How about a little love for Darren Ford?

[wvpowerblkwel]

Alright guys....I have to say after watching the treat that is the Power for a month now, I've got one question.....Where's the love for Darren Ford. Here are the stats.....going into today .352 (.321 vs righty, .367 vs Lefties) 18 Stolen bases in 19 games, OBP .408 SLG .455 OPS .863.....then today 2 for 3 with a HR, stolen base #19. From the leadoff spot, my guess from watching him this year and last is he is being instructed to use his speed more which he is doing through numerous bunt attempt, some real, some imagined (in the opposing teams mind) remember guys, the man is only 21 and granted he has a logjam above him in the outfield, 6.11 60 speed is impossible to find in the game right now. I know you are going to respond that 28 k's in 88 AB's doesn't get it from a leadoff man, but when the man is on base (.408 OBP) he frightens the opposing pitcher, catcher, and shortstop into ridiculous throwing errors, and doesn't hesitate to take third right after stealing 2nd.....I have never seen one man make the opposing team alter their game and get inside their head as much as Ford has this season....somebody throw this guy a little love!

[colbyjack]

I just want to point out that Ford does get quite a bit of love around here. I think a lot of people were surprised that he was held back to repeat the low-A level to open the year. I understand the OF glut ahead of him, and personally felt Cole Gillespie needed to jump over someone (even if his bat has been slow to come around so far this year), but Ford would not have been my choice.

 

He's the first candidate to move up to BC as soon as an opening presents itself. However, since you brought up the strikeouts, regardless of what kind of hitter he is, he really needs to cut down on the Ks. While the other numbers are nice, it is a little disturbing to me that he has not improved in this area, particularly since he is repeating the level.

[Boy Jeenius]

First name I look for in the minor league stats every night is Ford. I even scrapped with the Power 50 authors a bit over him a couple of times. His X rated speed makes him a fascinating prospect.

[pogokat]

darren is a cool prsopect...he's got a lot of talent and determination..

 

keep an eye out for an interview with him soon..

[agent39]

I love Darren Ford.

[sbrylski]

I am really pulling for Darren Ford as well.

[southpaw121505]

www.doublediamondsportsma.../home.html

 

video of a nice opposite field homer for darren

[GAME05]

Glad you brought Darren Ford up, definitely he has better skills then many give him credit for. Always fun to watch a guy who's got the skills and speed to swipe 50 bases a season.

 

Is there really a logjam in the ML OF for Darren? He'll be in the minors for at least three years yet and the Power 50 only has three other outfielders listed ahead of him.

[dadofandrew]

He runs fast. That alone should get him to AA, and we'll see how he hits then.

[pogokat]

I think Darren can be a major league starter...he's everything that people think TGJ is, but with real power and unreal speed...

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Here's a little love from Rotoworld (from yesterday):

 

Low Single-A West Virginia's Darren Ford had a homer, a double and a stolen base in Sunday's game. Ford, repeating the Sally League as a 21-year-old after hitting .283/.361/.387 with 69 steals for West Virginia last season, is currently batting .339/.391/.504 with 20 steals. He should be a terrific center fielder by the time he's ready for the majors, so he could become a regular even if he's not all that good of a hitter.

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