Murton's Power Stroke

[TheDude]

99 At Bats, 5 HR, 2 2B, 2 3B. That leaves 24 singles.

 

I know Murton is hot topic around here, as everybody looks to nest year. Some want to gamble on him, some want to see a major acquisition.

 

My question is this: from the sampling Murton has showed this year, what is your assessment? For my part I am impressed, but I am also confused as to why some of those singles haven't been stretched to doubles. I thought Murton possessed better-than-average speed, but maybe not. I can live with 20 HR power out of the kid.

 

A .333 avg and .404 OBP is pretty solid for his first 100 At Bats.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Solid IsoP to start out his big league career. If he can keep that up even when his AVG goes down then he'll be fine in a corner OF spot.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

how's his BABIP?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

how's his BABIP?

 

Looks like .368. That's super high, but it could come down 40 points or so and Murton would still be productive since he's still got a very high AVG overall.

[JGalt73]

how's his BABIP?

 

Looks like .368. That's super high, but it could come down 40 points or so and Murton would still be productive since he's still got a very high AVG overall.

 

I know that in his early playing time he had a fair # of infield & dropped in the sun hits - his power seems genuine though! (BTW, where can I find batter BABIP?)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

how's his BABIP?

 

Looks like .368. That's super high, but it could come down 40 points or so and Murton would still be productive since he's still got a very high AVG overall.

 

I know that in his early playing time he had a fair # of infield & dropped in the sun hits - his power seems genuine though! (BTW, where can I find batter BABIP?)

 

I don't know that it's available at any site, I just calculated (H-HR)/(AB-HR-K) I'm not sure if that's completely correct, but it's close.

 

EDIT: Forgot that sacrifices are added too. Murton has 1 SF and 2 SH, so it's only a small difference from the .368 figure.

Edited September 18, 2005 by Transmogrified Tiger

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I don't think Murton will ever be a power hitter, but I think he can conceivably hit .300-.330 with 20-25 HR power while having an OBP in the 370+ range. For that, I'd love to give him his shot in left unless we could land a hitter the caliber of Manny Ramirez. We still need upgrades in CF and RF for next season. Given the number of holes we have, I don't see why Murton isn't already penciled in at left.

[UK1679666180]

http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/index.php?view=offense&linesToDisplay=30&sortBy=baBip&thenBy=rcPerGame&leagueAbbr=NL&qualified=Yes

[JGalt73]

http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/index.php?view=offense&linesToDisplay=30&sortBy=baBip&thenBy=rcPerGame&leagueAbbr=NL&qualified=Yes

 

Thanks!

[abuck1220]

i think some here have overestimated his ability based on his quick start, but it looks like he'd be more productive than dubois/hollandsworth. and if you get giles/dunn/somebody awesome for rf, that would be a drastic improvement over burnitz.

 

if the cubs upgrade rf and lf, keep nomar healthy, bat walker in the correct spot in the order, and get something out of patterson, i feel like the offense has made some decent improvement.

 

i'd be really surprised if murton hit .280 next year, but as long as he doesn't completely lose his plate discipline (i'm looking at you, jason dubois), i can live w/ him in lf. especially since i don't see any way that the cubs will land two, let alone three, very good-great outfielders in the off season. i think that at least one of corey and murton have to start...possibly both.

[CubinNY]

i think some here have overestimated his ability based on his quick start, but it looks like he'd be more productive than dubois/hollandsworth. and if you get giles/dunn/somebody awesome for rf, that would be a drastic improvement over burnitz.

 

if the cubs upgrade rf and lf, keep nomar healthy, bat walker in the correct spot in the order, and get something out of patterson, i feel like the offense has made some decent improvement.

 

i'd be really surprised if murton hit .280 next year, but as long as he doesn't completely lose his plate discipline (i'm looking at you, jason dubois), i can live w/ him in lf. especially since i don't see any way that the cubs will land two, let alone three, very good-great outfielders in the off season. i think that at least one of corey and murton have to start...possibly both.

 

IMO Murton is the player that Patterson could become. Aside from handedness and skin color they are very similar. Both have lightning quick hands and very good speed. Obviously, Patterson is a better outfielder.

 

If Corey could somehow forget that he thinks he is a power hitter and develops Murton's paitence they both could very productive players for many years to come.

 

Just for the record, I think Murton could be a .300 hitter next year, but .280 isn't bad either with his paitence.

[NewUserName]

If Murton does hit 280 in a mostly full-time role with the same kind of plate discipline and 15 HRS that would be a pretty good 1st full season in the bigs. I do think he will be a 300 hitter with a little power in the future though. The one thing I definantly know is he has EARNED the chance to start next season as our starting lf and Hendry should key on acquiring a RF. If than he isnt working out and we are in contention than add someone at the trading deadline.

[Productive Outs]

http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/index.php?view=offense&linesToDisplay=30&sortBy=rcPerGame&thenBy=lastName&teamAbbr=Tm&leagueAbbr=NL&pos=LF&qualified=All&Submit=Submit

 

that's obviously in a lot fewer PAs than the other players on that list, but he's still in good company

[BobRoss139]

I am also confused as to why some of those singles haven't been stretched to doubles. I thought Murton possessed better-than-average speed, but maybe not.

 

He does leg out a lot of infield singles that for most guys would be outs.

[YearofDaCubs]

We will need Murton in LF next year and acquire another OF or 2 to take care of RF and CF. At this point I think Murton is a lock for next season.

[frostwyrm]

We can't have any LH-batting veteran outfielders on the bench next year. It would be too tempting for Dusty to give the LH vet lots of AB's vs. RH pitching anytime Murton slumps. Greenberg would be less threatening.

[treebird]

Am I alone in thinking that a full season of Murton next year would yield a 260/320/390 line?

[abuck1220]

Am I alone in thinking that a full season of Murton next year would yield a 260/320/390 line?

 

i'd maybe give him a .270/.335/.400, but, yeah, i think a lot of people are expecting a little much out of him.

[muntjack]

Am I alone in thinking that

• a full season of Murton next year would yield a 260/320/390 line?

 
I really don't see how this guy could ever put up an OBP of .320.
 
He has shown arguably the best eye on the entire team, he goes the other way, he doesn't look lost against even high quality breaking balls, and he seems to have an intense desire to keep improving.
 
Projected over 588 ABs, Murton would have 30 homeruns this year. I can't see his slugging being that low either.
 
When he first came up, I said I thought this kid will be a star. I still believe it.

[rocket]

Am I alone in thinking that a full season of Murton next year would yield a 260/320/390 line?

 

That's why I'm very interested in what Murton could yield in a trade this offseason. Maybe for once, the Cubs could trade a prospect at his peak value.

[imb]

 

That's why I'm very interested in what Murton could yield in a trade this offseason. Maybe for once, the Cubs could trade a prospect at his peak value.

 

Hahahah, yeah right.

 

If Murton hits .260, I could see a .260/.320/.410 line. Of course, since he appears to have mastered the art of the crap single, he probably hits .275 or so.

[Crash]

Am I alone in thinking that a full season of Murton next year would yield a 260/320/390 line?

 

That's why I'm very interested in what Murton could yield in a trade this offseason. Maybe for once, the Cubs could trade a prospect at his peak value.

 

I would rather the Cubs, for once, got some cheap everyday production from the farm system. If Murton is given the chance in left next season I could see him batting around .280 with an OBP around .350 to go along with 20-25 homers.

 

Sure if we have to include Murton in a deal for a Manny like player I would do it. But the team needs at least 1 or two positions where we aren't paying a free agent level contract. Seeing as how at minimum we need starters RF, LF, and SS not to mention possibly CF at least one of those positions is going to need to be filled by a cheap alternative. Right now Murton and Cedeno seem to be the only options we have.

[USSoccer]

Am I alone in thinking that a full season of Murton next year would yield a 260/320/390 line?

 

That's why I'm very interested in what Murton could yield in a trade this offseason. Maybe for once, the Cubs could trade a prospect at his peak value.

 

 

I don't think the Cubs have ever traded a prospect at the peak of his value. I don't think the Cubs would dare to do it, either, because this organization is obsessed with the PR aspect of the game, and they'd be too terrified to give up another Willis, or Brock, or whatever.

 

I also think that a .275 line with a .350 or so OBP would be okay out of basically a rookie OF.

 

That said, if Murton and others nets you an impact, ready-to-win now player of similar age to ARam and Lee, then Hendry would be stupid to not do it, given who our manager is.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The uncertainty with Murton is why we can't go into next season with him, Patterson, and Cedeno all in the same lineup. One is fine, two would be okay under the right circumstances, but all 3 would virtually guarantee a lack of improvement on offense.

[USSoccer]

The uncertainty with Murton is why we can't go into next season with him, Patterson, and Cedeno all in the same lineup. One is fine, two would be okay under the right circumstances, but all 3 would virtually guarantee a lack of improvement on offense.

 

You don't think that the offense would be better with Murton in LF for a full year, and a middle IF with Walker, Nomar and Cedeno?

 

Consider what our middle IF was this season for long stretches?