Most teams adjusted to his speed last year after the all star break.... his second half splits decreased DRASTICALLY in basically every single statistical category. Just looking at his SB's alone... 22 before the break, only 12 after. Also, teams this year just have no fear of playing the entire left half of the infield in, because Willy basically tries to hit everything to the right side (or so it seems... he may just be late on all his swings). Last year... there may have still been an element of doubt. This year, the regression is really troublesome.
His real problem is the lack of infield singles - and this was expected. He was at his best last year when he hit the ball the worst (probably the only player in MLB history you could say that about). As he learns to hit the ball more solidly - which he's doing - his numbers are going to down. Ideally, they'll go up down the road as he continues to learn to hit. But you'll notice he doesn't have any more of those dribblers that go 50 feet. That's a sign he's the ball better, but for him, that's a bad thing in the short term.
So just to be clear, you're saying both Clemens and Pettitte know nothing about baseball (both have said he's the best catcher they've been around, and Clemens said he wouldn't pitch to anyone but Ausmus)? You're also accusing all baseball players of being idiots, based on what they think of Ausmus's ability as a leader on the field? http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=113655
So just to be clear, you think because Clemens and Pettitte say that, it cancels out the fact that he's on pace for the worst CS% by a starting catcher in MLB history, and that he can't hit a baseball? "Other people said he was the best pitcher they've been around." LOL...great argument man. just phenomenal. ausmus is a great leader and russell springer is "captain of the bullpen". lol. I'll take "Things people say about awful players to make people think they aren't worthless" for $500, Alex.
Do you realize that since July 1st of 2005, (almost a full season) Ausmus is hitting over .290 with an OBP in the .385 range? Also in your little rant, you neglected how he caught the Cy Young winner in 2004 and the ERA leader in 2005. Also, Pettite was arguably the best pitcher in baseball from July on in 2005.
Doh... the progression has caused the regression! Good point, though... he did get the majority of his hits on bad contact balls that dribbled in front of the plate/down the line. I just think that at his best, he may be able to become another Juan Pierre... and that's asking a lot, when you look at how well (relatively) Pierre was hitting at Willy's age (albeit in a massive Coors outfield).
best catcher, i meant. Nick, i'd like to know if you disagree with much of what i just said about ausmus and what your thoughts on him are.
Jesus dude....it is ROGER F'ING CLEMENS. possibly the greatest pitcher of all time. do you truly believe that brad ausmus should be given that much credit for his success? i mean, the guy kinda has a decent track record and some 6 other cy youngs that he's picked up along the way, doesn't he?
Dude... you're barking up the wrong tree. I valued Ausmus big-time even when he was hitting below .220. I blamed Mitch Meluskey for contribituing to ruin this team's pitching staff in 2000, and I credited Ausmus with helping this team return to contender status when we got him back in 2001. I blamed Greg Zaun for calling terrible games whenever he played, as the difference between him and Ausmus' handling of the pitching staff was night and day. When Oswalt came to the big leagues, he was unhittable with Ausmus. Then Chamo started catching him... and his ERA started to rise considerably (despite him winning 20 games in 2004). Then, after Ausmus started catching him again last year (after his first 3-4 starts)... Oswalt went on to have a season as good as any he's had in his career (ERA-wise). You severely underestimate this guy's leadership and preparation skills. He's the one who goes over the scouting reports with the team/pitchers. He's the one who constantly buzzes strategy in Garner's ears before/during/after games... and especially on games where he's not playing. He's basically a pitching coach/manager who has more access/contact with the players than either Garner or Hickey. And finally, nobody else on here has championed more the desire for Ausmus to be the official manager of this team once his playing days are done. I know he'd probably rather be surfing, or managing in California... but if he somehow could stick around here, I know the young arms coming up through the system will be secure. The fact that he's a legitimate offensive threat now, and is one of the few players in this lineup who actually contributes to wear out pitchers by taking walks, getting on base, and hitting it to the opposite field.... makes his value (in my eyes) even more immeasurable. Yea... that's my view... I stayed out of it so far because I thought you were half-joking at first.
Ausmus to me is like Biggio as some of their skills have declined, they have picked up in other areas. Whereas Ausmus used to throw out about 50% of runners attempting to steal, he now keeps more runners off the base by calling a better game. He is AWESOME at pitch management, he consistently out thinks opposing hitters. DD
yes. if he wouldn't have come back had ausmus not been on the team, then i'm happy that he's on the team (and i'm guessing that's what you are getting at). still doesnt change my opinion of bradley's playing abilities.
i gave him credit (twice in this thread) for his ball-blocking abilities. but it doesn't make sense that you say he still has above average arm strength. you are basing that on nothing. once again, the statistic, and only relevant indicator of arm strength in catcher, says he has thrown out 4 out of 35 runners, by FAR the worst in the league. and, that is DEFINITELY not the only reason i want to get rid of him. in my opinion, and i dont really see how people can argue this, he is an AWFUL hitter, and has been for the past 4 seasons or so (not to imply that he was ted williams before that). any success he has is a fluke, much like how any batter that mike gallo retires is a fluke.
If CS% is a good indicator of arm strength, do you believe that Ausmus's arm grew magically super-strong in 1997 (when his % went from 33% to 49%) and then weakened again in 1998 (when it went back to his career average 36%). Do you also believe his arm went weak in 2004 and then regrew its strength in 2005?
If he is such an awful hitter, how do you explain the fact he is hitting .290+ since last July. This is not a small sample size. It is close to a season of playing. There are plenty of hitters in the league who would take a fluky .290 over the course of a season. It's certainly your right to your opinion to get rid of him, but forgive me if I trust the opinion of the Astros' players and management a bit more than yours.
You're right, .280 is terrible. I'd hate to see his RBI numbers this year if the people in front of him (when he was hitting .300 it was Lane and Wilson) would have actually been on base.
i think it is more about the pitchers on this team out of are 5 starters only 1 Andy Pettie (maybe 2 Wandy) does a descent job of holding runers on by which i meen a decent pick off move and speed to home plate. Ausmus's arm has got weaker in his advanced age, I think he has an average arm
