Comments on: It’s too hard hitting behind Ichiro Suzuki

By: schmidtfan

schmidtfan — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:37:56 +0000

Out of 145 qualified MLB batters in 2011, Ichiro’s 3.51 pitches/PA ranked 133rd. All the comps listed in this article were also in the bottom 1/3. The reason you don’t hear people complaining about those players is that their OBPs were still above league average while Ichiro’s was .310, ranking 121st out of those 145 batters. I like to strip out intentional walks when looking at OBP to focus on plate appearances with a “true” pitcher/batter matchup. Ichiro’s adjusted OBP in 2011 was .297. For his career, it’s .356. That’s still a good career OBP but there are plenty of players that get on base more than that and hit for more power that haven’t gotten the level of recognition Ichiro has gotten because so many people still like AVG as a player evaluation tool. Because of his OBP and all his plate appearances, he actually made more outs than any other player in baseball last year. I don’t know if that’s because he’s too agressive at the plate or because he is just not as fast down the first base line as he used to be. Being more selective might help him get on base more or let him find better pitches to swing at, but maybe he’s just not wired that way. Good luck to him and the M’s, though.

By: farvite

farvite — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:58:29 +0000

Most overrated player in any sport, maybe ever.

By: the Zonie

the Zonie — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:32:37 +0000

I’ve wanted to see Ichiro in the 3 spot for years. He puts the ball in play and can drive it (at least he used to) when he wants. I think he might have a second wind as situational hitter with runners on base ahead of him creating holes and distractions in the infield defense. And his speed could keep him out of a double play and/or moving runners. (assuming of course there are runners on ahead of him) Maybe his SB totals are overrated, and his speed could be more beneficial taking extra bases and scoring off the 4-6 hitters. (HA! Assuming they can get hits!)

By: dlevalley

dlevalley — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:40:34 +0000

Seriously. Anyone who thinks that Figgins belongs anywhere in that lineup just didn’t watch any Mariners games last year.

By: yahmule

yahmule — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:41:15 +0000

How true. A slash line of .188/.241/.243 and a SB success rate under 65%. Adam Dunn has more left in the tank.

By: marinersnate

marinersnate — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:57:53 +0000

“My belief is that the Mariners don’t have any quality alternatives to Ichiro in the leadoff spot and that Figgins should be on the bench in favor of Kyle Seager against righties.”

This is only partially correct. Figgins should be on the bench against righties, he should be on the bench against lefties, and he should be on the bench against an 11 year old girl pitching underhand with a whiffleball.

By: aaronmoreno

aaronmoreno — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:06:19 +0000

See ball, hit ball.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:34:59 +0000

Exactly. He’s a lot like Olney or Gammons. They know everyone associated with baseball, they talk to everyone; but their grasp of analysis is tenuous at best. All excel at narrative.

By: ireportyoudecide

ireportyoudecide — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:02:52 +0000

The biggest problem with Ichiro is he’s a low walk guy with no power, not a good combo. He hardly has any power any more and for some with no power if you don’t take walks you just aren’t that valueable of an offensive weapon. He currently gets approx 1/5 of the Mariners payroll and the last 2 years he has basically been a replacement level player. Not good.

By: alexo0

alexo0 — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:08:32 +0000

Robothal is great at gossip, trade rumors, etc., but his actual baseball analysis is often flawed in some way.

By: Walk

Walk — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:26:58 +0000

Maybe they should trade for dan uggla, he starts at 0-2 and goes from there. Seriously though i always thought kelly johnson was a decent player to have, he almost always seemed have a long at bat. Maybe get a player like that stick them behind ichiro and you got nothing to complain about. The guy gets 200 hits or better on an average season,ichiro i mean, i really do not mind he misses some walks.

By: baseballisboring

baseballisboring — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:49:49 +0000

I didn’t know Ichiro was so “patient”, I was kinda surprised to see those pitch per AB numbers, but still…your #2 hitter should be patient anyway. The top two guys gotta get on base, and aside from 2011 Ichiro has certainly done that over his career…he just gets to a .375 OBP a different way than most guys. Like you said, something out of next to nothing…

By: cur68

cur68 — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:41:55 +0000

This is spinning the scenario to suit oneself from Rosenthal. Why, I have no idea. The point of fact is, you probably want a guy on 1st against a righty for the #2 guy. Pitcher has to throw from the stretch, has something else to worry about, and if the dude on 1st is fast, helloooo RBI if the #2 guy gets it to land somewhere in play. In every case, you want a guy on base ahead of you, and never mind how many pitches he had to see. That piece from Rosenthal is just blaming Ichiro for the failings of his teammates. Dude’s gotta stop thinking with his bow-tie.

By: mdpickles

mdpickles — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:25:59 +0000

This is why I believe Chase Utley should be the Phillies leadoff hitters. Never swings at first pitches, works counts, fouls off pitches and is smart, not fast, on the base paths. A lineup needs to grind out a pitcher.