our 5 everyday question marks

[baggio202]

He won't get until 2006.

 

This is the make or break year for Borchard IMO.

 

Otherwise, he'll be dealt if you ask me.

i agree

 

if borchard aint ready until '06 he will be like 27- 28??...not too many 28 year olds that finally get a shot do it with the same org that drafted them...by the end of this season we have to know he is "the man" for '05..or he will be dealt , or maybe just quit and go back to football???

[ottawa_sox]

Perhaps Borchard can be the LH bat that can allow them to move Konerko.  Until he proves himself, I am not counting on Joe B. to be an everyday player at this point.  It may happen, but realistically it may be 2006 before he is really ready to play everyday.

Rex: Given Joe's recognized raw skills, I am interested in your excellent opinion on what it will take for Joe to 'arrive'. And I am talking strictly about his hitting. If it is a matter of shortening the swing, how does one go about that? If ever you would like to see the 'lightbulb go off' for someone, this is the guy. I get the feeling that once (if) he starts 'getting it', he will make major strides. Of course, I would not be surprised if this never happens. So along with describing what it might take, I would also value your opinion on the chances of this happening. I realize I am asking for clarity that no crystal ball affords. Thanks.

[BrandoFan]

Rex: Given Joe's recognized raw skills, I am interested in your excellent opinion on what it will take for Joe to 'arrive'.  And I am talking strictly about his hitting.  If it is a matter of shortening the swing, how does one go about that?  If ever you would like to see the 'lightbulb go off' for someone, this is the guy.  I get the feeling that once (if) he starts 'getting it', he will make major strides.  Of course, I would not be surprised if this never happens.  So along with describing what it might take, I would also value your opinion on the chances of this happening.  I realize I am asking for clarity that no crystal ball affords.  Thanks.

If it was just a matter of changing the swing plane and shortening the stride......half the over-25 minor league hitters would be starting in the Majors.

 

At some point confidence, mental toughness, vision, hand-eye coordination, quickness, power, technique, knowledge of your opponent AND health have to FUSE....and only then a player is READY for the bigs.

 

Borchard maybe the next Adam Dunn....or he may never make it to the bigs again. WHo knows.

[Rex Hudler]

I think Borchard's problem is more mental than physical. I haven't seen him play in two years, so I can't say what adjustments he has or has not made in that time. I do know his swing was long. I also know he was a very hard worker and a fierce competitor.

 

When he was in Birmingham, he could strike out in his first three AB's in a game and look really bad, yet find a way to single in the winning run in the 9th. That is how, even though he struck out a lot, he kept his average up near .300.

 

Obviously, something has changed in Charlotte. I have heard from reliable sources that he was very frustrated working with Greg Walker (at least in 2002). I can say that I know for a fact that was true.

 

Hitting can be very much a "feel" type action for many hitters. Once they lose that feel, they get frustrated. Knowing how competitive Joe is, I have no doubt that he beats himself up mentally trying to improve. Sometimes that can be counter-productive and make things worse.

 

I think Joe taking this winter off is a good thing. He has basically been playing non-stop since he signed. Getting his mind off baseball may be the best thing for him. I also feel like working with Gregg Ritchie for a whole season will benefit Joe. They worked well together when both were in Birmingham. Gregg is very good with both mechanics and mental approach and he will work as hard or harder as the player will, trying to help him.

 

When I referred to Joe being possibly being ready in 2006, I was referring to taking over a starting role and being very productive. Even if he is ready to move into the lineup in 2005, he will still be a rookie and will still be learning and adjusting.

 

I think once Joe can get the correct mindset back, you will see his numbers improve. That won't likely happen overnight, however.

[upnorthsox]

Hitting can be very much a "feel" type action for many hitters. Once they lose that feel, they get frustrated. Knowing how competitive Joe is, I have no doubt that he beats himself up mentally trying to improve. Sometimes that can be counter-productive and make things worse.

 

Now doesn't that sound familiar, I take it GIDP's will come next.

[ottawa_sox]

I think Borchard's problem is more mental than physical.  I haven't seen him play in two years, so I can't say what adjustments he has or has not made in that time.  I do know his swing was long.  I also know he was a very hard worker and a fierce competitor. 

 

When he was in Birmingham, he could strike out in his first three AB's in a game and look really bad, yet find a way to single in the winning run in the 9th.  That is how, even though he struck out a lot, he kept his average up near .300.

 

Obviously, something has changed in Charlotte.  I have heard from reliable sources that he was very frustrated working with Greg Walker (at least in 2002).  I can say that I know for a fact that was true.

 

Hitting can be very much a "feel" type action for many hitters.  Once they lose that feel, they get frustrated.  Knowing how competitive Joe is, I have no doubt that he beats himself up mentally trying to improve.  Sometimes that can be counter-productive and make things worse.

 

I think Joe taking this winter off is a good thing.  He has basically been playing non-stop since he signed.  Getting his mind off baseball may be the best thing for him.  I also feel like working with Gregg Ritchie for a whole season will benefit Joe.  They worked well together when both were in Birmingham.  Gregg is very good with both mechanics and mental approach and he will work as hard or harder as the player will, trying to help him. 

 

When I referred to Joe being possibly being ready in 2006, I was referring to taking over a starting role and being very productive.  Even if he is ready to move into the lineup in 2005, he will still be a rookie and will still be learning and adjusting. 

 

I think once Joe can get the correct mindset back, you will see his numbers improve.  That won't likely happen overnight, however.

Thanks, Rex. I saw a lot of Walker's teams play in Toronto. I thought at the time that he had the smoothest swing on the SOX. Esthetics aside, I always thought Walker's swing looked long. Not that this should have anything to do with his ability to teach a short swing. Just an observation. Will Gregg Ritchie be in Charlotte this year?