Like i said, Gonzalez. Altuve, the only way he can help is at third spot and drive runs. And is not only NOT walking, is NOT TAKING PITCHES.
He's yet to have back-to-back bad series... but was on the verge of that without an XBH today (which he's already got). He'll be fine... some have to remember that he's only 20, but is playing at an ultra-high level regardless.
That stadium (and market, overall) is a joke. Either build a real one closer to Tampa or move the team.
Oh absolutely. He was gonna hit his first slump at some point, hopefully this break will get him going again.
Carter is proving this year that taking/seeing pitches does not necessarily translate into improved results. Aggressive hitters who make contact are going to swing when they see hittable pitches.
Sure... but again the go-ahead clutch 2-run HR he hit against Boston (to follow-up the GW HR he hit 2 games prior) was just one week ago. In contrast, Chris Carter is 2-25 this month... and has not had an XBH since July 1st (and hasn't had a multi-hit game since June 27th).
And i have to agree with that, but, i want a leadoff hitter that is going to take pitches. Now, i want the number 4 hitter to drive runs. There is a difference, and i want Altuve to take pitches, unless he hits .350, and he is NOT that kind of player, he is more ..290 type
It really is. I never realized that it was always intended to be a baseball stadium (they built it in 1990!). Sat vacant for awhile, they failed to get the expansion teams that went to Colorado/Miami, and they failed to get teams to move there. There's obviously "potential" in that market (hence why MLB eventually did place a team there)... but that stadium is one of the worst places to host a MLB game ever, in the history of stadiums. And that includes Olympic Stadium in Montreal and Mile High stadium in Denver.
Why? I want a leadoff hitter to get on base (whether its via walk or base-hit). "Taking pitches" (especially hittable pitches) is something that in theory "sounds like the smart thing to do/say", but in the end, great hitters hit their pitches... and lay-off the border-line ones... regardless of what the count is.
Altuve is hitting everything in the air. He is at his best when he is hitting everything on the ground.
usually teams that take pitches are good teams. Why???? A leadoff hitter, taking pitches, others see what kind of stuff the guy has, puts pressure on the pitcher, the more pitches he throws, the less innings he throws, meaning, middle relievers. You want power guys to drive runs, if he also takes pitches, PERFECT, but we want him to drive runs. But leadoff hitters, we want them to be on the .380 OBP number. What is the OBP of Altuve????? .340???? Not good enough, and with that, 2 or 3 pitches per at bat???? Noooooooooooooo, i prefer ANOTHER LEADOFF HITTER
