Thoughts on Longoria

by jacksontsmith on Apr 7, 2008 2:18 PM EDT

Do any of you think it is possible that Evan Longoria's growth and maturation as a baseball player could have been stunted by all of the goings on this spring? Looking back at how well he played, and combining that with all of the publicity he got and the fan base he gathered, maybe sending him back down did considerable damage. Now, I have not watched any of his at bats in Durham since the season started, so I am not sure if they have been quality at bats. But starting the season hitless through the first week and a half does not sound like the Longoria that was sent down at the end of spring. Is it possible he had convinced himself he would be in the majors? Could the let down be slowing his progress as a player? This is all pure speculation, but we know one thing for sure. Maddon and FriedCo. are getting a look at how Longo handles his first slump.

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No, not at all

While some fans seem to think that he was given the idea that he had every bit of a chance to make the team out of the spring, he was probably told since the 1st day of camp that he's going to be given a long look and basically he's gotta show everything at an A+ level to make the team. He also probably was told that he's got a lucrative long-term deal in the works, if he goes along with it.

by Jacob Larsen on Apr 7, 2008 2:51 PM EDT 0 recs

"While some fans seem to think that he was given the idea that he had every bit of a chance to make the team out of the spring, he was probably told since the 1st day of camp that he's going to be given a long look and basically he's gotta show everything at an A+ level to make the team"

Or he could've been told that while the team let it be known his spring performance didn't matter too much and really had the intent on keeping him down for the few weeks necessary to guarantee an extra year, just in case Longoria doesn't feel like signing an early extension.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 7, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

It's hardly his first slump, players go on 0fer streaks all the time, this one just so happens to happen the first week. I don't know Evan, but I sure as hell hope he's mad and wanting to be in the majors, that alone should be motivation to rake in Durham. In addition if the money is that big of an incentive for Evan becoming a prima donna is the absolute last thing to do in order to get a quick financial reward for his performance at the big league level, look at Shields, Pena, and even Wheeler and Crawford.

As you mentioned outside of those who have actually seen him play nobody knows if he's hitting the ball hard, but right at people. Stunting his progression however seems highly, highly unlikely unless Evan wants it to.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 7, 2008 2:54 PM EDT 0 recs

As an aside at what point do we drop the nicknames for the front office and simply call them the front office? I think the adjustment period is all but over.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 7, 2008 2:57 PM EDT 0 recs

I think it's possible

That Longoria is going into a tailspin due to the disappointment he suffered in being sent down. That disappointment could certainly result in a poor mental state that impacts his play; only he knows that for sure.

Now, as to whether it will negatively affect his development, I don't think so. Longoria's talent will eventually win out over any protracted slump that he may endure, and failure may be good for him so that he is prepared when he inevitably comes upon it at some point in the major leagues.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 7, 2008 3:14 PM EDT 0 recs

My two cents

Longo was sent down with a laundry list of things to work on, one being better contact on breaking balls for example. If he goes into an AB with the approach to look for a breaking ball and do something with it his numbers are going to look horrible until he is able to make the necessary adjustments and combine them with his old hitting approach. WHEW!

I know he can hit a fastball, you know he can hit a fastball, and the DRO knows he can hit a fastball with the best of them. Evan is too special a hitter to let disappointment effect his stroke and these are the days the DRO wanted him to get out of the way before he plays at the Trop.

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Apr 7, 2008 4:14 PM EDT 0 recs