tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post7689337850505196825..comments2024-01-06T02:22:33.000-05:00Comments on Camden Depot: Ryan Flaherty Is Not the AnswerJon Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-12130633299787088512013-04-09T17:33:24.580-04:002013-04-09T17:33:24.580-04:00Why do we still consider Brian Roberts an option? ...Why do we still consider Brian Roberts an option? He absolutely cannot stay healthy, and it's been years since he's had the PAs to prove to me that he can still hack it.<br /><br />Maybe it's time to use all of that pitching depth we've got spilling out our ears to make the sort of move we should have made during the offseason. Pick up a 3B on the cheap, shift Machado to SS, and Hardy to 2B.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-46592624399064558572013-04-09T13:02:35.042-04:002013-04-09T13:02:35.042-04:00Respectfully, I disagree...at least in theory.
If...Respectfully, I disagree...at least in theory.<br /><br />If you look at Flaherty's minor league statistics, he's improved quite dramatically on each level his second year.<br /><br />For example- in A+ ball in 2010, he hit .286 with 9 homers and 60+ runs and ribbies in 475 AB's. In AA that year, he hit a woeful .183 in 84 AB's. <br />In 2011, at AA, he bounced back to hit .305 with 14 HR's and 66 RBI in just 344AB's, showing he was able to adjust. That same year, however, he hit only .237 in 186 AB's after making the jump to AAA. <br />In 2012, he showed again that he would quickly adapt to the higher level by hitting .289 before being called up to the majors.<br /><br />My point is, Flaherty has been able to cinch up the learning curve, rather quickly at each level at which he's been promoted. While he only hit .206 last year, he showed a little pop, and I wouldn't be surprised if he became more than adequate, offensively, at second base this year or next. <br /><br />He's also nearing the age (he's currently 26) of when players breakout in terms of power. I believe a 15 to 18 homer season with respectable BA is not out of reach. Just my 2Dan Lyonsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-55875562412270853262013-04-09T09:50:52.477-04:002013-04-09T09:50:52.477-04:00Missing Roberts, Reimold, and Betemit at the same ...Missing Roberts, Reimold, and Betemit at the same time really hurts the bottom of the lineup. Besides Roberts, they've gotten very little at second base, and the DH spot has been a disaster so far. <br /><br />It's early -- far too early to panic -- but Roberts and Reimold will always be injury concerns, and this team has some holes right now.Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-89936098451002328432013-04-09T09:07:41.313-04:002013-04-09T09:07:41.313-04:00I wonder if Buck is intentionally giving Flaherty ...I wonder if Buck is intentionally giving Flaherty enough rope to hang himself at this point. I mean, Buck already has a limited bench and Flaherty is one of the few people with options remaining so he could go down.<br /><br />Maybe Buck figures that he needs his bench so he might as well let Flaherty play until it's obvious to everyone he can't contribute.<br /><br />The alternative is letting Flaherty sit on the bench the entire year because he didn't have an extended amount of time to prove himself. That's not good for anyone.<br /><br />Matt Pnoreply@blogger.com