Matt Young
An odd assortment of strengths and weaknesses. I’d rather have that than a bench player who’s mediocre at everything.
Young’s from Temple, Texas (like Lance Berkman). He played three years at New Mexico before the Braves signed him as an undrafted free agent. Young is listed at 5-8 and may be shorter than that, and the Braves (as they did with Marcus Giles) attempted to convert him to second base. That didn’t go too well, and he’s spent most of the time in the outfield. Young doesn’t have the greatest outfield range either and is best in left, but doesn’t have corner-outfield power.
Young’s strength as a hitter is on-base skills. A .295 career hitter in the minors, his OBP is .390. However, in 790 career minor league games, he’s hit only 20 homers. The fear is that on the major league level he won’t be able to hit with enough authority to keep pitchers honest, and that they’ll knock the bat out of his hands. If a player like this can manage to keep most of his walks and average when reaching the majors, he can be very successful, but a lot of them don’t.
Young’s stolen a lot of bases in the minors, 158, and been caught 68 times; he’s also hit 36 triples. His value as a pinch-runner is lessened on a team that’s already carrying Brandon Hicks, who can’t do anything offensively but pinch-run.
Like the swallows to Capistrano, another sign that spring and baseball is finally upon us….
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/28/2759667/seitzer-says-francoeur-is-poised.html
March 29th, 2011 at 7:40 amI like this line -
“I’ve always had success against Barry Zito,” said Francoeur, a right-handed hitter.
Career – Jeff is 2 for 8 against Zito, no HR, 1RBI. I guess that is a lot of success for him.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:48 amWas it justhank the other day who reminded us that … if success against the pitcher mattered wouldn’t they put it on the scoreboard?
March 29th, 2011 at 8:14 amHmm, looking at Frenchy’s career splits, what jumps out is that his numbers are only modestly better against LH starters v. RH starters. So his overall decent numbers against LHP (.299 .343 .481 .824) tell me that he beats up on the occasional LH reliever and weakly grounds out the rest of the time. Hard to believe he’s still making $2.5/year.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:22 amI tell ya, the Royals are going to be my pleasant diversion this year.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:27 amI vote we just call them the Kansas City Beaneaters because of all the former Braves.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:35 amNice NY Times story on Alabama’s Anthony Grant, VCU’s former coach who recruited key players to their Final 4 squad:
http://tinyurl.com/4gehdfd
March 29th, 2011 at 9:01 amAny readers out there? Or fans of train wrecks? Google the name Jacqueline Howett. Good times.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:04 amI tell my friends here in Kansas City that whenever the Royals sign an ex-Brave, just assume he sucks.
Everyone in town already loves Frenchy. It’s insidious how quickly he can pull that off. Reminds me of “Aladdin” where Jafar brainwashes the Sultan with the snake staff.
“You will give me 650 AB’s!”
March 29th, 2011 at 9:09 amI wrote a career retro for Mike Hampton, complete with the requisite link to “Mike Hampton flies a helicopter.”
March 29th, 2011 at 9:11 amI don’t think it was me, Jeff, but if you thought it was pithy, I’ll certainly take the credit.
If you thought it was reactionary and poorly-spelled (like Jacqueline Howett) I disavow any knowledge.
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Uh, is it just me, but if we compare Mac’s writeup on Matt Young to what would be his writeup on Gregor Blanco wouldn’t the reaction be:
“What the hell are we waiting for? Sign Blanco quick!”
March 29th, 2011 at 9:18 amJason Bay is hurt, excuse me while I go into the next room to chuckle.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:20 amThe LOLMets are planning to designate Manny Acosta for assignment… so they can keep Blaine Boyer.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:36 amIt’s sort of sad reading the comments by Royals fans that think Jeffy will actually be good. It’s like being kept in a dungeon for years; anything looks better after that.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:37 amJason Bay and Oliver Perez: partners in the Brian Giles trade, partners in destroying the Mets from within. I salute you, gentlemen.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:39 amBad-to-Worse Dept.
Yup, Mets’ Jason Bay with a ribcage injury. Could start the season on the DL.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:50 amububba – is Russell Smith (Amazing Rhythm Aces) still around and performing?
March 29th, 2011 at 10:14 amAAR – Got your piece on Hampton through Yahoo Sports. Nice work.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:25 amYanks sent Montero and Romine down. Didn’t see that coming.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:46 amThis is a new ad in the New York subways. It’s…it’s perfect.
http://randomfunnypicture.com/funny-pictures-signs/why-leave-a-city-that-has-6-professional-sports-teams
March 29th, 2011 at 10:53 amhank,
March 29th, 2011 at 11:02 amNo idea, but I always thought “Third Rate Romance” was a hysterical song. Liked the Rosanne Cash version, too.
Ethan, as a father of young kids, #9 made me LOL.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:41 amJeff, thanks. And Rob — you’re right, that is perfect.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:17 pmAAR – great article.
#1 and #9 – I read the link. Man, everyone says that Steve Jobs produces a reality distortion field, but he doesn’t hold a candle to Francouer. It’s like he shows up and a new time line starts. It’s down right uncanny how reasonable people get sucked into the vortex of Frenchy’s new approach.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:55 pmI’m glad the kid isn’t an Al Qaeda operative. We’d have thousands of militants running around.
Rob, I’m trying to figure out how they got six. I can only think that they’re including the two Jersey-based football teams, but not the Devils or Nets.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:59 pmIf you’re counting the football, it should’ve read “…5 professional sports teams, and also the Mets.”
But yeah, of the 9 area pro teams, only 4 actually play in NYC—4 in Jersey & 1 in Nassau County, Long Island.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:18 pm@21
Artists that have covered “Third Rate Romance”…
Sammy Kershaw
Tom Jones
Kenny Rodgers
Barney
(Ok, I kid about Barney)
March 29th, 2011 at 2:33 pm25, 26 – I think they’re counting the six other teams with “New York” in the team name, which includes both football teams, the Islanders and Rangers, the Knicks, and the Yankees. That doesn’t include the Nets or Devils, who are (nominally) “New Jersey” teams.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:35 pmThe Aces had some Hall of Merit stuff that didn’t get played. “The End is Not in Sight” is great for burning up I-75 from Atlanta to Lexington – especially the stretch between Knoxville and Jellico.
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I think the Royals have installed the Orb of Confusion in their front office.
March 29th, 2011 at 3:04 pmMe: How’s it going?
Metfan/Art Dept. Guy: Are you kidding?
Me: What do you mean?
MFADG: We’re looking at an outfield of Lucas Duda, Jose Pagan & Scott Hairston! That’s how I’m doing!
March 29th, 2011 at 3:05 pmIn fairness, it’s Angel Pagan, and he’s actually a good player.
March 29th, 2011 at 3:31 pmYeah, but he shouldn’t be the best one out there.
March 29th, 2011 at 3:44 pmTrue, but he’s better than anyone we had in 2009.
(Fun fact: our 2009 outfield combined for 45 home runs and 215 RBI in 2117 plate appearances, with a triple slash of .261/.328/.393.)
March 29th, 2011 at 4:04 pmBut they’re got Duda & Hairston replacing Jason Bay & Carlos Beltran.
If the Mets are going to be at all competitive they need some output from the corners.
March 29th, 2011 at 4:07 pmOh, no doubt. But if I were a Mets fan, I’d worry less about the outfield and more about the, um, Wilpons.
March 29th, 2011 at 4:16 pmFunnily enough, our 2009 outfield had stats almost identical to Matt Wieters, who has a career line of .266/.328/.393.
March 29th, 2011 at 4:29 pmAt this point, if I’m the Mets, I worry about losing 100 games.
March 29th, 2011 at 4:36 pmBP has the Mets at 81-81 this year. I saw that on the 30 Clubs/30 Days show on the Braves and I thought it was an error, but it wasn’t. I’d love to wager
March 29th, 2011 at 4:40 pmon that not happening. There’s no way in hell the Mets are finishing .500 this year.
I think the Vegas over/under is down to 77/78 games.
March 29th, 2011 at 4:50 pmI’d also point out Dickey is coming off a career year that I doubt he repeats, and they’ll probably trade off parts once they fall out of contention.
March 29th, 2011 at 4:55 pmDickey’s one of the few guys I think will be OK. Plus, I have him in an office pool.
March 29th, 2011 at 5:01 pmThe Mets suck.
March 29th, 2011 at 5:12 pmI’m not so sure the Mets will be as bad as everyone here thinks. Of course, if they can’t get Beltran or Bay onto the field, they’ll be bad. But I actually think it’s reasonable to think that both those guys will have bounce back years, that Reyes, Wright, and Pagan will be solid, and that their run prevention won’t be too bad. I think the 81-win tally is about right.
March 29th, 2011 at 5:31 pmVerbatim Ozzie Tweet:
“Why no hall of fame ? Luck u self. People”
March 29th, 2011 at 5:44 pmThe Mets’ rotation isn’t scaring anybody over the long haul & there’s no telling if they’ll get anything from Santana this season.
They’ll need more of the same from Pelfrey & Dickey, and they could use some best-case scenarios from the likes of Chris Young & Jon Niese.
I’ll give them this: They do have some tall pitchers.
March 29th, 2011 at 5:55 pmFirst Braves game I’ve been able to catch this spring and I’m greeted with the Lisp. Bummer, but seeing Proctor would have been worse.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:29 pm@20, they have a huge ad, same one, in lower Manhattan. I think I was around Spring and Hudson looking East when I saw it a couple of weeks ago.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:29 pm“I’m excited to see what Dan Uggla’s damage ratio will be in this ballpark.” Me too Chip. Whatever that means.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:56 pmMaybe Chip came up with a new advanced hitting statistic. Or maybe he’s just a fucking moron.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:58 pmWhat are you all talking about? Is the game on TV right now?
Edit: Oh, I see it’s on SportSouth.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:08 pmMather cleared waivers tweets the DOB. Sent across town.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:58 pmHBO Real Sports is promoting their new show.
I don’t think Auburn gridiron fans are going to like it.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:18 pmChuck James in the house.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:45 pm#51 – I really dont find that surprising. He’s not that good.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:46 pm54 – How dare you. He’s the next Jayson Werth!
Since Uggla usually starts off slow, can we all agree to cut him a little slack if he does? I’m looking forward to seeing his monster hacks this year.
I’m hoping that Mac starts calling Hicks ‘Slugging Brandon Hicks.’ It worked last time.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:51 pmWho in the hell is Mauro Gomez?
March 29th, 2011 at 9:46 pmWhy the Royals are excited about Frenchy? The guy is amazing. He is on his third team after being traded away by Wren and we are still talking about him.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:47 pm57 — He must be an addictive drug.
Okay, bad joke. That’s the Royals’ problem though.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:40 pm“Why the Royals are excited about Frenchy? The guy is amazing. He is on his third team after being traded away by Wren and we are still talking about him.”
This is true. No one here is still talking about Pete Orr.
March 30th, 2011 at 1:27 am#51 54 – I guess you have to hit like Jayson Werth too.
March 30th, 2011 at 6:46 am@55,
Yep. The fact that he isn’t on the Marlins killing us is a plus.
Of course if he does start slow, we will know he truly is a Brave killer
March 30th, 2011 at 7:39 amEveryone,
Tomorrow we will have a game thread!
March 30th, 2011 at 7:58 amNew post.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:09 am