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| Joe Mauer isn't the only catcher with an eye on the batting title.
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The article below is meant to provide a quick look at how my preseason projections match up with the paces of select major league hitters.
Victor Martinez
2008: .278/.337/.365, 2 HR, 30 R, 35 RBI, 0 SB in 266 AB
Proj..: .296/.368/.459, 19 HR, 71 R, 92 RBI, 0 SB in 538 AB
Pace: .345/.424/.550, 26 HR, 112 R, 119 RBI, 0 SB in 615 AB
Martinez is on pace for new career highs in every category except steals. He actually did have one stolen base in his rookie season in 2003. He hasn't even attempted one since 2005.
Mark DeRosa
2008: .285/.376/.481, 21 HR, 103 R, 87 RBI, 6 SB in 505 AB
Proj..: .271/.350/.411, 15 HR, 85 R, 71 RBI, 7 SB in 557 AB
Pace: .280/.348/.479, 31 HR, 110 R, 114 RBI, 0 SB in 612 AB
DeRosa has raised his average from .236 in April to .291 in May to .323 so far this month. His trade value is increasing as well.
Shin-Soo Choo
2008: .309/.397/.549, 14 HR, 68 R, 66 RBI, 4 SB in 317 AB
Proj..: .287/.367/.459, 15 HR, 84 R, 83 RBI, 11 SB in 516 AB
Pace: .297/.409/.464, 21 HR, 100 R, 98 RBI, 26 SB in 569 AB
Stolen from the Mariners for Ben Broussard two years ago, Choo has turned into one of Cleveland's building blocks. He is currently sporting a .293/.388/.484 line in 748 major league at-bats, and he's a perfect 11-for-11 in his steal attempts this season.
Jhonny Peralta
2008: .276/.331/.473, 23 HR, 104 R, 89 RBI, 3 SB in 605 AB
Proj..: .273/.343/.449, 21 HR, 89 R, 88 RBI, 2 SB in 583 AB
Pace: .252/.331/.338, 5 HR, 45 R, 62 RBI, 0 SB in 529 AB
It looked like Peralta came out of his early-season funk when he hit .316 in May, but his average is down again recently and he still hasn't found his power stroke. The Indians seem pretty frustrated, but it's not like they can give up on him. A return to form remains likely.
Ben Francisco
2008: .266/.332/.438, 15 HR, 65 R, 54 RBI, 4 SB in 447 AB
Proj..: .271/.333/.432, 12 HR, 60 R, 63 RBI, 13 SB in 431 AB
Pace: .233/.297/.372, 12 HR, 67 R, 55 RBI, 24 SB in 512 AB
Francisco, on the other hand, needs to be turned into a fourth outfielder. It could well happen if Grady Sizemore returns. Also, the Indians will want to give Matt LaPorta and Trevor Crowe real opportunities after the break.
Asdrubal Cabrera
2008: .259/.346/.366, 6 HR, 48 R, 47 RBI, 4 SB in 352 AB
Proj..: .281/.352/.409, 10 HR, 77 R, 68 RBI, 9 SB in 531 AB
Pace: .316/.374/.427, 5 HR, 91 R, 64 RBI, 17 SB in 491 AB
Cabrera does fan quite a bit, so he wasn't likely to keep up the .316 average. Still, the Indians miss his offense and his defense even more.
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Francisco as a #4 outfielder is interesting.My thoughts go to my feeling that Ben could start for most MLB teams.So let's find out the many teams that should be rounding out the mob .Let's start with the Mets.Do you think they could use this guy now or no.Okay yes it is.
I'm starting to like this guy Luis Valbuena. He's a mighty mite type, thinking he can go yard a bit too much, but he's got some skills. I think they should settle on him at 2B for the rest of the season and see what develops. I never understood the fascination with Jamey Carroll, but he has performed well to his credit. Valbuena though has a good eye, a quick short stroke, seems to be fearless and has a great glove. I know Cleveland is a longshot to contend, even in a weak division, but they have some great pieces. I'm not going to like the Mark DeRosa trade at all, I hope they take the picks and I love Shin Soo Choo. He's tremendous...