Murton

[moorecg]

AVG OBP SLG OPS

.462 .531 .538 1.069

 

With numbers like this, doesn't even Dusty have to let him play a game or two against right handers....just to see...I mean...we could save a ton in prospects and $$, and have a stud OF if he'd knock even .150 off each of those numbers. And its not like the guy playing in front of him is earning his spot.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Dude, Holly's a proven veteran. Just like Macias.

[katway]

AVG OBP SLG OPS

.462 .531 .538 1.069

 

With numbers like this, doesn't even Dusty have to let him play a game or two against right handers....just to see...I mean...we could save a ton in prospects and $$, and have a stud OF if he'd knock even .150 off each of those numbers. And its not like the guy playing in front of him is earning his spot.

 

That's like saying a healthy Nomar should start over a pro like Neifi. This kind of stuff doesn't happen in Dusty's town.

 

Note: Sarcasm refers to article where Dusty indicates Perez will likely start over Nomar when Nomar returns...

[minnesotacubsfan]

AVG OBP SLG OPS

.462 .531 .538 1.069

 

With numbers like this, doesn't even Dusty have to let him play a game or two against right handers....just to see...I mean...we could save a ton in prospects and $$, and have a stud OF if he'd knock even .150 off each of those numbers. And its not like the guy playing in front of him is earning his spot.

 

YOU REALIZE HE HAS DONE THAT AGAINST LEFTIES, WHICH IN DUSTY'S MIND PROVES HIS POINT THAT HE IS NOT READY TO HIT MLB RIGHTIES, JUST LEFTIES, I MEAN LOOK AT HIS #'S AGIANST LEFTIES!!!

 

(SARCASIM)

[ZZ Thorn]

God, it's so predictable how these threads all become about Dusty instead of about the more interesting subject.... People just have no patience.

 

Another sweet game by Murton! He's earning more PT with every start. No he wasn't annointed lifetime LF starter yet, but it's way early. Feel free to not give me your contrary point of view on that last sentence.

 

Wish I saw the game, but WTG Big Red!

[moorecg]

I just really enjoyed watching his at bats...he's the anti-Corey. If he gets behind he still makes the pitcher come to him...he knows the zone...and if there are two strikes he shortens his swing and puts the ball in play...its...what do they call it again?...oh yeah, fundamental baseball. He may end up being Bo Hart...but right now I'd take 3 more of him for the bench.

[dalgreen]

God, it's so predictable how these threads all become about Dusty instead of about the more interesting subject.... People just have no patience.

 

Another sweet game by Murton! He's earning more PT with every start. No he wasn't annointed lifetime LF starter yet, but it's way early. Feel free to not give me your contrary point of view on that last sentence.

 

Wish I saw the game, but WTG Big Red!

 

I like Murton from what I've seen. I also realize his great numbers are a product of seeing only lefties. You're right it is about patience. I've also seen him look bad against some right handers. But I would like to see what he can do against the righties. And, yes, he's faced righties before in his career, but for people to compare the right handed pitching at AA to the majors is ridiculous.

[ZZ Thorn]

I'd like to see him leadoff - patience, speed, skilled bat handler. Sounds like a leadoff hitter to me.

 

If we don't get a LF by Sunday I have to figure that's a major vote of confidence for Murton. He really is exactly the type of hitter we need in our lineup.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I just really enjoyed watching his at bats...he's the anti-Corey. If he gets behind he still makes the pitcher come to him...he knows the zone...and if there are two strikes he shortens his swing and puts the ball in play...its...what do they call it again?...oh yeah, fundamental baseball. He may end up being Bo Hart...but right now I'd take 3 more of him for the bench.

 

 

I LOVE THE WAY HE BATS, HE DOESNT LOOK OVERMATCHED AT ALL, HE LOOKS LIKE HE IS COMMANDING THE PITCHER TO THROW HIM A HITTABLE PITCH.

 

ALMOST BELLHORN-LIKE, BUT BETTER...

[ZZ Thorn]

I just really enjoyed watching his at bats...he's the anti-Corey. If he gets behind he still makes the pitcher come to him...he knows the zone...and if there are two strikes he shortens his swing and puts the ball in play...its...what do they call it again?...oh yeah, fundamental baseball. He may end up being Bo Hart...but right now I'd take 3 more of him for the bench.

 

 

I LOVE THE WAY HE BATS, HE DOESNT LOOK OVERMATCHED AT ALL, HE LOOKS LIKE HE IS COMMANDING THE PITCHER TO THROW HIM A HITTABLE PITCH.

 

ALMOST BELLHORN-LIKE, BUT BETTER...

 

Bellhorn-like hitter? There's no need to insult Matt. He can actually make non-foul ball contact regularly and he's not a whiff machine.

 

And he's not looking to pull the ball - which I thought was against Cub law. He's looking to wait back as long as possible, see the pitch as much as possible, and then hit it on the screws to center or take it to right.

 

He's great to watch to hit, tho I didn't see it last night (friggin power outage with every friggin storm in this friggin town).

[Cubzfan64]

I think it's a mistake to label a player as a platoon player without giving them the chance. I agree that Murton could be a very cheap good alternative for LF and allow us to spend our money elsewhere in 2006 - but that won't happen if he isn't given the chance to play against both lefties and righties.

 

I realize we're in the wildcard hunt (although I'm not particularily impressed with our chances), but it's not like anyone else is tearing it up in LF forcing Murton to sit on the bench.

 

I've given up on understanding Dusty's reasoning behind not playing some of the younger guys more often.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I just really enjoyed watching his at bats...he's the anti-Corey. If he gets behind he still makes the pitcher come to him...he knows the zone...and if there are two strikes he shortens his swing and puts the ball in play...its...what do they call it again?...oh yeah, fundamental baseball. He may end up being Bo Hart...but right now I'd take 3 more of him for the bench.

 

 

I LOVE THE WAY HE BATS, HE DOESNT LOOK OVERMATCHED AT ALL, HE LOOKS LIKE HE IS COMMANDING THE PITCHER TO THROW HIM A HITTABLE PITCH.

 

ALMOST BELLHORN-LIKE, BUT BETTER...

 

Bellhorn-like hitter? There's no need to insult Matt. He can actually make non-foul ball contact regularly and he's not a whiff machine.

 

And he's not looking to pull the ball - which I thought was against Cub law. He's looking to wait back as long as possible, see the pitch as much as possible, and then hit it on the screws to center or take it to right.

 

He's great to watch to hit, tho I didn't see it last night (friggin power outage with every friggin storm in this friggin town).

 

 

 

huh, i didnt know i was insulting him...

 

I really wish Baker would allow him to bat against righties, though. telling the kid "your a platoon player, you hit against lefties" is just wishie washie.

we are trying to get to the playoffs, let someone win the pos for crying out loud. it isnt fair for Holla or Murton

[fiver]

Can someone provide Murton's L/R splits from his minor league career? I'm not aware of a site that provides minor league splits.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Can someone provide Murton's L/R splits from his minor league career? I'm not aware of a site that provides minor league splits.

 

There isn't a source for minor league splits. Last year you could find some at USA Today, and that required a lot of search.

[LuckyPup]

Matt Murton should play everyday for the next 4 days up until the deadline-without question-When he hit the duoble last night to right I just started to shake my head and my wife looked at me like I was crazy

 

"What, Richie got a hit, you should be happy?"-

(she knows Murton because I took her to the Carolina-W.T. series and she deemed him Richie Cunningham).

 

" No honey, the problem is he'll get 2-3 hits tonight and not play for another week"

 

"Why, she replied.

 

"Because........I don't know......because Dusty doesn't want him to."

 

"Well Dusty isn't very smart is he"

 

wow, even my wife knows-

[fiver]

Can someone provide Murton's L/R splits from his minor league career? I'm not aware of a site that provides minor league splits.

 

There isn't a source for minor league splits. Last year you could find some at USA Today, and that required a lot of search.

 

Let me approach this a different way then....Ron and DJAXX have probably seen Murton play the most, but can anyone comment on his ability to hit RH pitching...He obviously did an adequate job this season or his average wouldn't have been so high at AA, but I'm wanting to know the specifics. How does he handle a tough slider from a rightie? Fastball high and tight from a right hander?...etc. I was able to catch a couple of games earlier this season when they visited Mobile, but I'd say less than 10 AB's just isn't an adequate sample size.

[JGalt73]

For those who like VORP as a stat - Hollandsworth in 260 PA = 0.9: Murton in 32 = 5.9. Just for fun Murton also leads St. Neifi (396PA, 4.4 VORP - brutal!).

 

Just curious if anyone has this stat or a better number from your memory - infield hits for Murton. I can think of 3 maybe 4 (of his 12H in 26AB). Seems to me he's had a bit of luck in his very very brief big league career. Just an observation.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

For those who like VORP as a stat - Hollandsworth in 260 PA = 0.9: Murton in 32 = 5.9. Just for fun Murton also leads St. Neifi (396PA, 4.4 VORP - brutal!).

 

Just curious if anyone has this stat or a better number from your memory - infield hits for Murton. I can think of 3 maybe 4 (of his 12H in 26AB). Seems to me he's had a bit of luck in his very very brief big league career. Just an observation.

 

I recall at least 4. One of them I remember thinking it was lucky that he got on, but the other 3 I remember were created by his speed. So while he has been fortunate, a lot of it is due to his skill set.

[dalgreen]

Can someone provide Murton's L/R splits from his minor league career? I'm not aware of a site that provides minor league splits.

 

There isn't a source for minor league splits. Last year you could find some at USA Today, and that required a lot of search.

 

Let me approach this a different way then....Ron and DJAXX have probably seen Murton play the most, but can anyone comment on his ability to hit RH pitching...He obviously did an adequate job this season or his average wouldn't have been so high at AA, but I'm wanting to know the specifics. How does he handle a tough slider from a rightie? Fastball high and tight from a right hander?...etc. I was able to catch a couple of games earlier this season when they visited Mobile, but I'd say less than 10 AB's just isn't an adequate sample size.

 

I wouldn't have a problem with Murton facing right handers like Tomko. But I'm not too sure he's ready to face guys like Schmidt, Carpenter, Morris, or others. You can't compare AA right handers with some of the good ones in the NL.

[fiver]

Can someone provide Murton's L/R splits from his minor league career? I'm not aware of a site that provides minor league splits.

 

There isn't a source for minor league splits. Last year you could find some at USA Today, and that required a lot of search.

 

Let me approach this a different way then....Ron and DJAXX have probably seen Murton play the most, but can anyone comment on his ability to hit RH pitching...He obviously did an adequate job this season or his average wouldn't have been so high at AA, but I'm wanting to know the specifics. How does he handle a tough slider from a rightie? Fastball high and tight from a right hander?...etc. I was able to catch a couple of games earlier this season when they visited Mobile, but I'd say less than 10 AB's just isn't an adequate sample size.

 

I wouldn't have a problem with Murton facing right handers like Tomko. But I'm not too sure he's ready to face guys like Schmidt, Carpenter, Morris, or others. You can't compare AA right handers with some of the good ones in the NL.

 

I do agree, Dalgreen...I'd say that the fact that he's struck out 5 times in 10 plate appearances against major league righties gives some indication that he may have a little work to do to become a substantial everyday player. He's going to be a platoon player for the remainder of the season...or at least while we are "in the playoff picture". That said, I think it is very unlikely that he starts next season as our "everyday" LFer. If we fall out of the race, then Dusty MIGHT run Murton out there against quite a few RH'ers just to see where we stand for next season.

[ZZ Thorn]

I'm all for easing Murton in, he's still getting PT. However, now he's excelling and Holla is really slumping - giving Murton more starts is the way to go now.

 

It was not the way to go earlier: Holla was on fire in June (his BA/SLG for that month was .360/.547) and the first week of July. However, since July 7th:

 

5/40, 2 doubles, 6 Ks, 4 bbs - that's a .139 BA for nearly 3 weeks.

 

When he had a poor start and a simlarly terrible May Dusty sat him over Doobs, so I'm confident Murton will get the same opportunity, cuz he's doing way better than Doobs ever did.

 

I didn't see any (reasonable) people complaining about Holla in June when he was killing, and I know nobody can forsee a slump, but Holla's officially slumping and Murton should get some more PT.

 

Holla's not old per se, but he's streaky and needs rest.

 

Starting Murton against the weaker RH and Holla versus the talented vets is a good idea.

Edited July 27, 2005 by ZZ Thorn

[fiver]

I'm all for easing Murton in, he's still getting PT. However, now he's excelling and Holla is really slumping - giving Murton more starts is the way to go now.

 

It was not the way to go earlier: Holla was on fire in June (his BA/SLG for that month was .360/.547) and the first week of July. However, since July 7th:

 

5/40, 2 doubles, 6 Ks, 4 bbs - that's a .139 BA for nearly 3 weeks.

 

When he had a poor start and a simlarly terrible May Dusty sat him over Doobs, so I'm confident Murton will get the same opportunity, cuz he's doing way better than Doobs ever did.

 

I didn't see any (reasonable) people complaining about Holla in June when he was killing, and I know nobody can forsee a slump, but Holla's officially slumping and Murton should get some more PT.

 

Holla's not old per se, but he's streaky and needs rest.

 

ZZ - I think that would be exactly on target if Gerut wasn't a factor at this point. Even if Dusty does bench Holly, won't Gerut split time with Murton and get most of the AB's against righties?

[ZZ Thorn]

I'm all for easing Murton in, he's still getting PT. However, now he's excelling and Holla is really slumping - giving Murton more starts is the way to go now.

 

It was not the way to go earlier: Holla was on fire in June (his BA/SLG for that month was .360/.547) and the first week of July. However, since July 7th:

 

5/40, 2 doubles, 6 Ks, 4 bbs - that's a .139 BA for nearly 3 weeks.

 

When he had a poor start and a simlarly terrible May Dusty sat him over Doobs, so I'm confident Murton will get the same opportunity, cuz he's doing way better than Doobs ever did.

 

I didn't see any (reasonable) people complaining about Holla in June when he was killing, and I know nobody can forsee a slump, but Holla's officially slumping and Murton should get some more PT.

 

Holla's not old per se, but he's streaky and needs rest.

 

ZZ - I think that would be exactly on target if Gerut wasn't a factor at this point. Even if Dusty does bench Holly, won't Gerut split time with Murton and get most of the AB's against righties?

 

I don't know - Gerut hasn't been used much, so I don't know how he'll get used. We know he can't hit lefties. He could be used to play CF more often than LF. But taking some time from Murton is very possible.

 

Murton is definitely sewing up the right to play against lefties. I wouldn't call Hairston an everyday player just yet, and his play this season is far from phonomenal (.350 OBP isnt' that great, his BA isn't good, his SB success is terrible, he makes too many mental errors), so I'd say it's all pretty up in the air. Murton is making the most of his opportunities and he should get more opportunities at the expense of Hairston, Holla and Gerut IMO.

[CubinNY]

Murton has been given his shot he has excelled. End of the story.

 

Todd meet bench. Bench, Todd. Get acquainted, you will be spending a lot of time together.

 

That is what should happen. No platoon, and no comment needed. However, I'm sure Dusty has other ideas. It's a damn shame.

[Backtobanks]

God, it's so predictable how these threads all become about Dusty instead of about the more interesting subject.... People just have no patience.

 

Another sweet game by Murton! He's earning more PT with every start. No he wasn't annointed lifetime LF starter yet, but it's way early. Feel free to not give me your contrary point of view on that last sentence.

 

Wish I saw the game, but WTG Big Red!

 

Do you have a link that says he is earning more playing time. Any right handed hitter has faced probably 4 times as many righties as lefties in his career. I agree that major league righties are tougher than AA righties, but so are major league lefties better than AA lefties and he is killing those pitchers. Start him everyday until the deadline and see what he does. Burying him on the bench proves nothing.