Has Theriot really turned back into the 2008 version?

[CubColtPacer]

There have been many comments (both here and on Bruce's blog lately for example) that they are happy that Theriot is going to right most of the time again and isn't focused on both pulling the ball and driving the ball. Should we lump those two together though? Has Theriot really turned into the player that went to right first and center second? Here are his July hits:

 

July 1st: Theriot singled to right center, Theriot singled to left center

July 2nd: Theriot singled to left, Theriot singled to left

July 3rd: Theriot singled to left, Theriot singled to second base

July 5th: Theriot singled to right center, Theriot singled to left center

July 6th: Theriot singled to SS

July 7th: Theriot doubled to right

July 8th: Theriot singled to left, Theriot singled to center

July 10th: Theriot singled to center, Theriot singled to right

July 11th: Theriot singled to left, Theriot singled to SS

July 12th: Theriot doubled to left, Theriot doubled to right, Theriot singled to right

July 16th: Theriot doubled to deep left

July 18th: Theriot tripled to deep right center

July 19th: Theriot singled to left

July 20th: Theriot singled to center

July 21st: Theriot singled to right

July 22nd: Theriot bunt single to 3rd, Theriot singled to left, Theriot singled to SS

 

27 hits in the month broken down this way:

 

7 singles to left

3 singles to SS

3 singles to center

3 singles to right

2 singles to left center

2 singles to right center

2 doubles to right

1 single to 2nd

1 bunt single to 3rd

1 triple to deep right center

1 double to deep left

1 double to left

 

Has Theriot become more like the 2008 version? Of course. He has a better walk rate and a better strikeout rate this month. 3 of his extra base hits were line drives down the line. He's only had 2 balls that fell in for hits that were driven past the OF's. It's obvious that the uppercut part of the swing is gone.

 

He is nothing like last year's version though in the fact that he still prefers to pull the ball. He is using all fields with a definite preference for going to left. But without the uppercut, he's been able to get good results with the line drives. This is how the power surge has done a lot of good for Theriot. He is much harder to defend now that he is consistently using all fields. And his ISOP from this month is still about 30 points higher than last year because he is willing to drive the ball occasionally.

 

So Theriot is not focusing on driving the ball anymore. But he is still pulling the ball quite a bit and going to right field IMO hasn't been the primary cause of the change this month like many people are intimating.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It would be nice if some of his team mates would join him in 2008 form. Soriano, Fontenot, and Bradley, Im looking in your directions.

[UMFan83]

Ery nice post and great analysis. I like what Theriot has added to his game this year. He is slowly becoming a well rounded hitter. Here's hoping he keeps it up.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Ery nice post and great analysis. I like what Theriot has added to his game this year. He is slowly becoming a well rounded hitter. Here's hoping he keeps it up.

 

Its not even slowly. He is a well rounded hitter. I just wish he could stop making those pesky fielding and base running mistakes.

[Prizefight]

Ery nice post and great analysis. I like what Theriot has added to his game this year. He is slowly becoming a well rounded hitter. Here's hoping he keeps it up.

 

Its not even slowly. He is a well rounded hitter. I just wish he could stop making those pesky fielding and base running mistakes.

 

Agreed. The Riot is actually one of my favorite players on this team. I'm hoping we can move him to 2B sooner rather than later and I believe he can be the starting 2b for years to come on a very successful team.

[bcl412]

I like Theriot as an offensive player. He's never going slug that much (obviously) but your entire line up isn't going to be filled with guys who get on base and slug as there aren't too many around.

 

Theriot in the field and on the bases, however, infuriates me to no end.

[MPrior]

Ery nice post and great analysis. I like what Theriot has added to his game this year. He is slowly becoming a well rounded hitter. Here's hoping he keeps it up.

 

Its not even slowly. He is a well rounded hitter. I just wish he could stop making those pesky fielding and base running mistakes.

 

Agreed. The Riot is actually one of my favorite players on this team. I'm hoping we can move him to 2B sooner rather than later and I believe he can be the starting 2b for years to come on a very successful team.

 

I disagree. Whatever value he has is primarily derived from the fact that he plays SS. At 2B, he'd be more of an offensive liability.

[dew1679666265]

Ery nice post and great analysis. I like what Theriot has added to his game this year. He is slowly becoming a well rounded hitter. Here's hoping he keeps it up.

 

Its not even slowly. He is a well rounded hitter. I just wish he could stop making those pesky fielding and base running mistakes.

 

Agreed. The Riot is actually one of my favorite players on this team. I'm hoping we can move him to 2B sooner rather than later and I believe he can be the starting 2b for years to come on a very successful team.

 

I disagree. Whatever value he has is primarily derived from the fact that he plays SS. At 2B, he'd be more of an offensive liability.

 

The offensive capabilities of a second baseman vs a shortstop aren't all that different. For instance, this season Theriot's .771 OPS ranks him 11th out of all major league shortstops. If he were to move to second base with those same numbers, he'd be the 15th best second baseman.

 

Add in his improved defense at second and I don't think there's a drop in value at all. In fact, I think he'd become more valuable at second base.

[Roast]

 

Add in his improved defense at second and I don't think there's a drop in value at all. In fact, I think he'd become more valuable at second base.

 

I wholeheartedly agree. I would love to see a situation where Riot moved to second. His sub-par arm and range at short would quickly change to being an average arm/range at second. Plus, forget how he compares to the rest of the league offensively - look how it would compare to what we've gotten from second base this year offensively.

 

Second base has been by far (only the catchers spot really comes close) the worst producing position (not counting the pitchers spot) for us this year. Collectively, the second base position has hit: .226/.280/.314/.595 (BA/OBP/SLG/OPS). Theriot's .299/.353/.418/.771 would be an instant, major upgrade.

 

Now, of course, this would certainly depend a lot on who we got to replace him at short.

[dew1679666265]

Now, of course, this would certainly depend a lot on who we got to replace him at short.

 

This is the biggest part. I don't want to replace him just for the sake of replacing him. But, looking for a SS upgrade as well opens up our options a bit.

[UK1679666180]

It's easier to find an offensive player at 2B than SS, especially with the way MLB values defense at SS compared to 2B. It'd be great to find an offensive SS but given their budget, it would take a miracle.

 

Even though he should have a job regardless, Ray Durham would be a starting SS right now if that was his position.

 

Deal with defensive shortcomings (lack of arm, limited quickness) at SS and improve at 2B.

[JonJayCutler]

Theriot has actually been decent on the basepaths recently. He does get thrown out a lot, but a lot of that can be put on Lou. His defense, on the other hand, is shaky at best.

[brinoch]

The Cubs need to learn to effectively use their blackhole-ishness at 2B as an effective weapon. I mean, who would of thought that Prince Fielder could stretch out into something that long!