Recte's BR Fact of the Day 10/26/07 (Gabe Gross)

[recte44]

Read Al's Ramblings this morning (just like every morning). Saw the notes from a Doug Melvin interview, where he basically said they will find a LF from outside the franchise, looking for a 100 BB type guy to add to the lineup. So, it appears Gabe Gross is a "reserve" type guy.

 

Gabe Gross

Comparables:

 

1. Terrmel Sledge (978)
2. Mike Kelly (978)
3. Mike Chartak (976)
4. Jack Voigt (975)
5. George Alusik (974)
6. Damon Hollins (972)
7. Billy Ashley (971)
8. Mike Diaz (971)
9. Bob Bowman (971)
10. Adam Piatt (970)

Funny to see "Captain Jack" in there. This list is populated with a bunch of "AAAA" types, which Gross is quickly becoming. I'd love to see him go to some downtrodden franchise and get an everyday crack. This list actually reminds me of an old Bill James recurring feature, the Ken Phelps All-Stars.

 

Ken Phelpses are just available; if you want one, all you have to do is ask. They are players whose real limitations are exaggerated by baseball insiders, players who get stuck with a label -- the label of their limits, the label the things they can't do -- while those that they can do are overlooked... The Ken Phelps All-Stars [are] a whole teamful of guys who are wearing labels, but who nonetheless can play major-league baseball, and will prove it if they ever get the chance. - Bill James, Baseball Abstract

[clancyphile]

In 462 PAs with the Brewers, Gabe Gross has cracked out the following:

100 hits, 27 doubles, 2 triples, 16 homers, 62 RBI, with 61 walks, 3 sac bunts, 4 sac flies, and 3 double plays. He has also stolen four bases in five attempts.

 

In the field he has notched 9 outfield assists in 100 games, split between all three spots. I'd venture to say that he has the best arm in the outfield (incidentally, this is why my 2008 OF is Hart in left, Hall in center, and Gross in right).

 

For a stopgap until LaPorta is ready, Gabe Gross is far from the worst option. Why not give him a shot as a full-time OF?

[TooLiveBrew]

Because he doesn't hit lefties well enough to justify facing them. He's similar to Jenkins, but with better plate discipline - and perhaps slightly less pop in his bat. If our worst case scenario in LF for 2008 is Gross/Mench, we're doing just fine.