Tuesday, December 16, 2003
SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS COMING
The Sox picked up 29 year-old Mark Bellhorn today for a PTBNL. He is a wonderful fit as a cheap ($495,000) second baseman with plate discipline and pop. After shuffling around in Oaktown, Bellhorn got a regular job and had a break out season in 2002 with the Cubs hitting 258/374/512. After a rough start in 2003, he was shipped off to the Rockies. Dusty Baker has no patience for young players with command of the strike zone like Choi, Hill and Bellhorn. Bellhorn never seemed comfortable in Denver hitting a 236/368/264 in 110 at-bats nor did he gain consistent playing time - chicken or the egg?
The most important and brightest spot of Bellhorn's numbers last season is that his plate discipline did not suffer like his average or power. In 2002, Bellhorn walked in 14% of his plate appearance and saw an average of 4.21 pitches per PA. In 2003, the rate was 16% and the average was 4.21. Bellhorn should continue this trend in 2004.
With a little luck and regular playing time, Bellhorn could put up 260/370/500 numbers for the Sox or he could flop and be the Sox utility player (Bellhorn is known as an average third and second baseman who can play SS and first). Either way Bellhorn would be a valuable addition to the club at a low price; great low risk/money - high reward deal.
The Sox also picked up a couple of soft tossers (Lenny DiNardo and Colter Bean) in the Rule 5 draft. DiNardo will probably battle Malaska and others for the LOOGY spot in the pen making the minimum. Bean may have been taken out of spite from the MFY. He could be moved before April 1st. Check out the links for better information on these players.
The Sox picked up 29 year-old Mark Bellhorn today for a PTBNL. He is a wonderful fit as a cheap ($495,000) second baseman with plate discipline and pop. After shuffling around in Oaktown, Bellhorn got a regular job and had a break out season in 2002 with the Cubs hitting 258/374/512. After a rough start in 2003, he was shipped off to the Rockies. Dusty Baker has no patience for young players with command of the strike zone like Choi, Hill and Bellhorn. Bellhorn never seemed comfortable in Denver hitting a 236/368/264 in 110 at-bats nor did he gain consistent playing time - chicken or the egg?
The most important and brightest spot of Bellhorn's numbers last season is that his plate discipline did not suffer like his average or power. In 2002, Bellhorn walked in 14% of his plate appearance and saw an average of 4.21 pitches per PA. In 2003, the rate was 16% and the average was 4.21. Bellhorn should continue this trend in 2004.
With a little luck and regular playing time, Bellhorn could put up 260/370/500 numbers for the Sox or he could flop and be the Sox utility player (Bellhorn is known as an average third and second baseman who can play SS and first). Either way Bellhorn would be a valuable addition to the club at a low price; great low risk/money - high reward deal.
The Sox also picked up a couple of soft tossers (Lenny DiNardo and Colter Bean) in the Rule 5 draft. DiNardo will probably battle Malaska and others for the LOOGY spot in the pen making the minimum. Bean may have been taken out of spite from the MFY. He could be moved before April 1st. Check out the links for better information on these players.
0 Old Comments:
Thank you - Red Sox!
This site is not associated with the Boston Red Sox, Major League Baseball nor Major League Players Assoication
© 2003-2010 Thomas J. Fratamico, III
All Rights Reserved
