The Top prospects in the Red Sox system.

[riverside sluggers]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

My insistence on Carter, though, is more of a wear and tear issue. Lets assume Lowell resigns. You have Big Papi at DH who has worn down this yr. He is in his early 30s, is easily 260-270lbs and plays every day. That last part need to change. Instead of Papi playing 150 games (which he has averaged over the past 3 yrs), maybe they should focus on him getting 135 or so to limit wear and tear. So that is 27 games right there.

Papi had a down year because he was dealing with a torn up knee the whole season. On Tuesday he will have surgery and begin a rehabbing process. He's bound to have at least 40 HRs next year

[jacksonianmarch]

I didnt mean wearing down in terms of numbers. I meant wearing down in terms of health.

[example1]

Originally Posted by riverside sluggers

Papi had a down year because he was dealing with a torn up knee the whole season. On Tuesday he will have surgery and begin a rehabbing process. He's bound to have at least 40 HRs next year

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

I didnt mean wearing down in terms of numbers. I meant wearing down in terms of health.

Hey fellas, Papi had career highs in OPS +, AVG, OBP and had his second highest SLG of his career (.621 vs. .636 last year). He also scored the second most runs he's scored (116 vs. 119 in 2005). He had the most hits in his career, and 5 more doubles than his previous best of 2004, 12 more doubles than he had in 05 and 23 more than he had in 06. The last 6 seasons his OBP has gone .324, .339, .369, .380, .397, .413, .445!! He also had 3 SBs compared to a previous career high of 1 ( ).

Oh yeah, second most walks of his career. As far as I can see, Ortiz had career bests or near career bests in R, H, 2B, SB, BB, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+. In fact, 2007 was the most Batting Runs Above Average (BRAA) of his career, with 60, compared to previous highs of 53. He hurt the team less by making fewer outs, and that ended up being more valuable than the fewer home runs (some of which were simply replaced with doubles).

All of this while hurt. All of this while getting fewer ABs than he had in 04, 05 and 06. Give the guy a break. If deterioration means that physically he's only able to have the 4th best VORP in the league behind A-Rod, Hanley and Magglio, I'll take it and not complain.

[riverside sluggers]

I wasnt complaining

[example1]

Originally Posted by riverside sluggers

I wasnt complaining

Yes, I can see that. What I meant to write to you is that he may not get back to 40 HR but that really shouldn't be an indication of how effective he is. The difference between 35 HR and 40 isn't that big for a guy who can fluctuate between 50 and 30 based on how he's being pitched to and the protection around him. That SLG and OBP though. Jesus!! Impressive.

[jacksonianmarch]

Originally Posted by example1

Hey fellas, Papi had career highs in OPS +, AVG, OBP and had his second highest SLG of his career (.621 vs. .636 last year). He also scored the second most runs he's scored (116 vs. 119 in 2005). He had the most hits in his career, and 5 more doubles than his previous best of 2004, 12 more doubles than he had in 05 and 23 more than he had in 06. The last 6 seasons his OBP has gone .324, .339, .369, .380, .397, .413, .445!! He also had 3 SBs compared to a previous career high of 1 ( ).

Oh yeah, second most walks of his career. As far as I can see, Ortiz had career bests or near career bests in R, H, 2B, SB, BB, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+. In fact, 2007 was the most Batting Runs Above Average (BRAA) of his career, with 60, compared to previous highs of 53. He hurt the team less by making fewer outs, and that ended up being more valuable than the fewer home runs (some of which were simply replaced with doubles).

All of this while hurt. All of this while getting fewer ABs than he had in 04, 05 and 06. Give the guy a break. If deterioration means that physically he's only able to have the 4th best VORP in the league behind A-Rod, Hanley and Magglio, I'll take it and not complain.

It was pretty amazing what he did while hurt. I am not questioning his ability when he is on the field. I am saying that his history plus his body type means he may not be on the field as frequently. Hence, some rest may increase his ability to get on the field when you need him the most.

[Anuj09]

Does Lowrie have a shot of being 08's Ellsbury ?

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Originally Posted by Anuj09

Does Lowrie have a shot of being 08's Ellsbury ?

Probably not unless Lugo gets hurt.

[jacksonianmarch]

Lowrie doesnt grade out as a MLB SS. He could fill in in a pinch, but I highly doubt the sox have him pegged as their future SS. My guess is that the sox are putting out feelers on him and to a lesser extent, Pedroia. If they could land Miguel Cabrera with a package centered around Pedroia, then you might be seeing Lowrie start the yr as the sox 2b. But I dont see the sox going that route after seeing how vital that kid was to the team.

[scaffolds]

Lowrie's bat isn't ready for the ML and the Arizona Fall league is proving that.

[TheKilo]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

Lowrie doesnt grade out as a MLB SS. He could fill in in a pinch, but I highly doubt the sox have him pegged as their future SS. My guess is that the sox are putting out feelers on him and to a lesser extent, Pedroia. If they could land Miguel Cabrera with a package centered around Pedroia, then you might be seeing Lowrie start the yr as the sox 2b. But I dont see the sox going that route after seeing how vital that kid was to the team.

What?

[ksushi]

Originally Posted by scaffolds

Lowrie's bat isn't ready for the ML and the Arizona Fall league is proving that.

Lowrie is mostly working on his defense in the fall league. Most people I've talked to are giving him a pass on his hitting because hes working at 3rd base and 2nd base in addition to trying to prove his worth at SS so he can be considered as a utility prospect at ST.

[scaffolds]

Originally Posted by ksushi

Lowrie is mostly working on his defense in the fall league. Most people I've talked to are giving him a pass on his hitting because hes working at 3rd base and 2nd base in addition to trying to prove his worth at SS so he can be considered as a utility prospect at ST.

Lowrie had a good season in Portland and he stayed on his game on his promotion to Portland, however after the second round threw the International league he was pitched differently and his bat cool off. Lowrie's bat has never been a sure thing, not even after his season in 2007, he went to the Arizona fall league to work on his hitting as much as on his defensive work and like I like posted before his bat isn't ready for the ML. Organizations don't like young players to be the utility type and sitting on a ML bench, Lowrie will be back to Pawtucket (if not traded this Winter) playing everyday. In case of an injury at the ML level that's why Cora its there for and Boston more than likely will have a veteran infielder in Pawtucket to help out.

[RobZombie]

Originally Posted by scaffolds

Lowrie had a good season in Portland and he stayed on his game on his promotion to Portland, however after the second round threw the International league he was pitched differently and his bat cool off. Lowrie's bat has never been a sure thing, not even after his season in 2007, he went to the Arizona fall league to work on his hitting as much as on his defensive work and like I like posted before his bat isn't ready for the ML. Organizations don't like young players to be the utility type and sitting on a ML bench, Lowrie will be back to Pawtucket (if not traded this Winter) playing everyday. In case of an injury at the ML level that's why Cora its there for and Boston more than likely will have a veteran infielder in Pawtucket to help out.

Scaffolds has never been shy about his dislike for certain players and the dislike never changes even if they have long-term success in the majors (Youkilis).

First off, the AZFL is a very short season where players maybe working on certain things. In Lowries case, those that have seen him came away convinced that he can play SS in the majors while he couldn't before. I wouldn't put too much stock into the numbers because they are over a very short period of time.

Lowrie, will liklely start the year in Pawtuckett. If he plays well, and Lugo continues to struggle, Lugo's job is in jeopardy much like Coco Crisp's was. Hopefully, Lugo has a bounce back season to respectable offensive numbers, and Lowrie continues to play in the IL like he played in the EL. In which case, we are talking about Lowrie as the SS in 08, and Lugo playing the final two years of his deal somewhere else, and the Sox eating some of that.

Scaffolds just doesn't like Jed Lowrie and that won't change even if Lowrie proves himself to be a good major league player.

[jacksonianmarch]

either that or you are an apologist for Lowrie. But lets not consider that you could be wrong.