Unless a guy like this plays CF, I think some organizations may just look right past them as they don't whack it over the fence.
But Brett Butler comes to mind as this type of guy. Came out of college unheralded (23rd round), was 22 when he hit Rookie ball. But in 781 A-Ball PA's, he was .327-.469-.450 with 158 BB's and 86 K's and 4 HR's. In 754 AAA PA's, he was .342-.453-.427 with 125 BB's and 82 K's. 4 HR's. butler was a heck of a MLB player, of course. He K'ed in about 11% of his MLB AB's. Had 558 MLB SB's.
Lonnie Smith hit more homers in the minors and didn't walk quite enough AND K'ed more...so he doesn't fit the template.
Maybe a young Rod Carew....although his MiLB #'s are so incomplete it is hard to know. Terry Puhl developed some power in the Majors, but had none in the minors (it took him 3 seasons to hit a HR). He K'ed more and walked less than the template, too. Not a great fit.
But Lance Johnson is a nice fit. He was a small guy: 5'10/160. He struck out about 8% of the time in A ball, with 2 homers, 310 triples and 33 SB's in 566 PA's. He walked 58 times.
In the majors, with the Chi-Sox, he was a decent player with almost no power (excepting two seasons).He K'ed in just over 7% of his MLB AB's.
Played CF, which helps. Another guy who fits this template well is Juan Pierre, still going strong. He doesn't walk quite enough, though.
But he is certainly an asset that teams have liked. He hit one HR in 1300+ MiLB AB's. Stole bases, too. Give Pierre an eye, to go with his contact skills and speed and he would play pretty well in LF, too. He's had 3 seasons above 3.0 WAR.
If you don't rule guys like this out.....they can find ways to help.
If Barbosa = Butler/Pierre/Johnson....or any one of them, he's an MLB asset.
Add new comment
1