Problems with the bench

[JohnBriggs12]

When ST opened Brad Nelson was not the guy they envisioned in this role. That guy was Trot Nixon. Had Nixon been hitting anywhere near the level Nelson was, Nixon would be on the team and Nelson would have been DFA'd. Yes they might have lost him. Teams lose guys all the time. Nelson is not an established major leaguer. Unless he gets an opportunity to play on a semi regular basis, it's doubtful he ever will be.

 

Furthermore, if this was August or September, no way would they be going with a player with such limited major league time in the role of lefty pinch hitter especially with the number of unemployed veteran lefty bats out there.

 

I suspect at some point unless Nelson sprinkles in some base hits, they'll grab a Durham, Catalanotto, or Edmonds to replace him. I suspect that move may come sooner than later (Mother's day is my guess). Duffy may hang on a little longer but really is Duffy any better than Gwynn especially if Gwynn has been playing regularly and Duffy has replaced Rivera in the witness protection program.

 

They are also running the risk of not having a capable backup to Corey Hart who has been known to be quite streaky. That Kaplar was hurt when Hart struggled down the stretch almost cost them the playoffs last year.

[JJHardy7]

Because playing in Triple A is a lot easier than playing in the majors.

 

I would look up JJ, Hart, and Prince at AAA and see how those numbers compare at certain parts to Nelson. I think it's worked out alright for the other three.

 

Based on that logic, Weeks should be the best hitter.

 

You're hating on Nelson and that's fine. Just don't use AAA stats to do so unless it points to him doing one thing...and his numbers don't indicate he'll be great or stink. They do indicate he was a good hitter in AAA last year...will that continue in a bench role? My guess is it will take Brad some more time to get used to being a bench/PH guy and he'll be fine.

 

Because playing in Triple A is a lot easier than playing in the majors.

 

Also, thanks for pointing this out. I've only seen Brad play 30+ times in Nashville and this whole time I thought I was at a big league game! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[TooLiveBrew]

Look, I like Brad Nelson, and I hope he succeeds, I'm just not as high on him as some of you guys are.

 

Well your point that I addressed was about plate discipline.

 

 

"Forget about small sample size, what has to be disconcerting is his terrible plate discipline.

 

Anyone who has watched his at bats cannot honestly say that he has looked good up there. He's swinging at too many junk pitches for me to say that it's simply a product of small sample size"

 

 

There's ample evidence that your point is a reaction based on a small sample. The chance that Nelson has suddenly forgotten how to have plate discipline is next to none.

[Thurston Fluff]

Part of keeping a good bench is having them play enough to be useful when they are called upon. Until very recently that has not really been the case. Macha has to learn to use his bench players enough to keep them sharp or he will end up with a week bench regardless of who is on it.

[logan82]

Part of keeping a good bench is having them play enough to be useful when they are called upon. Until very recently that has not really been the case. Macha has to learn to use his bench players enough to keep them sharp or he will end up with a week bench regardless of who is on it.

You are probably right. We have had enough off days and it is early so we have not had to give guys days off. I think we will see more days off and more games for the bench players pretty soon.

[tyguy20204]

I would look up JJ, Hart, and Prince at AAA and see how those numbers compare at certain parts to Nelson. I think it's worked out alright for the other three.

 

Based on that logic, Weeks should be the best hitter.

 

You're hating on Nelson and that's fine. Just don't use AAA stats to do so unless it points to him doing one thing...and his numbers don't indicate he'll be great or stink. They do indicate he was a good hitter in AAA last year...will that continue in a bench role? My guess is it will take Brad some more time to get used to being a bench/PH guy and he'll be fine.

 

Also, thanks for pointing this out. I've only seen Brad play 30+ times in Nashville and this whole time I thought I was at a big league game! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

Nelson is not even near being on the level of Hardy, Hart, and Fielder. Nelson's mediocre numbers came on the second go-around of AAA during his age 26 season. Do you think that if we left any one of those trio in AAA for four years they would only put up a mid .800 OPS?

 

I'll be the first to admit that since you've seen Brad play 30+ times at Nashville, you likely do have a better grasp on what type of player he is than I do. I'm making an argument based on his minor league numbers and his at-bats this season. It is possible that he will be a "fine" bench player.

 

TooLiveBrew:

 

There's ample evidence that your point is a reaction based on a small sample. The chance that Nelson has suddenly forgotten how to have plate discipline is next to none.

 

Fair enough, but my initial response was a mere fragment of my overall analysis, which I then followed up with.

[JJHardy7]

Nelson is not even near being on the level of Hardy, Hart, and Fielder. Nelson's mediocre numbers came on the second go-around of AAA during his age 26 season. Do you think that if we left any one of those trio in AAA for four years they would only put up a mid .800 OPS?

 

I just wouldn't use those stats as a reason why he will or won't be solid in the bigs. Stats are great for baseball, but that doesn't always mean minor league stats project or don't project in the bigs. I personally won't put much stock in what Brad does or doesn't do until he gets more 'regular' playing time. By that I mean starting a few more games here and there when we don't have as many off days.

 

I think one thing people might be missing is that Brad really has never been a bench player. It's an adjustment I'm sure, but one he'll have to work through.

 

Also, what would Hardy, Hart, and Fielder do if they had the same injury Brad did? I do think this held him back quite a bit in his development. I don't say this to mean he'll be an all-star. I do think his age last year shouldn't be 'looked down on' due to the injury he had.