Update of Burrellian Nature

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 2, 2009 9:00 AM EDT

Since returning from the D.L. on June 12th, Pat Burrell has racked up 250 plate appearances with 11 home runs and a line of .234/.332/.445. Ahoy small sample size, but in 95 August plate appearances his line is .282/.358/.506 with five home runs. Since Joe Maddon gave him private hitting lessons, Burrell is hitting .282/.356/.526 in 87 plate appearances.

Note that I do not know what Maddon told him or if it has any real effect so this is more or less trivial. The real encouraging sign is that Burrell's home runs have an average distance of 399 feet, further than last year and barely shorter than 2007. I think that means he still has power.

A 0.3 WAR season isn't what any of us wanted. He's only earned 1.3 million of that 16 mil, but if the guy's bat were toast he would be a pretty ineffective hitter, instead it's still wood and maybe we can salvage this thing next year. I wouldn't expect him to be worth his contract sum though ... and I wouldn't have expected to write that six months ago either.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I was sorely disappointed in Burrell

But your report is right on. He has stepped up quite a bit, and actually looks like a credible DH. Hopefully, next year we get the last quarter 09 Burrell not the first three quarters 09 Burrell. What took Maddon so long to see his swing wasn’t right? I know Burrell had the neck thing, but it doesn’t take a genius to see the mechanics of his swing were off.

by terp12 on Sep 2, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

We should have kept Hinske

if for nothing more than he’ll probably play in his 3rd straight WS with 3 different teams, and at probably 1/4 the cost

by sternfan1 on Sep 2, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

......................................................................................................................................................................

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 2, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions