Jesus Is Just Somewhat Alright (even littler Arthur Reid Reynolds known version).
Safeco had a reputation for killing right-handed hitters, and it earned it. Safeco didn’t have a reputation for killing Bret Boone, because Boone knew how to hit and hit for power to right. Safeco only killed righties who hit like righties, and Boone didn’t hit like a righty. The hope was that Montero wouldn’t hit like a righty, either. That Montero could go the other way was a major reason why he appealed to the Mariners so damn much.
Since the Mariners traded for Jesus Montero, the Mariners played a whole season. According to FanGraphs, in 2012 Montero hit three home runs to the opposite field. According to FanGraphs, in 2011 Montero hit three home runs to the opposite field, in 12 percent as many plate appearances. Not one of those opposite-field home runs in 2012 was hit in Safeco, as Montero instead went yard in Texas, Tampa Bay, and New York.
Beyond that, Montero is given credit for 116 balls in play to right. He had 28 hits, just five for extra bases. Last year, 97 players knocked at least 100 balls in play to the opposite field. Montero’s opposite-field wOBA—.250—ranked tenth-worst. There are some good players near him, but this was supposed to be one of Montero’s strengths, and instead going to right seemed like a weakness. Or at least going to right and having success seemed like a weakness.
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1. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish Posted: November 06, 2012 at 11:13 AM (#4294300)Boone knew exactly how to hit for power in Safeco: PEDs
My recollection from his trek through the minors is that he's always taken some time to get adjusted at each level of progress, half a season or so during which he looks lost and hopeless and has the rubes all crying about how overhyped he was. He'll turn it around in 2013.
SEA at home: 220/291/331, 3.2 r/g
opps at SEA: 229/288/338, 3.2 r/g
That's some exciting baseball there!
Yeah, imagine how excited the fans are when they finally get on base. It doesn't happen often.
I can relate.
In 2001, my Strat-O-Matic team went 27-135 as I saved my money and stockpiled talent for the future. I was so excited when I had a guy on base for my three hitter Dave Martinez or my cleanup guy (Operation Shutdown) Derek Bell. A horrible year, but it was actually really fun to play the games. Every win meant so much more and every big hit was a wonderful surprise.
(I did win the title in 2006, so I'm quite happy with how it all played out.)
In OOTP, you'd have been fired after that 27-135 year.
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