If you haven't noticed by now, the Mets "charismatic" utility-man, Jordany Valdespin, has been tearing the cover off the ball this spring. After hitting a home run against Justin Verlander, Valdespin leads all Mets outfielders in HR, AVG, and SLG.
Even ESPN's Adam Rubin can't fathom the Mets starting the year with the 'Spin machine.
Say what you want about his off the field antics and him being a clubhouse enigma, but the kid CAN produce and may be our answer to the outfield questions this season. In 94 games last season Valdespin put up a triple slash line of .241/.286/.424. While its very discouraging to see such a low OBP there was improvement as the season went along. Courtesy of our friends over at Amazin Avenue, we see that during the first half of Valdespin's rookie season he only BB in 1.98% of his ABs and was only seeing 3 1/2 pitches each time. However once the All-Star break came and went his BB% jumped up to 7.6% and he was seeing just over 4 pitches each AB compared to the league average 3.8.
Then there are the results from this winter's Dominican Winter League campaign. He played in 31 games and made 108 plate appearances and walked in 16.6% of those PA while K'ing in only 13.9% of them, both way off his career norms.
When you combine these improving rates with a .277 Isolated Power rate from last season you get a very respectable offensive player. Even more so is getting those rates from a Mets Outfielder.
2012 Statistics:
| Player | ISO | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Duda | 0.224 | 11.1% | 26.1% |
| Kirk Nieuwenhuis | 0.195 | 7.9% | 31.2% |
| Andrew Brown | 0.303 | 9.5% | 26.9% |
| Collin Cowgill | 0.076 | 9.5% | 23.3% |
| Marlon Byrd | 0.056 | 3.3% | 20.3% |
| Jamie Hoffman | 0.240 | 12.6% | 17.3% |
| Mike Baxter | 0.257 | 11.8% | 21.3% |
As you can see above assuming Jordany can post a .250 ISO with a 10% BB rate and a 20% K rate, only Baxter would be an overall better option.
IMO, If Jordany can prove that his patience from the DWL is true and he can field at a league average clip throw him out there in a straight platoon with Cowgill to start the season. If he and Cowgill are both producing, move Duda back to RF (or trade him) and give Valdespin LF and Cowgill CF, (and Kirk RF if Duda is traded.)
4 comments:
and Verlander hits him in the nuts too....lol.
I can tolerate the flair and antics as long as he is producing. He has the potential to be one of those players we love to have on our team and the opposing team and fans despise :)
I really hope that Spin gets as much playing time as possible. With his speed and power combination, I expect him to put up enough production to get notice from other teams. He should be able to be a valuable trade piece...the only way for that to happen will be if he showcases his talents.
Can't nobody stop him. He IS the man right now.
I got a feeling that Jordany will become one of the most interesting and funny players on the Mets. His quotes are hysterical, that's for sure. His self confidence and self promotion are evident. I wish Duda had half this guys chops. He's like the Mets' Puff Daddy.
He even take a Verlander shot to the nuts and smiles after words...if that don't stop you and put up out of commission for a few days, nothing will.
I look forward to his late inning heroics, knowing he isn't afraid to pat himself on the back verbally. It'll be pretty funny.
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