to add another inf since Gathright is redundant with John able to play the same postions.

[cubbinalltheway]

Is this the place to discuss 25 man roster projections or is there another thread. If the former, how do guys think it will shape up heading towards opening day. I'm in a new job with new responsibilities to learn, and have not followed as closely as I should this year. If this is being discussed elsewhere I can't find it...directions please.

 

Since we're here:

Miles, Hoffpauir and Johnson are in

 

Bako is probably the backup based on his MLB experience and his contract.

 

The other spot either goes to another inf or Gathright. It makes more sense to add another inf since Gathright is redundant with John able to play the same postions.

i don't think his contract has anything to do with it. he'll make, what 200,000 more than hill if he makes the roster? that's not significant at all.

[Guest]

Is this the place to discuss 25 man roster projections or is there another thread. If the former, how do guys think it will shape up heading towards opening day. I'm in a new job with new responsibilities to learn, and have not followed as closely as I should this year. If this is being discussed elsewhere I can't find it...directions please.

 

Since we're here:

Miles, Hoffpauir and Johnson are in

 

Bako is probably the backup based on his MLB experience and his contract.

 

The other spot either goes to another inf or Gathright. It makes more sense to add another inf since Gathright is redundant with John able to play the same postions.

i don't think his contract has anything to do with it. he'll make, what 200,000 more than hill if he makes the roster? that's not significant at all.

 

It will be very significant when Ricketts announces to the world that he's about 200,000 short of being able to land Jake Peavy.

[biittner77]

I believe Hill is still around because there are still ss games and they need another catcher. If they weren't going to go with Bako, why did they give him a contract instead of making be a NRI? Or has Hill done something to change their minds?

 

I don't really mind if they go with Hill. It will help morale system wide to give him the job over Bako. He's also a SH which even though he doesn't actually hit at least Piniella won't take that into consideration when deciding to rest Soto.

[jersey cubs fan]

I believe Hill is still around because there are still ss games and they need another catcher. If they weren't going to go with Bako, why did they give him a contract instead of making be a NRI? Or has Hill done something to change their minds?

I don't really mind if they go with Hill. It will help morale system wide to give him the job over Bako. He's also a SH which even though he doesn't actually hit at least Piniella won't take that into consideration when deciding to rest Soto.

 

I think he's hit really well in the spring.

[biittner77]

I believe Hill is still around because there are still ss games and they need another catcher. If they weren't going to go with Bako, why did they give him a contract instead of making be a NRI? Or has Hill done something to change their minds?

I don't really mind if they go with Hill. It will help morale system wide to give him the job over Bako. He's also a SH which even though he doesn't actually hit at least Piniella won't take that into consideration when deciding to rest Soto.

 

I think he's hit really well in the spring.

 

I haven't been paying much attention.