Thursday, April 13, 2006

M&M Part Deux?

Okay, I'm probably jinxing them just by bringing the M&M thing up at all, but early on both Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau look as though they are going to take a step forward this year.
Mauer reminds me more and more of Don Mattingly every time he steps in the box. I just want to see a homerun or two.
And Morneau, right now, looks like a cinch to end the 30-HR drought.
Of course he was hitting .400 on May 1 last year, so I'm trying my best to temper my enthusiasm.
But I've been saying it all winter - Castillo, White and yes, even Batista, may prove all to be nice additions, but if this team is going to be a winner it'll because Mauer and Morneau have big years.
Having a healthy Torii Hunter, along with White and Batista, seems to be a big benefit to Morneau. Last year he was really the only dangerous guy in the lineup, and everyone knew it.
In hindsight then it is perhaps not surprising that he failed to carry the lineup. This year with a few other 20-HR (or more) guys surrounding him, he doesn't feel like he has to hit all the homers.
My projections for these guys as of today, are:
Mauer: .319 avg 17 HR 91 RBIs
Morneau: .267 avg 34 HR 108 RBIs
With some luck those numbers might prove to be conservative.
*Here are just some random odd stats that show just how strange April is in the big leagues.
Juan Castro is hitting .318. Rondell White is hitting .100.
Carlos Silva's has 1/3 as many walks (3) as he had all last year (9).
Brad Radke, perhaps the worst offensively supported pitcher ever, has a 5.54 ERA, and is 2-0.
And Bronson Arroyo, who had been an American League pitcher his entire career before this year, has 2 homers in 2 starts for Cincy. Barry Bonds is homerless.
Wednesday night Jag-Bombs/Car-Bombs:
4 Jag-Bombs: Tony Batista. He's hitting .292 after a 3-hit night. Cut out the box score.
3 Jag-Bombs: Juan Castro. As mentioned, he's hitting .318. Cut out the box score.
3 Jag-Bombs: Shannon Stewart. Keep it up Stewie.
3 Jag-Bombs: Torii Hunter. If he could face Esteban Loaiza once a week he'd win the MVP.
3 Jag-Bombs: Justin Morneau. Do they dare move him back to the cleanup spot?
2 Jag-Bombs: Joe Nathan. 1-2-3. Nice.
1 Jag-Bomb: Carlos Silva. Another early-inning thud followed by a late flourish. Are these guys warming up properly?
1 Car-Bomb: Carlos Silva. If your fastball is that bad, stop throwing it.
1 Car-Bomb: Rondell White. Dude, I'm fairly confident I could get 3 hits in 30 at-bats.
1 Car-Bomb: Shannon Stewart. You don't get picked off, dude. You just don't.

2 comments:

Newt said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Newt said...

If you couldn't get 3 hits, you could pry draw a walk, I could at least!