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Player Review: Ben Zobrist

 

Last year was the best year of Ben Zobrist's professional career. Not only did he tear it up in Durham to the tune of .366/.471/.577/1.048 (wOBA of 135) in 20 games (making it impossible for the Rays to keep him in AAA), but also had his most successful tenure in the bigs. Zobrist was very, very good in his 62 games with the big club this summer; his slash line was .253/.339/.505/.844 with 12 HRs. He was third on the team in wOBA (.367) of all players with more than 200 PAs.

So, the question is "Why was Zobrist so much more effective this year, than in years past?" Well, the simple answer is a lot more of his fly-balls left the yard. In his two previous big league stints (52 and 31 games, respectively), Zobrist's HR/FB% were 4.3% and 3.6%. This year his HR/FB% was 17.4%. He essentially went from Jason Bartlett territory to Evan Longoria. Is this change legit? Looking at Zobrist this year, he did look bigger. He looked stronger. How much difference can we expect that to make, though?

Another reason why Zobrist was more successful was he exhibited the patience that made me like him as a minor leaguer when we traded for him. His BB-rate had never been below 12% in the minors, and it was 3% and 5.2% during his two previous times up. This year it was a more typical 11.2%. He swung at less pitches out of the zone (17.8% versus 26.7 and 23.3%) and swung at more pitches in the zone (61.8% against 59.7% and 60.9%). As a result, he made more contact and firmer contact.

So, Zobrist's great year was a mix of some-part luck and some-part improvement or skill. The question we will likely have answered in the future is "How much was each?"

 

 

0 recs | Comment 33 comments

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I want him to be on the club

A switch-hitting guy who can play every position decently is valuable. Plus he’s an offensive machine.

I could be wrong though

by staplemaniac on Nov 14, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hm.

He’s was worth 1 run in the corner outfield, but he’s awful on the infield. I severely doubt his power is legit, but we’ll see. Otherwise I’d rather have Willy.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 14, 2008 4:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He needs to play some this winter.

I’m pretty sure it comes down to Willy/Zobrist for a roster spot.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 14, 2008 4:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why?

Both makes sense to me. It’s not like they even back up at the same positions.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 14, 2008 8:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

12 P

2 C
4 INF
3 OF
DH

= 22 players, plus at least one more OFer and probably another DH/OF type. That’s 24.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 14, 2008 5:17 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

DH= Willy

Unless they go out and sign someone.

Plus, I’m not sure why this squad can’t get by with 11 pitchers.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 14, 2008 8:42 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Plus your math just sucks

What the hell do we need 6 OF/DH players for?

It’s pretty standard to have a corner infield backup and a middle infield backup.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 14, 2008 8:43 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Assuming we have two statue DHs

Who would hurt us defensively, and having them play the field is detrimental. Like, oh I don’t know, Gomes/Hinske.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 14, 2008 10:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No. I was using those two as an example.

What’s potentially more valuable:

Zobrist – Poor middle infielder who won’t be placed in games instead of the starters due to pitching matchup or defense.

Perez – Excellent defensive outfielder who keeps statues off the field.

Maybe I’m off base, but I’m giving Perez the roster spot and rolling with Aybar as my only utility infielder.

Assuming that the DHs are statues, and that Aybar is not one of them. Both statements could be wrong.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 14, 2008 10:51 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, you're off base

Zobrist sucks at SS, but Aybar can’t play SS at all.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 15, 2008 1:14 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would be very surprised if we don't keep both those guys.

Either they stay or they are used to hose a GM.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found
a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up
that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 15, 2008 10:15 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

to be our enforcer...duh!

he has a much better chance of hitting someone in the face than hitting a baseball

i wouldnt be all that surprised if he tried UFC lol

everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds

by RaysOfHope on Nov 15, 2008 12:01 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One of the things I was impressed with was Zob's OF defense

As an IF he got the ball in and out of his glove fast, and he showed that same ability in the Outfield, holding guys and preventing them from taking extra bases. And also, keep him for Jesus.

I could be wrong though

by staplemaniac on Nov 14, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But it is possible that Aybar is both a 4th infielder and a platoon DH,

 while the other OF/DH type might be the other platoon DH, so there might be room for Zobrist. Naturally, a lot depends on the deals that are made before opening day. Obviously the attractiveness of Zobrist is that even if he is not a good shortstop, he is currently the only one with significant experience at the position on the team.

by bobr on Nov 14, 2008 5:31 PM EST reply reply actions actions   1 recs

I would not go that route..

he is just so valuable off the bench. That’s a long season ahead, you know.

2-21-08 $338 on the Rays to win the Pennant at 95:1 = $32,448. -bet placed by the new Matt Garza Fan Club Preisdent.

by Kenny845 on Nov 14, 2008 6:44 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

also why did you guys fire melrose?

for not playing stamkos enough and rotating players too often?

everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds

by RaysOfHope on Nov 15, 2008 12:03 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Because our ownership is playing fantasy hockey with our real team

They’re too finnicky to build a real team, so they just go out and do whatever after a bad loss or a bad couple of games. They are stupid and I hate them. *

*Opinion is prone to changing.

I could be wrong though

by staplemaniac on Nov 15, 2008 1:21 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

AAAAAAAgreeed

Fucking morons have destroyed a once proud franchise in a little over 3 months.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found
a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up
that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 15, 2008 10:17 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

just trade Zobrist to StL. Problem solved.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 15, 2008 9:26 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Zobrist for Ankiel or Ludwick

Ludwick would cost more though.

This.

by Blicks on Nov 15, 2008 10:54 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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