Disappointment of the year

[Marky Mark]

For me its gotta be Shelby. I felt like he was really gonna shine on that BHam roster, but instead he has played real poorly.

[BearSox]

Easily Shelby. There weren't really any high expectations for Morel, and Escobar and Gilmore are both still very young.

[southsider2k5]

Jeff Marquez. I expected something from him.

[santo=dorf]

Jeff Marquez.

 

Where is he? I want to see some kind of return on giving up a player putting up a .900 OPS while our team struggles for runs.

[BearSox]

Speaking of Marquez... whatever happened to Betemit? Did we outright release him?

[SoxAce]

Jeff Marquez. I expected something from him.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

By far and a hellova call Mike. Shelby can still turn it on usually August/Sept. is his hottest month. He's been like that since he was drafted here. Marquez has been a huge disappointment. Even Lillibridge contributed a microscopic bit this season.

 

Another guy who noone talks about but I'm very disapointed with is Drew O'Neil. Really thought a guy who was drafted as high as he was (and was talked up by a couple scouts) would be alot better than what he's showed.

[Balta1701]

Speaking of Marquez... whatever happened to Betemit? Did we outright release him?

He was designated for assignment, which means that he had a 10 day clock to have someone else claim him or work out a trade. It's possible he might end up in Charlotte still if he wants to go down but it's more likely that he'll be a FA in a couple days.

[Balta1701]

Jeff Marquez.

 

Where is he? I want to see some kind of return on giving up a player putting up a .900 OPS while our team struggles for runs.

Jeff Marquez hasn't pitched in a month and a half...he's suffering from bone spurs in his pitching elbow. I have no idea on a timetable for his return, but I'd imagine he's been struggling with that injury for a while now and it probably related to how he performed early in the year (his last outing was the last couple days of April). Frankly, when I heard what he was on the DL with I was somewhat surprised they hadn't opted for surgery, although I don't know much about his case.

[BearSox]

He was designated for assignment, which means that he had a 10 day clock to have someone else claim him or work out a trade. It's possible he might end up in Charlotte still if he wants to go down but it's more likely that he'll be a FA in a couple days.

 

It hasn't been 10 days yet? Damn... this summer seems to be dragging along for me.

[JPN366]

I'm going to defend Treybone, he's an aggressive RBI guy. But he spent the first month or so of the season batting leadoff. He's also been yo yo'd up and down the lineup. Plus, he is only playing 4 out of 5 games. He seems to have picked it up since spending more time in the 7,8,9 holes. Last year he was hitting consistently in the top of the order, usually 2, 3 or 4. Yes, there has been a decline in all of his numbers, but his approach has obviously been changed, and the adjustment is taking time. One thing that always is failed to be mentioned is the adjustment from playing at Ernie Shore and playing at Regions Park. Unfortunately, those two parks are so different that it can throw off a lot of players. I've seen it over and over before. Shelby needs more time to develop, plain and simple. I'll give him the second half to pick it up, with the likelihood that players like David Cook will be promoted.

[southsider2k5]

Jeff Marquez hasn't pitched in a month and a half...he's suffering from bone spurs in his pitching elbow. I have no idea on a timetable for his return, but I'd imagine he's been struggling with that injury for a while now and it probably related to how he performed early in the year (his last outing was the last couple days of April). Frankly, when I heard what he was on the DL with I was somewhat surprised they hadn't opted for surgery, although I don't know much about his case.

 

I hope it is an injury. This organization for some reason really seems to be right on pitching prospects. The entire planet had given up on guys like Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd, Esteban Loiaza, and DJ Carrasco. But somehow we turned them into studs. When they started talking up Marquez, I listened, based on their history.

 

[dasox24]

Of the above choices, I was never really that high on Escobar, so he can't really be a disappointment for me. Gilmore was definitely disappointing at first, but has really kicked it into gear in the last few weeks. He has to be batting well over .300 now in his last 3 weeks or so, so I think that takes him out of contention for this "honor."

 

Morel was overdrafted and shouldn't have had such big expectations, I don't think. I liked him a bit coming into the season and thought he'd hit better than he has, but at least he's still hitting for some power even if he's not making as much contact as we'd like. So, I guess I'd go with Shelby even though I think he still has plenty of time to redeem his slow start. One definite bright spot in Shelby's season so far is that in only 205 AB's, he's surpassed his BB total from last year. At this rate, he'll more than double his normal walk rate by the end of the season, which is great improvement. And I absolutely believe he'll raise his average quite a bit before it's all said and done this season. Though, as of June 12, I guess I'd go with Shelby as my most disappointing just b/c of the much higher expectations I had for him than the others listed.

 

Oh, and if Marquez was part of the poll, I would have chosen him. But, I just tried to give my answer regarding the choices given.

Edited June 12, 2009 by dasox24

[Felix]

People actually expected something from Marquez? Did they not see his numbers prior to this season? It could just be me, but I never expected him to do anything on the team, which is part of why I've felt that Swisher deal was so awful from the very start.

Edited June 12, 2009 by Felix

[scenario]

Waaaaay too early to be voting for disappointments among the players listed in the poll.

 

Come on people. This is early June. It's not at all unusual for minor league players to start out slow after they've been moved up a level. So season average stats for minor league players mean precisely squat at this time of year.

 

Also...

 

Gilmore was just named SAL offensive player of the week and has been on fire recently.

 

Shelby has historically been a slow starter who comes on late... and he's hitting .375 with a .419 OBP over the last 14 days.

 

And both Gilmore and Escobar are young for their league... in low A-ball. How is it logical to classify talented 20-year olds in low A-ball (the two youngest guys on their team) as disappointments??

 

[SoxAce]

Shelby has historically been a slow starter who comes on late... and he's hitting .375 with a .419 OBP over the last 14 days.

 

Definitely on the same page from what I said earlier. I mean all of those guys in that poll should not even have a vote IMO. They are all still young and have upside/history/etc.. of baseball left to play still.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Waaaaay too early to be voting for disappointments among the players listed in the poll.

 

Come on people. This is early June. It's not at all unusual for minor league players to start out slow after they've been moved up a level. So season average stats for minor league players mean precisely squat at this time of year.

 

Also...

 

Gilmore was just named SAL offensive player of the week and has been on fire recently.

 

Shelby has historically been a slow starter who comes on late... and he's hitting .375 with a .419 OBP over the last 14 days.

 

And both Gilmore and Escobar are young for their league... in low A-ball. How is it logical to classify talented 20-year olds in low A-ball (the two youngest guys on their team) as disappointments??

 

Great post. If anything, the one guy I've been the most disappointed in is Viciedo. I knew he wasn't ready for the majors. But I expected him to flat rake in the minors. A BB/K ratio of 8/45 and .668 OPS was certainly not what I was expecting. That's not even touching on his defense (doesn't he have like 12 errors?). Don't get me wrong. I know he's 19 (or is he 20 now?). And I know he's adjusting to a brand new culture/environment. And I know we've still got another 3 months left in the minor league season, so he could obviously turn it around. I just expected better to this point.

Edited June 12, 2009 by Jordan4life

[danman31]

Gilmore has had 9 good games following an embarrassing April and an awful May. I didn't have any expectations for him so it's ok.

 

I was never a big fan of Shelby so I don't think he'll get much better.

 

Marquez has been hurt so I don't see how people could call him a disappointment, seems unfair.

 

I'd throw in Jack Egbert as being surprisingly disappointing this year. He has been quite good as a starter though.

 

Escobar is my guy and he has shown mostly nothing. I can't even find stats to defend him at this point. I hope he turns it around fast though.

[danman31]

If anything, the one guy I've been the most disappointed in is Viciedo. I knew he wasn't ready for the majors. But I expected him to flat rake in the minors. A BB/K ratio of 8/45 and .668 OPS was certainly not what I was expecting. That's not even touching on his defense (doesn't he have like 12 errors?). Don't get me wrong. I know he's 19 (or is he 20 now?). And I know he's adjusting to a brand new culture/environment. And I know we've still got another 3 months left in the minor league season, so he could obviously turn it around. I just expected better to this point.

He's shown improvement so I'm not worried yet. Maybe he's just Babe Ruth and had to adjust to not being able to buy alcohol in this country. It's his secret weapon. Haha fight this magical logic.

[Chisoxfn]

I'm going to defend Treybone, he's an aggressive RBI guy. But he spent the first month or so of the season batting leadoff. He's also been yo yo'd up and down the lineup. Plus, he is only playing 4 out of 5 games. He seems to have picked it up since spending more time in the 7,8,9 holes. Last year he was hitting consistently in the top of the order, usually 2, 3 or 4. Yes, there has been a decline in all of his numbers, but his approach has obviously been changed, and the adjustment is taking time. One thing that always is failed to be mentioned is the adjustment from playing at Ernie Shore and playing at Regions Park. Unfortunately, those two parks are so different that it can throw off a lot of players. I've seen it over and over before. Shelby needs more time to develop, plain and simple. I'll give him the second half to pick it up, with the likelihood that players like David Cook will be promoted.

Awesome post JPN. Its just another reason why I am so glad that you are a constant contributor amongst these parts. As 99% of us aren't able to see these guys in action very often, we aren't able to pick up on these sort of things.

 

I'd definately point to Marquez but second would be Gilmore because I expected a lot of out of him after hearing the praises I had heard from scouts this past spring and seeing his raw power potential for myself. Shelby falls in at 3rd because well quite frankly, I've never been a Morel fan and think of him as Bill Mueller. That said, I'd be pretty stoked if he turned into Bill Mueller cause he was a pretty damn valuable baseball player.

[Chisoxfn]

I hope it is an injury. This organization for some reason really seems to be right on pitching prospects. The entire planet had given up on guys like Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd, Esteban Loiaza, and DJ Carrasco. But somehow we turned them into studs. When they started talking up Marquez, I listened, based on their history.

I don't know if I'd call Carrasco a stud. But in general I do think the organization has a good eye for talent. You also have to factor in the misses as well (Aardsma, Sisco, MadDougall, etc).

[Dick Allen]

I hope it is an injury. This organization for some reason really seems to be right on pitching prospects. The entire planet had given up on guys like Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd, Esteban Loiaza, and DJ Carrasco. But somehow we turned them into studs. When they started talking up Marquez, I listened, based on their history.

Perhaps he's along the Sisco, Aardsma, JVB lines. Marquez was very bad last year. He was a throw in. KW talked him up, but that was just propaganda. He never has had anywhere near the stuff of guys who the Sox have had success bring back from the dead like Thornotn, Contreras, Floyd and Loiasa. BTW, I couldn't care less what Nick Swisher's OPS is right now, I still think KW did well to dump him even if nothing he gets back pans out.

[Chisoxfn]

Perhaps he's along the Sisco, Aardsma, JVB lines. Marquez was very bad last year. He was a throw in. KW talked him up, but that was just propaganda. He never has had anywhere near the stuff of guys who the Sox have had success bring back from the dead like Thornotn, Contreras, Floyd and Loiasa. BTW, I couldn't care less what Nick Swisher's OPS is right now, I still think KW did well to dump him even if nothing he gets back pans out.

Completely agree DA. Nick Swisher is a bad baseball player. I do think he would be a very valuable NL player in a utility role, able to play a ton of positions. Is he better than some of the guys we've ran out, absolutely, but long term he isn't my type of ball-player so I had zero problem losing him. It would have been nice to get some talent back, but I'm at least content that the Sox had financial savings and most likely put it into Viciedo.

 

When you say JVB are you referring to Vanden Bosch? Cause I really don't think you can compare those with Aardsma and Sisco. I don't recall anyone hyping JVB as making our squad or anything along those lines.

[Balta1701]

I hope it is an injury. This organization for some reason really seems to be right on pitching prospects. The entire planet had given up on guys like Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd, Esteban Loiaza, and DJ Carrasco. But somehow we turned them into studs. When they started talking up Marquez, I listened, based on their history.

Well, he's definitely hurt, he's on the DL with bone spurs in his elbow. I can't say how that would affect his pitching if he tried to pitch through it, although for comparison, JJ Putz has struggled all year and was just put on the DL for surgery to remove elbow bone spurs, and he's expected to be out 8-12 weeks. I put the update on Marquez's DL stint in his AAP page a week or two ago.

[False Alarm]

i guess i need it explained to me why you guys insist swisher is worthless even now. i get it; you like contact. but research and analysis of the ways runs are generated in a baseball game show overwhelmingly, inarguably, that guys who are on base at a .357 clip are very useful at said generation of runs. and guys who are on at a .394 clip are extremely valuable, especially when they hit 25 HR a year. i mean, this is old hat, just understood stuff, and i know y'alls understand it cuz i know you're savvy baseball fans, so i don't understand how you can call him a "bad baseball player" or talk about how he's addition by subtraction no matter what we got in return. absolutely he blew last year--a .219 average is just death in a lineup even if you do get on base at an average clip--and if you think his average is bound to decline from .255 back to that level, then i can see why you hate him. but how can you consider his present production in NY to be bad? he'd be one of the three best hitters on our team right now.

 

i guess maybe having him and thome in the lineup at the same time might be part of the problem. they'd take up enough PA that their strikeouts would hinder run production in some really visible, frustrating ways (though he'd still be an asset). maybe that's what bothers you guys about him? or maybe it's just off-field/intangible/personality stuff?

 

anyway, i like average too. i agree that it's underrated in some circles. but a player's ability to hit for contact--no matter how good his hit tool--is generally much more variable than his ability to get on base via the walk. so if you build a team focusing too much on empty batting average, it's a great way to have an inconsistent (ie, bad) team, one that's just as ineffective as a bunch of plodding three-true-outcome guys. swisher's not great by any means, but guys who hit like he's hitting can certainly have a place as starters on good teams, and his salary is significant but not unreasonable for a solid starter. i dunno. just my $0.02.

Edited June 12, 2009 by False Alarm

[southsider2k5]

People actually expected something from Marquez? Did they not see his numbers prior to this season? It could just be me, but I never expected him to do anything on the team, which is part of why I've felt that Swisher deal was so awful from the very start.

 

I also saw Gavin Floyd's numbers before he got here... Jose Conteras's.... Matt Thornton's... DJ Carrasco was on the freaking minor league scrap heap.

 

I know for some it is cliche, but the Sox have a way with pitching. Position players they haven't been as lucky with, but pitchers they get.