Adam LaRoche: Time to Breakout!
Maybe it's his spot in the lineup or his ineffectiveness to hit LHP. When it's time to step up, LaRoche can't deliver most of the time. Over the past two years he's had Julio to look over his shoulder but now it's his time to breakout. I don't dislike the guy but, more times than not I've been dissapointed with his play. It could be the high expectations I've had since his rookie season when he was compared to Will the Thrill. Clark was one of my favorite players at one time.
2004 vs. LHP: .250/.423/.450 20AB
vs. RHP: .280/.326/.490 304AB
2005 vs. LHP: .188/.235/.292 48AB
vs. RHP: .268/.330/.474 403AB
My guesstimations for '06:
vs. LHP: .240/.310/.370 75AB
vs. RHP: .285/.340/.485 390AB
Improvements all around, we can hope right?
Against the rest of the East in '05
Phillies: .340/.377/.679 53AB
Mets: .239/.314/.435 43AB
Marlins: .286/.362/.476 42AB
Nats: .179/.314/.268 56AB
As the numbers tell us he took care of the Phillies where 5 of his 20HR's came off Philly pitching. LaRoche had most of his doubles against the Marlins but that came with strings attached as Florida accounted for 15K's against him. Finnally the Nats and Mets were able to hold their own. In 2006, I guess the numbers against the Phillies will drop a bit but his BA hopefully will stay over .300. In '04 LaRoche had similar numbers vs. the Phils in little over half the AB's. Against the Nats and Marlins I expect somewhat higher numbers and more of the same production from the Mets. As history tells us, LaRoche is a slow starter out of the gate usually picking up the pace by the middle of May. Will Atlanta wait that long before replacing him?
Entering Spring Training the competition is young. James Jurries was added to the 40 man roster and should see time at 1B this year. Scott Thorman and Matt Diaz are other possiblites at 1B. Will Jarrod Saltalamacchia be moved to 1B? Another question that some Braves fans, scouts, and reporters have talked about. In conclusion, all I'm saying is that this year LaRoche has the chance to solidify his role with the team and hopefully he can reach the expectations some of us have had for him. Does anyone else have anything to share about LaRoche?
vs. RHP: .280/.326/.490 304AB
2005 vs. LHP: .188/.235/.292 48AB
vs. RHP: .268/.330/.474 403AB
My guesstimations for '06:
vs. LHP: .240/.310/.370 75AB
vs. RHP: .285/.340/.485 390AB
Improvements all around, we can hope right?
Phillies: .340/.377/.679 53AB
Mets: .239/.314/.435 43AB
Marlins: .286/.362/.476 42AB
Nats: .179/.314/.268 56AB
As the numbers tell us he took care of the Phillies where 5 of his 20HR's came off Philly pitching. LaRoche had most of his doubles against the Marlins but that came with strings attached as Florida accounted for 15K's against him. Finnally the Nats and Mets were able to hold their own. In 2006, I guess the numbers against the Phillies will drop a bit but his BA hopefully will stay over .300. In '04 LaRoche had similar numbers vs. the Phils in little over half the AB's. Against the Nats and Marlins I expect somewhat higher numbers and more of the same production from the Mets. As history tells us, LaRoche is a slow starter out of the gate usually picking up the pace by the middle of May. Will Atlanta wait that long before replacing him?
Entering Spring Training the competition is young. James Jurries was added to the 40 man roster and should see time at 1B this year. Scott Thorman and Matt Diaz are other possiblites at 1B. Will Jarrod Saltalamacchia be moved to 1B? Another question that some Braves fans, scouts, and reporters have talked about. In conclusion, all I'm saying is that this year LaRoche has the chance to solidify his role with the team and hopefully he can reach the expectations some of us have had for him. Does anyone else have anything to share about LaRoche?
posted by Adam at
8:13 AM
1 Comments:
I'd like to see Adam be given the chance to prove whether or not he can be an everyday player. In my mind, the tools are there; he just needs to be given the opportunity to use them. He only had something like 48 ABs against lefties last season, I think?
If it's shown that Adam is never going to be more than one half of a 1st base platoon, then give one of the younger guys a shot.
By
Steven, at 5:50 PM
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