Rangers 2012

[mustang_marc]

Damn, Beltre with another hit and RBI. Rangers up 6-5. Now if Holland could just hold a fucking lead.

[Unicorn Jeff]

Why does Soto suck?

[Slowhand]

Why does Soto suck?

Offensively? Your expectations are too high.

Defensively? I think you could chalk it up to growing pains from a mid-season change of scenery from completely non-competitive to pennant contender.

[Unicorn Jeff]

Offensively? Your expectations are too high.

Defensively? I think you could chalk it up to growing pains from a mid-season change of scenery from completely non-competitive to pennant contender.

I'm talking about Offensively. For some reason I don't really like him all that much.

[Slowhand]

I'm talking about Offensively. For some reason I don't really like him all that much.

He's the exact same player that Molina and Torrealba were, just younger and with some upside. He's shown offensive potential at points in his career, but he's never going to be anything more than a perfectly average catcher, offensively.

[mustang_marc]

I'm talking about Offensively. For some reason I don't really like him all that much.

He was batting .199 for the year when we acquired him. As a Ranger, he's hitting .243. Must be the Ballpark effect. He started out slow, but as he's gotten regular playing time with Napoli on the DL, he's hit a little better.

[Geor!]

He's the exact same player that Molina and Torrealba were, just younger and with some upside. He's shown offensive potential at points in his career, but he's never going to be anything more than a perfectly average catcher, offensively.

Why catchers have a much lower batting average than most hitters is completely mind-boggling to me considering that they see pitch after pitch after pitch after pitch.

[Vertnut]

Why catchers have a much lower batting average than most hitters is completely mind-boggling to me considering that they see pitch after pitch after pitch after pitch.

That's a damn good question. Probably because the position is VERY specialized, and there are so many other things to consider other than plate production. We forget what a phenomenal catcher Pudge was. He had 6 or 7 seasons here where he hit well over .300 with great production, too. Even the great Johnny Bench (who most catchers are judged by) only hit around .270 lifetime (I think).

[Slowhand]

Why catchers have a much lower batting average than most hitters is completely mind-boggling to me considering that they see pitch after pitch after pitch after pitch.

That's a damn good question. Probably because the position is VERY specialized, and there are so many other things to consider other than plate production. We forget what a phenomenal catcher Pudge was. He had 6 or 7 seasons here where he hit well over .300 with great production, too. Even the great Johnny Bench (who most catchers are judged by) only hit around .270 lifetime (I think).

This. There's a lot more going on defensively at catcher than at any other non-pitching position. I wouldn't be surprised to find that many don't take that much more batting practice than your average NL pitcher.

[Rick Modena]

And Kinsler kills another inning with a towering blast all of the way out to deep 2nd base.

lol!

Yes it was nice to get to that chicken on the mound. He has been a pitching machine, but I think we have his number...

[mstng86]

You also have to wonder how tired their legs are at the plate after 5 or 6 innings. If you are tired for your last at bat, that's a big chunk of your plate appearances going towards an out.

Playing catcher in softball wore at my legs by the end of the game. I can imagine it taking a toll on a everyday baseball catcher.

[mustang_marc]

I heard on ESPN earlier this afternoon that the Rangers placed Oswalt on waivers and he cleared. I guess no one else wants that sack of crap either.

[Slowhand]

You also have to wonder how tired their legs are at the plate after 5 or 6 innings. If you are tired for your last at bat, that's a big chunk of your plate appearances going towards an out.

Playing catcher in softball wore at my legs by the end of the game. I can imagine it taking a toll on a everyday baseball catcher.

Yup. No legs at the plate = pretty much worthless.

[Nash B.]

Good game. I was shocked Darvish got out of every mess he got himself into without giving up a single run.

Playing catcher in softball wore at my legs by the end of the game.

Shit, you're doing it wrong. Stand up by the backstop, behind the umpire - unless you're playing in a league/tournament that allows steals, in which case you're doing it wrong.

[Mike]

I'm going to a Redhawks game tomorrow and checking out some of the Astros sweet prospects!


Who's jealous?