I've said before that I think Saunders has a bat that could be decent in LF but should probably be at a glove position to get good value. He's nimble enough out there that he can play CF, IMO. If you have him playing LF and expect him to be a thumper for you, though, I dunno that he can do that.
And we're messing with his swing and his mind at this point. I think he's gonna go somewhere else and do decently well, but I dunno that it'll be here. I don't think Tui is the replacement we're looking for at that spot either.
I think it's more likely that LF is manned by either Tenbrink or Chavez in 2 years if we're staying internal.
Tenbrink has a ridiculously fast bat, was raw coming out of college, has a good eye and is coming on strong.
If you haven't seen him swing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q3oBevt8po
Nate swings with authority (and quite a lot of batspeed). I don't think he's gonna have great power, but he can have Ibanez power even with that pre-swing toe-tap out in front that saps a lil bit of his lower body.
I expect him to start pounding the ball in Tacoma, and with his walk rate climbing he should throw his cap in the ring shortly. He's competing with guys like Liddi and Chavez for that role.
Liddi (also at AAA for this year):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYYtW8FsbLo&feature=related
What's the phrase? Doesn't get cheated at the plate. :) And he's a big, big kid. I can't see him staying at 3rd (unless he can eke out a Troy Glaus existence there) so LF is another possible destination for him.
This is Chavez from 2009 winter ball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimrNpffewM&NR=1
We worked on a few of the pieces of his swing this year and he started clubbing like a maniac afterward (even though much of it was at home) , so I'm curious to see new video of him, and how he translates to AA. Liddi held up reasonably well. Tenbrink did all right. Nobody's blown the doors off yet in AA in recent years.
The guy with the monster year next season will go to the head of the line to replace Saunders, I'm thinking. Sadly.
Let's hope a few guys have monster years.
~G
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