MLB Chatter Thread

A perfect example from my team is Byron Buxton (when the glass bastard can stay healthy). He came into the league hitting high .200 and ripping doubles and triples consistently. Dude is blazing fast.

But after a few years, decided he’s a power guy. Now he hits 25-30 HR, but strikes out a ton while hitting .230. I fucking hate seeing him come to the plate late in a game with a runner in scoring position where we need that run pushed across. Sure, he sometimes hits that bomb to take the lead. But more often than not he pops out or Ks.

I much preferred the guy that hit 10 HR a year, but lead the team in doubles and triples while hitting .280+.

With his speed, he should be spraying line drives and/or hitting it on the ground. Lou Brown rant over.
 
I think this swing-for-the-fences analytics style has been favored long enough -- what, ten years or so? -- that younger players now have been trained that way since they were kids. It's going to take some really talented player who just naturally hits more line drives (and probably who can run, too) to change minds.

I'm not even saying that the analytics are wrong about it being better for scoring runs. I just know it's not nearly as fun to watch as a fan. I want to see the ball put in play and action on the bases, not just everything be a hero or zero plate appearance. It's a lot like what's happened to basketball. The mid range game and guys posting up was fun to watch, and now it's all just jacking threes.
 
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