Why hasn't a guy like Joe Dillon gotten a shot in the bigs?

[danzig6767]

Why hasn't a guy like Joe Dillon received a shot by anyone in the bigs?

 

I was just looking at the AAA stats and the guy has just mashed for three straight years.I understand he is over 30 and doing this in the minors,but wouldn't you think a guy who can post a 1.000 OPS three straight years in AAA be able to be at least a solid major league hitter on the cheap?

 

For a guy like Dillon,are the odds ever against him getting another shot given his age even if all he does is beat up AAA pitching?Does anyone who follows the minors closely thing he'd produce in the majors if given a shot or is he simply an older guy that would be exposed facing pitchers his own age?

 

 

(please don't put half your subject in the subject and the other half in the post. Make it easy to figure out what the thread is about from reading the title. -TC)

[TheCrew07]

He got a couple of shots, and a cup of coffee with FLA, it just never panned out. He didn't hit well enough in Spring Training or his call up to stay, not to mention who he'd be rotting on the bench behind. Evidently FLA management just wasn't very impressed with him, or at least not enough to give him another MLB roster slot. Though they did release him when he asked for it after spring training and he signed with the Brewers right away. He played a year in a Japan as well, last year I believe.

 

If you look at his career, he really didn't take off hitting wise until 2004 when he was bounced back to AA for the 4th time when he was 29 years old. How many guys even get a 4th shot at AA even if they want it? He he had some nice power seasons, and some pretty poor seasons at the plate, he was very up and down. He found something in 2004 though, because he's mashed the minors since then.

 

Here's the complete list of his stats from the baseball cube.

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...llon.shtml

[brettac1]

I've been considering adding "Free Joe Dillon?" to my sig for a couple weeks now.

 

In regards to why he hasn't gotten a shot, he fell into the common AAAA trap that a lot of players do. He was a late bloomer in the minors, and raked. Then he got a very short stint in the majors, in which he didn't rake so much. Since he had been very successful in AAA immediately before getting called up, he was branded as a AAAA guy. For some marginal AAA guys the reverse happens - they get called up and rake for 100 AB's and they are suddenly a good player and get shot after shot.

 

Another guy who got the "AAAA" shaft is the almighty Jack Cust. It took the right team at the right time to finally give him an extended shot - now he's hitting .262/.390/.563 with 15 HR in 183 AB's. Dillon obviously wouldn't do that, but he deserves a shot regardless.

[LouisEly]

He would be a nice bat to have on the bench in September.

[dadofandrew]

There are a few guys like Dillon on every AAA team. They just aren't that good, or special. They need to find a home and get a chance, like Coste has.

[alskntwnsfn]

Just Wondering...

 

What type of deal do you think would be needed for the Twins to get Dillon trade done with Milwaukee?

 

Cash?

PTBNL + Cash?

C-Prospect?

B-Prospect?

 

Our 3B situation is just ridiculous, it would be cool to see what you guys think the market is like for Dillon.

 

Same question for Kevin Mench.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

The Brewers probably wouldnt stand in his way if the Twins offered him a chance in the big leagues. They never have for minor league vets before. I think Mench is kinda necessary to the Brewers as we lack another right handed hitting outfielder. But I cant imagine the Brewers have any plans if he not up here over Gwynn as he continues his run at regressing to a sub .400 OPS and we play Jenkins and his .227 OBP vs. left handers.

[danzig6767]

There are a few guys like Dillon on every AAA team. They just aren't that good, or special. They need to find a home and get a chance, like Coste has.

 

Do most teams have a guy who posted a 1.000 plus OPS in over 1000 AAA at bats the last three years?

 

I started the only because Dillon hasn't just hit well the last three years in AAA,he has put up numbers that i'm just guessing a fair number of guys now in the bigs couldn't do if they were sent back to AAA.

 

I'm no scout and maybe Dillon would really struggle vs big league pitching.I'm just assuming that if a guy can post a 1.000 plus OPS in his last 1000 plus AAA at bats,he should be able to hit well enough in the bigs to help a team at least in a bench role.There are quite a few guys in the majors that are pretty poor hitters among thirdbaseman or backup outfielders.

[alskntwnsfn]

Dillon could probably out hit this guy...

 

http://www.yardbarker.com/images/players/xt.fss-l.mlb.com-p.6037.gif

[Mass Haas]

You'll have to help me out on that picture...

[dadofandrew]

As already stated, if MIN calls and asks for Dillon to add to the 25 man, he'll be there that night. He is not a prospect, at best, he's a role player. Doug would take cash or another veteran to fill out his AAA roster.

[alskntwnsfn]

That's 'lil Nicky Punto.

 

Owner of a 212/308/280 line in 337 plate appearances. Just to point it out, if it's not obvious, this guy plays 3B, is OPS'ing .587 and is on pace for over 650 plate appearances. Wow.

[molitor fan]

In regard to Dillon, I do not agree with Al on this one. I think that Dillon comes up September 1 as another bat on the bench...I do not think Doug gives him away when he will be on the roster in 6 weeks when the roster expands.

[TheCrew07]

Dillon doesn't have a role in Milwaukee except as a pinch hitter, if a GM wants Dillon, Melvin will not stand in his way of a chance to play in the bigs. He hasn't in the past, and I don't see him doing that now.

 

I completely agree with Al on this one, Melvin's track record on this pretty much speaks for itself.

[Never Outhustled]

Quote:

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I completely agree with Al on this one, Melvin's track record on this pretty much speaks for itself.

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I agree with Molitorfan on this one, Melvin won't let Dillon walk away for nothing. The track record Melvin built was when the Brewers we not competing for the playoffs.

 

Dillon is 1 injury away from playing a significant role on this team. Also, the players Melvin let walk in the past were not on the 40 man roster. I believe Melvin added Dillon to the 40 man roster possibly because another team wanted him, but Melvin wanted to show Dillon we're committed to him here. His addition to the 40 happened right after the White Sox, who had already been hit with a number of injuries, lost Crede. That might not be a coincidence.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

Dillon is 1 injury away from playing a significant role on this team. Also, the players Melvin let walk in the past were not on the 40 man roster.

 

We had that injury. He isnt here. Instead we are batting Tony Gwynn and letting Jenkins bat vs. lefties. If the organization had any plans for Dillon, he would be here now in my opinion. I doubt we are carrying 35 guys on the September roster and when the time comes who gets the call as an extra righty bat: Rottino or Dillon? I wish the organization would give him a shot, but I just dont see it happening right now.

[Never Outhustled]

Quote:

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I doubt we are carrying 35 guys on the September roster and when the time comes who gets the call as an extra righty bat: Rottino or Dillon? I wish the organization would give him a shot, but I just dont see it happening right now.

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Both will be on the September roster, Rottino as the 3rd catcher, Dillon as a righty stick. Dillon will be recalled before that if we have an injury to Hart, Fielder, Braun, Jenkins, or Mench.

[davego]

When Hall went down, I was pulling for Joe to get the call. I assumed he wouldn't but IMO the 'Crew has one more LHB in the OF then needed.

[brettac1]

How about calling him up when Gwynn goes to Cooperstown, as opposed to playing a man down?

[dadofandrew]

I doubt if Tony is allowed to be placed on bereavement leave for such an event, though no one seems to be very concerned about they reasons guys are put on the list.

 

Tony Jr. will probably be back in AAA before then anyway...Hall is due back early next week.