Where is Robe's son ---thought he would be in the rotation??????
Where is Robe's son ---thought he would be in the rotation??????
Out of the loop---How did he do??????
Neither a friend nor a family member, just a fan. Why do I have to be related or a friend to bring something like this up? But I digress, I agree that when you're in a slump you need to hit through it. Having said that, 13 strikeouts in 7 games (almost averaging 2 a game) and an average of .185 batting 3rd does not make sense in my mind. Personally, if I were the opposing pitcher I would love the fact that he's batting 3rd in the lineup. Everything that I know from baseball tells me that you put your best hitter in the DH spot that either isn't playing defense at the moment or just isn't a good defensive player. Nothing I've seen from this year or last (statistics wise, .216 last year with 43K's and .185 this year with 13K's) constitutes this decision making. I know I'm going to hear the same thing that it's early in the year but I would like to see us put our best foot forward and give ourselves the best opportunity to win every day. I want us to win and be successful just as bad as the coaches and players do.
Every year Robe plays with the lineup the first 12 to 15 games until he really gets settled in on what he likes. Some kids have a really short leash. They get one or two chances to prove they should be in there, and if they don't perform, will see very little action the rest of the year. However, it does always seem that there is one or two guys per season that are completely safe no matter how bad they perform. They are given ample time to hit their way out of a slump. Some say Tony's favs, some say comprehensive body of work from last year, and last fall....bla bla bla. I think I have seen enough of Robe to say that after 7 games, and Strentz has more AB's than anyone, I think Robe is gonna ride him....to the microphone, he'll say something like "he hit well this fall, he's a great athlete, we need him to 'come-on', and when he does, that is really gonna solidify the middle of the order. But we really need his bat in there"
Buuuuut. Nobody ever knows what the heck Robe will do. I saw Butler make a couple BAD breaks on balls hit to him this weekend. I would like see Butler DH, and have Bowman and Francia in the outfield, as long as they keep producing at the plate.
Them boys are fast.
It should be pointed out Strentz is tied for the team lead in RBI.
Using Bowman might not be the best example. Although he hit well this weekend and also played balls hit to him well, that has not been his history. He has struggled to hit...sometimes looking God awful...and has not looked sharp in the outfield. Although he has always had speed, his initial break on the ball has usually not been that great and has misplayed a few in his time. He even seemed to get caught a few times not paying attention.
Hopefully, he is beyond that now because it would be nice to have him as yet another option.
How many RBI's were when the game was close and how many were with a comfortable lead and no pressure? Also, I hope he is leading the team in RBI's with that many at bats and batting 3rd! I just looked at the stats and Nichols has 6 RBI's with 11 less at bats. I want Strentz to do well too but I'm not lying to myself about how he is actually performing and trying to find some justification for it. It's like what jumboragincajun said, some people have a short leash and others are completely safe no matter what happens. I just wish all politics were eliminated from the game and it was based on fairness. Playing college baseball is a privilege and not everyone gets a chance to get to that level of play. I feel bad for the guys on the bench just looking for an opportunity to contribute instead of being pushed to the side to make room for a "favorite". I'll step back off my soapbox again
Just for the record I'm not a relative, friend, past player, current player, benchwarmer, or anything else that people might consider. Just a fan of our baseball team that is frustrated with our current decision making. When would be a good time to bring this up? When we've already lost a few more games? If we had a history of going to the College World Series each year and were consistently pumping out Conference, Regional, Super Regional, and National Championships I would keep my mouth shut. That doesn't seem to be the case though which leaves room for improvement. I'm a fan of saying I told you so though so please return to this forum after we get a few more games under our belt and I'd be happy to do so.
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