Lou: Fukudome Penciled in at 2-Spot in Linuep

[TruffleShuffle]

I think the reason people think that is because he's 29 and doesn't appear to have a whole lot more physical ability/talent to build more on.

 

What more does he need to build on? Theriot is cheap and gives you above average offensive production at SS. .

 

Defense. Theriot might give you slightly above average offense for the shortstop position, but well below average defense.

 

that's wrong. he's not well below average defensively.

[sjung851]

Ok, I didn't read a bunch of the posts on this thread, but let me ask a question to those who support this crap. Do you want Fukudome to theoretically to have the second most AB's on this team? I want my best offensive players at the top of the order, not some player who's bad at baseball.

[Tracer Bullet]

Ok, I didn't read a bunch of the posts on this thread, but let me ask a question to those who support this crap. Do you want Fukudome to theoretically to have the second most AB's on this team? I want my best offensive players at the top of the order, not some player who's bad at baseball.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

and good luck

[weis21]

Carolina fans

 

:roll:

[Yeti]

Carolina fans

 

:roll:

what he said

[videographer]

After reading a few of the most recent responses, I don't think anyone saw Fukudome in the WBC against Cuba on Sunday (He didn't play Thursday against Korea). His swing hasn't changed. He still drops his right foot in the bucket with every stride at the plate. He struck out three times against Cuban pitching, looking awful in the process. He didn't make good contact (sans a single) and I didn't notice any improvement since last October. If this continues when he shows up in Mesa, I don't think he will be a regular in the line up, much less hit second in the order.

 

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

[jersey cubs fan]

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

 

Given a couple of the strange situations on the roster, Fukudome in AAA is not out of the realm.

 

If Fukudome stays, there is only room for:

 

Backup catcher

Miles

Johnson

And 2 of:

Gathwright/Hoffpauir/2nd backup infielder

 

If Fukudome goes to AAA all of those players can make the team.

[weis21]

After reading a few of the most recent responses, I don't think anyone saw Fukudome in the WBC against Cuba on Sunday (He didn't play Thursday against Korea). His swing hasn't changed. He still drops his right foot in the bucket with every stride at the plate. He struck out three times against Cuban pitching, looking awful in the process. He didn't make good contact (sans a single) and I didn't notice any improvement since last October. If this continues when he shows up in Mesa, I don't think he will be a regular in the line up, much less hit second in the order.

 

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

While this concern is certainly legitimate, especially if his swing still has a huge hole in it, I'd like to give him more than 17 sporadic at-bats before casting judgment. Perhaps he's just rusty like a lot of players at this stage of spring training.

[otis89]

After reading a few of the most recent responses, I don't think anyone saw Fukudome in the WBC against Cuba on Sunday (He didn't play Thursday against Korea). His swing hasn't changed. He still drops his right foot in the bucket with every stride at the plate. He struck out three times against Cuban pitching, looking awful in the process. He didn't make good contact (sans a single) and I didn't notice any improvement since last October. If this continues when he shows up in Mesa, I don't think he will be a regular in the line up, much less hit second in the order.

 

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

While this concern is certainly legitimate, especially if his swing still has a huge hole in it, I'd like to give him more than 17 sporadic at-bats before casting judgment. Perhaps he's just rusty like a lot of players at this stage of spring training.

 

We're 24 days into the Cactus League season. Isn't that enough time to shake off most of the rust?

[David]

After reading a few of the most recent responses, I don't think anyone saw Fukudome in the WBC against Cuba on Sunday (He didn't play Thursday against Korea). His swing hasn't changed. He still drops his right foot in the bucket with every stride at the plate. He struck out three times against Cuban pitching, looking awful in the process. He didn't make good contact (sans a single) and I didn't notice any improvement since last October. If this continues when he shows up in Mesa, I don't think he will be a regular in the line up, much less hit second in the order.

 

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

While this concern is certainly legitimate, especially if his swing still has a huge hole in it, I'd like to give him more than 17 sporadic at-bats before casting judgment. Perhaps he's just rusty like a lot of players at this stage of spring training.

 

We're 24 days into the Cactus League season. Isn't that enough time to shake off most of the rust?

 

 

Fukudome hasn't been playing in the Cactus League....

[jersey cubs fan]

After reading a few of the most recent responses, I don't think anyone saw Fukudome in the WBC against Cuba on Sunday (He didn't play Thursday against Korea). His swing hasn't changed. He still drops his right foot in the bucket with every stride at the plate. He struck out three times against Cuban pitching, looking awful in the process. He didn't make good contact (sans a single) and I didn't notice any improvement since last October. If this continues when he shows up in Mesa, I don't think he will be a regular in the line up, much less hit second in the order.

 

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

While this concern is certainly legitimate, especially if his swing still has a huge hole in it, I'd like to give him more than 17 sporadic at-bats before casting judgment. Perhaps he's just rusty like a lot of players at this stage of spring training.

 

We're 24 days into the Cactus League season. Isn't that enough time to shake off most of the rust?

 

 

Fukudome hasn't been playing in the Cactus League....

 

And as for the others, not all of them have been healthy enough to play every day, and a lot of times guys carry over their "rustiness" into April.

[sjung851]

Carolina fans

 

:roll:

I guess for you, it isn't all "Carolina" fans. It's just North Carolina fans. Good luck to the Pirates in the upcoming college football season though.

[erik316wttn]

Looks like we're in for lots more Fukucopters this year.

[Fred Hornkohl]

 

And as for the others, not all of them have been healthy enough to play every day, and a lot of times guys carry over their "rustiness" into April.

 

Hell, I remember a 2nd baseman we used to have that didn't completely shake of the "rust" until about half past May. :wink:

[Soul]

After reading a few of the most recent responses, I don't think anyone saw Fukudome in the WBC against Cuba on Sunday (He didn't play Thursday against Korea). His swing hasn't changed. He still drops his right foot in the bucket with every stride at the plate. He struck out three times against Cuban pitching, looking awful in the process. He didn't make good contact (sans a single) and I didn't notice any improvement since last October. If this continues when he shows up in Mesa, I don't think he will be a regular in the line up, much less hit second in the order.

 

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

While this concern is certainly legitimate, especially if his swing still has a huge hole in it, I'd like to give him more than 17 sporadic at-bats before casting judgment. Perhaps he's just rusty like a lot of players at this stage of spring training.

 

I don't think sample size comes into it. You don't need 200 ABs to see if a guy has attempted to change his swing. If he's still bailing out every time, that's something that becomes obvious pretty quick.

 

I didn't see Fuku, but if he is indeeed still doing this, I don't have much hope for him. And I think Lou is expecting to see that he's worked to improve. If he doesn't see it, he's going to be disappointed. I hope he comes in and does well in year 2, but it's disturbing to hear of a player with obvious problems who may not have even tried to address them. That's not acceptable.

[weis21]

Carolina fans

 

:roll:

I guess for you, it isn't all "Carolina" fans. It's just North Carolina fans. Good luck to the Pirates in the upcoming college football season though.

Thanks, I was just giving you a hard time.

 

I do hate UNC, but it's nothing personal. Welcome to the board.

[weis21]

After reading a few of the most recent responses, I don't think anyone saw Fukudome in the WBC against Cuba on Sunday (He didn't play Thursday against Korea). His swing hasn't changed. He still drops his right foot in the bucket with every stride at the plate. He struck out three times against Cuban pitching, looking awful in the process. He didn't make good contact (sans a single) and I didn't notice any improvement since last October. If this continues when he shows up in Mesa, I don't think he will be a regular in the line up, much less hit second in the order.

 

At the end of last season, there was talk that Fukudome may have to spend time in the minors in order to significantly improve his MLB stock. I would not be shocked if that happened at some point during the season.

While this concern is certainly legitimate, especially if his swing still has a huge hole in it, I'd like to give him more than 17 sporadic at-bats before casting judgment. Perhaps he's just rusty like a lot of players at this stage of spring training.

 

I don't think sample size comes into it. You don't need 200 ABs to see if a guy has attempted to change his swing. If he's still bailing out every time, that's something that becomes obvious pretty quick.

 

I didn't see Fuku, but if he is indeeed still doing this, I don't have much hope for him. And I think Lou is expecting to see that he's worked to improve. If he doesn't see it, he's going to be disappointed. I hope he comes in and does well in year 2, but it's disturbing to hear of a player with obvious problems who may not have even tried to address them. That's not acceptable.

 

Yeah, I guess. I personally just don't take too much stock into the first 15 or 20 plate appearances after six months off, even if we're talking about fundamental changes in his swing. Maybe he's just not seeing the ball out of the pitcher's hand right now and that's the reason. You can have a perfect swing, but if you're not seeing the ball well, you're going to look clueless. Plus, I'd have to imagine that it'd be pretty easy to fall into old habits playing for team Japan considering that was his natural swing for so many years. The Cubs coaching staff will probably take a much more proactive role concerning the dynamics of his swing.

 

Well, that's all the excuses I can think of right now. I could be 100% wrong and he could be horrible all year, but I just don't think there is enough evidence right now to judge either way.

[David]

I love how all the pseudo-coaches/scouts think he can't possibly have success without changing the swing that he has used successfully his whole life.

 

Just because it doesn't look pretty to us doesn't mean it's the reason he struggled.

[fromthestretch]

 

And as for the others, not all of them have been healthy enough to play every day, and a lot of times guys carry over their "rustiness" into April.

 

Hell, I remember a 2nd baseman we used to have that didn't completely shake of the "rust" until about half past May. :wink:

 

Wow. Didn't know that Johnny Evers was a slow starter. Learn something new everyday. :-))

[TruffleShuffle]

I love how all the pseudo-coaches/scouts think he can't possibly have success without changing the swing that he has used successfully his whole life.

 

Just because it doesn't look pretty to us doesn't mean it's the reason he struggled.

 

from the limited video i saw from japan, it didn't look like he stepped in the bucket nearly as much when he was playing there. not that he didn't open up his front shoulder, but he opened up less and still stayed closed enough to drive the ball. maybe i am crazy, but i have a hard time seeing him be successful with the approach he was using the second half of last season.

[Fred Hornkohl]

 

And as for the others, not all of them have been healthy enough to play every day, and a lot of times guys carry over their "rustiness" into April.

 

Hell, I remember a 2nd baseman we used to have that didn't completely shake of the "rust" until about half past May. :wink:

 

Wow. Didn't know that Johnny Evers was a slow starter. Learn something new everyday. :-))

 

Oy vay ist mir !!

[witty alias]

 

And as for the others, not all of them have been healthy enough to play every day, and a lot of times guys carry over their "rustiness" into April.

 

Hell, I remember a 2nd baseman we used to have that didn't completely shake of the "rust" until about half past May. :wink:

 

Mickey "DLGM" Morandini?

[Fred Hornkohl]

 

And as for the others, not all of them have been healthy enough to play every day, and a lot of times guys carry over their "rustiness" into April.

 

Hell, I remember a 2nd baseman we used to have that didn't completely shake of the "rust" until about half past May. :wink:

 

Mickey "DLGM" Morandini?

 

In his entire career, Morandini never shook the rust off !!!

[Bull]

but he was a Dandy Little Glove Man

[Fred Hornkohl]

but he was a Dandy Little Glove Man

 

That, plus $1.39, will buy you coffee down at the truck stop, no? :wink: