tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post4139299527140986817..comments2024-03-16T08:21:16.037-04:00Comments on The DiaTribe: Waiting to ExhalePaul Cousineauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03490622970961409253noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-15686175369213515842010-08-04T12:33:46.108-04:002010-08-04T12:33:46.108-04:00Buff,
No question that his approach deteriorated (...Buff,<br />No question that his approach deteriorated (and I wonder what role his "protection" in the lineup played in that) and his splits are Gutierrezian, but the point is that in his first 200 PA, he looked about as good as any young hitter than I can remember...warts and all.<br /><br />The building blocks are certainly there (as is that MiLB track record) and while there are kinks to be worked out, I think that he's a very good player right now, with room to grow.<br /><br />Saying that he's a potential "rising star in the league" doesn't presuppose that he's already some "flawless mythical creature" and that there IS still work to do. <br /><br />Capable hitter right now...yep.<br />Rising star...certainly looked like it.<br />Work to do...unquestionably.<br /><br />We'll see where it all leads (particularly with the injury), but I'll stand by those lines, regardless of what deficiencies may have cropped up in 200 PA.Paul Cousineauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490622970961409253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-62532200585242760772010-08-04T10:06:50.017-04:002010-08-04T10:06:50.017-04:00> At this point, Santana has proven that he’s a...> At this point, Santana has proven that he’s a capable MLB hitter and was well on his way to establishing himself as a rising star in the league (yes, even in 192 PA as he posted an .868 in that time...<br /><br />Well, yes and no.<br /><br />Santana is obviously capable of hitting major-league pitching: that's an empirical question, right? But check his month-to-month splits: after an unconscious June, he was actually pretty bad in July. Worse, his approach has deteriorated: he's swinging at more first pitches and generating more popups. And he has not actually hit right-handed: his left/right splits are Scary Bad.<br /><br />This isn't to say that I think he's a flash-in-the-pan: far from it, his minor-league track record and swing mechanics both suggest long-term, sustained excellence. He's a very good player. But it's not like he was some flawless mythical creature: there's work to do still.Steve Buffumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02278063613609933846noreply@blogger.com