The Other Guy in That One Deal Last Year

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 31, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

We haven't talked about Matt Joyce in a while.

Joyce's 13.6% walk rate is top five in the IL and his strikeout rate is around 24%. Overall Joyce has an .855 OPS. Per MinorLeagueSplits his platoon splits break down as such:

Versus LH: 107 AB, .252/.311/.486 (5 HR, 7 BB, 31 SO)

Versus RH: 284 AB, .282/.395/.482 (10 HR, 56 BB, 62 SO)

Joyce still kills righties. His approach facing them appears solid, walking almost as many times as he strikes out, showing some home run pop, and also hitting 23 doubles against the normal folk. Joyce isn't quite as comfortable with the alien species known as left-handers. He's not seeing a ton of them to begin with, but when he does he's struggling to reach base against them. The power is still there, just the familiarity with the strike zone and the ability to pick up pitches isn't.

Joyce's defense will always represent a good portion of Joyce's WAR, and TotalZone has him worth +11 runs in right field. I'm not sure what the correlation between TZ and UZR is, so take that figure with some salt. You have to figure he's a 5 < x < 15 defender in a corner at this point. Hopefully we can improve the precision on that range at some point in the next year or two. For what it's worth, the 2008 Fans Scouting Report ranked Joyce as an above average defender as well.

August has been kind to Joyce thus far and he's actually walked more than he struck out. With about 60 days needed in order to complete Joyce's first service year, he's appeared in 11 games this season and presumably has around 35-40 days left in that year, meaning the Rays will probably delay his September arrival until after the International League playoffs end. It's not like there's any rush for him to join this particular team anyways. Next year should be a different story.

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So are we looking at a platoon/fulltime job for Joyce next year?

by Doug09 on Aug 31, 2009 7:03 AM EDT reply actions

These numbers are encouraging

Versus LH: 107 AB, .252/.311/.486 (5 HR, 7 BB, 31 SO)

by sternfan1 on Aug 31, 2009 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions

On this topic,

what are the terms we have for Kap and Gross? They around next year or are we turning it over to Joyce due to talent and (lack of) contract for above two

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by Buc Wild on Aug 31, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Gross is arby2 Kapler a FA

by sternfan1 on Aug 31, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Kapler's role can be played by Perez since he hits righties better anyhow

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by Jason Collette on Aug 31, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

wait kaplers job is to hit leftirs

Need a lineup? No problem...just give me paper, pen, scissors, a hat, and a blindfold

by jqueipo on Aug 31, 2009 9:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think Jason meant to say that he hits right-handed better.

I would love to see Nando kill lefties in a platoon with Joyce. Nando makes a perfect 4th OF, in that, he can play all 3 spots, be a defensive sub, pinch run and hits pretty well right handed. His strikeouts have always been an issue, but that should only help him fit in on this club.

I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.

by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 31, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

so Nando/Joyce platoon next year? I likes.

by walkoffwalk on Aug 31, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd probably let him play full time.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 31, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

But then aren't you 2 engaged?

So you’d say that.

Seems clear that the kids will and should take the Gabes spot next season – saves the club near a $ mil and a half. Should try to trade Gross ASAP after the season if that’s the plan – call me master of the obvious. Teams could easily wait for a non-tendering though.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Aug 31, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions